This Week in Sedgwick County - Jan. 22, 2025 

Board of County Commissioners

  • Commissioners approved a proclamation declaring January 2025 as National Mentoring Month.
  • The BoCC approved a proclamation declaring Jan. 31, 2025, as the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Girls Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council.
  • Commissioners approved the minutes from their regular meeting on Jan. 8, 2025.
  • The BoCC accepted the resignation of Jacqueline Kelly from the District One Citizens Advisory Board.
  • Commissioners approved the appointment of Edward Weber to the Afton Township Clerk Position.
  • The BoCC approved the appointment of Michael Rausch to the Garden Plain Township Clerk Position.
  • Commissioners approved the appointment of Cameron Dawson, Connor Glenn, Jaimie Kissinger, Jeff Longwell, Joe Brown, Johanna Pfaff, Josef Hamilton, Patrick Gaughan, Mike Hill and Kevin McWhorter to the District Three Citizens Advisory Board.
  • The BoCC approved the appointment of Hunter Davenport to the Mental Health Advisory Board.
  • Commissioners authorized the sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series A, 2025, on March 4, 2025, at an interest rate of no more than 4.75% to finance 11 improvement projects totaling $10,836,054.60.
  • Commissioners approved the dissolution of the District Five Citizens Advisory Board and the creation of a District Five Collaboration Board with up to 18 members.
  • The BoCC approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) regarding the use of up to $2.5 million in state funds provided in Kansas Senate Bill 28 (2024) for environmentally at-risk testing for contamination sites in Sedgwick County, with priority given to citizens exposed to the 29th and Grove contamination plume.
  • Commissioners approved a 5% General Pay Plan adjustment for the County Clerk, County Treasurer and Register of Deeds, effective Dec. 29, 2024, replacing the 3% per policy.
  • The BoCC deferred Item N: Considerations of resolutions regarding quality of life spending by Sedgwick County Government in relation to sales tax dollars apportioned to Ad Valorem Tax Relief, until the Oct. 1, 2025, BoCC meeting.
  • Commissioners approved recommendations from the Board of Bids and Contracts’ regular meeting on Jan. 16, 2025.
  • Assistant County Manager gave a legislative update:
    • This is the second week of the legislative session. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, is the deadline for individuals to request member-sponsored bill drafts.
    • 5, 2025, is the last day to introduce bills, and Feb. 17, 2025, is the last day for non-exempt committees to introduce bills.
    • Turnaround Day, when non-exempt bills that have not passed their chamber of origin will be considered dead, is Feb. 20, 2025.
    • Sedgwick County’s lobbyists, Watkins Public Strategies, have taken the bills discussed by the BoCC at the Jan. 17, 2025, agenda review to the Kansas Statehouse and will provide updates on their progress.
    • The bills Sedgwick County is tracking include:
      • Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603 – Would limit residential, commercial, agricultural and utility classes to 3% increases on real property tax valuation liability.
      • HB2001 – Would continue reimbursements from the Taxpayers Notification Costs Fund to County Clerks for printing and postage expenses through calendar year 2029.
      • SB11 – Would require the state 9-1-1 board to establish requirements for 911 telecommunicators to receive training and continuing education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
      • SB4/HB2017 – Would require advance voting ballots to be returned to the Election Office by 7 p.m. on the day of an election.
      • SB37/HB2025 – Would repeal the three-mile extraterritorial planning and zoning authority for cities.
      • SB367 – Would reform the Kansas Juvenile Justice Code, including the addition of more temporary housing options for juvenile offenders. Commissioner Jim Howell is working with stakeholders to revise the proposed legislation and hopes to introduce an updated bill this week or next.
      • Citizens can watch and listen to House and Senate hearings on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel, https://kslegislature.gov/li/.

 Governing Board of Fire District 1

  • The Governing Board approved minutes from the regular meeting on Jan. 8, 2025.
  • Commissioners approved the recommendations of the Board of Bids and Contracts’ regular meeting on Jan. 16, 2025.

 Upcoming Events

  • INTRUST Bank Arena is hosting the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships now through Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. The nation’s top skaters are competing in men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs and ice dancing. For tickets, visit S. Figure Skating Championships | 2025 USFS Championship.
  • The “I Voted in Sedgwick County” sticker design contest for students in grades 6-12 continues through Feb. 28, 2025, with a winner chosen in March. The first-place design will be used on voting stickers given out during this year’s elections. For contest rules and forms, visit "I Voted" Sticker Design Contest | Sedgwick County, Kansas.
  • The Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th North, is hosting Kansas Day 2025 – Celebrating 25 years of the GPNC! Saturday, Jan 25, 2025, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Admission is free. Enjoy games, crafts, trivia and a Naturalist program at 11 a.m. More information is available at Great Plains Nature Center - Great Plains Nature Center.
  • The Wichita-Sedgwick Co. Historical Museum, 204 S. Main St., is holding a Kansas Day Celebration Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at 2 p.m. Musician Orin Friesen will lead a celebration of Kansas in song and verse. Admission is free. Visit Kansas Day Celebration – Wichita Sedgwick County Historical Museum for more information.

 

Watch the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/9PtgVyy5NLA?si=tgGHbyQ5mlZEp31-.