Note from Commissioner Howell:
Balancing Priorities and Protecting Taxpayers
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On Aug. 20, the Sedgwick County Commission adopted the 2026 budget - funding core services our community depends on, like public safety, public works and essential services, while also demonstrating fiscal restraint.
The adopted budget for Sedgwick County totals $591.3 million, with another $31.2 million for Sedgwick County Fire District 1. Together, that’s $622.4 million. More importantly, this budget sets the property tax rate at 27.553 mills, down from last year’s 28.701 mills. That’s a 1.148 mill cut - the largest single year rate reduction and the lowest overall rate in all available history.
What does this mean for taxpayers? Today, one mill generates about $7.55 million in Sedgwick County. By reducing the rate from 28.701 to 27.553 mills, the Commission chose not to collect $8.7 million that could have been levied under last year’s rate. Instead of $216.7 million in property taxes, the adopted budget will collect about $208 million.
Still, because property values across Sedgwick County increased by an average of 8.6% this year, most homeowners will see their tax bill rise about 4.25%, even with this mill levy cut. That combination - lower rates but higher values - is why the County’s total tax collections will increase by roughly $8.5 million compared with last year.
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One major driver of this pressure is Topeka. The State of Kansas requires Sedgwick County to operate 16 agencies on its behalf. Over the last 16 years, expenditures for those state-mandated services have risen more than 33%, while the revenues provided by the State to operate them have fallen more than 18%. Taken together, this amounts to a 51.4% cost increase pushed directly onto local property taxpayers.
I know many residents feel squeezed. For seniors on fixed incomes, families saving for the future, and businesses struggling to stay competitive, rising property taxes hit hard. That’s why I have consistently pushed for broad-based, low-rate, and fair tax policy. We must fund essential services efficiently, without carve-outs or special exemptions that simply shift burdens onto other taxpayers.
This year, I supported 20 additional 911 dispatchers for Emergency Communications but rejected more than $10 million in other requests and passed up $8.7 million in assessed value growth to get that tax rate to a record low. Sedgwick County residents deserve a government that lives within its means while keeping communities safe and strong. This budget takes us much closer to that goal.
| | The views expressed by Commissioner Jim Howell in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the governing body of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners or Sedgwick County Government. | | Other upcoming events with Commissioner Howell: | | |
Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee & soda provided.
- Monday, Sept. 8, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Range 54, 5725 E. Kellogg Dr., Wichita, 67218
| | This monthly event is canceled during September only, due to a scheduling conflict. | | | | |
Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee provided.
- Friday, Sept. 26, 7-9 a.m.
- Calvary Baptist Church, Gymnasium. Enter at the glass doors on east side at 1636 E. Patriot, Derby 67037
| | 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.
| | 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, car bodies, explosives, hazardous waste, animal remains or sewage, but those items CAN be taken to the HHW facility.
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 | | The Elected County Treasurer is making changes at the Sedgwick County Tag Offices 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, several commissioners took a tour. The new facility is expected to create 50 full-time jobs manufacturing cast iron and plastic pipes. | | Current and former Sedgwick County Commissioners attended the groundbreaking for the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) Expansion Project, expected to open in 2027. | | 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. | | Connect with Sedgwick County | | | | |
