Note from Commissioner Blubaugh:
Remain together through election season
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As we reach late October, election season is in full swing throughout Sedgwick County. Early in-person voting is officially underway, mail ballots are arriving in mailboxes, and key local and state decisions are on our doorstep.
During times like these, political ads, vibrant signs on neighborhood lawns, and passionate debates can make our differences feel larger than they actually are. It is natural to hold strong convictions about the direction of our community, state, and country. However, elections are a core part of our local democracy — not a wedge to drive us apart.
Regardless of party lines, every resident of Sedgwick County shares a fundamental goal: a safe, vibrant, and prosperous community to raise our families and build our futures. County services — from our roads, bridges, and emergency services to public health, COMCARE support, and local infrastructure — work for everyone equally.
As we head to the polls, let’s choose to extend grace to our neighbors, treat election workers with gratitude and respect, and focus on constructive dialogue. Candidates and issues will come and go on the ballot, but we remain neighbors, colleagues, and friends long after the final votes are tallied. Let's work together through these political divides to keep Sedgwick County strong.
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This month, I joined local and state leaders to officially cut the ribbon on the new Spirit Defense Facilities! My fellow Segdwick County Commissioners joined the Wichita City Council, Rep. Ron Estes, Sen. Jerry Moran and community members to mark this incredible milestone. The defense-focused business unit of Spirit AeroSystems will soon be the production site for hundreds of aircraft essential to protecting our nation.
Thanks to the dedicated people and vital work done right here in our backyard, our community is growing stronger, and our country is more secure!
| | The 2026 Sedgwick County Employee Recognition Ceremony was one for the books! It was wonderful celebrating the hard work, dedication and commitment of our employees through our annual Service and Value Awards. Service Awards recognize employees for their years of dedicated service to the residents of Sedgwick County. Value Awards celebrate employees who exemplify our core values of Trust, Integrity, Collaboration, Compassion and Innovation, as recognized by their peers. Thanks to all our Sedgwick County employees for all that you do! Your dedication makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve every day. | |
It was great to be back at Friends University, where I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees! I attended breakfast with the President and heard about all the inspiring, game-changing developments happening across campus. Always proud to be a Falcon!
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We also had a great night at the Clearwater FFA Beef Tailgate. Thank you to everyone who helped organize the event and came out to support our students, FFA chapter, and Clearwater Indians. It’s great to see community come together and support schools and local traditions!
I also appreciate Haysville Parents as Teachers for welcoming me into your discussions! It’s so inspiring to connect with an organization that does such meaningful work supporting local families, caregivers, and early childhood development. I'm grateful just to be part of the conversation.
| In this month's newsletter, I sat down with Treasurer Brandi Baily and Deputy Treasurer Shannon Stiles to talk about duties of the Treasurer, operations of the tag office and how the office operates as a function of the state. | | The views expressed by Commissioner Jeff Blubaugh 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. | | Connect with Sedgwick County | | | | |
