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Note from Commissioner Blubaugh:
April was a busy month! I hope everyone had a great Easter & Passover. So many exciting events happened in Sedgwick County the last few weeks, I want to share a quick recap:
Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Haysville Chamber of Commerce. I proudly serve on the board and appreciate the leadership of Chamber President Rachel Janes and Mayor Russ Kessler.
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This month I had the opportunity to visit Starkey for an in-depth tour of its operation and workforce. Founded in 1930, Starkey is the oldest community-based nonprofit in Sedgwick County serving people with disabilities. Today they employ almost 400 people with jobs to support local businesses like Spirit Aerosystems, Balco, Delta Dental and many more. Starkey also provides housing for more than 260 people. I remember back in the 80's when country singer Charlie Daniels started raising money for Starkey with his golf tournaments and benefit concerts! He recognized the value of Starkey's work, and decades later, the nonprofit is still making a positive impact on our County and its residents.
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Great news from Equity Bank Park! The NBC World Series championship game will be played here on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The rest of the tournament, which runs from July 24-Aug. 1, will be held at Eck Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University. I am glad to hear the championship game is coming back to downtown Wichita after playing here for more than 80 years at Lawrence Dumont Stadium.
Since a lot of people are concerned about recent property appraisals, the State of Kansas' Property Valuation Division (PVD) gave an informative presentation at the County Commission's April 15 staff meeting to help us to better understand the relationship between the Sedgwick County Appraiser's Office and PVD. The Property Valuation Division reviews the work of Appraiser Mark Clark at least quarterly through reports, training and compliance standards established by the State of Kansas. While the County Commission can hire and fire the appraiser, the actual directives and compliance determination are mostly done within the State of Kansas' parameters. We look for consistency in the valuation process. You can watch the PVD presentation here.
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Last but not least, congratulations to Friends University, which recently opened its Center for Mission-focused Teaching & Learning (CMFTL). This center seeks to cultivate scholarly excellence and improve the student learning experience and retention. Thanks to Friends for all you do to educate our students.
Have a great May, everyone!
| | The views expressed by Commissioner Jeff Blubaugh in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the governing body of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners or Sedgwick County Government. | |
South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital breaks ground
On April 9, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) officially broke ground on the new South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital being built at Meridian and MacArthur Avenue in south Wichita. Once completed, it will be the first state hospital in this region, focused on helping adults in mental crises and inmates needing competency services to stand trial. Governor Laura Kelly, along with county, city and community leaders, attended to celebrate this exciting and much-anticipated milestone.
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Project Search celebrates graduates and reverse job fair
At the April 23 BoCC meeting, Commissioners recognized five graduates of Project Search, a USD 259 program that partners with Sedgwick County to train young people with developmental disabilities for employment. The graduates are now taking part in a virtual reverse job fair through Friday, May 2, 2025. Potential employers can meet the students online, view their resumes, talk to their current supervisors and set up interviews for entry-level jobs. To register, visit scprojectsearch.com.
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COMCARE invites children and families to free event
In celebration of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Sedgwick County COMCARE is inviting all area children and their families to Circus Spectacular: Life, The Greatest Show on Earth! This free event on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. will feature carnival games, face painting, crafts and snacks at COMCARE’s new Children’s Services building at 1938 N. Woodlawn St. Parents and guardians can talk with COMCARE staff at the event and get information about mental health resources available to help children.
Mental health issues among our youth continue to increase, both locally and across the U.S. In 2024, the national nonprofit Mental Health America reported that one in five children, or 20%, suffered at least one major depressive episode. Here in Sedgwick County, COMCARE Children’s Services served more than 2,400 youth last year, an increase of more than 100 children from 2023. To learn more about therapy and other mental health services available at COMCARE, visit Youth Mental Health | Sedgwick County, Kansas.
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Emergency Management Director honored for public service
Friends, family and colleagues surprised Julie Stimson, Director of Emergency Management, with a party in her honor, after she was selected as Sedgwick County’s recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Public Service Award! Julie earned this recognition for her outstanding leadership, professionalism and vision for her department. The DeVore Foundation presented her with a check for $3,000 in prize money.
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Free gun locks available to Sedgwick County residents
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), Wichita Police Department (WPD), Wesley Children’s Hospital and the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center have teamed up to provide free gun locks to residents – no ID required, and no questions asked. The gun locks are available at any WPD station, the jail lobby or from a SCSO deputy on patrol. Call 316-660-3900 for more information or email askadeputy@sedgwick.gov.
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Election Office unveils 2025 "I Voted" sticker
At the April 2 BoCC meeting, Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater revealed the winning artwork in the student design contest for the 2025 “I Voted” sticker. Madeline Smith of Valley Center High School took first place. Riley McAlister of Derby North Middle School came in second and homeschool student Ruby Dalbom earned third place. Madeline’s design will be the sticker worn by thousands of voters during the 2025 electoral season. We thank these students for their hard work and appreciate everyone who participated!
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Prescribed burns remove overgrowth at zoo and park
On April 7, Sedgwick County Fire District #1 (SCFD1) conducted prescribed burns at the Sedgwick County Zoo and Sedgwick County Park. These controlled fires are part of a vital effort to clear overgrowth and weeds at 14 sites across the properties. Class 2501 recruits also participated, gaining valuable hands-on experience and improving their skills. By managing vegetation, these burns help restore native habitats, reduce wildfire risks and improve the health of the ecosystem.
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Zoo family grows by three!
The Sedgwick County Zoo is celebrating a baby boom, with three births happening just days apart in April. First came Kyansa (top left), a tiny but adorable female chimp. Then, African elephants gave birth to Bomani (upper right) and Kijani (lower right). All the babies are doing great, bonding with their mothers and learning how to feed, play and interact with other animals in their habitat.
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Sedgwick County collects thousands of tires for recycling
For three days in April, residents lined up at Sedgwick County's West Yard for a chance to dispose of old tires for free. With a limit of 50 tires per load, the Public Works staff counted a total of 2,340 vehicles - 15% more than the last tire collection in 2023.
Champlin Tire Recycling Inc. will now haul away the old tires to its plants in Concordia and Weir, Kansas, to reuse and recycle them in a variety of ways. Some will become park benches and picnic tables. Others are turned into silage covers for feed stores and grain bunkers.
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Sedgwick County pays tribute to 9-1-1 dispatch team
For National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week from April 13-19, Sedgwick County encouraged residents to remember the "first" first responders who are behind the scenes. 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers remain calm in the chaos and are the voice on the other end of the phone when someone needs help and every second counts. Watch the video below to see how Sedgwick County Emergency Communications (SCEC) connects us to safety and keeps our community running smoothly.
| | Out and About with Commissioners: | | City and county leaders helped Bloc Digital cut the ribbon on its new location in the Wichita Epic Center. Bloc Digital is a global leader in 3D visuals and digital tools. | | Happy 25th Anniversary, Exploration Place! To celebrate, community leaders watched a documentary highlighting EP’s achievements. | | The NBC Baseball Foundation opened a new office in Clifton Square with the mission of celebrating America's pastime through the NBC World Series and other local events. | | Sedgwick County offices will close on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Emergency services will be available by dialing or texting 911. | |
Show your support with a zoo license plate!
You can now take your Sedgwick County Zoo pride on the road with an all-new specialty license plate. It's a great way to support SCZ and its mission. For each tag that’s registered, an annual $50 goes towards the zoo's conservation efforts. Learn more at Zoo Plate Pride – Sedgwick County Zoo.
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