Year-long bridge project over the Big Ditch begins in September

If you live or work on the west side of Sedgwick County, a major project on Zoo Blvd., starting Sept. 11, will likely affect your drive at some point over the next year. That's how long scheduled repairs to the bridge over the Big Ditch, between I-235 and Windmill Rd., are estimated to take. Drivers should expect temporary closures, including southbound traffic on Windmill Rd., and traffic reduced to two lanes on Zoo Blvd.l

To reduce property taxes for citizens, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved a 2024 budget for Sedgwick County Government that lowers the property tax levy by $2,379,493 and reduces the mill levy to 29.00 mills. Commissioners also approved the 2024 budget for Fire District 1 without raising the mill levy.

Together, these budgets continue to enhance the county workforce through improved compensation, work environment and training. They also provide increased mental health resources and strengthen Sedgwick County’s infrastructure. Some budget highlights include:

• $22.7 million increase in employee compensation
• 13 additional Full-Time Employees (FTE) in nine different departments, including the Elections Office, Appraiser’s Office, Emergency Communications, Regional Forensic Science Center and EMS
• $6.6 million for facility upkeep and improvements
• $760 thousand in flood control and drainage projects
• Continued road and bridge improvements
• $1 million for mental health contingency fund

The 2024 Adopted Budget for Sedgwick County Government totals $518,464,784, and $27,735,225 for Sedgwick County Fire District 1. Together, the budgets total $546,200,009. The 2024 budget will take effect on Jan. 1.

To learn more about property taxes and how valuations determine what each property owner pays, the Sedgwick County Appraiser's Office has a short video that explains the process. Click here to watch it.

School is Back in Session

Help keep our students safe by following these tips:

• Be on the lookout for children and school zones.
•  Always follow the school zone speed limits.
• Always stop for school busses that are loading and unloading children.
• Never pass a stopped school bus.
• Watch out for school crossing guards and follow their signals.
• Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, and in school parking lots.
• Avoid using a cell phone while in a school zone.
• Exercise patience while driving, dropping kids off and picking kids up from schools. 

Splash Pad stays open

With plenty of sun and warm weather in September, kids have one more month to play in the water at the Haysville Splash Pad. It is open daily until Saturday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. That means even school-age kids have time to cool off after a day in class!

"Living with Chronic Conditions" workshop begins Sept. 13

The Sedgwick County Health Department invites anyone with a chronic health condition to attend a series of workshops designed to improve their quality of life. The sessions begin Sept. 13, 2023, and continue every Wednesday through Oct. 18 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Dedicated Senior Medical Center, 2402 E. 13th St. N., Wichita. Workshops are progressive, so attendance at all sessions is highly encouraged but not required.

Session 1: Healthy Sleep Habits, Mind-Body Connection

Session 2: Problem-Solving, Preventing Falls, Physical Activity

Session 3: Decision-making, Pain Management, Healthy Eating

Session 4: Better Breathing, Reading Food Labels

Session 5: Medication Use, Relaxation, Coping with Depression

Session 6: Making Treatment Decisions, Working with your Healthcare Team