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Sedgwick County seal
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Contact
Nicole Gibbs
316-660-9370

Board of County Commissioners Approves 2026 Budgets

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) –The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) today approved a 2026 budget for Sedgwick County Government that reduces the mill levy rate for a third consecutive year and establishes the County’s lowest mill levy in 33 years. The spending priorities focus on mission-critical county services and staffing stability and compensation improvements. Commissioners also approved a 2026 budget for Fire District 1 with a reduced mill levy.

The 2026 Adopted Budget for Sedgwick County Government is $591,264,680, with an estimated property tax rate of 27.553 mills, and $31,184,850 for Sedgwick County Fire District 1, with an estimated property tax rate of 16.750 mills. Together, the budgets total $622,449,530.

“Commissioners listened to our community and delivered a 2026 budget that lowers the property tax burden on citizens while protecting vital services,” said Chairman Ryan Baty. “This plan supports our workforce, invests in our community and keeps Sedgwick County moving forward responsibly.”

Some budget highlights include:

  • Corrects any structural imbalance of recurring costs and brings in a balanced budget.
    • $640,000 in savings through reduction of crime prevention funds, culture/arts/entertainment subsidies and KPTS programming.
    • Redirects $366,000 COMCARE property tax-funded items to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) revenue funding.
    • Due to growth, revenue projections are increased by $300,000.
  • Continue emphasis on staffing stability regarding reasonable compensation and benefits for employees.
    • The General Pay Plan, Emergency Communications, Corrections, COMCARE and District Attorney employees will receive a 3% pay adjustment plus 1% scale movement
    • EMS will receive a 3% step adjustment plus 1% scale movement
    • Sheriff’s employees will receive a 5% step adjustment plus 1% scale movement
    • Fire District 1 employees will receive a 3% step adjustment
  • Prioritize mission-critical county services, facilities & infrastructure and look for service improvements.
    • $10.3 million for drainage projects and infrastructure repair to taxpayer-owned facilities.
    • $24.9 million for road and bridge projects countywide.
    • 20 dispatching positions in Emergency Communications
    • Seven full-time Engagement Care Specialist Positions in COMCARE
    • One part-time position in Strategic Communications
    • Two Elephant Keeper positions at the Sedgwick County Zoo
  • Reduce the county mill levy again in the upcoming year without capturing all available valuation increases
    • Captures 4.3% of the available 8.6% assessed value growth
    • Reduce Sedgwick County mill levy by 1.148 mills and Fire District mill levy by 1/4 of a mill
    • Does NOT fund an additional $10 million in department requests made throughout the budget process
  • $35,259,831 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for County facility, drainage, roads and bridges projects, including:
    • $10,295,049 in 13 Facility & Drainage projects. Some examples being:
      • Regional Forensic Science Center DNA Lab Building & Current Space Remodel
      • Building Automation System Replacement
      • Public Elevator Upgrades
      • Public Works Salt Storage Building Replacement at East Yard
    • $24,964,782 in 18 Road and 16 Bridge projects

 

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