September 2025

Notes from Commissioner Howell:

Fixing the Vehicle Tag & Title Crisis

If you’ve tried to renew your license plate or register a vehicle lately, you already know how broken the system has become. In Sedgwick County, the lines are wrapped around the building before the doors even open. Appointments are booked out a month in advance. People simply cannot get their tags renewed, titles processed, or registrations updated in a timely manner—and they’re understandably angry, as shown by the KAKE-TV online post to the right.

Why is this happening? The State of Kansas has capped the fees that counties can charge for this work, so local governments are forced to subsidize the system with property taxes, just to add staff. That’s not a sustainable or fair solution. Meanwhile, the entire process remains tied up in outdated rules and red tape.

This problem must be solved. Other states, like Oklahoma, have modernized their systems, moving much of the tag administration work into the private sector. Customers get fast service, wait times disappear, and the government saves money. Kansas should do the same.

Here are six practical solutions that would immediately ease the frustration for Kansans:

1. Lift the geographic restrictions – Allow Kansans to visit any tag office in the state, not just the one in their county. Plates are already mailed, so there’s no reason to limit service by geography.
2. Raise the fee caps – Let tag offices be fully fee-funded instead of leaning on local property taxes.
3. Privatize services – Authorize private businesses (bonded, insured, licensed and certified) to process renewals, collect property taxes and issue registrations. Competition will improve customer service.
4. Offer multi-year registrations – Allow people to register their vehicle for up to four years at a time, reducing the number of visits required.
5. Stabilize the state servers – The system crashes several times a week, leaving everyone frustrated. This must be fixed.
6. Expand online renewals – Especially for personalized plates, which currently force an in-person visit every five years.

The bottom line is this: the Kansas vehicle registration system is outdated and broken. If left as is, Kansans will continue to waste time, lose money and grow more frustrated with their government. We need modernization, common sense and leadership to fix this. Although the Tag Office falls under the authority and control of the Elected County Treasurer (not the County Commission), I am pushing for the legislature to take up these reforms, and I will continue to advocate for solutions that respect taxpayers and deliver the service you deserve.

Should Wichita and Sedgwick County Join Forces on Parks?

Last April, the Wichita City Council and the Sedgwick County Commission held a rare joint meeting to explore opportunities for shared services. Among the ideas discussed, one stood out - parks. Could combining efforts save money and improve services for residents?

Wichita maintains more than 120 parks covering about 5,000 acres. Sedgwick County, by contrast, oversees just three parks totaling 1,770 acres; yet they attract a huge number of visitors. Sedgwick County Park alone welcomes more than a million people each year. Lake Afton Park offers camping, swimming and boating, while both it and Sedgwick County Park are well-known for fishing. These parks are regional attractions, not just neighborhood green spaces.

The third property, Northeast Sedgwick County Park, is a 650-acre tract of undeveloped land, currently suitable for walking or horseback riding. A federal restriction limits the land strictly to recreational use. That means we could add amenities like bike trails, a dog park, a remote control (RC) model area, or even an outdoor shooting range, but if the restriction were ever lifted - an outcome that literally requires an act of Congress - the land could instead be sold or developed for other county needs. Because the future of this restriction is uncertain, investing heavily today is risky. And every investment would draw from the property tax dollars our residents already provide.

Beyond the land itself, a joint partnership raises management concerns. More elected officials at the table can make decisions harder, not easier. Wichita’s Parks employees are unionized, while county staff are not. Pay scales, retirement systems, and benefits differ significantly. Trying to merge these structures would be complicated and costly. Unless staff and equipment were shared directly across systems, efficiencies are hard to identify. And since both workforces are already fully utilized, consolidation does not necessarily save money.

That leaves us with the core question: Are our parks currently inefficient, and would a merger truly improve them? Wichita’s Riverside and Watson Parks resemble the county’s, but most city parks are smaller and offer fewer amenities. Without a clear vision, consolidation risks adding bureaucracy without delivering better parks.

Partnerships should be driven by purpose, not appearances. Until we have a defined plan that shows real benefits for taxpayers and park users alike, the wiser path may be to keep things as they are. I am certainly open to these ideas but we must allow the data to drive the decisions rather than political idealism.

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, Oct. 13, 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, Oct. 21, 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.

• Friday, Oct. 31, 7-9 a.m.
• Calvary Baptist Church, Gymnasium. Enter at the glass doors on east side at 1636 E. Patriot, Derby 67037

Tag Office consolidation considered, amid budget constraints

The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) will consider a proposal next week to consolidate Tag Office resources. 

According to Sedgwick County Treasurer Brandi Baily, the proposal comes at a time of limited resources and inadequate state funding for local tag offices. “By consolidating the Kellogg Tag Office to the Douglas location, I will be able to save the County $360,000 a year,” Baily said. “This is not an easy decision, but our hands are tied due to the lack of operational funding from the State of Kansas not covering our expenses.”

If approved, the Kellogg Tag Office's last full day of operation will be on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. All services will transfer to the Douglas Tag Office at 2525 W. Douglas Ave. On Monday, Oct. 13, County offices will already be closed for Inservice Day, and the Douglas location will reopen with full staffing on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The transition will allow for expanded appointment availability and efficiencies. “Including online activity, Sedgwick County Tag Offices are processing up to 3,100 transactions a day, with about 650 completed in person,” Baily said. “Consolidating operations will help us better manage this demand.”

