March 2022
Note from Commissioner Howell
Friends,

In this newsletter, you will find information on many topics including how federal COVID relief grant funds have been earmarked for use in this community PLUS information about the area county road/bridge construction projects. Now that COVID-19 is almost completely behind us, we must focus on economic restoration and a return to normal life. The challenges we must address in policy are complex and the solutions are difficult. I would appreciate hearing from you on your ideas to balance the priorities across the county. There is a lot going on in Sedgwick County. If you want to stay up to date or have questions about Sedgwick County, please consider attending one of the several networking events I host each month. I look forward to speaking with you. In the meantime, enjoy this beautiful time of year.

Jim 
Federal Funds to District 5
Below shows how much funding went to cities and schools from the County under CARES and from the Federal Government under ARPA:

Here is some additional information sharing the process CARES went through:
  • CARES funding had to be used for necessary expenses due to COVID-19 that were incurred from March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020 (until we found out it was extended on December 27, 2020) - and the expenses could not have been part of an existing budget.   
  • Sedgwick County's CARES needs assessments showed a total of $136.4 million in needs
  • $60.5 million of internal needs
  • $65.6 million from external entities (including schools and cities)
  • $10.3 million in business needs
  • The Commission prioritized the following based on those needs:
  • Testing
  • Medical/emergency response, planning, support; Staffing to provide emergency management, health response and mental health crisis services
  • Protect first responders, healthcare workers and other employees
  • Safely provide services
  • Aid to local governments
  • Support for public health initiatives, vulnerable populations, mental health, educational institutions and local business (SPARK)
  • As a result, the following programs were established:
  • COVID response, including $4.0 million to stand up the MDL and community-wide testing
  • funding to cities, K-12 schools, and public health & social services agencies
  • safe operating grants
  • workforce development grants (WSU Tech, Friends, Workforce Alliance)
  • PPE kits for businesses and nonprofits, etc.
  • A total of 17 cities received nearly $15.0 million in funding. For K-12 schools, 13 unique USDs/accredited schools received $5.0 million. 
  • Wichita businesses received safe operating grants - most grants were $5,000.  
  • Ascension Health Systems also received $9,932,682 through the public health grant program

CARES Funding Awarded by Sedgwick County to Cities and K-12 Schools in 2020
  • City of Wichita = $12,433,680.40
  • USD 259 - Wichita = $2,179,146.86
  • City of Derby = $720,524.44
  • USD 260 - Derby = $412,320.07
  • City of Mulvane = $198,714.91
  • USD 263 - Mulvane = $176,353.33

Related to County CARES:
  • Within the safe operating grant program, 35 businesses with a Derby address received funding 
  • The Derby Rec Commission received $5,286.66 through the public health/social service program

Here is some additional information sharing the process ARPA went through:
  • ARPA was passed March 11, 2021 and included $1.9 trillion. Of that, $350 billion was allocated to states, cities, counties and tribal governments. Other funding was allocated for individual stimulus payments, child tax credits, homeowner and emergency rental assistance, small business assistance, PPP and EIDL expansion, restaurant revitalization funds, capital projects, unemployment compensation, and other programs
  • ARPA's intended use for the government bucket was:
  • To respond to COVID-19 and its negative economic impacts
  • Replace lost revenue to provide traditional government services
  • Provide premium pay for essential workers
  • Provide funding for broadband, sewer and water infrastructure 
  • The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was passed eight months later, in November 2021. This also allocated $1 trillion to infrastructure projects, including broadband, water and sewer. 
  • Unlike CARES, every county and city received funding from ARPA.  

ARPA Funding Awarded by US Treasury to Cities and Schools in 2021
  • City of Wichita = $72,422,55.00
  • USD 259 - Wichita = $76,655,672.00
  • City of Derby = $3,748,017.86
  • USD 260 - Derby = $2,800,161.00
  • City of Mulvane = $984,424.16
  • USD 263 - Mulvane = $829,122.00

One thing to note is that County staff didn't receive any pay increase in 2021. Compensation adjustments that we had hoped to do in late 2020 were deferred and the organization went through furloughs in Spring 2020. Employees at other businesses who qualified for paid leave under the Family First Coronavirus Relief Act due to COVID-19/school closures were able to take that paid time off. The law allowed employers of certain essential workers to prevent them from taking that leave to ensure appropriate staffing/service levels.

