May 2022
Note from Commissioner Howell
This week, we especially honor the memory of those military veterans that paid the ultimate sacrifice to secure and defend our freedom. In addition to honoring those Military Veterans, for many people, Memorial Day can be a time to reflect on the loss of any family and friends that have passed on before us. 

Not to diminish the importance of veterans who literally gave their lives to us and as a veteran myself, I cannot help but consider the horrific atrocity that stole the lives of nearly two dozen innocent children and adults this last week in Uvalde Texas. There is a lot to learn from this horrifying story and certainly many are grieving. 

One factor in play must certainly be the perpetrator’s mental state. As a county commissioner, I see how this shocking event illustrates the dangers of our own local mental health crisis which is growing day by day. 

Sedgwick County is not any different from other places across this country that struggle to develop and fund effective behavioral health services. We are making some improvements to our overall system of care and we are committed to finding and funding additional improvements. There are a lot of opportunities ahead and we are just getting started. 

As we kick off summer this memorial day weekend, please be safe! But if you or someone you know needs mental health help or is talking about suicide, please call the suicide prevention hotline 24 hours a day/7 days a week. (316) 660-7500 or Text CONNECT to 741741
Speak Up If You Think Property Taxes are Too High
Last year, I testified in favor of Senate Bill 13, which was the third Property Tax Transparency bill I have vocally supported since 2011.

SB13 was intended to inform you about possible tax hikes before they happen as well as hold your elected officials accountable. SB13 fundamentally shifts the focus from the mill levy rate to the total dollars levied. As you know, even if the mill levy rate remains flat, any increase in your property value would result in more tax dollars. Now, if local government wants to capture the increase, they must inform you before it’s too late.

Now that SB13 is implemented, if elected officials propose budgets needing increased property tax dollars, then they must notify their taxpayers before the proposed budget can be adopted. This mailed notification will tell you the date and location for two public hearings where you can challenge the plan before those elected officials vote. The State of Kansas is paying for the cost of this mailing this year but next year, this notification will cost one of your county tax dollars to ensure you know what is being proposed.

Since 2001, Kansas laws have slowly shifted how local governments are funded making them much more dependent on local property taxes. According to Wallethub.com, among the states, Kansas has the 15th highest property tax rate. For this region of the country, only Texas (7th) and Nebraska (8th) have higher property tax burdens than Kansas.

Although property taxes might appear to be a non-issue for renter households, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We all pay property taxes, whether directly or indirectly.

When I ask constituents about cutting government spending, I usually get cheers at the idea. Nevertheless, we get mixed messages because the very same people seem to like the services and things government provides. When I ask people where they think we should cut spending, they usually have no response.

Sedgwick County has been conducting these public budget hearings for years. I naively assumed taxpayers would swarm the hearings to tell us to slash the size and scope of government so that we could lower taxes. I can count on one hand the number of times I have heard someone testify that we need to reduce spending. However, we usually have several people show up to advocate for additional spending.

Unlike the federal government, every dollar we spend comes from you. We are getting you the information before the local decisions are made. As your representatives, we need to know what you think.

You can email me at jim.howell@sedgwick.gov.
The City of Derby is hosting its 11th Annual Smoke on the Plains Derby BBQ & Music Festival presented by Rock Regional Hospital on June 10-11, 2022, at High Park, 2801 E. James St. For a schedule of events and more information, visit https://derbybbq.com/.
Upcoming Events with Commissioner Howell
District 5 Citizen's Advisory Board
  • Friday, June 3 - 4-6 p.m.
  • Oaklawn Community Center. 2937 E. Oaklawn Dr., Wichita, 67216
Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee provided.
  • Friday, June 24 - 7-9 a.m.
  • Calvary Baptist Church Gymnasium. Enter at the glass doors on east side at 1636 E. Patriot, Derby 67037.
Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee & Soda provided.
  • Monday, June 13 - 4-5:30 p.m.
  • Range 54, 5725 E Kellogg Dr., Wichita, 67218
Fentanyl Awareness - One Pill Can Kill
Overdose deaths have skyrocketed in recent years, largely due to the influx of fentanyl – a synthetic opioid – being mixed into illicit drugs.

