[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6327461,"mediaKeyId","2322398-b712ed1ad59274ed023e536b59a0b8cc","parentId",2322398,"title","Commission staff preview two competing resolutions to limit use of property tax dollars for discretionary “quality‑of‑life” spending","audioSeconds",523,"startMs",6653000,"endMs",7176000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322398-b712ed1ad59274ed023e536b59a0b8cc&start=6653&end=7176","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322398-b712ed1ad59274ed023e536b59a0b8cc/thumbnail_6653000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6327461/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Commission-staff-preview-two-competing-resolutions-to-limit-use-of-property-tax-dollars-for-discretionary-qualityoflife-spending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327461-fa46c67214dad45a1d52755869777ba4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174541&Signature=mkuOjGlH2Tc-tDJUQaPoO66oqPSCh8ZT-aWud5SJ38r5qi0XSeIEH~C3EpDYXTaicbUtnqabnEZ1jBMYAOYDdk19KeibhBK2kgvR7naQShAVVlxET4jkEY7ldGqR8luEOL69tbuunh~FlCFkKsJbAX8GMoI-0Ps7SMIQWtLesI1ZbXbmQX37R1FqjnPdL90vgvu0I6dBW7nwWh1V28YKlAsoNehTC1q-4JA1Q4s0dHxbCbgIMPIsmWrCdyWHm-GEY9MVzduLIMPupHLlCUJj3c3CUPtMdhrMLAuB6cOC~maUvl9Sn02MMEWq40Gr~kynReP7dks19clMqgaWaxk7Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sedgwick County, KS","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","Tom (staff) briefed commissioners on two competing draft resolutions the board will consider at a public hearing the next day: one, introduced by Commissioner Howe, would set a policy guardrail restricting use of property tax dollars for discretionary “quality‑of‑life” items and direct that existing sales tax revenues be used for those discretionary items; an alternative version seeks more flexibility and additional transparency steps in the budget process.

Commissioner Howe described his version as “a prohibition on using property tax dollars in discretionary ways for these types of spending,” saying the intent is to prevent relying on ad‑valorem property tax revenue to fund discretionary entities and to send a message to state legislators that the county is exercising internal fiscal restraint. He said the draft would use a two‑year lookback to set a cap for quality‑of‑life spending so commissioners and staff would not overcommit property tax revenues for discretionary items.

Other commissioners and county finance staff raised questions about how the policy would be disclosed in financial statements and whether it could affect the county’s credit rating. County finance staff said any self‑imposed limitation on revenue flexibility must be disclosed to auditors and credit rating agencies; passing such a policy would be noted in audit footnotes and discussed with rating firms when the county seeks bond ratings.

Commissioner Meister (co‑author of an alternate draft) said his language aims to preserve transparency while leaving the board flexibility during the annual budget process and to avoid unintentionally constraining the commission’s ability to respond to needs. The commissioners agreed the item would be on the agenda for the Jan. 22 public hearing so the full board could debate and, if desired, adopt a resolution prior to final budget decisions.

No vote was taken at the staff meeting; staff said both resolution drafts will be presented and the public hearing will allow commissioners to decide next steps.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners Staff Meeting - 1/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners reviewed two alternative resolutions for an agenda item on Jan. 22 that would constrain use of property tax dollars for discretionary quality‑of‑life spending and define how sales tax revenues and any new voter‑approved sales tax should be treated.","taxTitle","Sedgwick County, Kansas","taxId",2883,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6327465,"Comcare outlines downtown crisis center expansion, estimates construction cost rise to about $22–23 million",3725,2907000,6632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322398-b712ed1ad59274ed023e536b59a0b8cc&start=2907&end=6632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322398-b712ed1ad59274ed023e536b59a0b8cc/thumbnail_2907000.jpg","/articles/6327465/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Comcare-outlines-downtown-crisis-center-expansion-estimates-construction-cost-rise-to-about-2223-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327465-d886493d155eb4af225108a75a7412d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174541&Signature=mjb8BoR44DOIKARELTlopveW236~6yKCkPtBQQ5foMTPs12AMlHQRyAbnVcd-EEyfaweaY~3FwJfpPvibUtwpHekS7Kb417LuyCf7-veeeSMgM1BmOqBtqezXU~Mnz6Esrtgdifi71OOfPizQsfST-lo4wiFQs7iJLGbZ7UceFSq9~ENvYMgyLuA9SB8QzEse0O2Z6GaRE4nCd-4FJirDUeTfQyC0B4HM-5zI0SX-jZUoDDysPw48uQMHwacSBHoZ7Vjvx8Js9LyYCS9w0BiButaW4lhLQ5cnkmjU3A4wTIMtsp1vDvp9PRh5NGzKoutf-ddFGb~2u4kW8-CBdw7ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jennifer Wilson, director of crisis services for Sedgwick County Comcare, told commissioners at a Jan. 21 staff meeting that the county plans to consolidate and expand community crisis services at a newly acquired downtown site adjacent to the Wichita BioMed Center and that estimates for the project have risen above the original budget.

