Board of County Commissioners approves 2023 Budget

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – The Board of County Commissioners approved the 2023 budget for Sedgwick County and Fire District 1. This budget focuses on improving compensation to ensure fair and competitive wages while being fiscally responsible to citizens, addressing environmental working conditions by funding modern and advanced equipment to ensure services can be provided safely and continuing the commitment to behavioral health services in our community. It continues service delivery levels with no tax rate increase.

• 1 full-time Human Resources position
• Roll out a step plan for EMS and County Fire
• Market pay adjustments to the District Attorney’s Pay Plan
• Increase hourly rates for Election workers
• $33,000 funded to the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coalition for continued work going forward
• $300,000 additional funds for contracted mental health services for juveniles
• Transfer $2 million from Fire District 1 contingency to pay toward station relocation and remodel debt
• Transfer $268,614 from Fire District 1 contingency to the operating budget in order to implement a suggested step pay plan from Sedgwick County Fire Fighters Local 2612

The 2023 Adopted Budget totals $497,465,461 for Sedgwick County Government and $23,472,045 for Sedgwick County Fire District 1. Together, the full Budget totals $520,937,506.

Commissioners also adopted the 2023 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which totals $32,107,413. The CIP includes funding for:

• Regional Forensic Science Center DNA Lab Addition
• Juvenile Detention Facility Camera System improvements
• Renovate Pavilion at Lake Afton Park
• Drainage Southwest of Haysville and Flood Control System Major Maintenance & Repair
• Northwest Bypass Right-of-Way Acquisition
• Maple Bike Path
• Bridge Rehab on Zoo Blvd. & M.S. Mitchell Floodway

The budget was approved after two in-person public hearings and an online forum. For the calendar year, the 2023 budget will take effect on Jan. 1.

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