In 2012, I was part of the Kansas House of Representatives and experienced the once-per-decade redistricting process. The Constitutional requirement to re-balance election districts ensures that each district has (nearly) the same number of residents and therefore the same representative power, which is sometimes paraphrased “one person, one vote”. To accomplish this, elected officials at each level of government (city, county and state) must rebalance their districts.

The House of Representatives was thrilled when we came up with a new House-Map that garnered nearly unanimous support. To our shock, that map was flatly rejected by the Senate. Then the Senate kicked out a new Senate-Map that they marginally liked which the House swiftly dumped. This ball went back and forth for several weeks, that is until the politics between the House and the Senate became so conflicted that the process ended up in the courts.

In the end, the judicial branch re-drew the districts for the legislative branch. Some legislative districts had zero incumbents and other newly defined districts had as many as three incumbent legislators. Sadly, this judicial intervention became a national news story and was quite embarrassing for the state.

Because of that bad experience, I’ve been looking forward to getting my hands on the local 2020 Census Data. Some of the demographic data hasn’t been released yet but the population data that drives redistricting is finally available.

The Sedgwick County population is now officially over a half million people. We grew about 5.1% or about 25,000 residents which is a slightly less than the national growth rate of 7.4%. Nevertheless, that coveted half million mark is a key to being nationally recognized as a large county and can help draw attention, secure capital investment, and synergize our growth.

Similar to what happened in 2011, County Commission District 5, which includes Derby and Mulvane, has only 143 more people than the target of 104,765. That means, District 5 is nearly perfect already. At this point, I am not expecting any boundary changes. Incredible.

Redistricting often comes with accusations of political gerrymandering which is why independent board created maps or computer-generated proposals are popular. Looking at the fairly small imbalances across the other four districts, I don’t think the necessary tweaks will draw much interest.

Regardless, the public will have several opportunities to comment and help steer the redistricting process but I do not think there will be much to debate. Compared to the legislative impasse that never finished the process, I don’t think this could be any easier

Bridge Replacements on 71^st between Old Spring Road and Greenwich

Comparing case counts from Monday to Wednesday:

The Sedgwick County Health Department no-cost testing site will relocate to 4115 E. Harry St. starting Monday, October 4.The current COVID-19 testing site at Sunflower Shelter will be open through September 30. The county will not offer testing on October 1 in order to move locations. Testing hours at the new location will remain the same as the current site.

The current no-cost testing at Sunflower Shelter at Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st Street 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. Please enter off 13th Street.

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 the Q-line 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. 

The Sedgwick County Health Department is now offering no-cost Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccines at 223 S. Main. People should bring documentation of their first and second doses to the vaccine site. SCHD mobile clinics will not provide booster doses as this time.

People who can receive the booster dose have to meet all three of the criteria below:

For more information on booster eligibility requirements, visit https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine/additional-dose-information/

People can visit sedgwickcounty.org/covid19vaccine to schedule an appointment for the Main Vaccine Clinic. 

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.

Find resources related to the General Election here: www.sedgwickcounty.org/vote.

Find a plan here: https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-04/family-emergency-communication-plan.pdf. 

If you’re interested in a career of caring, please visit CareerOfCaring.org to find places in Sedgwick County that are hiring Direct Support Professionals.

The Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program provides grants to food processors, distributors, farmers markets, and producers to respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against COVID–19. The US Dept. of Agriculture opened an application portal on Sept. 23, 2021 for food/agriculture producers, distributors, farmers markets, including small businesses and non-profits who may request between $1,500-20,000 to support health safety of workers and business environments during COVID-19 pandemic. Funds can cover the COVID-19 related expenses back to Jan. 20, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2021. To learn more about the program and to apply, visit https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda.