January 2024

2023 Chairman's Award honors Greater Wichita Partnership

Before handing over the reins as 2023 BoCC Chairman, Commissioner Pete Meitzner presented the Chairman's Award to the Greater Wichita Partnership (GWP) for its work to accelerate economic development in Sedgwick County. Meitzner praised GWP for helping to attract new companies to the region and encouraging existing businesses to expand. Watch the 13-minute presentation at the Jan. 10 BoCC meeting by clicking here.

New Commission Chair and Pro Tem named for 2024

The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted in 4th District Commissioner Ryan Baty as the new Chair and 2nd District Commissioner Sarah Lopez as Pro Tem Chair. Both are looking forward to working together to provide leadership in the year ahead.

The BoCC has begun negotiations to acquire 11 acres of land at MacArthur and Meridian that will be the site of a new 50-bed South Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital in southwest Wichita. An architectural rendering of the facility is below. Once built, the hospital will serve acute inpatient mental health patients. It will also house jail inmates waiting for court-ordered evaluations and treatment. Read the official announcement by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services at KDADS Announces Site Selection for South Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Sedgwick County (ks.gov). A town hall meeting on Monday, Feb. 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Wichita South High School Auditorium, 701 W. 33rd S., will address any questions or concerns the public might have.

Sedgwick County residents must be registered to vote by Feb. 20, 2024, to cast a ballot in the March 19 Presidential Preference Primary. To check your status, change party affiliation, register to vote or verify an assigned polling place, visit Kansas Secretary of State | VoterView (voteks.org).

Fire prevention videos help keep residents safe

The extreme cold Sedgwick County has experienced recently can lead to fire risks, if space heaters and fireplaces used to warm homes are not used properly. Sedgwick County Fire District #1 has produced several videos, including the one above, to help keep residents safe. Learn more at Fire Prevention Division | Sedgwick County, Kansas.

County and city leaders celebrate inaugural non-stop D.C. flight

Several commissioners joined city leaders on the first direct, non-stop flight from Wichita to Washington D.C. and back. They hope this daily flight will connect the Wichita region to more opportunities on the East Coast and encourage economic growth at home.

Commissioners are looking ahead to the most important legislative issues of the new year! At the 2024 Sedgwick County Farm Bureau Legislative Luncheon, the BoCC listened to the priorities and plans of those in agriculture.

Commissioners attended the 2024 South-Central Kansas Legislative Delegation Annual Meeting, where they heard strategies on regional job growth, health, safety and infrastructure.

Contact Commissioner Pete Meitzner

316-660-9300

Pete.Meitzner@sedgwick.gov

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