Alternative Tag Service Locations

In addition to the Douglas Tag Office, Sedgwick County residents can complete their tag business at satellite locations:

• Kansas Driver Licensing in Derby – 620 N. Rock Rd., Ste. 300, Derby, KS 67037
• Wichita West Kansas Driver Licensing – 610 S. Tyler Rd., Wichita, KS 67209
• Park City City Hall – 1941 E. 61st Street N., Park City, KS 67219

Three new satellite locations are also scheduled to open in September and October throughout Sedgwick County. These partnerships come at no cost to the County.

Growing Demand and System Challenges

Sedgwick County Tag Offices are experiencing unprecedented demand this year, driven by:

• A five-year personalized plate renewal cycle requiring in-person visits
• Expanded personalization options for all plate types
• Strong demand for blackout plates
• Increased vehicle sales, potentially tied to tariff concerns

Additionally, frequent system downtimes in the state continue to disrupt service throughout the month. Outages can last anywhere from minutes to three hours at a time, and offices often receive delayed notification from the state. “We fully understand the frustration this causes for our constituents. I share in that frustration,” said Baily. “Our staff has shown great resilience under this pressure, staying focused on efficiency and accuracy to make sure citizens are served correctly the first time.”

How to Complete Tag Business

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 is available online at https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/tag-office/.

County firefighters join Wichita 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

On Sunday, 26 firefighters from Sedgwick County Fire District 1 joined other fire crews from around Kansas for the Wichita 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Epic Center. Firefighters in full gear climbed the equivalent of 110 floors - the height of the former World Trade Center Twin Towers that were attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. Each participant carried a badge with the picture and name of a first responder killed on 9/11.

Sheriff's Office warns of warrant scam

The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) is warning of a local scam where con artists claim to work for SCSO and threaten to arrest people unless they pay immediately to settle a warrant. Watch the video above to learn what to watch out for and how to stay safe.

Environmental Resources adds MedSafe in Garden Plain

Sedgwick County Environmental Resources opened a new MedSafe disposal kiosk this month in Garden Plain City Hall at 509 N. Main. The kiosk is open every second and fourth Friday of each month from 1-3 p.m. If this time doesn’t work for you, you can also call Garden Plain City Hall at 316-531-2321 to schedule a drop-off.



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.

Go behind the scenes with a 911 call taker!

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a Sedgwick County 911 call taker is like? Watch this video for a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work, dedication, training, communication and collaboration it takes to get you the help you need during an emergency.

Volunteers pitch in for the parks on National CleanUp Day

When you're at Sedgwick County Park, you'll notice the addition of new exercise equipment (below), near the Boundless Playground. All are welcome to use the equipment, but it's specifically designed to help adults 60 years and older maintain mobility, muscle mass and stability while they socialize with others. Grant funding from the Older Americans Act covered the costs of the equipment, shade structure and installation, thanks to a partnership between the Sedgwick County Department of Aging and Disabilities, the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA) and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). Stay tuned for more information on the ribbon-cutting and grand opening in October!

Hometown Heroes honored at Wind Surge games

Linda Sifford (right) has worked as a medical investigator at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science center for 30 years. She gathers information at homicide scenes to determine the causes of death and helps the grieving families.

Both Hometown Heroes attended a Wind Surge baseball game where they were given personalized jerseys and honored on the big screen with a video about their contributions. To watch their stories, visit www.kake.com/HometownHeroes.

County collaborates for Emergency Safety Preparedness Expo

As part of National Preparedness Month, Sedgwick County Emergency Management’s held its first-ever Emergency Preparedness Safety Expo on Sept. 13, 2025. Staff from several departments demonstrated different ways to be proactive and take care of your loved ones, in case of a disaster.

• Sedgwick County EMS showed attendees how to do CPR.
• The Sedgwick County Health Department provided people with resources to prevent the use of narcotics.
• The Sedgwick County Department of Aging explained its services that can help older adults.
• Sedgwick County Fire District 1(SCFD 1) talked about fire safety.
• The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office discussed how to keep your personal documents and identify safe.
• Sedgwick County Emergency Management shared why it’s important to prepare for an emergency.

Sedgwick County recognizes Forensic Science Week

In honor of Forensic Science Week (Sept. 14-20), the Regional Forensic Science Center (RFSC) celebrated with food and fun activities all week long. From the criminalistics, toxicology and biology teams to medical investigations, pathology and administration, RFSC is handling an increasing volume and complexity of cases, with excellent results! They play a key role in our community's public safety and health. To keep pace with their caseload and changing technology, Commissioners recently approved plans in the 2026 budget to modernize and expand RFSC, built back in 1995. To learn more about the construction ahead, watch the video below the photos.

911 Dispatch welcomes new call taker graduates

Congratulations to Sedgwick County Emergency Communication’s eight newest call takers! On Sept. 19, Sedgwick County celebrated these individuals for completing the six-week call taker academy class where they gathered the skills they need to respond to emergency calls and get residents the help they need.

Debunking common myths about mental healthcare

September was National Suicide Prevention Month - a time to remember those affected by suicide, to raise awareness and to spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time. With that in mind, Sedgwick County COMCARE is continuing its series of videos that dispel common misconceptions about mental healthcare, like the belief that people in emotion distress can just "snap out of it!" Watch the video above to learn the truth.

Out and About with Commissioners

Sedgwick County Commissioners and staff met with representatives from Johnson, Shawnee and Douglas Counties to discuss ongoing issues and possible solutions to bring to the 2026 Kansas Legislature.

On Sept. 16, 2025, Commissioner Howell joined McConnell Air Force Base leaders for a tour of Altus AFB. Leaders gained insight into the base’s critical role in training KC-46 and KC-135 aircrew and strengthened ties between the bases, highlighting their shared mission in air refueling and global mobility.

Contact Commissioner Jim Howell

316-660-9300

Jim.Howell@sedgwick.gov

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