November 2021
Note from Commissioner Dennis
Sedgwick County has had the opportunity to thank your nation’s veterans several times recently. Valley Center hosted the Viet Nam Moving Wall, JROTC hosted the annual Veteran’s Day Parade and a formal military parade inside Century II to honor our veterans and KPTS held the annual Veteran’s Coming Home dinner and awards. I wish to extend my personal thank you to every veteran for their selfless service to our nation.

Speaking of the military, once again I had the honor to serve on Congressman Estes’ Air Force Academy selection board. The panel I served on interviewed 18 great candidates. I am always very proud of the outstanding men and women who wish to serve their country. They are among the best of the best. Each of them has a great future ahead of them either in the military or as leaders in our community.

I had the opportunity to have breakfast with the Sunrise Rotary who built the Boundless Playground at Sedgwick County Park and donated it to our community. This has been a huge undertaking by that club and the playground is accessible to all our children regardless of their abilities. My thanks to each member.

I also had lunch with the Northwest Lyons Club recently and was able to provide an update on events and projects throughout Sedgwick County. I was also able to provide them an update on the Sedgwick County Legislative Agenda for the upcoming Kansas legislative session.

Several months ago, the Commissioners voted to temporarily move the administrative functions out of the County Courthouse so the space can be remodeled for court functions. Our facilities division has been looking at office space that we can rent until we can either purchase or build a new administrative building. I have been very vocal in finding a permanent solution before we move everyone into temporary space. I know it will take time to prepare a permanent space, but I want to know what the final solution is before we disrupt all of the administrative functions.

The Commission voted to make a final decision on redistricting on December 15th. We also appointed a committee to advise the Commission. Their first meeting was held on November 23rd and they will have a final report by December 10th.
Projects in District 3
Bridge Replacement on 87th South between 375th West and 359th West
  • Closed to traffic during construction
  • Work began October 12, 2021
  • Expected to re-open to traffic in December 2021.
Board of County Commissioners Redistricting
Every ten years, dictated by state statute and following the release of updated census data, the county is required to go through a redistricting process. The goal of this process is to reach compactness and equalize the amount of population in each district. Mapping software used by the Department of Geographic Information Systems created eight scenarios that were presented to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) who are now discussing with the public. In order to adopt a new district boundary map, it has to be voted and approved by the BOCC through a resolution.

At the Nov. 17 regular meeting, the BOCC voted and approved a deadline for this decision to be made no later than Dec. 15.

To learn more about the process and see the maps, please visit: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/commissioners/bocc-projects/
Treasurer’s Office and Tag Offices will close at 12 p.m. on Dec. 15
The department will be having a combined staff meeting as well as conducting year end training. We will open back up at 8am on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
COVID-19 Report for November 29, 2021
Comparing case counts from Monday to Wednesday:

  • The United States of America case count increased from 48,018,473 to 48,283,246 (+.55 percent).
  • The State of Kansas case count increased from 461,163 to 465,290 (+.89 percent). 
  • In Sedgwick County, case counts increased from 70,394 to 70,923 (+.75 percent).

The Sedgwick County Health Department no-cost testing site is located at 4115 E. Harry St. Testing hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Text "SC COVID TEST" to 316-215-8313 to get in line for a COVID-19 test through the Sedgwick County Health Department. You will receive a message notifying you of a wait time or to come inside immediately. If Qless is full you will receive a message stating "The testing line is full for the rest of the day." There are additional no-cost testing sites in Wichita for residents to utilize. Find more information here. 

The Health Department takes a nasal, oral or saliva sample to send to a lab for COVID-19 PCR testing. Results are generally available by the afternoon of the next weekday. The results of the virus test show whether a person has a current infection. This is not an antibody test.
Visit www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19 to learn more about the County’s response to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
The Sedgwick County Health Department provides Comirnaty/Pfizer vaccine (for people aged 5 and older) or one-dose Johnson and Johnson (for people 18 and older) at multiple locations across Sedgwick County at no-cost.

  • Comirnaty (Pfizer) – fully approved COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 and older
  • Pfizer – under emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 5 to 15 years old and for the administration of a third dose in certain individuals with weakened immune systems
  • Johnson and Johnson – under emergency use authorization for individuals 18 and older
  • You are not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after receiving your vaccination:
  • One shot for Johnson and Johnson vaccine
  • Second shot for Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccines
  • People should bring documentation of their first and second doses to the vaccine site.

The Health Department offers the following no-cost vaccine clinic options:

  • Main Vaccine Clinic at the former Wichita Public Library | 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202
  • Mobile Clinics are offered by SCHD staff
  • Partner Clinics are offered by community partners and assisted by SCHD staff. Appointments preferred but walk-ins are welcome
  • Event Clinics are where SCHD offers vaccine during an event. Businesses planning events can contact SCHD by email at SCHDCovidVaccine@sedgwick.gov

For a full list of mobile, partner, and event clinics and information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in Sedgwick County, please visit www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine.

Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 1, the community vaccine clinic will provide COVID-19 vaccines by walk-in only. No appointment is needed.



Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose.

The SCHD will provide COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to people who:
  • Are at least 18 years old
  • Have received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or received their first dose of J&J vaccine at least two months ago

People who have received first and second doses of Pfizer and Moderna can receive either a Pfizer or Moderna booster. People who have received a first dose of J&J can receive a J&J booster after two months or a Pfizer or Moderna booster after six months after the first dose of J&J.
Veterans Day Parade
County Commissioners, the Treasurer’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Fire District, EMS and County staff attended Wichita’s Annual Veteran’s Day Parade last Saturday. This parade recognized Veterans and commemorated the 50Th anniversary of US involvement in the Vietnam War. Thank you to Veterans and all who have served!
This is a small representation of the larger number of people who have served in uniform and continue to serve in Sedgwick County.
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