It's also important to remember that the projects the Board of County Commissioners approved on March 23 are in support of all residents of Sedgwick County in terms of public health, public safety, employee protection, compliance with Federal rules to protect future taxpayers, etc.
Cone Season is Here Again
“To everything, there is a season…” This well-known ecclesiastical truth includes a season for orange rubber cones. Yep, it’s “cone-season”.

I know road construction can be frustrating. I get impatient and wish these projects would magically be completed without inconvenience too. We all inherently know these projects are scheduled when the weather is warmer and the days are longer.

As your county commissioner, I spend quite a bit of my time observing and judging road issues while I advocate for our interests.

The conflicting goals become obvious. The saying rings true: cheap, fast, and good; pick two. It is not easy to save taxpayer money while constructing durable infrastructure with only minor inconveniences all at the same time. Other competing factors include a strong desire to help the traveling public get to their destination quickly while keeping the public safe by installing just the right amount of traffic controls.

Some issues are beyond our control too. The ongoing ‘wage-war’ and steep inflation have impacted the pool of contractors bidding on projects.

One recent example that will frustrate the traveling public is the 63rd street bridge work planned to start in September. The bridge’s speed limit had to be reduced and the northern-two lanes had to be closed when structural damage was discovered in a routine inspection. This unexpected problem demanded an immediate plan. It took a couple of months to engineer a repair plan and send the project out for bids. By delaying this project work by two months, we will save taxpayers about $250,000. The overall project is allotted 50-working days so that works out to about 3 months.

Yes, the contractor could work in the rain or at night or on weekends to speed this project up but that would drive the cost up drastically. We could push this work off to a date far in the future but that could get a lot more painful if we had to replace the bridge. A new bridge would cost about $8 million and would take more than a year to build.

Many have noticed the traffic signals being installed at 55th and Rock Road. This is solely due to traffic accidents and vehicles per day measurements. The signal is now ‘warranted’ according to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This is an objective assessment that makes the decision for us.

Please try not to be frustrated. The challenges are complex but we are doing our best to coordinate projects, minimize inconvenience, make great infrastructure while we protect those precious property tax dollars.
Projects in District 5
Bridge replacement on Oliver between south of 63rd Street South.
  • Closed to traffic during construction
  • Work to begin in April
  • Expected to re-open to traffic in in June.
Upcoming Events with Commissioner Howell
District 5 Citizen's Advisory Board
  • Friday, April 1 - 4-6 p.m.
  • Oaklawn Community Center. 2937 E. Oaklawn Dr., Wichita, 67216
Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee provided.
  • Friday, April 29 - 7-9 a.m.
  • Calvary Baptist Church Gymnasium. Enter at the glass doors on east side at 1636 E Patriot, Derby 67037.
Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee & Soda provided.
  • Monday, April 11 - 4-5:30 p.m.
  • Range 54, 5725 E Kellogg Dr., Wichita, 67218
$160 Million Available to Support Child Care Providers in Kansas
More help is now available for childcare providers in Sedgwick County impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Laura Kelly has announced $160 million in grants administered by Child Care Aware of Kansas. Qualifying providers are guaranteed nine months of payments ranging from $1,800 per month for family childcare programs to $18,000 per month for large centers. Depending on how the money is used, providers could be eligible for an additional five months of funding.

Grant dollars can be used for personnel costs, rent/mortgage, utilities, personal protective equipment, goods or services, purchases or updates to equipment and supplies, and mental health support.

Child care providers can apply at www.ks.childcareaware.org until November 30, 2022.
Kansas Connect and Learn Initiative Provides Funds to Match Federal E-rate Program
School districts in Sedgwick County and around the state now have a big financial incentive to improve their technology infrastructure.

