Note from Commissioner Wise: | |
With school back in session and more traffic than ever on K-42, Commissioner Jeff Blubaugh and I are taking a close look at safety concerns and what drivers can do to prevent accidents. Watch the video above to hear what Sheriff’s Deputy Branden Stitt told us about the latest crash statistics on K-42 and what’s causing the increase.
I also want to update you on another high profile area in District 3 - the intersection at 29th Street North and 135th Street West. A recent fatal accident there reminds us that growth and development in western Sedgwick County brings more traffic and more risk.
Last week, Sedgwick County Public Works took action in several ways:
- Set up temporary message boards on 29th Street, warning drivers of a stop ahead at 135th Street.
- Installed larger, 48-inch stop signs on 29th Street, with placards warning that cross traffic does not stop.
- Put up permanent "stop ahead" signs on 29th Street, in advance of the intersection.
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These are immediate steps, but not the end of the conversation. This intersection and other road improvements along 29th Street are part of an existing Capital Improvement Project (CIP) currently under design.
But infrastructure alone isn’t enough. Many accidents at these intersections are caused by inattentive driving, so motorists must do their part. Put down your cell phones while driving and pay attention. Slow down, stop fully at stop signs, and look both ways before entering intersections. Sheriff Jeff Easter and I are united in this message - safety starts behind the wheel.
I will continue to work with the Sheriff's Office and Public Works in the coming weeks to make sure we get this right. As a mom and your commissioner, I’m committed to making our roads safer for everyone.
| StThe 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. | Bridge replacement project will detour traffic near Haysville | |
Starting Sept.1, crews will start working to replace the bridge on 87th Street South between Broadway and Seneca. This construction is expected to take about eight months and will close the bridge to traffic. Residents who live on the east side of the bridge will have to detour east to Broadway, while residents on the west side will detour to Seneca. Public Works hopes to open the new bridge by May or June 2026, weather permitting.
| Sedgwick County Commission adopts 2026 Budget | |
On Aug. 20, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved a 2026 budget for Sedgwick County Government that reduces the mill levy rate for a third consecutive year and establishes the County’s lowest mill levy in 33 years. The spending priorities focus on mission-critical county services, staffing stability and compensation improvements. Commissioners also approved a 2026 budget for Fire District 1 with a reduced mill levy.
The 2026 Adopted Budget for Sedgwick County Government is $591,264,680, with an estimated property tax rate of 27.553 mills, and $31,184,850 for Sedgwick County Fire District 1, with an estimated property tax rate of 16.750 mills. Together, the budgets total $622,449,530.
“Commissioners listened to our community and delivered a 2026 budget that lowers the property tax burden on citizens while protecting vital services,” said Chairman Ryan Baty. “This plan supports our workforce, invests in our community and keeps Sedgwick County moving forward responsibly.”
| | County unveils expanded Household Hazardous Waste facility | | |
On Aug. 19, Sedgwick County Commissioners cut the ribbon on the BIGGER and BETTER Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility at 801 Stillwell! Renovations that began in the fall of 2024 doubled the size of HHW, so staff can now collect, store or dispose of even more paint, chemicals and cleaners for residents free of charge. The expansion also allows HHW to offer new services, like tours and school field trips. Young children can play in a new room designed just for them in the Swap and Shop area, while adults pick out up to 10 free items to take home.
Swap and Shop is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. Household hazardous waste can be dropped off 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday.
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Sedgwick County Environmental Resources also partnered with the City of Bentley recently to open a new MedSafe disposal kiosk in the Bentley City Hall at 150 S. Wichita St. MedSafe kiosks allow residents to safely dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medications. This includes prescription, controlled substances and over-the-counter medicine. There is no charge, no ID check and no questions asked. For more information, visit MedSafe.
| | South Transfer Station opens for household trash disposal | | |
Starting Sept. 1, 2025, Waste Connections is reopening its South Transfer Station at 5550 W. 55th St. South and will accept household trash for a fee. Customers will pay on a sliding scale, ranging from a minimum of $40 per 1,000 pounds of trash up to $74 per ton (2,000 pounds). For an extra charge, customers can drop off tires, mattresses, box springs and appliances, like refrigerators, freezers, hot water heaters and anything with Freon. The South Transfer Station will not accept paint, batteries, waste oil or hazardous waste, but those items CAN be taken to the HHW facility. Neither site can accept car bodies, explosives, animal remains or sewage.
