Note from Commissioner Meitzner
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Every week, I have the opportunity to visit with Steve & Ted on the Steve & Ted in the Morning radio show (station 1330AM around 7:30 a.m.). During the Nov. 23 episode, we had a chance to discuss Redistricting.
Ten years ago when redistricting took place, there were minimal changes to boundaries because the growth was equal among districts. Also at that time, there were four Republican males and one Democrat male members of the Board of County Commissioners. Today, 10 years later, our county has grown 25,000 people and there’s three Republicans and two Democrats sitting on the Board. Of those people, two are female and one is Hispanic. Our Commission of today is a better representation of our community and am proud of the work we have done and will do.
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Board of County Commissioners Redistricting
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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.
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Treasurer’s Office and Tag Offices will close at 12 p.m. on Dec. 15
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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.
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COVID-19 Report for November 29, 2021
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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.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Update
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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.
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Comirnaty (Pfizer) – fully approved COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 and older
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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
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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:
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Main Vaccine Clinic at the former Wichita Public Library | 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202
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Mobile Clinics are offered by SCHD staff
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Partner Clinics are offered by community partners and assisted by SCHD staff. Appointments preferred but walk-ins are welcome
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Event Clinics are where SCHD offers vaccine during an event. Businesses planning events can contact SCHD by email at SCHDCovidVaccine@sedgwick.gov
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.
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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!
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This is a small representation of the larger number of people who have served in uniform and continue to serve in Sedgwick County.
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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
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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.
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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
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American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Opportunities
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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.
Below are ARPA Funding Opportunities that have recently been made available:
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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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