Sedgwick County has published the recommended budget for FY 2021 and we have held our first public meeting on the budget. Our next public meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 10 at 6:00 p.m. The Commission will vote on the final budget on August 12 at the regular board meeting. The budget is basically flat with no increase in mill levy for either the County or Fire District 1. There are no pay raises for any of our employees. The low pay for our EMS paramedics and EMTs is causing staffing shortages as our great first responders are leaving for better pay with Wichita and other organizations. This is an issue we will need to address to continue the great service EMS provides to the County.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel the groundbreaking for Fire Station 31 in Andale due to rain. If possible, we will reschedule that event as soon as possible. That is not slowing down our commitment to the new fire station which will provide support for Northwest Sedgwick County.
Sedgwick County recently entered into a lease for a building to conduct drive-through COVID-19 testing. That facility is a great improvement over the tents we had been using. Also the County just entered into an agreement to purchase two “Panther Fusion” testing analysis machines for our Health Department lab. We have also purchased the warranty for these systems and enough COVID sample reagent and swabs to conduct 55,000 tests to start with. Total cost for this venture is $2.3 million and it will take 6-8 weeks for delivery but it will give us the following:
- The ability to do 500 tests per day in our Health Department, with a 12-18 hour turn around on results. No more mailing or transporting samples to other labs for these tests.
- Increases our lab capacity for the future, post COVID times.
- This option, plus a partnership with at least one other private lab solution (hopefully in conjunction with State of Kansas) will give us enough rapid test capacity to better serve our region.
Congratulations to our very own CFO will be speaking during a National Association of Counties meeting later this week due to her outstanding work regarding the right way to manage CARES funding. Our national consultant has praised Sedgwick County for our management of this funding despite continued confusion and shifting of gears from federal treasury. Her work on this continues to be exemplary.
As always, it is an honor to serve District 3. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions.
David Dennis
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July 27, 2020 COVID-19 Report
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Comparing case counts from Friday to today:
- The United States of America case count increased from 4,061,925 to 4,262,674 (+ 4.9 percent).
- Today, the State of Kansas case count increased 4.2 percent, from 25,109 to 26,172. It was reported that 335 Kansans have passed away due to COVID-19.
- In Sedgwick County, case counts increased from 3,303 to 3,740 (+ 13.2 percent). There have been 649 residents recover and 36 residents have passed away from COVID-19.
Visit
www.sedgwickcounty.org
to find additional information about local resources and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Primary Election is Tuesday, August 4.
You can vote early at the Sedgwick County Election Office (510 N. Main, Ste. 101) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. now through Monday, August 3. Voters may also vote early from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 1. Early voting in the Election Office ends at noon on August 3.
Additional early voting locations will be available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 1.
Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, August 4, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Public Health Order in Place to Reduce Spread of COVID-19
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During a special Board of County Commissioners meeting on Friday, July 24, Commissioners voted to affirm Dr. Garold Minns'
Emergency Public Health Order
with certain amendments.
- Businesses licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption will have a curfew of midnight;
- Children age 11 and younger are not required to wear a mask; children age two and younger should not wear a mask of face because of the risk of suffocation;
- Swimming pools are exempt from the order; and
- The order is currently in effect and will remain so through Friday, Aug. 21, at 11:59 p.m.
A list of businesses in the city of Wichita that are impacted by the order can be found
here
.
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PPE Distribution Supports Local Businesses
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On Friday, June 10, the Kansas Department of Emergency Management (KDEM) sent 104 pallets to Sedgwick County which held millions of non-medical PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including reusable and semi-permeable gowns in sizes small-3XL, KN95 masks, and three-ply and cloth masks. Two-hundred and sixty businesses and organizations in our community requested 2.95 million pieces of PPE and Emergency Management received 2.4 million pieces. We are pleased to report that every business and organization received part or all of their PPE request.
Thank you to the 45 volunteers from 10 organizations who assisted Emergency Management in distributing PPE to businesses and organizations across our community last week.
Please help us slow the spread of COVID-19 by washing your hands, wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing.
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CARES Applications Now Open
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sedgwick County received funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to be distributed throughout the community. Commissioners approved $30 million to address costs in the community associated with this public health emergency.
After receiving input from stakeholders across the county, a spending plan was created that focuses on four core areas:
- Municipal Assistance
- Public Health
- Social Services
- Educational Assistance
The funds can be used to reimburse necessary spending due to the coronavirus that has occurred since March 1, 2020 and anticipated COVID-19 spending through December 30, 2020. To meet federal guidelines, the spending must be COVID-19 related, the spending
must have
been done outside of the organization’s normal budget, and the funding
cannot
be used to make up lost revenue.
Eligible costs include:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as hand sanitizer, gloves, and cleaning supplies.
- Thermometers and other screening equipment.
- Computers, phones, webcams and other equipment to accommodate teleworking.
- Communication and community outreach to inform public of public health guidance.
- Payroll costs for staff substantially dedicated to COVID-19 response activities.
Oversight and approval of applications will be provided by the Board of County Commissioners, as well as a board made of community volunteers. There is no guarantee that every entity will receive a portion or the full requested amount.
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2021 Budget Adoption Set for August 12
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The 2021 Recommended Budget focuses on the County’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is a balanced budget with no tax rate increase.
The Recommended 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.
Residents will be able to offer feedback on the Recommended Budget through an online public forum at
www.sedgwickcounty.org
,now through 5 p.m. on August 11. A final public hearing is planned for 6 p.m. on August 10.
Budget adoption is scheduled for the Board of County Commissioners regular meeting at 9 a.m. on August 12.
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Do you have unwanted computers, cell phones, tablets, fax-machines, and more sitting around your house? We're here to help! Sedgwick County Environmental Resources invites you to safely dispose of your useless E-Waste from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., August 13-15 and August 20-22 at the Sedgwick County West Yard, 4701 S. West St. The event is and FREE and open to the public.
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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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