This Week in Sedgwick County

 Board of County Commissioners

  • Commissioners approved the minutes from regular meetings on Jan. 15 and Jan. 22, 2025.
  • The BoCC approved the reappointment of Erica Lovett and the appointment of Josh Fredrick to the Animal Care Advisory Board.
  • Commissioners approved the appointment of Jae Hedrick to the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board.
  • The BoCC approved recommendations from the Board of Bids and Contracts’ regular meeting on Feb. 6, 2025.
  • Assistant County Manager Tania Cole gave a legislative update:
    • This is the 31st day of the legislative session.
    • The Revisor’s Office continues to work on bills from Sedgwick County’s legislative platform:
      • A bill regarding the sales tax distribution formula has been drafted and hopes to be introduced and assigned a number soon.
      • Drafted legislation on the disposal of cremated remains of unclaimed individuals for the Regional Forensic Science Center is now HB 2331.
      • Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater and the Legal staff are reviewing a draft of a bill limiting days for special elections.
      • A draft is expected soon on a Corrections bill amending SB 228 to add juvenile detention facilities.
    • The BoCC has sent written testimony to the legislature regarding SB 119, which 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 House is considering limiting residential property appraisal increases to either the current fair market value or a rolling six-year average of property values across the state, whichever is lower. The House plan would cap new construction and significant remodels while gradually phasing in average market values over six years for new builds. The Senate is considering a 3% cap on residential property valuation increases.
    • Staff is reviewing HB 2343, regarding the use of a residential dwelling for a home-based business.
    • HB 2365 would officially establish and name the new mental health hospital as the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital.
    • A hearing is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. for HB 2329, which amends the code to provide judges with a needed alternative group home placement for juvenile offenders. Commissioner Jim Howell plans to testify in front of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee.
    • Citizens can watch and listen to House and Senate hearings on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel, https://kslegislature.gov/li/.
  • The BoCC took no binding action in executive session.

Governing Body of Fire District 1

  • Commissioners approved minutes from the regular meeting on Jan. 22, 2025.
  • The BoCC approved recommendations from the Board of Bids and Contracts’ regular meeting on Feb. 6, 2025.

 Upcoming Events

  •  Nominations are being accepted for the Excellence in Public Service Award through Feb. 21, 2025. Now in its 37th year, the award recognizes one outstanding employee from Sedgwick County, the City of Wichita and Wichita Public Schools who exhibits the highest standard of service. Each of the three winners will receive $3,000 from the DeVore Foundation and will be honored at a reception. Nomination forms are available at Excellence in Public Service Award | Wichita, KS.
  • The Kansas African American Museum (TKAAM), in collaboration with Exploration Place, is celebrating Black History Month by projecting an image of an African American pioneer in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) onto the side of the science museum. To learn more about the featured scientists, visit Black History Month: Celebrating African American Scientists | Exploration Place.
  • TKAAM is also hosting a daily exhibit called Defining Black Wichita: New Horizons, 1970s – Today that looks at how government, business, education, arts and culture, and athletics changed for African Americans in Sedgwick County over the last 55 years. More information is available at HOME | The Kansas African American Museum.
  • Sharks, one of the largest traveling exhibits that Exploration Place has ever hosted, is now on display through May 4, 2025. Visitors can see and touch 10 life-sized shark models and a massive megalodon jawbone. Find more information at Sharks | February 7 - May 4 | Exploration Place.
  • The deadline to submit artwork for the “I Voted in Sedgwick County” sticker design contest is Feb. 28, 2025. All Sedgwick County students in grades 6-12 are eligible. The winning design will be chosen in March and 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.

Watch the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/BkS_2HYQVlk?si=toJ4THKEZv5QEEMr.