In the 12-month period ending October 2021, more than 105,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. Nearly 69,000 of those deaths involved fentanyl. In the 12-month period ending April 2021, fentanyl was the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45.

The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that nearly 40% of illicit pills contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. The number of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl seized by the DEA has increased more than 500% since 2019, up to 9.5 million counterfeit pills in 2021.

Sedgwick County is also seeing an increase in overdose deaths due to fentanyl. We need YOUR help to spread awareness and educate others.
Emergency Management Adopt A Siren Program
Do you live near an outdoor warning siren? If so, you can help your community by "adopting" it and serving as a siren observer! It's critical for public safety that our outdoor warning system function as we expect it to during times of emergency. Even with all the technology and two-way communication, we still rely on human observation to ensure each outdoor warning siren is functioning properly. Sedgwick County has 152 outdoor warning sirens and they are tested every Monday at noon barring holidays, and inclement weather. We encourage everyone living within eye-shot of a siren to sign up!
HHW Remote Collection Event - June 4
Out & About with Commissioners
Commissioners had the opportunity to meet Wichita‘s own Rosie the Riveter, Connie Palacioz, at the unveiling of the Women in Aviation exhibit at Doc’s B-29 hangar.
Commissioners attended the South Kansas Coalition Conversation with Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo, U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Sedgwick County Government Move
In order to make room in the Sedgwick County Courthouse for additional courtrooms and District 18 court needs, some Sedgwick County departments are moving. Beginning in June 2022, the new address will be:

100 N. Broadway St.
Wichita, KS 67202

  • Sedgwick County Treasurer: Suite 100
  • Sedgwick County Register of Deeds: Suite 105
  • Division of Finance: Suite 610
  • Sedgwick County Clerk: Suite 620
  • County Manager’s Office: Suite 630
  • Strategic Communications: Suite 640
  • County Counselor’s Office: Suite 650
  • Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners: Suite 660

These departments will complete their move by the end of July 2022.

NOTE: Board of County Commissioner Meetings will continue to take place on the third floor of the main courthouse, 525 N. Main. Meetings will continue to broadcast live on the Sedgwick County YouTube and Facebook pages.
Financial Assistance Options for Pandemic Recovery
While the number of COVID-19 cases remains low in Sedgwick County, many residents still struggle to recover financially from the pandemic. Since April 2020, the Board of County Commissioners has distributed millions of dollars in federal assistance from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Many more funding options for individuals, businesses and nonprofits are still available:

  • Recovery Connect - www.Recovery-Connect.org
  • A Sedgwick County economic recovery program that connects individuals, businesses, and nonprofits with resources to help them recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • State SPARK funding programs - https://covid.ks.gov/available_funding/
  • The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee will oversee the distribution process of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding, assisted by four advisory panels with additional members. The advisory panels are focused on four main topics: Health and Education, Economic Revitalization, Connectivity, and Efficiency and Modernization.
  • TASK grants (Tourism Attraction Sub-Grants) - https://www.travelks.com/travel-industry/programs-and-resources/grants/task-grant/
  • The Tourism Attraction Sub-grants for Kansas (TASK) program is a one-time opportunity for the enhancement of Kansas attraction assets. The TASK program is a 50/50 reimbursable grant.
  • BASE grants (Building a Stronger Economy) - https://www.kansascommerce.gov/basegrant/
  • BASE is designed to support infrastructure development to address economic development opportunities statewide with the goal of expanding the state’s base of businesses and residents.
  • Build Back Better Regional Challenge - https://eda.gov/arpa/build-back-better/
  • The Challenge provides transformational investments to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters across the country, all while embracing equitable economic growth, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. global competitiveness. 
  • Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program - https://kshousingcorp.org/emergency-rental-assistance/
  • The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program is funded through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. 
  • Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund - https://kshousingcorp.org/kansas-homeowner-assistance-fund/
  • The Kansas Homeowners Assistance Fund (KHAF) program launched with $56,648,216 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. KHAF will help eligible Kansas households financially impacted by the pandemic to get current on their mortgages and avoid foreclosure. 
  • Hero Relief Fund - https://ksherorelief.com/
  • Eligibility is limited to families who have countable income at or below 250% of federal poverty guidelines, or a monthly income of up to $5,458 for a family of four.
  • Funeral Assistance Program - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many. EMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020.
Recovery Connect: Connect with Resources Today
Recovery Connect is a Sedgwick County economic recovery program that connects individuals, businesses, and nonprofits with resources to help them recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recovery Connect is for every citizen in Sedgwick County; the COVID pandemic has certainly changed everyone’s life. Unfortunately, it’s proven the impact is worse for some. This program connects with all areas of the community, with special efforts marketing to certain populations, to provide equitable access for all. Recovery Connect uses a hub-and-spoke model (with the Public Policy & Management Center at Wichita State University serving as the hub) designed to address disparities through an additional focus on underrepresented populations to meet the needs resulting from the impacts of the pandemic. 