Comcare’s proposal would combine existing North Main and Morris Place operations into a single facility designed to provide a broad crisis continuum: 988 call handling, mobile crisis teams, a 23‑hour observation area, expanded stabilization beds, sobering and detox services, inpatient coordination and assisted outpatient treatment. Wilson said the county intends to upgrade the licensing classification toward a “crisis intervention center” model that can be an alternative to state hospitalization.

Andrew Dilts, Sedgwick County facilities director, said the county purchased the Landon building on the BioMed block and that the current approved capital improvement plan (CIP) authorization is “just over $15,000,000,” but construction‑time cost estimates are now running closer to the low‑to‑mid $22 million range; county staff said the CIP authorization will be amended after bids are received. Dilts said construction documents were expected late February–early March with bidding planned for mid to late March and an estimated completion in summer–fall 2026.

Consultants from Helix Architecture described a modest north‑side addition and interior reconfiguration to gain patient lobby space, a secured separate entry for the crisis intervention center portion, staff areas on the second floor, a generator to back up patient areas and the call center, and interior finishes designed to reduce stress for patients and staff. The design also anticipates shared opportunities with the adjacent Wichita BioMed campus for student placements and training.

Wilson described service expansions the plan would seek to deliver: increasing observation “recliners” from 6 to 8, raising stabilization beds from 6 to 7, increasing sobering beds from 8 to 10 and expanding social detox beds from 15 to 26; the center would continue to offer mobile crisis response (Comcare reported eight full‑time mobile teams). She said medical detox is not currently provided on site and Comcare is working with partners (including the Substance Abuse Center of Kansas) and KDADS to align funding and providers for medical detox services.

On financing, County staff said the project is currently planned to be bond‑funded, with debt service repaid from property tax debt service funds; the CIP also contains cash transferred from prior year end balances to reduce the needed bond issuance. County staff said they are exploring whether up to about half of future debt service might be covered by CCBHC or other state revenues, but said that amount is not yet certain and would require state approval and further costing work. The county reported paying roughly $5.4 million (corrected figure discussed at the meeting) for the land and building acquisition; the total project cost estimate cited at the meeting was roughly $22.2–23 million.

Commissioners raised security, staffing and cost‑control questions. One commissioner asked about exterior cameras and lighting; staff said cameras and a secure vestibule will be included and that the sheriff’s office had reviewed the schematic design. Commissioners asked for staffing plans and for clarity on what will happen to the buildings the county will vacate once services move into the new facility.

No formal vote occurred at the meeting; staff said a CIP amendment and final contract will return for commission action after the project is bid and costs are firm. County staff urged that bond sizing and any use of CCBHC funding be confirmed during future budget and financing steps.

