August 2020
The commission recently passed the budget for 2021. It is basically a flat budget due to the downturn in the economy. We had hard choices to make. We could either reduce services or cut costs. The option to raise taxes was not considered by the commission. We opted to cut costs. That significantly impacts our great employees. We are still looking at ways we can recognize their efforts though.

COVID-19 continues to dominate everything we do. We are carefully reviewing requests for funding from the CARES funds we received from the federal government. Those funds must be spent by December 30th. A large portion of the funding is going toward testing. We recently approved contracting with a company in Lenexa, KS to start saliva testing. We also approved $1.5 million for Wichita State University to start preparing for saliva testing here in Sedgwick County. Once WSU is fully capable, we will transition from Lenexa to WSU for the tests.

As always, it is an honor to represent District 3.

David Dennis
August 28, 2020 COVID-19 Report
Comparing case counts from Wednesday, August 26 to today, August 28:
  • The United States of America case count increased from 5,791,222 to 5,889,652 (+1.7 percent).
  • Today, the State of Kansas case count increased nearly three percent, from 39,937 to 41,048. It was reported that 443 Kansans have passed away due to COVID-19.
  • In Sedgwick County, case counts increased from 6,597 to 6,709 (+ 1.7). 
 
Currently, Sedgwick County is only testing symptomatic residents, close contacts, and people who work in certain at-risk professions (first responders, healthcare workers (including home health and long-term care), law enforcement, detention facility workers, Direct Support Professionals, or those working in residential group living facilities).

Visit www.sedgwickcounty.org for additional information about COVID-19 including testing information, funding resources, and data. 
County Continues to Use CARES Funding for COVID-19 Response
So far, Sedgwick County has spent $13.7 million on COVID-19-related purposes. Below is a spending breakdown.
  • $9.6 million is from the County’s direct allocation of Federal CARES funding. This is up $200,000 from last week, primarily due to the most recent payroll posting and payments for temporary employment services through a staffing agency. Additional increases were for software and technology for County services. United Methodist Open Door homeless day program was granted $7,000 to support COMCARE’s homeless program.
  • $2.6 million was committed from the $9.3 million in the County’s allocation from the State of Kansas’s CARES funding; this is up $600,000 from last week. The entirety of this expense was for products ordered to stock the business PPE kits that Commissioners previously authorized; the goal is to distribute these kits beginning in mid-September.
  • $1.2 million has been spent from the County’s General Fund. This is an increase of $14,000 for payments associated with the development of a COVID-19 mass vaccination plan. Fire District 1 spending on COVID-19 remains flat at $22,000.
  • The Sedgwick County Election Office has spent $155,000 of its award from the Secretary of State. 

Business or nonprofits that qualify for CARES funding, are encouraged to submit an application at www.sedgwickcounty.org.

For questions or additional information, email sedgwickcares@sedgwick.gov or dial (316) 660-7148.
New Order Allows for Limited Restaurant and Bar Operation
The current emergency public health order is in place until at least midnight Tuesday night, September 8, 2020.

A major change reflected in this order allows for a fair and equitable environment for local bars and nightclubs to safely open and operate moving forward.

Businesses classified as drinking establishment (DE) and drinking establishment restaurant (DER) will operate at 50 percent of its fire code capacity. Both will be required to close to the public at 11 p.m. daily but may continue carryout and curbside services.

Residents are still required to wear masks or face coverings in public spaces. Children age five or younger are not required to wear a mask. There are some health care exemptions to this rule for those who are not able to do so.

The order adopts Phase 2 of the Ad Astra Plan which allows groups of up to 15 people that must be located at least six feet away from other groups. Events and business occupancy are not capped at 15 people. Individuals in public gatherings are still required to wear a mask.

As schools begin the fall semester, it is imperative to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are able to operate safely. Dr. Minns indicates his goal is to reduce the rate of positive cases to five percent to align with CDC’s recommendation for children returning to schools. Our community toolbox consists of mask wearing, social distancing (six-feet between individuals), and good hand hygiene, as the best ways for the community to reach that goal.
Sedgwick County Fire District 1 Breaks Ground on New Fire Station
County leaders broke ground Monday, August 3 for a brand new, four bay, 10,000 square foot fire station located Andale. The new station will replace the current one – housed at a Sedgwick County Public Works yard – making it more publicly accessible. Tentative project completion is May 2021. Take a look at the groundbreaking here.
Apply Now to the District 3 Citizens Advisory Board
There are two openings on the District 3 Citizens Advisory Board, including a spot for a local high school senior.

The purpose of this Board is to express opinions and make recommendations to Commissioner Dennis on topics pertinent to Sedgwick County government. It takes no binding action.

Meeting details: The District 3 Advisory Board customarily meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m., Goddard School District Conference Center, 305 S. Main, Goddard

If you are interested in serving on this Board, please complete the application here.
Public Works Projects in District 3
Road maintenance on 295th St. West between US-54 and 61st North
  •  Work to begin in early September
  • Expect delays as the project will utilize flaggers in early September
  • In late September, road will be closed in segments to thru traffic
55th and Meridian Project Ready for Fall Semester
Sedgwick County and the Haysville School District jointly funded a road project to make improvements near Campus High School. Work was planned to begin and be completed over the summer in time for the new school year this fall.

Join us for a ribbon-cutting event at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2 at Campus High School to celebrate these improvements!
Planning to Vote in the General Election? 
The General Election is less than 70 days away – are you registered to vote?

To check your current voter registration information, click here.

If you would like to register to vote or update your voter registration, (use this link to download a voter registration application).

If you would like to vote-by-mail in this election, click here to download an advance ballot application. Please note a separate application is required for each person and for each election. Clear photos of applications may be submitted via email to voterinformation@sedgwick.gov.

If you have already sent in General Election vote-by-mail application, please wait to check the status of it until September 10, 2020 to allow staff time to process requests.

Want to know if your vote-by-mail application has been processed? Click here to check on the status of your vote-by-mail application or ballot.
Commissioners Adopt 2021 Budget
The Board of County Commissioners approved the 2021 budget for Sedgwick County and Fire District 1.This budget focuses on the County’s responses to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It continues service delivery levels with no tax rate increase. It includes some additions:

  • 1 full-time equivalent Epidemiologist position at the Health Department;
  • 2 full-time equivalent positions for Integrated Care Team 1 (ICT-1); and
  • Various additions to the Sheriff’s Office for medical services, judicial services, and other needs.

The 2021 Adopted Budget totals $438,259,900 for Sedgwick County Government and $19,368,910 for Sedgwick County Fire District 1. Together, the full Budget totals $457,628,810.

Commissioners also adopted the 2021 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which totals $25,471,593. The CIP includes funding for:

  • North Junction Improvements and the Northwest Bypass right-of-way;
  • A County Elections Building; and
  • Replacements and new installation of outdoor warning devices.

The budget was approved after two in-person public hearings and an online forum. The 2021 budget will take effect January 1, 2021 for the calendar year.
COMCARE is Here for You
Feeling stressed or anxious? Want to talk? 

COMCARE of Sedgwick County is offering a support line for individuals who may be experiencing an elevation in mental health symptoms. Anyone may call (316) 660-1111 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Participants of the support line will receive resources, coping skill ideas, and encouragement to keep doing what they need to do to stay healthy, emotionally and physically. Residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis should call (316) 660-7500.

Visit www.sedgwickcounty.org to find more information about COMCARE services. 

316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203