December 2021
Letter from Commissioner Dennis

I wish each of you a very Happy New Year. This past year has been very difficult for many reasons. I am looking forward to a much better 2022.

The County has many challenges ahead of us. Staffing is a huge concern in many of our critical departments. Our Human Resources Division has been working on reclassification and other recruiting tools to bring the salary up to industry standards. This is not a one step process and will take a couple of budget cycles to overcome decisions made in the past that are impacting our workforce.

The cost of everything is increasing at a rapid rate. I know every citizen in the County is experiencing this on a personal level. County government is not immune to the increase cost of every service we provide. There are only two solutions, cut services or raise taxes when every cost savings idea has been implemented. The County will begin the 2023 budget process in February. Many difficult decisions will be made before adoption of the budget next August.

Behavioral Health is another major factor impacting our community. Drug/Alcohol Abuse, Mental Health and Homelessness issues impact many of our departments and divisions. This is not just a County issue and we must all work together to help find solutions.

The Board of County Commissioners made a decision to move the administrative functions of County government out of the Court House and to remodel the facility to handle the courts and District Attorney functions. County administrative functions will move into temporary facilities and a decision must be made soon on a permanent facility to house those government offices. I know this is a very important and expensive decision, but the funding for the temporary for the temporary facilities is coming from ARPA funds and those will expire the end of 2024. Therefore, the Commissioners must make a difficult decision soon.

The entire globe continues to battle COVID-19. County Government has focused and will continue to focus on this health issue. ARPA funding has helped, but it will eventually expire. In addition, many organizations outside the County are looking at ARPA funds to help recover. We must be very careful as we allocate that one-time money to insure we can support those functions of government and the community recover.

I have one opening on my Citizen’s Advisory Board. If you are interested, please go to our website and complete an application. I appreciate those who have chosen to volunteer to serve our community on a number of boards that advise the Commissioners.

I know there are more issues that the County and all our citizens will face in the coming year. I sincerely hope it is a better year than 2021.

As always, it is an honor to serve District 3.
Board of County Commissioners District Map Approved
The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has completed its redistricting process. Sedgwick County typically adjusts its commission district boundaries every ten years. Each commission district should be roughly equivalent in population with borders that are as compact as possible. To begin the process, the Sedgwick County Department of Geographic Information Systems used modern mapping software along with data from the 2020 U.S. Census to create eight redistricting scenarios. Next, the eight scenarios were analyzed by the County Counselor’s office to ensure each complied with state and Federal law. Finally, the scenarios were presented to the BOCC.

After the presentation, the BOCC obtained public input on the scenarios thought its citizen advisory boards and a town hall meeting. The BOCC also implemented an Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee to review the maps and present a single preferred map for their review. On Dec. 15, 2021, The BOCC unanimously approved a resolution adopting the new commission district boundary map at its regular meeting.
COVID-19 Report for December 27 2021
Showing case information from December 13 to December 27 with 14-day change:
 
  • The USA case count increased from 50,009,507 to 52,360,341 (+4.70%)
  • The Kansas case count increased from 489,354 to 512,461 (+4.72%) 
  • The Sedgwick County case count increased from 73,987 to 77,145 (+4.27%)
 
The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) operates a no-cost testing site located at 4115 E. Harry St. Testing is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The County Testing Site will be closed Friday, Jan. 31, 2021.
 
Text "SC COVID TEST" to 316-215-8313 to get in line for a COVID-19 test through SCHD. For additional no-cost testing sites in Wichita, go here. 
 
SCHD conducts PCR testing using nasal, oral or saliva samples; results are generally available by the next weekday afternoon.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
SCHD provides no-cost Pfizer vaccine for people 5 and older and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine for people 18 and older. No appointments are necessary to get vaccinated at any SCHD vaccine clinic.
 
  • The primary vaccination series consists of:
  • One dose of J&J vaccine
  • Two doses of Pfizer vaccine
  • An additional Pfizer dose is authorized for people who are immunocompromised or have other qualifying conditions
  • For people over 18, a booster dose is encouraged at 6 months after the second Pfizer dose or at 2 months after a J&J dose. People ages 16-17 who received Pfizer for their primary vaccination series are eligible for a Pfizer booster at 6 months.
  • The CDC has stated a preference for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and boosters over J&J (12/16/21)

SCHD operates the following no-cost vaccine clinic options:
 
  • Community Vaccine Clinic at the former Wichita Public Library | 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202 (Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Mobile Clinics are offered by SCHD staff (hours vary)
  • Partner Clinics are offered by community partners and assisted by SCHD staff. Appointments preferred but walk-ins are welcome (hours vary)
 
The Community Vaccine Clinic will be closed Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 & Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022.

Proof of prior vaccination(s) expedites registration.
 
For a full list of mobile and partner clinics and other information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in Sedgwick County, please visit www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine. To inquire about hosting a Mobile Clinic, please contact SCHD by email at SCHDCovidVaccine@sedgwick.gov. 
Christmas Boxes from Public Safety
Each December, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and other Sedgwick County Public Safety employees work hard at packing Christmas boxes with food items at the Dillons Distribution Center in Goddard. Money raised by the Sheriff’s Office Benefit Fund allowed them to purchase food from Dillon’s, pack the boxes and distribute them to families in need in Sedgwick County. 
E2P (EMT to Paramedic) Program holds First Signing Day Event
Sedgwick County EMS hosted its first annual EMT Signing Day on Wednesday, Dec. 22. The E2P (EMT to Paramedic) Program was implemented to allow the agency to support currently employed EMTs to complete the paramedic certification.

"This program represents the first time since paramedic training became a college education process in the 1980s that Sedgwick County EMS has been able to employ EMTs while they complete the education requirements,” says Paul Misasi, Deputy Director of Operations.

SCEMS selected nine EMTs who will begin classes at a program of their choosing in January.
Prevent Seasonal Flu
The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year. To learn more about and find resources to help answer your questions about the flu, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/index.html
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.
KDOT Survey
The Kansas Department of Transportation is seeking feedback to learn what Kansans think about how highways and bridges are funded. Your response will help KDOT better understand statewide priorities and explore potential ways to pay for the state’s roads and bridges in the future. Click here to take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MidwestRUC
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Opportunities
As recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Sedgwick County, we are continuing to communicate opportunities from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that may be of help to you. ARPA became law on March 11, 2021 to provide $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus with the intent to speed up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey below is an opportunity we are hosting for you to let us know how federal funds awarded to us from ARPA may be of help to you. Click the link to access the survey: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/finance/arpa/ongoing-arpa-feedback-survey/.

Below are ARPA Funding Opportunities that have recently been made available:
Contact Commissioner David Dennis
316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203