Are you experiencing sticker shock? I know I am every time my wife and I are grocery shopping for our family of 6, or filling up a vehicle. We are all asking... When will this ever stop?

There is good news on the horizon as America continues to dig out from under the pandemic aftermath, but maybe not until 2023. A few weeks ago, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that Americans will likely see another year of “very uncomfortably high” inflation as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine muddles her prior forecast that price acceleration would moderate in the months ahead. “And I do think that it’s exacerbating inflation. I don’t want to make a prediction exactly as to what’s going to happen in the second half of the year,” she continued. “We’re likely to see another year in which 12-month inflation numbers remain very uncomfortably high.” The Treasury secretary’s comments came just hours after the Labor Department published its latest gauge on how fast prices are climbing for American consumers. The report showed that consumer prices rose 7.9% in the 12 months ending in February, the hottest pace of inflation since 1982.

However, when I looked up the national unemployment rate, it is 3.6% with Wichita at 3.5% with a very strong job market. This is great news considering many of us might need two jobs to make ends meet.

That's why in this issue of the Wichita District 4 Newsletter we have included lots of resources to help you get over this economic hump.

This year's tax deadline is April 18. If you haven't filed your taxes yet, at least ask for an extension to avoid penalties and interest.

If you are interested in therapy services complete the Request For Services form.

To learn more, click on this link: Center on Family Living Services page

MCI Business Processing Outsourcing has opened a new customer service center in Wichita. hiring an initial 300 employees and planning to add another 200 during the next 2 years. Councilman Blubaugh was on hand to welcome them to Wichita, along with the mayor and county commissioners.

MCI has located their nearly 35,000 SF facility at Towne West Square, bringing a net new capital investment of $1.5 million. The company plans to open in April 2022 and is now hiring. Candidates can apply at http://www.mci.world/careers/. On-site and virtual training will be provided for new hires and includes instruction on products and services, systems utilization, customer service, tech-support, and/or account management skills.

There are many more resources out there. In fact, too many to list here. If you need help in finding additional resources, a librarian at one of the City's libraries is a great place to receive help if you are searching the internet, or contact one of the City's Neighborhood Resource Centers.

On April 2, the Machinists Union at 3830 S Meridian hosted the District 4 Spring Breakfast. A free breakfast was provided by Bubba's 33, and guest speakers included Mayor Brandon Whipple and Interim Police Chief Lem Moore. The keynote speaker was Dawn Shepler, Executive Director of the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coalition. Ms. Shepler raised awareness how mental health touches everyone in the community and the audience was quick to ask questions and tell their personal stories. We certainly look forward to hearing from Ms. Shepler again!

The City of Wichita economic development staff will present funding recommendations in the first round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Workforce Development and Small Business/ Entrepreneurial Development Grants.

If you manage a non-profit, check out the qualifications and apply HERE for Round 2.

The City of Wichita was awarded $72.4 million in ARPA funds in May 2021. In December 2021, the City Council authorized an allocation of up to $10 million for Workforce Development and Small Business/Entrepreneurial Development. Applications were accepted from December 22 through February 2, 2022.

Staff received 81 grant applications, which were reviewed by a committee composed of staff from the City Manager’s Office, Law Department, and Finance Department. Out of the applications, 29 were determined to be eligible.

After the recommended awards for the first round, $3,639,572 will remain from the City Council approved original allocation. Staff recommends a second round of the grant application process to be opened on April 13, 2022 with applications due at midnight on May 6, 2022. More information is available at wichita.gov/Finance.

The Wichita District 4 Advisory Board meets monthly to weigh in on current Zoning and other cases presented by the Wichita-Sedgwick County Planning Department, as well as discussions and presentations by various other departments. The May 2 meeting will be held at the Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian, 6:30 pm. Or you can continue to join us via Zoom or Facebook Live. To join in on the meeting, the Zoom link is posted on each month's agenda that you can find on Councilman Blubaugh's page via Wichita.gov

The Wichita Public Library once again partners with the K-State Research and Extension – Sedgwick County’s Master Gardeners program for the Spring Gardening Series. This year, the program will be held Tuesday evenings, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian, and on Thursday evenings via Zoom, 6-7:30 p.m.

Visit www.wichitalibrary.org/gardening to learn more and register.

Sponsored by Pure State Services LLC, these radon detectors let customers test radon levels in their homes or businesses. Radon is a colorless, odorless and radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors over time. The gas is a decay of Uranium/Radium that is released into the air, and is the second leading cause of lung cancer. According to the EPA, Sedgwick County is considered to be a medium risk zone for radon.

There are 2 renewals* for this item.

This ban does not include outdoor cooking apparatuses, ceremonial fires, or open burning for the purpose of crop, range, pasture, and wildlife or watershed management in accordance with K.A.R. 28-19-648.

Questions should be directed to the Environmental Quality Specialist, Nina Rasmussen at (316) 268-4413 or via email at nrasmussen@wichita.gov or the Community Risk Reduction Division at (316) 268-4441. For more information on Wichita’s air quality, visit BeAirAwareKS.org, wichita.gov or follow City of Wichita social media for air quality forecasts and updates.

Summer Reading Teen Volunteers are an integral part of carrying out the Wichita Public Library's Summer Reading Program and can earn more than 30 hours of volunteer service over the course of the program in May through July.

Volunteers will be assigned to one location for the summer. You may indicate your 1st choice and 2nd choice on your application. APPLY HERE!

·       Survey of trees on public property

·       Notification of tree removal on public property

·       Tree planting/density requirements

We want to know your thoughts, concerns and ideas about the proposed City of Wichita Tree Policy.

You can learn more and join the discussion on Forum by clicking here.

Park and Recreation Director, Troy Houtman, will be conducting a live Q&A on Friday, April 22 at 2 p.m. on YouTube. Click here for the link.

With the upcoming grow season, remember that it is against City ordinance to leave your grass clippings in the street. If left in the street, clippings will eventually end up in the storm drains and could clog the storm water pipes leading to flooding in your neighborhood or other areas of Wichita. Grass clippings make great mulch and compost, so add them to your yard or garden beds.

The ordinance, 16.32.030C(5), can be viewed here!

Report potholes, broken street lights, damaged signs, illegal dumping, sewer, street/traffic, water, and more HERE