Vol. 3, Issue 3
March 2019
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Friends and Neighbors,
Thank you so much for the prayers and support so many of you gave me over this last year. I can't begin to describe the gratitude and happiness I felt when a jury of my peers acquitted me of the false charges brought by our federal government. Over this past year I never stopped working for our district and all of the citizens of Sedgwick County. I'll be continuing my office hours in the Haysville City Hall the last Friday of every month from 9 -11 a.m. Please drop by to discuss any county business as we're beginning our budget process this month.
Some other changes at the County include hiring Tom Stolz as our new manager. Tom had been the deputy manager and had an incredible career with the Wichita Police Department achieving the rank of Deputy Chief and he was also the former director of the Metropolitan Area Building and Code Department. We're in the process of interviewing a new county appraiser; the appraiser's office needs more accountability and we need to limit our property tax increases many of you are experiencing. We will hopefully have someone hired by the end of April.
For Sedgwick County,
Michael O'Donnell
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Burn ban to be enforced in April
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Sedgwick County Fire District 1 reminds residents that a burn ban imposed by the state of Kansas will be in effect in Sedgwick County during the month of April.
New open burn permits will not be issued during the month of April and no current permit holders will be allowed to conduct open burns after March 31, 2019. Open burns can resume after April 30, 2019.
The ban includes all open burning of any waste, including vegetation and wood waste, structures, or other material on any premises.
The following counties will be affected along with Sedgwick County: Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Geary, Greenwood, Johnson, Lyon, Marion, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte.
Exceptions to the open burn ban include pasture, crop, range and wildlife or watershed management. The allowed burning operations will still require a valid permit from Sedgwick County Fire District 1. Burn permits may be requested online at
www.sedgwickcounty.org
or by calling 316-660-3473.
Always call 911 before you burn.
The Kansas Department of Health & Environment open burning regulations (K.A.R. 28-19-645 through K.A.R. 28-19-648) apply.
Questions regarding the burn ban, or fire safety in general, should be directed to the office of the Sedgwick County Fire Marshal at 316-660-3473.
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Construction of the Meridian Pedestrian Bridge south of 63rd S over the Wichita-Valley Center floodway
- Work began early February
- Temporary lane closures forthcoming on Meridian
- Estimated completion this fall
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Crews continue to work on the Kellogg/ I-235 interchange rebuild. This first phase is scheduled to be completed this year.
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Update on Kellogg/ 235 interchange
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- All ramps are open but temporary lane closures are possible for regular maintenance chores or to complete minor items from the construction punch list.
- Work will resume on bridge painting as weather moderates but traffic should not be affected.
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Furry receives national recognition
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At the County Weed Directors Association of Kansas (CWDAK) annual meeting on March 6, Sedgwick County Noxious Weeds Division Director, Mark Furry, was the recipient of the group’s Public Relations Award. To earn the award, Director Furry organized and worked the noxious weed booth at the Wichita Farm Show, set up and worked the noxious weed booth at the 2018 Kansas State Fair and gave several talks throughout the year on noxious weeds.
Furry currently leads the CWDAK board, serving as President. He has previously served as both the Secretary Treasurer and the Vice President of the organization.
CWDAK aims to improve the noxious weed program in Kansas, improve the status of county weed directors, provide a forum to discuss common problems facing weed directors, and a general support of agriculture as well as noxious weed impacts on the agriculture economics in Kansas.
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Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month observed
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Statistically, more than 9,000 residents in Sedgwick County have an intellectual or other developmental disability. Our community is becoming increasingly aware that these disabilities do not keep individuals from realizing their full potential at school, work, home, or as members of their communities.
Click here
to watch a video about the Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization.
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers encourage everyone to focus on the abilities of all people. The most effective way to change attitudes and beliefs about the abilities of individuals with developmental disabilities is through everyone’s work and active participation in community activities and the openness to learn and acknowledge each individual’s contribution.
The Board of County Commissioners encourages all citizens to support people with intellectual and developmental disability and their families in all aspects of community life.
Click here
for more information about the Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) and services in our community.
Featured photo is of the Arc of Sedgwick County and CDDO Director Dee Nighswonger.
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Commission to gather public input on wind and solar energy
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Sedgwick County Commissioners held a public forum for residents to provide input on land use related to wind and solar energy systems in the county on Thursday, March 28.
Residents still have the option to leave comments related to wind and solar energy systems in an online forum. Comments will be accepted now through Friday, April 26 at
www.sedgwickcounty.org
.
During a public meeting on February 7, Commissioners voted to temporarily prohibit applications for wind and solar energy operations through a moratorium. This action will allow staff to conduct additional research and study for the development, consideration, and potential establishment of specific standards or regulations. The moratorium will temporarily prohibit the acceptance and processing of an application for a commercial wind or solar energy system until August 12, 2019. There are no current applications for such systems in Sedgwick County.
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Promotions and key changes to Sedgwick County administration
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County Manager Tom Stolz announced a restructuring of the County’s leadership team that includes key changes and promotions.
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Assistant County Manager Tim Kaufman has been appointed Deputy County Manager. Kaufman’s oversight over the County’s health and human services organizations will remain the same but he will provide organizational oversight in Stolz’ absence.
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Tania Cole has been promoted to Assistant County Manager. Cole will oversee central services, County facilities and maintenance, courthouse police, communications, and the government lobbyist, among other functions. A 14-year County employee, Cole most recently served as Director of Facilities.
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County participates in St. Patrick's Day Parade
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Commissioners, Sedgwick County EMS, and Sedgwick County Fire District 1 celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with the Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade through Historic Delano on Saturday, March 16.
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Get rid of unwanted tires - for free!
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Mark your calendars for the next Waste Tire Collection event! Sedgwick County businesses and governments may dispose of waste tires from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 18. Residents will be able to drop off waste tires from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20. Tires will be collected at the Sedgwick County West Yard, 4701 S. West Street.
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As the top outdoor family attraction in the State, the mission of the
Sedgwick County Zoo is to inspire discovery, appreciation, and respect for animals and nature. It is home to 3,000 animals and nearly 400 species. The Reed Family Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley exhibit is the third largest elephant habitat in the United States.
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Exploration Place, Kansas’ premier science center, inspires a deeper interest in science through creative and fun experiences for people of all ages. Through its permanent and travelling exhibits, education programs, Digital Dome Theater films and special events, visitors can enjoy learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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The
Kansas African American Museum endeavors to make the Kansas African American experience resonate with EVERY Kansan. Located in the venerable Calvary Baptist Church, visitors may expand their knowledge and understanding of the Kansas African American story.
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Residents and visitors can gain an understanding of our community and cultural heritage at the
Wichita – Sedgwick County Historical Museum. By collecting, preserving, and interpreting materials which reflect the area’s heritage visitors can experience different facets that shaped the community we live in today.
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316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203
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Connect with Sedgwick County
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