The South Transfer Station will be open Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 6 a.m.-noon.
| | Treasurer's Reminder about End-of-Month Tag Renewals | | Sedgwick County Tag Offices are making changes to improve the customer experience during the busiest days of the month. Tag Offices will no longer handle walk-in title work from the 27th through the 2nd each month and will instead focus on renewals and select services, to reduce wait times and keep lines moving. During these peak business dates, customers needing title transactions will be required to schedule an appointment. Watch the video above for more details. | | Register of Deeds' Office assists older adults and veterans | | |
The Sedgwick County Register of Deeds Tonya Buckingham has noticed an uptick in fraudulent cases where scammers try to target older adults and those who have paid off their mortgages. Her office provides a free service called Property Fraud Alert that notifies residents each time a document is recorded that may match their name. Sign up today at Property Fraud Alert.
The Register of Deeds’ Office also participated with 60 other community groups in the 2025 Veteran’s Awareness Expo (below), connecting with local veterans and their families to offer services and support. Tonya Buckingham and her team electronically filed DD–214 military discharge documents for free and helped veterans register for a discount card they can use at participating businesses across Kansas
| | Knowing What to Expect When Reporting a Fire to 911 | | Ever wonder what happens when you call 911 to report a fire in Sedgwick County? This quick video breaks down what to expect, what info you’ll need to give, and how dispatchers work with firefighters behind the scenes to get help to you fast. Knowing the process can save lives! | | H.O.P.E. Festival builds empathy & understanding | | |
Recently the Sedgwick County Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF) held its annual H.O.P.E. Festival! H.O.P.E. stands for Hearing Other People’s Experiences. Residents and community members gather to speak and encourage one another to overcome their everyday obstacles and move forward by leading a crime and substance free lifestyle. JDF hosts events like these to create an environment for change that breaks the cycle of crime and reduces the risk of re-offending. (Juvenile identities are protected for privacy and legal reasons.)
| | Sedgwick County employee named Hometown Hero | | |
Congratulations to Mai Nguyen for being honored as a Hometown Hero on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Wichita Wind Surge baseball game! She was recognized for her work as Preventative Health Director at the Sedgwick County Health Department's clinic at 2716 W. Central.
As part of the award, KAKE News put together a video about Mai that played on the big screen at the game and later on TV, highlighting her career and incredible journey from Vietnam to Wichita. To watch Mai's video and other Hometown Hero stories, visit www.kake.com/HometownHeroes.
| | Finance employee earns prestigious certificate | |
Congratulations to Sedgwick County Principal Accountant Cassandra Sandusky for earning her Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) certificate! Sandusky is now one of about 500 active CPFOs in the United States with an average of 10 per state. She is also a great example of the excellent employees working for Sedgwick County and its residents.
| | Back-to-School Bike Safety for Kids and Parents | |
Ride into the new school year safely by following tips in the video above from Sedgwick County Fire District 1. If your child is biking to and from school, make sure they always wear a helmet, teach them the rules of the road, practice the route to and from school together, and remind them to never talk to strangers.
Drivers should also be extra cautious of children on the roads, making sure to follow the posted speed limits and paying attention to your surroundings, NOT your cell phone!
| | Out and About with Commissioners | | After cutting the ribbon on the new Charlotte Pipe and Foundry plant in Maize Aug. 11, several commissioners took a tour. The new facility is expected to create 50 full-time jobs manufacturing cast iron and plastic pipes. | | Commissioners met with other elected officials from 26 different townships at the Annual Township Officials Meeting at Lake Afton. They spent the evening talking about local issues, policies, future plans and more. | | Current and former Sedgwick County Commissioners attended the groundbreaking for the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) Expansion Project. Once complete in 2027, the new 85,500 square foot facility and professional pilot training hangar will add modern classrooms, hands-on labs and high-tech training spaces to WSU Tech’s NCAT campus. | | Connect with Sedgwick County | | | | |
