Note from Commissioner Meitzner: | | |
As the year comes to a close, I’ve been taking time to reflect on how Sedgwick County Government worked for you - our residents and our region. With help from our communications department, I want to share a few highlights of the 2025 Year in Review video below and answer one of the most common questions I hear, "What does Sedgwick County actually do?” I think you'll agree, the answer is - a LOT!
Sedgwick County oversees more than 46 departments that touch daily life in ways that aren’t always visible. From keeping our community safe through the Sheriff’s Office and 911 services, to maintaining roads and bridges, running fair and transparent elections, protecting public health, and supporting mental health and aging services. These efforts happen every day, even when they're not always in the spotlight.
It’s also worth noting that Sedgwick County - like all 105 counties in Kansas - is a subdivision of the State of Kansas. Many of our departments and services are required by state law and our Constitution, and we take that responsibility seriously.
So, what does Sedgwick County do? Here is just a sample of what our workforce of nearly 3,000 strong accomplished in 2025:
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Emergency Communications (911): Answered over 493,000 calls
(averaging 1,350 calls per day)
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EMS (Ambulance service): Responded to more than 71,000 calls
(averaging 208 per day)
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Sheriff: Responded to more than 52,000 incidents
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Fire District 1: Responded to over 10,500 fire, medical and rescue calls
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District Attorney: Filed 2,582 criminal cases
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18th Judicial District Court: Held 130 jury trials, with 8,073 jurors
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Regional Forensic Science Center: Processed over 16,000 items of evidence
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Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD):
Performed more than 85,000 safety code inspections
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Treasurer: Processed 620,952 vehicle transactions and opened 3 satellite locations
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Appraiser: Inspected 69,293 parcels
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Register of Deeds: Recorded 67,862 real estate documents
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Election Office: Processed more than 35,000 voter registrations
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Aging & Disabilities: Assisted over 15,000 citizens with information and resources
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Strategic Communications: Generated more than 856,000 interactions across 5 social media platforms
| | Please click on the video for a 3-minute recap. | | I want to sincerely thank our employees for their dedicated service to Sedgwick County and to you, our citizens. I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a safe, joyful holiday season. As you celebrate, please remember those who are less fortunate. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve and represent you as your county commissioner. | | The views expressed by Commissioner Pete Meitzner in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the governing body of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners or Sedgwick County Government. | | Deputy County Manager retires | | After more than 25 years of dedication to Sedgwick County, Deputy County Manager Tim Kaufman has retired. Commissioners honored him at a recent meeting, and coworkers threw a party, wearing Tim's favorite fashion accessory - a colorful, sometimes crazy tie! | | |
Tim Kaufman started as Director of Operations for COMCARE in July 2000 and has worked in various roles through the years, including Human Services, Human Resources, Public Services, Exploration Place and the Sedgwick County Zoo. Recently Tim received the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Wichita 2025 Community Service Award for his years of support for mental health services in Sedgwick County. Throughout his career, Tim said he favorite part "has always been working with and for a dedicated, passionate, caring team of coworkers. County staff across the board are committed to doing the right thing for our neighbors, family and friends and are very talented in what they do. I have had the chance to do meaningful work, and what more could anyone ask for?"
Before Sedgwick County, Tim Kaufman worked at Wichita State University and the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) for a total of 42 years in public service! Now he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and supporting her in her business ventures. Tim also plans to look for ways he can continue to serve our community.
| | Bryan Ellis earns Lifetime Hero award | | Recently the Wichita chapter of the American Red Cross held its Tribute to Heroes Breakfast, recognizing "ordinary people who do extraordinary things." Among the five honorees, Bryan Ellis - Operations Manager for Sedgwick County Emergency Management - earned the Lifetime Hero award for donating 11,800 hours of service to the Red Cross. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! | | Donate and Vote in Battle of the Badges | | Time is running out for you to take part in the Battle of the Badges! Wednesday, Dec. 31, is the last day you can donate blood in this friendly competition and vote for your favorite first responders. Local law enforcement, firefighters and EMS are competing to take home the trophy. Schedule an appointment now at www.redcrossblood.org and help save lives! | | Take an inside look at EMS ambulances | You’ve seen these vehicles on the street, but now we’re giving you a look inside! Watch this video to learn how Sedgwick County EMS ambulances are equipped to help you when seconds count! | | First responders deliver Holiday Food Boxes | | For the 36th year, Sedgwick County first responders helped about 400 families in need by delivering two holiday food boxes to each home from Dec. 10-12. To cover the cost, the Sheriff's Office Benefit Fund raised nearly $36,000 in donations, including a $5,000 contribution from the Beach Family Foundation. Dillons Food Stores also provided materials, warehouse space and personnel to support the effort. It truly IS the season of giving! | |
Recycle that real Christmas tree! | |
When your holiday celebrations are over, recycle your tree at one of the locations below and take home some FREE mulch! Remove all tinsel, decorations, lights and wire before dropping off the tree. No tree stands, garland or wreaths are accepted because these items harm wildlife and litter the parks.
- Boston Park 6655 E. Zimmerly
- Buffalo Park 10209 Hardtner
- College Hill United Methodist Church 1st and Erie
- Earhart Environmental Magnet School 4401 N. Arkansas
- Edgemoor Park 5815 E. 9th St.
- Extension Education Center 7001 W. 21st St. N.
- Great Plains Nature Center 6232 E. 29th St. N.
- Old Cowtown Museum 1865 Museum Blvd.
- Osage Park 2121 W. 31st St. S.
- South Linwood Park Hydraulic and Mt. Vernon Splash Pad parking lot
- Cheney E. South Ave. and Garfield
- Clearwater 1001 E Ross Ave
- Colwich 115 N. 3rd Street
- Derby 2801 E. James
- Garden Plain Garnett & 295th St, NW corner
- Goddard Means Park (200 S Main)
- Maize 201 S. Park
- Mount Hope 400 S. Thomas
- Mulvane 117 E. Main St.
- Park City 6801 N. Hydraulic
- Valley Center Veterans Park (337 S Meridian)
| The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but if winter has you feeling a little off or lonely, you’re not alone. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is real. Watch this video to hear what experts recommend to help pull yourself out of a funk and feel a little more like you again. | | 2026 Election Sticker Contests now underway! | | Would you like to see your child's artwork worn by thousands of people? Then they should submit a design for the next “I Voted” sticker contest, open to all Sedgwick County students grades 6-12. Another contest this year lets kids in grades K-5 create a “Future Voter” sticker. Visit 2026 "Future Voter" and "I Voted" Sticker Design Contest | Sedgwick County, Kansas for contest rules and entry forms. Submit design entries by Feb. 27, 2026! | | Out and About with Commissioners | | The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) held a ribbon cutting for its newest addition, the Hub for Advanced manufacturing and Research (HAMR). | | |
Commissioners and other local leaders celebrated the opening of Gilley’s in Park City.
The entertainment hall offers dancing, dining and playing historic horse racing machines.
| | The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce 2025 dinner brought together local and state leaders to recap the year’s accomplishments and discuss priorities for 2026. | | With the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing returned to Wichita and unveiled its new sign at a celebration with city, county and state leaders. The deal once again makes Boeing the city's largest employer. | | Connect with Sedgwick County | | | | |
