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September 4, 2019

This Week in Sedgwick County

Board of County Commissioners

• Commissioners declared September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
• A proclamation was adopted declaring September 8 to 14 as Suicide Prevention Week.
• Board appointments: Ms. Carolyn Walters, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board; Mr. Joe Johnson and Mr. Bob Dool, Wichita/Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.
• Commissioners received Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Coalition’s 2018 Suicide Data Report.
• There were 101 suicide deaths in Sedgwick County in 2018 – the highest rate on record.
• 12 percent of deaths were veterans.
• Locally, COMCARE is available for support. The 24/7 suicide prevention hotline is (316) 660-7500.
• A position was added to the Sheriff’s Office staffing table which will act in partnership with the Kansas Department on Children and Family.
• A $180 donation to EMS was accepted from First National Bank of Hutchinson.
• Commissioners adopted the Delano Neighborhood Plan.
• McLean Blvd. is transitioning into a more pedestrian-friendly road.
• A river walk will be extended for public use.
• The Plan includes a Parking Strategy for the area.
• A grant from Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services for $1.3 million for COMCARE Crisis Center was approved.
• An amendment to the Acting County Appraiser contract with Property Valuation Division was approved. The contract was extended through the end of the year unless an Appraiser is hired.
• Commissioners pulled Item O, a resolution authorizing a ballot question related to electronic gaming machines.

Governing Body of Fire District 1

• Commissioners voted to settle all potential claims of a former employee against the Fire District for $48,298.38.

Events Calendar

• Spend Friday night, Sept. 6, at Sedgwick County Research and Extension with Bonding through Board Games. This tool may help families carve out quality time to learn and connect with one another. Details are available at www.sedgwick.k-state.edu/.
• Tickets are now available for Wichita’s wildest FUN-raiser! This year, Zoobilee is Saturday, Sept. 7. Tickets are available through Zoo Board members and online at www.scz.org.
• Mark your calendar for The Kansas African American Museum’s annual Trailblazers Gala on Saturday, Oct. 5. Tickets and event details can be found at www.tkaamuseum.org/trailblazers.