May 2026

Note from Commissioner Meitzner:

I want to share a brief update on the planned K-96 improvements in our area.

As Wichita and our region continue to grow, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is planning for future transportation needs along the K-96 corridor between I-135 and I-35. The project will expand 9.5 miles of K-96 from four lanes to six lanes, from I-135 on the west to 21st Street on the southeast, along with interchange upgrades and pavement replacement.

KDOT has completed preliminary design and environmental review and is moving forward with the work in phases:

• Blue project: in final design, funded for construction, with letting planned for September 2028; includes Woodlawn and Rock interchange upgrades.
• Orange project: in final design; includes upgrades to I-135, Hillside, and Oliver.
• Red project: includes Webb interchange upgrades.
• Yellow project: includes upgrades at Greenwich and 21st, a lane shift at 21st, and pavement replacement from 21st to Kellogg.

Construction timing for the four projects will depend on future funding. This phased approach allows KDOT to deliver improvements while balancing transportation priorities across the state. To learn more, please visit the K-96 Improvements website.

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.

Deadline nears to complete the 2027 Budget Simulator

Sedgwick County residents have until June 7 to try their hand at balancing the County’s 2027 budget and share what matters most to them. The interactive Budget Simulator gives citizens a hands-on look at how property tax-supported funds are allocated and the difficult choices that come with balancing public needs and limited resources.

Using the online simulator, residents can choose whether to increase, decrease or maintain funding levels for County departments and services. Each option includes real-world explanations showing how those decisions could impact areas like public safety, health services, roads and infrastructure.

The simulator is part of Sedgwick County’s ongoing commitment to transparency and public engagement. The feedback collected will help influence development of the County’s 2027 budget.

Construction of Mental Health Hospital moving ahead

Local and state leaders, including Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, saw firsthand yesterday how the new South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital is taking shape. Construction on the 104-bed facility began one year ago in April at Meridian and MacArthur Road in south Wichita.

Governor Kelly toured the hospital along with Kansas Department of Aging & Disabilities Services (KDADS) leadership and Sedgwick County Commissioners. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to open in January 2027 and will provide inpatient psychiatric care and court-ordered competency evaluations.

Future home of First Responder Health & Wellness Center

City and county leaders joined the Wichita Metro Crime Commission (WMCC) to get their first look at the building that will eventually become The Pinnacle First Responder Health & Wellness Center.

The project is privately funded and will convert a former church building at 3rd and Broadway into a dedicated facility serving public safety personnel from both the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County. First responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, emergency communications workforce, district attorneys, forensic science investigators and community corrections professionals, routinely face high-stress situations and potentially traumatic events. The health and wellness center is intended to improve access to mental and physical health services while increasing participation among public safety employees.

Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita will each pay 50% of the center's operating expenses, not to exceed $94,000 per year, with additional expenses covered by the WMCC. The County will act as the facility manager.

Election Office moves into new location

The Sedgwick County Election Office is now operating out of its new home at 3639 N. Comotara St. Staff moved from the Historic Courthouse into a remodeled building that provides more office space, meeting and training rooms, equipment staging and warehouse storage, creating more efficiency and centralizing operations. The new Election Office will continue to serve as an early in-person voting site, complete with more than 100 parking spaces and Wichita Transit bus stops nearby.

Election security and transparency were priorities of the Phase I remodel, including increased badge access control, internal and external cameras and public-facing windows to allow for viewing of ballot tabulation and sorting. Phase II of the Election Office remodel will be complete by late November and will relocate the voting equipment to the same facility, bringing all staff and equipment under one roof.

Fire training highlights rescue readiness amid policy changes

For one full week in May, the Sedgwick County Fire District Training Division and Medical Division teamed up for department-wide extrication training. More than 140 SCFD1 members rotated through multiple medical and hands-on extrication scenarios to practice using the tools and techniques needed in emergency situations. The Technical Rescue Team receives additional specialized training and carries advanced equipment that goes beyond standard rescue operations.

SCFD1's expertise figures prominently into a recent decision by Sedgwick County Commissioners to end mutual and automatic aid agreements with five cities that have not joined Fire District 1 - Cheney, Clearwater, Colwich, Mount Hope and Valley Center. In a letter sent to these communities May 8, commissioners cited two main reasons:

• SCFD1's highly trained crews are routinely placed in vulnerable and harmful situations when providing aid in cities or with departments that are understaffed. Operating at scenes with insufficient volunteer turnout, or without adequate incident command and safety officers, jeopardizes both firefighter and public safety.
• When SCFD1 responds to calls outside of the 30-plus services areas, Fire District 1 taxpayers who depend on those services are left without the assurance that timely service will be available to them. These residents pay for Fire District 1, which supplies 24/7 readiness, and they deserve that level of protection.

The mutual and automatic aid agreements will remain in effect for 90 days. This gives community and fire leaders ample time to decide whether to join Fire District 1 or to start making changes in their own staffing and quality control measures to meet minimum scene safety standards. Sedgwick County hopes to continue working together to provide safe communities for all residents.

Sedgwick County names new COMCARE Executive Director

Michelle Calvert has been selected as the new Executive Director of COMCARE, effective June 7.

Michelle has 18 years of experience in behavioral health, having served in a variety of roles and progressive leadership positions. She has been with COMCARE since 2012. In her current role as Director of Quality and CCBHC, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to quality services and a strong vision for the future. Michelle holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is currently completing her Master’s in Public Administration.

Police Week honors law enforcement, past and present

Law enforcement officers often put themselves in dangerous situations so we can live in safety, peace and order. To recognize their work, Sedgwick County Commissioners signed a proclamation declaring May 10-16, as Police Week. Sheriff Jeff Easter also continued the tradition of hosting the 14th Annual Sheriff's Office BBQ to show appreciation of his employees.

The Sheriff's Office also held the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to pay tribute to those who lost their lives while serving and protecting their Kansas communities. May we never forget their courage and dedication.

Sedgwick County also congratulates Sheriff Jeff Easter and Detention Deputy Eric Dietrich for receiving national honors during the 45th American Jail Association Conference & Jail Expo in Milwaukee. Dietrich was named the Correctional Officer of the Year for displaying dedication, bravery and outstanding service to their facility and community. Sheriff Easter received the Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award for a lifetime of professional excellence and profound commitment to advancing local corrections and jail operations.

Sedgwick County hosts national ATF event

For the first time, the ATF held its recertification exercises in Sedgwick County for accelerant detection K-9s and their handlers from all across the country. The course simulates what arson investigators and K-9 handlers do on the job, searching vehicles and a home for accelerants like gas and lighter fluid. Watch the video to see Sedgwick County Fire District 1's K-9 Latitude at work and to hear why the ATF hopes to bring this important test back to Sedgwick County.

Graduation day for new 911 call takers

Emergency Communications is celebrating the graduation of several new 911 call takers! After completing an extensive 8-week course, these dedicated individuals are now going through on-site training before they answer calls on their own. 911 call takers are the initial first responders, giving hope and comfort to residents in an emergency.

Celebrating Nationa Public Works Week

Good food, great company and a well-deserved thank you! Sedgwick County Public Works celebrated National Public Works Week with an employee appreciation picnic to recognize the hardworking staff who help keep our community running every day. Watch the video to learn what they like most about their jobs!

EMS crews earn recognition and awards

Whether it’s saving lives at the scene of an accident or supporting families during disasters, Sedgwick County EMS is ready to help when minutes matter most. As part of National EMS Week from May 17-23, this video goes behind the scenes to show what a day in the life of an EMS crew is really like.

May also brought several exciting accomplishments and recognitions for EMS. Two crews earned stork coins for helping local moms deliver healthy babies! Lt. Matt Kincaid and Paramedic Kory Lawrence recently assisted with a baby boy's safe arrival. Then, District Chief Tracy Swihart, Paramedic Angela Eckert and EMT Abigail Gibson helped deliver a healthy infant girl.

The VFW honored District Chief Kathy Baumert, Lieutenant Israel Machado and Paramedic Lolena Braun as Emergency Medical Technicians of the Year for their work during a complex newborn resuscitation. Thanks to their quick thinking, skill and teamwork, the child was able to go home with almost no lasting effects. We’re proud of the lifesaving care our EMS teams provide every day!

Beating the Summer Slump

Now that students are out of school, kids will have plenty of time on their hands and can quickly start to feel bored, isolated and lonely, without the structure of class. Watch this COMCARE video to learn how to keep kids engaged and connected over the summer months.

Mental health resources available through Corrections

National Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every May to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote mental wellness. Sedgwick County has many programs and services available to employees, residents and those in the justice system. Watch this video to learn how the Department of Corrections helps youth and adults in custody.

Out and About with Commissioners

Boeing is back in Sedgwick County! Commissioners met with company leadership and other elected officials to celebrate the news. Over the next three years, Boeing plans to invest $1 BILLION in the Wichita area. Sedgwick County is proud to have been a part of this mission since day one.

Exploration Place held a ceremony marking the official completion of its EP2 Initiative, a $27 million outdoor expansion that includes the Adventure Playscape.

Commissioners gathered with community members at the 2026 Wichita Prayer Breakfast to enjoy inspiring speakers, fellowship and reflection.

City and county leaders in the Sedgwick County Association of Cities (SCAC) invited KWCH-TV Anchor Michael Schwanke to their bi-monthly meeting to discuss how to work more effectively with the media.

Contact Commissioner Pete Meitzner

316-660-9300

Pete.Meitzner@sedgwick.gov

100 N. Broadway, Ste. 660, Wichita, KS 67202