This Week in Sedgwick County
Board of County Commissioners
- The BoCC approved the minutes from the regular meeting on April 9, 2025.
- Commissioners approved a proclamation declaring May 1, 2025, as Day of Student Success.
- The BoCC approved a proclamation declaring April 23, 2025 as Drug Endangered Children’s Day.
- Commissioners voted to accept the resignation of Larry Justice as Riverside Township Trustee and to appoint Jimmy Irizarry Velez in his place.
- The BoCC approved the reappointment of Vanessa Lohf to the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board.
- Commissioners recognized five graduates of Project Search, a USD 259 program that partners with Sedgwick County to train young people with developmental disabilities for employment.
- Assistant County Manager Tania Cole and Sedgwick County lobbyists, Jessica Lucas and Jason Watkins from Watkins Public Strategies, gave an update on the 2025 legislative session:
- This session was shortened to 90 calendar days, used a new budget process and involved 39 new lawmakers – 25 in the House and 14 in the Senate.
- HB 2022 passed. It will limit elections to three specific dates throughout the year - the first Tuesday in March, the Primary in August and the General Election in November.
- HB 2275 passed but awaits the governor’s signature. It requires the apportionment of sales tax revenue among cities and counties that is based on the portion of the sales tax levied to remain unchanged from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026. We will be engaging LKM and KAC to work to bring this bill back to the legislature with a recommendation on a permanent solution.
- SB 35 passed. It will use the State General Fund (SGF) to fund 1.5 mill property tax levy.
- Several bills important to Sedgwick County made significant progress but did not pass. These will likely be brought back next year:
- HB 2331 –Would enable county coroners the appropriate and respectful disposal of cremated remains of unclaimed individuals.
- HB 2329 - Would reform the Kansas Juvenile Justice Code, including the addition of more residential housing options for juvenile offenders.
- SB 119 - Would increase fees retained by county treasurers, the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) Division of Vehicles or a contractor for processing motor vehicle license applications and certificates of title.
- The Advancing Stewardship of Tax Revenue and Appropriations (ASTRA) plan is another idea to address property taxes at the local level and was passed by the House. It will likely advance in the Senate when lawmakers return in 2026.
- HB 2125 modified some deadlines regarding the Revenue Neutral Rate, allowing taxing entities to submit budgets by October 1 each year.
- As for budget items affecting Sedgwick County:
- The State of Kansas added $140,000 to the 2025 budget for in-home services for low-income seniors and $540,000 in the 2026 budget. Also, $2 million was added to the current budget for senior nutrition enhancements.
- Community Mental Health Centers (CHMC) and COMCARE will benefit from $4 million added to the state budget for uninsured Kansans. The budget includes $10 million to reimburse hospitals for psychiatric care until the new South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital is built and operational.
- The State added $14 million to the budget to help 200 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are currently on the waiting list for services. An additional $10.5 million in the budget will increase reimbursement rates to service providers.
- Sedgwick County worked to fix some language in SB 70 regarding open government records, but the bill was ultimately removed from the legislative calendar.
- HB 2152 passed. It will benefit local governments and banks by creating a collateral pool and continuing the ‘first look’ provision for banks and the existing statute on investment of bond proceeds.
- HB 2343 was defeated. It proposed a no-impact home-based business fairness act, limiting the regulatory power of municipalities.
- Governor Kelly signed HB 2045, creating one agency to oversee childcare in Kansas.
- For the Housing Tax Credit Program, the state reduced the yearly allowance of $25 million to an $8.8 million tax credit availability and plans to sunset the program by 2028.
- The BoCC needs to start planning for the next legislative session earlier than usual because some lawmakers will return in September to begin talking about the budget. Sedgwick County will need its budget appropriation priorities set before that time.
- The BoCC determined an island annexation request by the City of Clearwater pursuant to Resolution 09-2025 would not hinder or prevent the proper growth of the area or that of any other incorporated city in Sedgwick County.
- Commissioners determined an island annexation request by the City of Wichita pursuant to Resolution 25-147 would not hinder or prevent the proper growth of the area or any other incorporated city in Sedgwick County.
- The BoCC approved ZON2025-00001: Zoning change from Single-Family Residential to Two-Family Residential at West MacArthur Road and West Southwest Boulevard.
- Commissioners approved settlement agreements in two lawsuits involving a former detention deputy at the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.
- The BoCC approved six recommendations from the Board of Bid and Contracts’ regular meeting on April 17, 2025, and deferred Item 3: Architectural and Engineering Services Design and Construction for EMS Post 1, until a later meeting.
- No binding action was taken in executive session.
Upcoming Events
- The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), Wichita Police Department (WPD), Wesley Children’s Hospital and the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center have teamed up to provide free gun locks to residents – no ID required, and no questions asked. The gun locks are available at any WPD station, the jail lobby or from a SCSO deputy on patrol. Call 316-660-3900 for more information, or email askadeputy@sedgwick.gov.
- The Project Search Virtual Reverse Job Fair is underway now through Friday, May 2, 2025. Employers can view the resumes of potential employees interested in entry-level jobs, hear from their current supervisors and set up an interview. Learn more and register at Job Candidates | Sedgwick County Project SEARCH.
- From now until April 30, a burn ban imposed by the State of Kansas is in effect in Sedgwick County to protect our air quality. No open burning without a permit, including trash fires, will be allowed. Only controlled burns in agricultural settings are permitted during the month of April.
- Exploration Place continues its RiverFlix series in the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 6 p. with the movie “Wicked.” Bring a blanket and snacks to enjoy a family movie under the stars every Friday through Oct. 17, excluding July 4 and Oct. 3. No admission or registration is needed. Check the movie schedule at RiverFlix | Free Outdoor Family Movies | Exploration Place, Wichita, KS .
- Residents can drop off unwanted medications for safe disposal at the Drug Takeback event Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Haysville Police Department, 200 W. Grand Ave.
- The Great Plains Nature Center, in partnership with the Sedgwick County Early Childhood Coordinating Council, is hosting a Free Family Play Day on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 6232 E. 29th North. This event is designed for children up to five years old and features games, sensory activities, food and other nature-centered fun. Check out more information at Great Plains Nature Center - Great Plains Nature Center.
- The City of Haysville is observing the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1, 2025, with the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast from 7-8:30 a.m. at the Haysville Activity Center, 523 Sarah Lane. Tickets are $10. The Haysville Ministerial Association also invites the public to gather at noon at the flagpole outside the Haysville City Hall and Police Department, 200 W. Grand Ave. Details are available at City of Haysville-Home.
Watch the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/abYdO6EujeU?si=xSDRzz5NvaQ1uDVv.