November 2025

Notes from Commissioner Howell:

Funding Intrust Bank Arena & Protecting Property Taxpayers

When Sedgwick County voters approved the 30-month, one-percent sales tax to build Intrust Bank Arena (IBA), the commitment was simple: build a first-class venue without long-term debt or long-term taxes. The plan worked. Construction was fully paid, revenues exceeded projections, and the tax ended early.

The unexpected $15.5 million surplus became a reserve fund that has covered IBA’s maintenance and improvements for nearly two decades, but that reserve will be depleted by the 2026 budget cycle. The arena - now a major regional asset - still requires upkeep, and the responsibility for that upkeep has always belonged to Sedgwick County.

The challenge is clear: without a new revenue source, property taxes will take the hit…again. That option is unacceptable in today’s climate. Homeowners and businesses are already stretched thin by escalating valuations. Simply put, the public will not support any mill-levy increase for the arena or for other community programs that are also facing long-term funding pressure.

A Modest, Voter-Controlled Option

One responsible proposal worth discussing is a temporary 0.25% countywide sales tax. This is not a commitment, but a starting point for community conversation. A quarter-percent sales tax would:

• Generate roughly $35 million per year
• Offset property taxes another 4+ mills
• Fund the county’s culture, recreation, and community programs by shifting these wholly to sales tax
• Fully fund the arena’s long-term maintenance
• Capture roughly 30% of its revenue from visitors, not local residents
• Automatically sunset in 2030, requiring voter reauthorization every eight years

This ensures accountability. If the county does not keep property taxes lower, voters can end the tax.

Sales Tax Has Worked for 40 Years

Sedgwick County has long used sales tax revenue to reduce property taxes. The countywide 1% sales tax adopted in 1985 generated $141 million last year. Because of the state’s distribution formula, the county retained only $39.6 million, but that alone lowered the county mill levy by 5.18 mills.

Cities benefit even more. Together with the county reduction, Wichita property owners have realized a 20.13 mill levy reduction in their property taxes. Derby property owners have been relieved of 22.25 mills because of the countywide sales tax. In other words, sales tax has consistently protected property owners for decades. It is a tested tool with a proven track record.

Time to Start the Conversation

If Sedgwick County wants voters to consider this option, the Legislature must authorize it in 2026. That timeline is tight, and delaying the discussion won’t make the financial realities go away.

A 0.25% sales tax is not the only solution, but it IS a practical, visitor-supported, voter-controlled approach that prevents property tax hikes while maintaining a major regional asset.

It’s time to have this conversation.

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.

Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee & soda provided.

• Monday, Dec. 8, 4-5:30 p.m.
• Range 54, 5725 E. Kellogg Dr., Wichita, 67218

Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee & soda provided.

• Tuesday, Dec 16, 7-9 a.m.
• The Grill, 222 N. 2nd Ave., 
  Mulvane, 67110

Come and go informal discussion on Sedgwick County issues with Commissioner Howell. Coffee provided.

• Special date!
  Friday, Dec. 19, 7-9 a.m.
• Calvary Baptist Church, Gymnasium. Enter at the glass doors on east side at 1636 E. Patriot, Derby 67037

Make your voice heard in a Community Engagement Survey!

Sedgwick County has launched an online community engagement survey to gather feedback from residents on county-provided public services and public priorities.

More than 100,000 randomly selected residents received a personalized link to the survey by mail, text or email. If you did not receive the survey link but would like to participate, simply click Community Engagement Survey. The survey is hosted by Qualtrics, an online platform assisting Sedgwick County with this project. Additionally, the public will be able to share their feedback through the Sedgwick County website and social media platforms later in November. The survey is estimated to take 10-15 minutes to complete and is intended for residents 18 or older. All responses are confidential.

Sedgwick County leaders are conducting this survey to engage residents on service delivery and community priorities. As part of the County’s strategic plan and commitment to transparency and accessibility, feedback gathered will help shape budget and workforce priorities that directly impact services to the community.

The survey will conclude December 1, with survey results presented to the Board of Commissioners later that month and released in a public report in early 2026.

Sedgwick County Tag Office adds another satellite location

The Sedgwick County Treasurer’s Office is adding an additional satellite location for residents to complete renewals, title work and other vehicle services in West Wichita.

Sedgwick County residents can now schedule appointments for all services at Mel Hambelton Ford, 11771 West Kellogg Dr. The partnership between the Treasurer’s Office and the dealership comes at no cost to the County.

In addition to the Douglas Tag Office at 2525 West Douglas Ave., Sedgwick County residents can complete their tag business at six additional satellite locations:

·    Haysville City Hall – 200 W. Grand Ave.

·    Kansas Driver Licensing in Derby – 620 N. Rock Rd., Ste. 300.

