November 2023

Notes from Commissioner Meitzner:

I hope all of you had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. November was a busy month, as the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) took action to benefit residents in several ways:

Commissioners spent a lot of time discussing Wichita's homeless crisis with city, state and community leaders. In the end, Sedgwick County provided $200,000 to help the City of Wichita fund an emergency winter shelter that opens Dec.1 (today) near 21st and Grove. This plan does not fix the homeless situation; it is a temporary homeless shelter during the winter months, ending March 31. We are working on a long-term plan with the City of Wichita and our state legislators for a solution that is long overdue.

The General Election on Nov. 7 decided several important local races, including Wichita's new mayor and three city council members. If you are interested in the integrity of our local elections, Commissioner Jim Howell has written a very thorough analysis and has allowed me to re-post. You can read his commentary by clicking here.

Also, we will be working on finding a permanent location for the Sedgwick County administrative offices. This is a very serious conversation and decision. In the near future, I plan to post a survey, so you can all weigh in on what direction you believe is best for our county and for you, the taxpayer. Look for this in the coming months.

Again, it’s an honor to serve you and this great county. Best wishes for a safe holiday season, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours!

The views expressed by Commissioner Pete Meitzner in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the governing body of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners or Sedgwick County Government.

KDADS & Sedgwick County Town Hall Meeting

on the Mental Health Hospital

Sedgwick County honors Veterans Day 2023

Commissioners, other elected leaders and staff participated in the annual Veterans Day Parade through downtown Wichita on Nov. 11.

Two days earlier, Sedgwick County leaders attended a special Veterans Day ceremony hosted by Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and Leadership Corps cadets from several Wichita schools. Around 2,000 students performed drills and were reviewed in formation. Very fitting, since the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) had declared Nov. 9, 2023, as Wichita JROTC Leadership Day!

Sedgwick County employees share stories of military service

November was National Veterans and Military Families Month. In appreciation to all who have served and supported our Armed Forces, the video below highlights two employees and the sacrifices they made.

Solar Power Town Hall gathers feedback for the future

Sedgwick County hosted a public forum to discuss land-use regulations for commercial-scale solar energy systems, after the BoCC imposed a temporary moratorium on solar applications in September. About 200 people attended the public forum. Their input will help county leaders decide if any changes to existing solar power policies are needed.

Learn more and see information from the event at sedgwickcounty.org/solar.

Fraud Awareness Week videos warn of scams

During Fraud Awareness Week Nov. 12-18, the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office released a series of short videos to educate people about common scams, the warning signs and how to protect yourself. Click here to learn about romance scams, phishing, identity theft, imposter scams, and gift card/cryptocurrency scams.

Native American Heritage Month highlights local ancestry

Sedgwick County proudly celebrated Native American Heritage Month in November by highlighting the contributions and traditions of longtime employee, Bobbi Meairs. Watch the video below to learn about her family's rich history in Wichita.

Sedgwick County needs YOU on an advisory board or committee!

The Board of County Commissioners values input from its citizens and encourages you to consider serving on an advisory board or committee in one of the five districts. Sedgwick County currently has openings on the Solid Waste Management Committee.

Out and About with Commissioners

Commissioners attended the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition's (MHSAC) Fall Community Update and discussed building the new Regional State Behavioral Health Hospital.

Commissioner Meitzner spoke at the Wichita Independent Business Association (WIBA) monthly luncheon about the role of Sedgwick County Government and its work with community partners.

Sedgwick County Commissioners and the Greater Wichita Partnership welcomed Lockheed Martin Space Executive Vice President Robert Lightfoot to a reception at the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT).