County Updates from Commissioner Wise: | | |
Protecting Juvenile Justice Programs That Work
State funding for Sedgwick County's community juvenile justice programs is at risk. The state's Evidence-Based Programs Account pays for local prevention, treatment, and mentoring services for youth. It now has more legislative obligations than its $13.49 million annual budget can cover. Funding for community programs could fall about 65% by FY 2028, and new grants may stop as early as next year.
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That matters here. Sedgwick County has the largest need in the state and received more than $4.3 million from this account in FY 2026 alone. That money supports substance-use treatment, mentoring, family services, and behavioral-health care at our Juvenile Detention Center. These programs keep kids safely at home and out of costlier placements.
The Commission has sent a letter to Secretary of Corrections Jeff Zmuda and every Kansas legislator. We asked for a full accounting of the fund, protection for current programs, and a sustainable long-term funding source. Secretary Zmuda has since responded, agreeing that current law requires more spending from the account than it receives each year. That makes a legislative fix essential, and we'll be pressing for one this session. We're meeting with our local delegation, and the issue is on the County's legislative platform. You can help by contacting your legislators at kslegislature.gov.
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Fire District 1 Mutual Aid Agreements
In May, the County ended Fire District 1's decades-old aid agreements with five area cities. That step followed a resolution letter from the Fire District 1 Steering Council, made up of representatives from the cities and townships the district serves. The council raised concerns that the outdated agreements no longer met current safety standards for firefighters on scene. Each city was offered a path forward: join the district, meet minimum safety standards, or let its agreement lapse. Temporary extensions kept coverage in place while new agreements were worked out.
The deadline for cities and townships to sign the district's new standard agreement was October 29. Agreements came in from Valley Center, Cheney, Mount Hope, and Clearwater, and from Morton, Greeley, and Ninnescah townships. Erie Township's agreement arrived after the deadline and will go before the Fire Board on November 4.
Fire District 1 and Emergency Communications have updated the county's 911 dispatch system so the right crews are sent under each new agreement, and dispatchers have been trained on the changes. Thank you to our local fire chiefs, city leaders, and dispatch staff for their patience during the transition. The goal has always been the same: dependable coverage for residents and safe conditions for the firefighters who respond.
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Data Center Regulations
Data center development in unincorporated Sedgwick County remains paused through December 24 while we write rules for it. Our current zoning code doesn't address data centers at all. These facilities can place heavy demands on water and power, which is a serious concern for our rural communities.
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Planning staff have produced a first draft that sorts data centers into four size categories, from micro to hyperscale. It also spells out what a developer must submit for a permit. Standards for location and noise are still being developed. The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on November 12, and the County Commission could vote on the regulations as early as December 16.
We're also forming a task force of technical experts and involved citizens to help shape this policy. Invitations have gone out, and we're confirming members now. We expect to announce the members and begin scheduling meetings in early November. These decisions will affect our land, water, and neighborhoods for decades, and they should reflect the people who live here.
— Commissioner Stephanie Wise
| | The views expressed by Commissioner Stephanie Wise in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the governing body of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners or Sedgwick County Government. | | Gearing up for the General Election | | |
Election Day is just around the corner for the 2026 General Election. Be prepared by checking your polling location and more voting information at the Sedgwick County Election Office website.
Reminder: There is no longer voting at the Sedgwick County Historic Courthouse due to the Election Office's relocations.
Here are the important dates remaining for the General election:
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Saturday, Oct. 31 - Final day of early voting at satellite locations
Monday, Nov. 2 - Final day of early voting at Sedgwick County Election Office
Tuesday, Nov. 3 - 2026 General Election (polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 12 - Opening meeting of the canvass board
Monday, Nov. 16 - Final meeting of the canvass board to certify the election
Tuesday, Nov. 17 - Public post-test of tabulation equipment
| | Supporting those impacted by incident at Stryker | | |
Our hearts are heavy following the incident at Stryker Sports Complex on Oct. 17.
We want to remind you: It's OK to not be OK.
Following a tragedy. children may be struggling with their emotions or are unsure how to express what they're feeling. As parents or caregivers, it's important to support them through this difficult and scary time.
Here are some tips from Sedgwick County COMCARE for talking through tragic situations with children and youth:
- Create a safe space. Let them know it's OK to feel upset, scared or confused.
- Encourage them to express their feelings and listen actively, without judgement.
- Keep their routines. This helps provide a sense of stability and security.
- Validate their feelings. Let them know their emotions are normal and understandable given the situation.
- Try to remain calm and composed. Children tend to look to adults for emotional cues.
- Encourage expression. Children show how they are feeling through play. Art, playtime and writing can help children process their emotions if they have trouble expressing them verbally.
Remember, it is also important to take care of yourself. If you or a loved one is having a hard time, support is always available 24/7:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 is available by call or text 24/7 for anyone in need
- COMCARE Community Crisis Center is open 24/7, both in person and via phone at 660-7500
- Call COMCARE's 24-hour crisis hotline: 316-660-7500
- The Disaster Distress Helpline, provided by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, can be reached at 800-985-5990
| | Never miss a City, County or School District meeting again! | | |
It's now easier than EVER to stay connected in your community and engage with local leaders. We have created a place that provides access to all available meetings for municipalities and school districts in Sedgwick County. It includes the meeting frequency, days and times, and links to the site if the meeting is streamed. Click Sedgwick County meetings to check it out!
| | Make your Halloween full of treats, not tricks | | Halloween is right around the corner, and we want to make sure your evening is full of all treats and no tricks! Follow these tips from some of Sedgwick County's first responders to ensure you have a safe and fang-tastic time. | | More tag appointments available to Sedgwick County | | |
Beginning Nov. 2, Sedgwick County Treasurer Brandi Baily is adding an additional station to the satellite tag office at the Derby Public Library, 160 E. Walnut Grove Rd. This move will increase the number of appointments available for all title and tag services.
Appointments can be made immediately beginning by visiting Sedgwick County Treasurer | Tag Office. The location is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m-5 p.m.
In addition to the Douglas Tag Office at 2525 W. Douglas Ave., Sedgwick County residents can complete their tag business at multiple satellite locations:
- Haysville City Hall – 200 W. Grand Ave.
- Lubbers Chevrolet Cheney – 914 N. Main St.
- Mel Hambelton Ford – 11771 W. Kellogg Dr.
- Park City City Hall – 1941 E. 61st St. N.
- Rusty Eck Ford in Wichita – 7310 E. Kellogg Dr.
- Sedgwick County Treasurer’s Office at the Ruffin Building – 100 N. Broadway Ave., Ste. 100
- Walser BMW — 11000 E. 13th St. N.
- Wichita West Kansas Driver Licensing – 610 S. Tyler Rd.
Baily continues to explore potential sites for further expansion across Sedgwick County to conveniently serve community members.
Don't forget that you can complete transactions in person, online, by mail or by using the drop box at the Douglas Tag Office. A full list of required documents and instructions about how to make an appointment are available online at Sedgwick County Treasurer | Tag Office.
| | Positive growth in at-risk youth | | |
Fourteen Sedgwick County youth were recognized for their commitment toward living a positive and crime-free lifestyle. In front of friends, family and Sedgwick County Department of Corrections staff, these youth graduated from the Evening Reporting Center (ERC). The program is administered by Juvenile Field Services and serves as a resource and step for system-involved and at-risk youth. Congratulations to the graduates on their pledge to make better choices while forming healthy, lasting habits.
| | SCFD1 makes homes safer in Sedgwick County | | |
Sedgwick County Fire District 1 installed 175 smoke alarms, 2 bed shakers and replaced 16 batteries, making 152 homes safer while giving comfort and peace of mind to 415 residents in Oaklawn during its Sound the Alarm event as part of Fire Prevention Week.
SCFD1 is always here for you. If you live in the fire district and need a smoke alarm, you can request one here.
| | Have you been negatively impacted by the ongoing drought? If so, you may be eligible for a Drought Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration. This is a working capital loan designed to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. Applications are open now and available until March 10, 2027. Apply today by using this link. | | Protect yourself some fraud with the Register of Deeds | | Protect your home for free by enrolling in the Sedgwick County Register of Deeds Property Fraud Alert Program. As property fraud is on the rise in America this free service helps protect you from it by sending an alert each time a document is recorded in the Sedgwick County Register of Deeds office that may match your name. | | As cases of mortgage and document fraud involving stolen notary credentials are on the rise, Sedgwick County is excited to utilize Notary Fraud Alert. The system allows notaries to monitor their name and commission number in the county’s official land records and get notified if any potentially fraudulent recordings under their information appear. | | Out and about with the commissioners | | One of the best parts of serving as a County Commissioner is getting to recognize the incredible people who serve our community every day! It was a privilege to celebrate their years of service and recognize those who go above and beyond to demonstrate our county’s core values. | | A little time out of my day to deliver Meals on Wheels in Goddard! | | We rang in a new era for the Air Capital of the World with the ribbon-cutting for the new Spirit Defense Facilities. So thankful for the skilled, hardworking, and dedicated people who make our community such a special place to live and do business. And a special thank you to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran for his continued efforts to bring opportunities and investment to Wichita! | | My son and I had a blast at the Friday practice round of the Thunderbirds ahead of the Frontiers in Flight Air Show! | | | | |
I was honored to visit with the Goddard Youth Council to speak about how local government works and how communities grow!
Please let me know if you have an event you would like me to attend or speak at. It's important to me to engage the citizens of Sedgwick County and connect with our youth, and I'd love the opportunity to meet with you!
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