The Kansas Connect and Learn initiative was just approved by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee and the State Finance Council. The $4 million fund will pay 10% of the cost for a school or library to construct new broadband infrastructure. If it meets the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) bandwidth recommendation, the upgrade will also earn the district a bigger discount from the E-rate program for Internet access and telecommunications. Currently, E-rate gives most Kansas schools and libraries at least a 70% discount, but the state matching fund could increase that by another 10% in savings.

School districts can apply on the E-rate form 471. For more information on E-rate, visit https://e-rateks.ksde.org.
April Burn Ban
Out & About with Commissioners
Chairman Dennis spoke at the annual Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce Chair's Lunch at Century II on behalf of Sedgwick County.
Commissioners Howell and Lopez and other local officials attended the welcoming celebration of Lao P.D.R. Ambassador H.W. Khamphan Anlavan.
Commissioners Cruse and Meitzner attended the bi-monthly Sedgwick County Association of Cities meeting. Sedgwick County EMS also provided an update on their operations.
Tag Office Expanding Services & Hours
Starting Monday, March 28, 2022, the Sedgwick County Treasurer’s Office will now be able to accept personal property & real estate tax payments at its Tag Offices located at 2525 W. Douglas and 5620 E Kellogg St. Payments will be accepted from March 28 through May 13.

Beginning Monday, April 4, 2022, the Sedgwick County Treasurer’s Office will also be expanding the hours of operation at its Tag Offices. New hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tax payments will only be taken between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For convenience, the Treasurer’s Office also offers online, dropbox and mail payment services. For general questions about tags, please call 316-660-9000.
Recovery Connect: Connect with Resources Today
Recovery Connect is a Sedgwick County economic recovery program that connects individuals, businesses, and nonprofits with resources to help them recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recovery Connect is for every citizen in Sedgwick County; the COVID pandemic has certainly changed everyone’s life. Unfortunately, it’s proven the impact is worse for some. This program connects with all areas of the community, with special efforts marketing to certain populations, to provide equitable access for all. Recovery Connect uses a hub-and-spoke model (with the Public Policy & Management Center at Wichita State University serving as the hub) designed to address disparities through an additional focus on underrepresented populations to meet the needs resulting from the impacts of the pandemic. 

Program features include:
  • Monthly Reports to Sedgwick County
  • Phone, In-Person and Virtual Support
  • Radio & Mail Advertising
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Resource Audit & Needs Survey
  • Constant Feedback & Agile Approach
  • Grant Workshops
  • Job Training & Application Assistance
  • Connection to Community-Based Resources
  • Comprehensive Final Report

Find COVID-19 Resources below for:
COVID-19 Report for Feb. 2022
Showing case information from Mar. 14-28, 2022 with 14-day change:
  • The USA case count increased from 79,529,684 to 79,959,555 (+0.54%)
  • The Kansas case count increased from 768,820 to 769,850 (+0.13%)
  • The Sedgwick County case count increased from 111,212 to 111,427 (+0.19%)
 
The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) operates a no-cost testing site located at 4115 E. Harry St. Testing is available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. SCHD conducts PCR testing using nasal, oral or saliva samples.

Text "SC COVID TEST" to 316-215-8313 to get in line for a COVID-19 test through SCHD. For additional no-cost testing sites in Wichita, go here. 

Test results are generally available by the next weekday afternoon.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
SCHD provides no-cost primary series and booster doses of Pfizer vaccine for people 5 and older and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine for people 18 and older. For more information on vaccination schedules, visit https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine/get-vaccinated/.

SCHD operates the following no-cost, walk-in vaccine clinic options:
 
  • Community Vaccine Clinic at the former Wichita Public Library | 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202 (Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Mobile Clinics are offered by SCHD staff at locations throughout Sedgwick County (hours vary; for locations, visit https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine/clinic-locations/)
  • Partner Clinics are offered by community partners and assisted by SCHD staff. Appointments preferred but walk-ins are welcome (hours vary)
 
No ID required; Proof of prior vaccination(s) expedites registration.
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.
Tag Renewals & New Plates
Contact Commissioner Lacey Cruse
316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203