BoCC Recap

Board of County Commissioners

• The BoCC approved the minutes of the regular meetings on Dec. 20, 2023, and Jan. 3, 2024.
• Commissioners approved the appointment of Max Tjaden to the Second District Citizens Advisory Board.
• The BoCC voted to authorize the sale of general obligation bonds.
• Commissioners deferred a zoning request for a conditional use permit and waiver of a supplementary use regulation for a wedding/event venue to continue business at the corner of N. 215th St. West and W. 37^th St. North. The BoCC will take up the issue again at the Feb. 7 meeting.
• The BoCC deferred a request for a park use and controlled access agreement for the Dam Jam event, proposed to be held in July at Lake Afton. Commissioners will take up the issue again at the Feb. 7 meeting.
• The BoCC approved item 3 of the recommendations from the Jan. 4 regular meeting of the Board of Bids and Contracts and all recommendations from the Jan. 18 meeting.
• Assistant County Manager Tania Cole gave a legislative update:

o   The Kansas Legislature is now in its third week of the 2024 session. Sedgwick County is tracking 17 new bills and 20 bills from 2023 that are still active in 2024.

o   Chris Labrum, Director of the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, will testify tomorrow before the House Committee on Local Government regarding SB52, the nuisance abatement bill.

o   Sedgwick County is following SB341, a bill that would allow some people with revoked driver licenses to be eligible for restricted driving privileges.

o   Another important bill being watched is HB2036, which would exempt disabled veterans up to 100% of their homestead property from taxation, depending on their level of disability. It passed last year by 123-1 in the House, and the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation held hearings last week.

o   BoCC Chair, Ryan Baty, will speak at a lunch meeting with the South-Central Kansas Legislative Delegation Monday, Jan. 29, to discuss the Homeless Infrastructure Funding Grant of $40 million in the governor’s budget.

o   House and Senate hearings are live streamed on YouTube at Kansaslegislature.org/li.

o   Sedgwick County's federal legislative platform will be discussed with the BoCC in mid-February, in hopes of final adoption by early March.

Governing Body of Fire District 1

• The Governing Body of Fire District 1 approved the minutes of the regular meetings on Dec. 20, 2023, and Jan. 3, 2024.

We want to hear from you! This survey will take about 15 minutes and must be completed in one session. You have from now till Feb. 2, 2024, to complete this survey.

At Sedgwick County, we want you to feel involved, rewarded and engaged in your role. We are committed to using your responses to make improvements where needed. The survey is a vital way to provide feedback about how you experience Sedgwick County as a workplace and what matters most to help you thrive and succeed.

The Division of Human Resources has partnered with Workforce Science Associates and Qualtrics to host and maintain the online survey. Your responses will remain anonymous. The information will be used in aggregate with other engagement survey data and will be reflected on your Division/Department or Elected/Appointed Office response dashboard.

Your feedback will help establish the right priorities for a successful future – yours and Sedgwick County’s. We greatly appreciate your participation. The following link leads to the survey:



Take the survey

If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Human Resources at (316) 660–7050.

Sedgwick County Emergency Management is looking for your input to help identify the hazards of most concern for our communities. They are working with the Kansas Department of Emergency Management, Blue Umbrella Solutions and other counties in our region to update the Regional Mitigation Plan.

This plan identifies hazards in the community and will open the potential for them to receive federal grants for projects that will reduce the risk of those hazards. Participate by filling out the survey linked below. Your feedback will help them ensure that our efforts go to projects the community need.

Please fill out the survey at: https://forms.gle/TmUFWQAGj7x4Acfs9.

The Kansas Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and the Drive to Zero (DTZ) Coalition are developing a new safety corridor program. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has established this in North Sedgwick County on I-135 and it is expected to improve safety through 2028.

A safety corridor is a section of highway selected for increased road user education, increased enforcement of traffic safety laws and consideration of engineering strategies. To learn more: https://www.ksdot.gov/bureaus/burTrafficSaf/safetycorridor.asp.

2024 Holidays

The 2024 Holidays were approved by the BoCC at their 9/8/2023 regular meeting. Sedgwick County will observe 11 holidays in 2024.

1. New Year’s Day - Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
2. Martin Luther King Day - Monday, Jan. 15, 2024
3. Presidents' Day - Monday, Feb. 19, 2024
4. Memorial Day - Monday, May 27, 2024
5. Juneteenth - Wednesday, June 19, 2024
6. 4th of July - Thursday, July 4, 2024
7. Labor Day - Monday, Sept. 2, 2024
8. Veterans Day - Monday, Nov. 11, 2024
9. Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024
10. Friday after Thanksgiving - Friday, Nov. 29, 2024
11. Christmas Day - Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024

The 2024 Holidays are now available to add to your Outlook calendar. The link can be found on the P Drive under 2024 Holiday Calendar.

To add the holidays to your calendar, follow these steps:

1. Go to the P Drive
2. Double-click 2024 Holiday Calendar
3. Double-click Holidays 2024
4. Check the box
5. Click OK

Winter Weather Tips

When Walking on Snow or Ice:

• Plan ahead, give yourself sufficient time and plan your route. 
• Traffic moves slowly in snowy conditions.
• Give yourself extra time--don't assume a clear path for driving and walking will be available.

• Wear shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice. 
• Footwear made of rubber and neoprene composite provide better traction than plastic and leather soles.
• Wear flat-soled shoes. Avoid shoes with heels.
• Remember that you can change your shoes once you get to your work destination.

• Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles, climbing or descending stairs, entering or leaving buildings.
• Move slowly.
• Remove snow/water from shoes when entering buildings.
• Use handrails for support.
• Try to keep your center of gravity over your support leg.
• Use car for support.
• Keep your hands out of your pockets.

• Walk on designated walkways as much as possible.
• Don’t take shortcuts over snow piles or areas where snow and ice removal is not feasible.
• Look ahead when you walk. A sidewalk completely covered with ice may require travel along its grassy edge for traction.
• Don’t text or read while walking. Put your phone away until you have reached your destination.

• Walk safely on snow or ice.
• Take short steps or shuffle for stability.
• Bend slightly forward and walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over your feet as much as possible.
• Keep your hands out of your pockets.
• Be prepared to fall. If you fall, fall with sequential contacts at your thigh, hip and shoulder. Avoid using outstretched arms to brace yourself.
• Bend your back and head forward to avoid hitting your head against the ground.

If you notice a facility-related emergency at any County owned buildings during non-business hours, please call 316-660-7777. Courthouse Police monitor this number 24 hours a day and will notify Maintenance. Outside phones can dial this number, including your cell phone.

An emergency could be a running toilet, faucet, or other water-related situation that may cause damage or waste energy. Suspicious activity or hazards may also be reported using the same phone number. During regular business hours (Monday – Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.), minor concerns or repairs should be sent to Facilities Maintenance at 316-660-9075 or Maintenance@sedgwick.gov.

EMPAC - Employee Assistance Program

Sedgwick County’s EAP program, EMPAC, can help. When you or a household member need trusted professional help, EMPAC, is just a phone call away. For more than 40 years, EMPAC has been helping employees thrive in their personal and professional lives by providing caring and compassionate support.

Free and confidential EMPAC services include 12 phone, video- or in-person sessions per year for personal and professional needs such as:

·        Stress, depression, anxiety

·        Family and parenting concerns

·        Marital and relationship challenges

·        Workplace conflicts

·        Alcohol or drug dependency

·        Grief and loss

Get started. Make your free appointment today. 316.265.9922 | 800.234.0630 | empac-eap.com