This Week in Sedgwick County - September 2

Board of County Commissioners

• There was a discussion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
• Commissioners approved a request for $149,000 to purchase a whole body scanner for the Sheriff’s Office. The body scanner enables social distancing by significantly limiting physical contact between Sheriff’s Office staff and persons entering the facilities.
• Sedgwick County has spent about $10.2 million in CARES funding since the beginning of March.
• Over the past two weeks, funding has increased for temporary contracts, disinfecting wipes for the organization, EMS supplies, payroll, cleaning services, and technology and software.
• Applications for the safe operating grants for businesses are due by September 11. More information is available here.
• Adam Smith, President and CEO of Exploration Place, provided an update of the Science and Discovery Center.
• Visitors will notice a reconfigured lobby when visiting Exploration Place.
• Currently Exploration Place is open at 25% capacity.
• The Stay at Home STEM program reached 300,000 people and provided more than 200 free science lessons, STEM challenges, and online quizzes.
• Exploration Place will provide 44 video science lessons for 17,000 elementary students in Wichita Public Schools.
• The Rock U traveling exhibit will open to the public on September 25
• Commissioners amended the District 4 Citizens Advisory Board to allow for an area high school student on the board.
• Board appointments: Chuck Warren, Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.

Governing Body of Fire District 1

• Commissioners approved a purchase of two aerial trucks totaling nearly $2.5 million.

Upcoming Events

• Tune into Sedgwick County’s Facebook page and YouTube channel at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, September 3 for the Sedgwick County Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Local Physicians.
• County offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 7. Emergency services will be available by dialing or texting 9-1-1.

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View the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZofoQd3xyv8
For questions, contact Public Information Officer Kate Flavin at (316) 660-9370