","Comcare and county staff described plans to consolidate crisis services into a new Community Crisis Center next to the Wichita BioMed campus, expand detox and stabilization capacity, and fund the project with bond debt and available CIP cash while seeking state and CCBHC funding to offset debt service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6327469,"Sedgwick County Extension warns budget cut imperils staffing, elder counseling program",2792,62000,2854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322398-b712ed1ad59274ed023e536b59a0b8cc&start=62&end=2854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322398-b712ed1ad59274ed023e536b59a0b8cc/thumbnail_62000.jpg","/articles/6327469/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-Extension-warns-budget-cut-imperils-staffing-elder-counseling-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327469-d94350e3c397c31558cbb06143da38fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174541&Signature=QV79UGhxTug6AbxN770ztAmqxJ8cN6c0tZG8xeVFo6R-mveyJbIzyz-MqSQfj7ounAiqKpkJ425Uqlq1Bk-alDxthITB6P3KB~vmUtaaZaoWflLRnDaFYXx3fylLkf5L0-e1t-H-FB8CikjoMmkkj1BMDK1obvfMYyYfEBMM59c7qEMOpxKlH9aNMUo3jAX8ld6Rl2iWHFYBIRLKq2YC1uawqm0SqZ2XgI67lcpC0nV7O-K-AqQURocEPQCp~x-Y63I7QUhOFCjRt33X-09oa47z6DVj9cs1-imCpcKdKFB5g7H9gpjI3DWLEzZu7dHUJiiVHwcukg1835tmtDV-Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Brantley, director of the Sedgwick County Extension office, told county commissioners at a Jan. 21 staff meeting that the office is operating with fewer agents after a county funding cut and that at least one adult-development position will be posted in February but had been at risk.

The Extension director presented a 32‑year funding history and a 2025 county budget worksheet showing salaries and wages of $853,000 and a total budget of about $1.5 million, with county appropriations covering roughly $742,000. She said county support is essential to pay agents and hourly program staff and described a recent 10% cut that eliminated flexibility in hiring.

The funding picture matters because Extension provides a broad program set—4‑H youth development, family and consumer sciences, agriculture and natural resources, and community vitality—and runs the Medicare SHIC counseling that serves thousands of older residents. At the meeting, the Extension director said SHIC oversight is a county‑funded agent role; KDADS grants and other funds cover part‑time coordinators and volunteer expenses, but the supervising agent’s salary comes from the county allocation.

Commissioners asked for details about in‑kind county support and other revenue. Lenjit Poberso, identified at the meeting as the county CFO, said facilities expenses (electricity, maintenance and staff) for the Extension building were tracked in a separate fund center and totaled about $247,000 in 2024; the county provides that facility support in addition to the direct appropriation. Extension board chair Janet Sprecher asked to be brought into the 2026 budget process early so the board can plan around possible future cuts.

K‑State representatives at the meeting, including Greg Hadley, K‑State’s state extension director, described statewide coordination and a new K‑State strategic emphasis on community engagement. Hadley noted Sedgwick County Extension’s volunteer footprint—about 43,000 volunteer hours—and said K‑State reimbursement for agent salaries follows a formula; across the state, K‑State covers roughly one‑third of agent salary and benefits for funded positions.

Commissioners pressed for clarity on who else provides SHIC counseling and how much of the county’s SHIC workload Extension carries. Jennifer Brantley and Hadley said Extension handles a large volume of counseling and operates the KDADS hotline for the region; other local providers—County Department on Aging, senior centers and some private providers—also do counseling but at lower volumes. Extension reported seeing about 2,000 counseling appointments and answering roughly 2,500 hotline calls in 2024, and estimated that its SHIC assistance produced Medicare enrollment savings for residents (the packet cited roughly $2.3 million saved in 2024).

The Extension team said they will post the open adult development/SHIC oversight agent position in February and asked the commission to consider the county’s combined direct and indirect support—direct appropriations plus facilities and services—when assessing the program’s budget needs. Commissioners said the item will be discussed further during budget work sessions.

The Extension presentation and question period closed with requests from commissioners that staff provide clearer, itemized funding and staffing numbers for subsequent budget discussions.

","Sedgwick County Extension leaders told county commissioners their 2025 budget includes a required hiring pause after a recent 10% county cut and that the Medicare counseling (SHIC) position is funded by county dollars and was at risk following the reduction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission staff preview two competing resolutions to limit use of property tax dollars for discretionary “quality‑of‑life” spending

Comcare outlines downtown crisis center expansion, estimates construction cost rise to about $22–23 million

Sedgwick County Extension warns budget cut imperils staffing, elder counseling program