March 24, 2021

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SEDGWICK COUNTY, KANSAS REGARDING PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS

WHEREAS, Sedgwick County Local Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns issued Emergency Public Health Order No. 2021-4 on March 15, 2021; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners voted to amend Emergency Public Health Order No. 2021-4; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has not taken any formal action to approve Emergency Public Health Order No. 2021-4; and

WHEREAS, both the Kansas Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives have voted to approve Senate Bill 40; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 40 will become law after any potential approval by the Governor or if the Governor allows the bill to become law 10 days after it was presented to the Governor, which could occur on or about March 28, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 40 would become effective upon publication in the Kansas Register; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 40 would amend K.S.A. 65-201 to where any order of a county’s local health officer would require approval from that county’s board of county commissioners in order for the order to become effective; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners voted to rescind or revoke Emergency Public Health Order No. 2021-4 on March 24, 2021; and

WHEREAS, the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners is established as the Board of Health within Sedgwick County under state law; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners can utilize its home rule powers pursuant to K.S.A. 19-101, et seq. to make public health recommendations; and

 WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Sedgwick County has determined that it is appropriate to make the following recommendations for best practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within Sedgwick County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SEDGWICK COUNTY, KANSAS that: 

SECTION 1. The Board of County Commissioners of Sedgwick County strongly recommends that the following actions be taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

A. That individuals become vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are eligible;

B. That individuals generally wear face masks or other face coverings in indoor public spaces;

C. That businesses and organizations generally require customers, employees, and other invitees to wear face masks or other face coverings in indoor public spaces;

D. That individuals would generally maintain 6 feet of social distancing from other individuals, unless they live in the same household or are known to each other; and

E. That businesses and organizations generally require customers, employees, and other invitees to maintain 6 feet of social distancing from each other, unless they live in the same household or are known to each other.

SECTION 2. Under Kansas law, this resolution is not an order of the Sedgwick County Local Health Officer, nor is it an order of the Board of County Commissioners of Sedgwick County. 

SECTION 3. This resolution is effective upon its approval by the Board of County Commissioners and will be in effect for 90 days from the date of its approval, unless otherwise modified or rescinded by a vote of the Board of County Commissioners.

Commissioners present and voting were:

PETER F. MEITZNER

SARAH LOPEZ

DAVID T. DENNIS

LACEY D. CRUSE

JAMES M. HOWELL

Dated this 24th day of March, 2021.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF SEDGWICK COUNTY, KANSAS

ATTEST:

PETER F. MEITZNER, Chairman

KELLY B. ARNOLD, County Clerk Commissioner, First District

LACEY D. CRUSE, Chair Pro Tem

Commissioner, Fourth District

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

SARAH LOPEZ

Commissioner, Second District

JUSTIN M. WAGGONER

Assistant County Counselor

DAVID T. DENNIS

Commissioner, Third District

JAMES M. HOWELL

Commissioner, Fifth District