Last week, Sedgwick County Commissioners voted to set a target property tax rate (commonly known as a mill levy) of 29.359 mills for County budgets in 2017 – 2022. In 2023, the mill levy rate is expected to drop to 28.758 and remain in subsequent years. The certified tax rate for this year is 29.383 mills; it funds the 2016 budget. 

Commissioners also voted to adopt a revised debt policy that will reduce the County’s debt capacity and limit the issuance of future debt. This policy prohibits the use of debt to finance operations or maintenance activities and sets criteria under which debt is to be used for capital improvements or unusual equipment purchases. Chairman Jim Howell commented that Sedgwick County is “intentionally going into a more responsible direction” in regards to the debt issuance limit.  

Over the past few years, Sedgwick County’s debt has been about ten percent of budgeted expenditures. The County’s current debt equals 9.67 percent of budgeted expenditures, more than the new maximum of debt. Therefore, the County will be unable to issue debt until the existing amount falls below the nine percent threshold; this is estimated to occur in 2017. Sedgwick County will be able to issue over $7 million in new debt in 2017 and remain under the new debt capacity.  

Commissioner Richard Ranzau added, “By controlling our spending, and setting our priorities, we can borrow less and either use it on existing programs or perhaps give it back to the taxpayers in the form of a tax reduction.” 

Sedgwick County is consistently working to lessen the property tax burden on citizens, especially the poor or citizens on a fixed income. High property taxes are also harmful to economic growth in the community. By approving the two items, Commissioners have proven that they are listening to their constituents and keeping government spending under control and being good stewards of taxpayer money. Hear more about this story at this link.

Many construction and maintenance activities performed by Public Works crews and contractors require various environmental permits before they can be undertaken. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is a state agency that must review and approve many county projects for potential impacts to threatened and endangered species in the state. 

Over the past year, Chairman Jim Howell and Commissioner Richard Ranzau worked with Public Works staff and the Secretary of KDWPT to discuss issues related to these requirements. This effort resulted in a fully executed Memorandum of Agreement between the two entities that will streamline project approvals and in many cases eliminate the need for project review and approval if a specified set of best practices can be followed; it will reduce the regulatory burden on citizens and on Sedgwick County.  This agreement is the only unit of local government in Kansas that has been able to reach such an agreement with KDWPT. Watch a clip from the Feb. 17, 2016 meeting. 

In March, the Sedgwick County Zoo welcomed six elephants to their facility from Swaziland. They joined the zoo’s remaining elephant, Stephanie. A few years ago, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums updated requirements for accredited zoos. In order to keep its accreditation, Sedgwick County Zoo must have three females, two males, or three elephants of mixed gender by September 2016. Sedgwick County voted to support creating the new exhibit in 2014 and allowing the zoo to remain accredited.  

The new elephant exhibit, “Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley” will be open to the public Memorial Day weekend 2016.