Budget Process

Sedgwick County Mission

Cultivate a healthy, safe and welcoming community through exceptional public services, effective partnerships and dedicated employees.

The Process | Resources | Community Engagement | Budget Meetings

The Process

Step 1: Develop Framework

Budget staff compare historical revenues with projections. The financial forecast is revised based on actual data. 

Step 2: Budget Development

Budget staff engage with departments and divisions to evaluate business needs assessments, requests for additional funding, and budget submissions. Departments and divisions work through a series of budget presentations, and proposed adjustments are made as appropriate. Workshops are conducted regarding topics that require additional discussion.

Step 3: Budget Recommendation

The County Manager utilizes information gathered during budget presentations, as well as feedback from the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and presents a formal recommended budget to the BOCC.

Step 4: Public Hearings and Budget Adoption

Members of the public are invited to comment and provide input on the recommended budget at special BOCC meetings. Legal notice is published, and leadership staff engages with the BOCC and the public for final recommendations and budget adoption. This provides framework for the following year’s approved expenditures.

Step 5: Implementation

After the budget is adopted, staff begin the implementation process. The process will repeat itself at the end of the budget year.

Resources

• The Mill Levy and Property Taxes
• Inflation and the County Budget
• Revenue Neutral Rate & What You Need to Know

Community Engagement

Board of County Commissioners Budget Retreat

• Feb. 13, 2026

Online Budget Simulator

The Budget Simulator gives participants a simplified overview of how funds are distributed across Sedgwick County’s General Fund, Debt Service Fund, and Special Revenue Funds.

The simulator will be open April-June 2026.

Board of County Commissioners Budget Hearings

• Departments present their budget recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners from May 6-15, 2026

Online Public Comments

Community members are welcome to leave comments on our Online Public Forum from beginning July 15, 2026.

Budget Meetings

• July 15, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
  • County Manager presents the 2027 Recommended Budget
• July 26, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
  • First Public Hearing regarding the 2027 Budget
• August 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. - Regular Meeting
  • Second Public Hearing regarding the 2027 Budget
  • Adoption of the 2027 Budget