Sedgwick County 
Manager's Office
525 N. Main, #343
Wichita, KS 67203
Tel: (316) 660-9393
Fax: (316) 383-7946

To assure quality public services that provide for the present and future well-being of the citizens of Sedgwick County.

To establish, maintain and nurture partnerships to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services.

To train, encourage and recognize employees for hard work, creativity and innovation in delivering quality public services.

To foster two-way communication with citizens and employees to build trust, confidence and teamwork, and to ensure Informed decisions.

To allocate and use resources for basic and essential services that are responsive to the changing needs of our community.

I am Bill Buchanan, Sedgwick County Manager. Welcome to our Web site. County staff and I are responsible for implementing the policy decisions made by the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners.

Enhancing the Delivery of Public Services by Nonprofit Agencies

This report was recognized as an ICMA Innovation Award Winner in 2004.

The purpose of this report is to identify best practice among nonprofit organizations that deliver public services and to make recommendations to Sedgwick County for improving its contracting procedures to enhance the delivery of public services provided by nonprofit agencies.  Three content areas will be addressed - governance, administration and financial management of nonprofits - and recommendations will be made with respect to prevention, warning signs and early interventions.  To view the report, click here.

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Weekly Update

Our Sustainability Task Force has conducted a series of surveys on sustainability with our employees. These results have provided insight and suggestions on how we can promote and enhance sustainability throughout the organization. The Task Force continues to work to develop strategies for us to change how we consider social equity, economic development, organizational & financial viability and the environment in our decision making and services here at Sedgwick County. Some of these efforts include:

• No-spill gas cans -- I am pleased to announce we are nearly completed with our purchase of no-spill gas cans in Facilities, the Parks, and Public Works. Gasoline loss is a large contributor to air pollution and these no-spill gas containers will help avoid spills and evaporation
• Computer Monitor “Auto-Power-Off” – DIO has been researching an automated process that will “power off” computer monitors after an extended period of inactivity. With nearly 3,000 employees, this effort will help us save energy consumption and save money. You will be hearing more about this effort soon.
• Carpooling – Reducing our travel is another way we can look to save money and consider the environment. We have encouraged employees to share rides to meetings when possible and to consider carpooling with those outside your department. There are existing websites (ex., www.erideshare.com or www.icarpool.com) to consider if you are looking to carpool to and from work. The City of Wichita’s Regional Rideshare Program is another source for carpooling and can be found at http://www.wichita.gov/CityOffices/Transit/TransitDocs.htm. Safety is a consideration in carpooling with those you don’t know and doing your due diligence is necessary.
• Cycling & Bike Racks – There are an increasing number of people who are reducing their own fuel consumption by cycling to work or to the Courthouse for their business. To accommodate these efforts, Facilities will be installing bike racks in the Courthouse complex soon.

We are seeing increasing costs of goods and services and fuel costs within our organization. Recently, I asked all departments to submit ideas for making adjustments or process changes to help reduce our costs -- we have received a number of ideas about fleet usage, carpooling, use of technology and purchasing. I believe we have some opportunities for greater efficiency and sustainability. I will keep you posted as we move through this process.

I hope you will take some time to visit the Sustainability Task Force Page on eline. You can learn more about this effort and how you might apply these ideas to your work and even your home life.

-William P. Buchanan