May has been a busy month with budget hearings. Commissioners heard from every department, the other elected officials and the appointed officials. Now the County Manager, his staff and the Commissioners will begin to analyze all the asks and start to draft the 2024 budget. There will be two public hearings, prior to budget adoption, so we can hear from the community on their needs. The first hearing is scheduled for the evening of August 2, and the other will be during the BoCC meeting August 23.
We have a couple ways to honor our veterans this month. Memorial Day recognizes those 1.1 million Americans who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Those who have died cannot hear you; however, the millions of veterans can hear your thanks, and they will pass them on to those who died defending our freedom when they meet them again. Also, we are very proud of those cities in Sedgwick County who have been designated Purple Heart Cities, including Derby and Haysville. Sedgwick County is in the process of being designated a Purple Heart County. Thank you to all who have served, those who have died for our country, and family members who sent loved ones to war.
Please remember the law enforcement professionals who have served our community and died in the line of duty. We recognized those individuals during a ceremony on Friday, May 26th at the Law Enforcement Memorial. Take time to thank the officers who continue to protect us.
I am a member of the Electric Vehicle Planning Committee. We have only met one time, with another meeting scheduled in June. I did learn a lot during the first meeting and hope to continue to learn more about the infrastructure needed to support electric vehicle. Also, we are looking at safety issues with the batteries on those vehicles.
We are very happy that Kansas released funding for the new KU/WSU Biomed Campus here in Wichita. It will be transformational to this area. Sedgwick County is proud to support this initiative and appreciates the vision that KU and WSU leaders have displayed to make this project a reality. In addition, the state released funds for the new Regional Mental Health Hospital. Sedgwick County has been advocating for this for at least six years. Once completed, the hospital will be a state-run facility, responsible for operations and staffing. We know that staff is in short supply at this time. That is why the KU/WSU Biomed Campus is critical to train the workforce of tomorrow.
In early June we will have a ribbon cutting for one part of the North Junction project. This will carry traffic from Northbound I-135 to Westbound I-235. This is an important opening because it will eliminate the tight curve and traffic merge we have in place today. Thanks to all the partners who made this possible. This ribbon cutting does not end construction in the area, but it is a big step forward.
It is an honor to serve District 3. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have issues I can help with.
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