Program features include:
  • Monthly Reports to Sedgwick County
  • Phone, In-Person and Virtual Support
  • Radio & Mail Advertising
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Resource Audit & Needs Survey
  • Constant Feedback & Agile Approach
  • Grant Workshops
  • Job Training & Application Assistance
  • Connection to Community-Based Resources
  • Comprehensive Final Report

Find COVID-19 Resources below for:
COVID-19 Update
Showing case information from May 9 - 23, 2022 with 14-day change:
  • The USA case count increased from 81,911,016 to 83,297,110 (+1.69%)
  • The Kansas case count increased from 778,045 to 782,802 (+0.61%)
  • The Sedgwick County case count increased from 112,261 to 112,726 (+0.41%)

Recent Highlights
  • 5/20: COVID-19 boosters of Pfizer vaccine were approved for children ages 5-11. Kids are eligible to receive a booster five months or more after their second Pfizer shot. [read more]
  • 5/17: The White House announced that U.S. households are now eligible to receive eight additional at-home COVID-19 test kits. Visit www.covidtests.gov to order. [read more]
  • 5/5: The FDA limited use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to people who cannot receive or choose not to receive one of the approved mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna). [read more]
 
COVID-19 Testing Update:
 
COVID-19 Vaccine Update:
Sedgwick County provides Pfizer vaccine (for people ages 5 and older) or one-dose Johnson & Johnson (for people 18 and older) at walk-in, mobile clinics across the County. To find a mobile clinic located near you, visit https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine/clinic-locations/.

SCHD provides the following COVID-19 vaccine booster doses:
  • For people 5 and older, a Pfizer booster 5 months or more after a second Pfizer dose.
  • For people 18 and older, a Pfizer booster 5 months or more after the second dose of Moderna vaccine or 2 months or more after receiving J & J vaccine.
  • Three groups can receive a second booster dose 4 months after their first booster:
  • o  People over age 50
  • o  People ages 12-49 with weakened immune systems
  • o  People ages 18-49 who received a Johnson & Johnson booster dose
 
For additional COVID-19 vaccine locations, visit www.vaccines.gov.
Stop Suicide
Educating yourself and others on the warning signs can play a crucial role in saving someone else's life. You are not alone. Please call the Community Crisis Center (CCC) today at (316) 660-7500.
Tag Renewals & New Plates
The Sedgwick County Tag Offices is devoting the last three days of each month to handling renewals, refunds, 60-day permits and permanent disabled placards/plates.
Title work will be processed on a limited basis during these three days.
By Prioritizing these services, staff hopes to expedite service and shorten wait times for customers.

As a reminder, the Treasurer's Office also offers online, drop box and mail payment services.

The receipt given to you by the Treasurer's Office acts as your proof of renewal. You can start the renewal process 45 days prior to the due date. Drivers renewing online have a 10-day grace period from the day their tags expire to the day they receive the new decal in the mail.

For more information visit: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/treasurer/
Contact Commissioner Jim Howell
316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203