·    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, Ste. 100 ·    Wichita West Kansas Driver Licensing – 610 S. Tyler Rd.

Sedgwick County residents can complete their 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 https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/tag-office/.

Sedgwick County celebrates 25 Drug Court graduates

The Sedgwick County Drug Court Program awarded certificates and coins to 25 graduates this month, signifying their successful completion of an intensive substance abuse program designed to help them overcome addiction and live crime-free. Drug Court is a collaboration between Sedgwick County Department of Corrections, the 18th Judicial District Court, the Office of the District Attorney, Sedgwick County COMCARE and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

K9 Latitude makes public debut

Sedgwick County Fire District 1 (SCFD1) introduced its newest member of the Fire Investigation Unit by holding a live demonstration of his accelerant detection skills. K9 Latitude is a highly trained 18-month-old Black Labrador Retriever who recently graduated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Training Center in Virginia. He and his handler, SCFD Captain Maroun Faissal, underwent an intensive six-week course together where they trained in different scenarios, learning to identify and detect ignitable liquids. They will assist fire investigators in Sedgwick County and across Kansas.

Sedgwick County recommends fire pit precautions

With cold weather moving in, Sedgwick County Fire District 1 encourages Sedgwick County residents to take safety precautions when enjoying an outdoor fire pit. Watch the video to see how you can prevent your cozy campfire from becoming dangerous.

EMS Bike Team rolls into action, no matter the weather

Sedgwick County's EMS Bike Team braves all kinds of weather - hot or cold, windy or rainy - to take care of participants at public events, like the Turkey Trot on Nov. 22. This team has covered 15 major events in 2025, specializing in large-scale community gatherings where a bike can navigate through a big crowd faster than an ambulance. The bike team's mobility and rapid response allow paramedics to start patient care quickly when seconds matter. We’re proud of their year-round dedication!

Emergency Communications welcomes new call takers

Congratulations to Sedgwick County Emergency Communications' newest call takers! On Nov. 21, Sedgwick County celebrated these new employees for completing the six-week call taker academy class where they learned how to respond to 9-1-1 calls and get residents the help they need.

Sedgwick County COMCARE Food Drive ends Dec. 12

COMCARE is collecting non-perishable food items through Dec. 12 for Sedgwick County residents who are facing tough times. All donations are welcome and will be distributed directly to COMCARE patients.

Drop your donations off in clearly marked containers at:

• COMCARE Admin | 271 W. Third St. N. Suite 600
• Adult Medical Services | 1919 N. Amidon, Suite 130
• Center City | 402 E 2nd St N
• Children’s Services | 1938 N Woodlawn Blvd #400
• Community Crisis Center | 635 N Main
• Harry St. Location | 4035 E Harry St,
• Offender Assessment Program | 1720 E Morris, Suite 101
• Ronald Reagan Building | 271 W. 3rd St.
• Strategic Communications | 100 N. Broadway, Suite 640

For five weeks, the Sedgwick County Department of Aging and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) collected socks for veterans at the VA Hospital Clothes Closet. With donations from many County departments and community members, the sock drive delivered 1,235 pairs to the VA Hospital on Nov. 12! 

Sedgwick County honors veterans

Sedgwick County participated in the annual Veterans Day Parade through downtown Wichita on Nov. 8, saluting our military - both active and retired. Commissioners, EMS, Fire District 1, Emergency Management, Sheriff's Office and the Register of Deeds joined in the celebration to pay tribute to those who serve our country.

Sheriff's Deputy highlighted for military service

As part of National Veterans and Military Families Month in November, Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy Panya Phommarath shared his incredible story of escaping his violent homeland of Laos as a child to settle in the U.S. and later serve in the Navy. Watch the video to find out how he uses his military experience and cultural background to serve the people of Sedgwick County through law enforcement. 

This is the 36th year for the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office Holiday Food Box Program, when first responders deliver hundreds of meals to local families in need in December. If you would like to help, you can donate money by scanning the QR code below.

Out and About with Commissioners

City leaders from municipalities across Sedgwick County gathered Nov. 15 at Goddard’s Blast Off Bay waterpark for a meeting of the Sedgwick County Association of Cities (SCAC), where Commissioners heard and presented updates on County happenings.

Commissioners and other local officials recently toured four modular homes brought to Wichita to expand affordable housing options. There are 20 more houses like these planned between now and early 2026!

Textron Aviation announced that Wichita could be the future home of Beechcraft M-346N production, if the company is awarded the U.S. Navy Undergraduate Jet Training System contract. This development is expected to create about 100 new manufacturing jobs and reinforces the goal of bringing high-skill jobs, innovation and investment to Sedgwick County.

Contact Commissioner Jim Howell

316-660-9300

Jim.Howell@sedgwick.gov

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