This Week in Sedgwick County - December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

Board of County Commissioners

• Commissioners reviewed an amendment to the Community Investments Plan.
• The Metropolitan Area Planning Department met with area cities to amend the Plan.
• Commissioners voted to defer this item until the meeting next week.
• A resolution to acquire property and issue General Obligation (GO) bonds was approved.
• This item preserves the right to use GO bonds to purchase the former Riverside hospital building. This action does not purchase the building.
• A Citizens Advisory Board for District 5 was approved.
• This board will advise the commissioner on County-related topics except for property-related matters.
• Commissioners received a report of CARES funding.  
• Division of Finance now receiving receipts for reimbursement from various agencies that received CARES funding.
• Payment was authorized to Arrowhead West, East Heights United Methodist Church, and City of Wichita.
• Deadline extensions were approved for several entities through December 20.
• Commissioners approved funding for a third installment to WSU for the molecular diagnostics lab ($366,956) and for antimicrobial paint for Sheriff’s Office Jail Annex ($57,500).
• A spending plan proposal will be presented next week.
• Sedgwick County has spent $54.4 million for the response and recovery from COVID-19.
• County CARES funding expenses total $44.8 million.
• Of that, $34 million was used for County needs (EMS equipment, antigen tests, cleaning, message boards, touchless faucets, software, and cleaning supplies).
• The commission action of funding up to $2 million for schools that were remote learning was not able to be propped up in a short amount of time.
• An off-agenda item was brought up to discuss the Local Health Order signed December 8.
• Commissioners revised the order to include event centers may operate with up to 100 people or 50 percent of the fire code capacity, whichever is less.
• A second revision was related to youth organized and adult recreational sports at single-court or multi-court areas. It allows two attendees per participant regardless of court size. Additionally, no players or spectators on different courts should be within six feet of one another.

Additional Information

• Residents may schedule a free COVID-19 test at GoGetTested.com/kansas. There are four locations in Wichita that will be available beginning Thursday. 
• Licensed childcare facilities may still apply for Child Care Facility Grants to receive support from Child Care Health Consultants (CCHS), up to and including a virtual or on-site assessment (any program type). For more information and to apply, please visit https://kschildrenscabinet.org/cares-act-support-for-early-childhood/. 

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View the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdSmVIYeruw

For questions, contact Public Information Officer Kate Flavin at (316) 660-9370.