[{"_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",6579181,"mediaKeyId","3097350-dbcec69d650704948eece7097f3f6829","parentId",3097350,"title","Sedgwick County recognizes Project SEARCH graduates; program highlights internships and hiring successes","audioSeconds",274,"startMs",1846000,"endMs",2120000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3097350-dbcec69d650704948eece7097f3f6829&start=1846&end=2120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3097350-dbcec69d650704948eece7097f3f6829/thumbnail_1846000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6579181/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-recognizes-Project-SEARCH-graduates-program-highlights-internships-and-hiring-successes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579181-e07d5aa23cb0513f5a38341c2efb2d87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149191&Signature=aIJNMQVQJFcWje~Yz9ul6heCwba-GfTkZS5nBtq~a1-3G67T~~bbU8RR77KF70KAoo4SGgfJnCA9NuoaW7EyIRR7HfKxcrr4cMAWgfKkPFXRj8fVpAgYuK4ekgYYimFYOdKCMeCoF06qsa5Zos1vV~j28feLRxDMvl0JBJ4USCEGhEaOzgD9qKWV-NFP4jhJjLaEhni78kjH4RBx83dBBlSXFnbTJcuXKsJM8UnrVljYYal3zJb8S0v6OKaBy1OTeUUJsAA0c6l0VLElJQDMQqlB~l2qx2JNFdFO9R9xAswnJ0gktVkJBYb2lOBF-8Jye0y67myLctJVDTW6uFbwQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sedgwick County, KS","date","2025-04-23T16:43:32.717Z","article","Sedgwick County commissioners on April 23 recognized the year’s Project SEARCH graduates—students with intellectual or developmental disabilities who completed worksite internships in county departments and partner employers.

Jeanette and program staff introduced five graduates: Bailey Means (Sedgwick County custodial/print shop/jail facilities), Ezzy Gonzalez (print shop, grounds, hospital food service), Fabian Quesada (Martin Interconnect/print shop), Ashton Chesser (hospital distribution/respiratory care/facilities) and Skyler Drum (hospital distribution/lab and Goodwill retail). Program staff said the internships help participants narrow employment interests and gain job skills.

Commissioners and staff praised the program’s outcomes. Commissioner Howe said Project SEARCH helps participants gain meaningful employment and called the internships “real and relevant.” The program’s presenters told the board that a large share of Project SEARCH participants find paid employment after graduation; program materials provided to the board said Sedgwick County has hired multiple graduates and that many remain employed.

Organizers noted a virtual reverse job fair for interns will be open through May 2; the event allows employers to view interns’ job skills and make hiring matches. The county also said it will host a reception for graduates and acknowledged teacher Chris Nichols, who is retiring after six years with the program.

The board voted to receive and file the recognition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners Meeting -4/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The county honored five Project SEARCH graduates who completed internships across county departments and partner employers. Officials highlighted the program’s high employment rate for participants and encouraged businesses to participate in a virtual reverse job fair ending May 2.","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},6579185,"Commissioners approve two island annexations and a rezoning amid planning concerns over scattered city boundaries",1275,4470000,5745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3097350-dbcec69d650704948eece7097f3f6829&start=4470&end=5745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3097350-dbcec69d650704948eece7097f3f6829/thumbnail_4470000.jpg","/articles/6579185/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Commissioners-approve-two-island-annexations-and-a-rezoning-amid-planning-concerns-over-scattered-city-boundaries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579185-a4314222fe784f961b833cf3f500bc78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149191&Signature=adUTLw9AQitcyXtLI1DPE63DYQmMJGd90G8nlR5N3L--WDGguhuMpbcO3RZhlXrayVFVaUNA8~MEXRdx00k32IHBsmUyhxguGE9pWnFkiIlBRUyCXfRL3x~7t8CLFvc3HOpXelsUKKd~BQMEXZ1t006cpPORXlSAgWTjbgNvwrCY4ja0haytrWE10gVfcVUqiXpFXmdQ2GJH-ql9ipkgCGVo-b1YmSfiV6S1a82lCRxlAA5ArZTyFj9lTfSwQN6nC9JvD0L1K1rPvxWMJOvlsnOgday1HGBVw4NlX7qOLr77PSVOHlKsLPc0RrdQ-rEFSETYtSQKUz3dhmQpjPaDOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners on April 23 approved two island annexation requests—one from the City of Clearwater and one from the City of Wichita—and approved a county zoning change to permit two-family homes on a 4.7-acre site near McArthur Road and K‑42.

Assistant County Counselor Samantha Singh presented both annexation requests under the island-annexation statute the county enforces. The Clearwater request covers an undeveloped parcel on the south side of West 79th Street South and was filed to obtain city water service; county records show the city previously annexed adjacent parcels. The board voted unanimously to find that the annexation would not hinder growth and development in the area or in other county cities and approved the resolution.

Singh said Clearwater would provide water; the city had no plans to extend sewer unless requested by property owners. Police and fire responsibilities will shift from county to city providers after annexation; road maintenance remains governed by an interlocal agreement with township authorities. The board’s vote was recorded as unanimous (Bluebaugh, Wise, Howe, Meitzner and Chairman Ryan Beatty voting aye).

A separate island annexation by the City of Wichita covered an undeveloped tract east of Rock Road and north of East 309th Street South that abuts Wichita city limits in one area but is not contiguous with the rest of the city. Planning staff recommended the board make the statutory findings and allow annexation; the board approved Wichita’s request unanimously.

The commission also considered ZON2020-51, a county zone change that will permit TF-3 (two-family residential) on a 4.7-acre site generally west of McArthur Road and south of Southwest Boulevard. Scott Whittle of the Planning Department said the county Planning Commission recommended approval 10–1 after a public hearing; two written protests were submitted and counted as roughly 3% of the protest area.

The applicant’s agent, Coby Pietro, told the board the developer’s market studies supported duplex lots; the preliminary plat submitted shows 15 lots (about 30 dwelling units) averaging roughly 7,800 square feet per lot and access from Old McArthur Road. Pietro said the annexation into Wichita is proceeding separately from the county zoning process.

Commissioners raised policy questions during discussion. Commissioner Howe and others expressed concern about a checkerboard pattern of jurisdiction when properties are annexed one parcel at a time: neighboring lots can fall under different police, fire and road-maintenance providers. Commissioner Howe asked whether annexing section-line roads to create contiguity would be possible; County Counselor Justin Wagner said Kansas statutes limit unilateral road takings and past practice and case law constrain some longitudinal annexations.

Planning staff noted the rezoning is consistent with the city of Wichita’s urban-growth maps and the county’s comprehensive plan. After public comment closed (no members of the public addressed the zoom/room during the county hearing), the board adopted the Planning Commission findings and approved the rezoning 5–0. The resolutions and zoning change were signed.","The Sedgwick County Commission approved island annexation requests from Clearwater and Wichita and approved a rezoning to allow duplexes along McArthur Road after planning recommended approval and commissioners discussed checkerboard annexation patterns and service jurisdiction concerns.",{"_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},6579189,"Sedgwick County lobbyists report wins, unfinished bills after shortened 2025 Kansas legislative session",663,2742000,3405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3097350-dbcec69d650704948eece7097f3f6829&start=2742&end=3405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3097350-dbcec69d650704948eece7097f3f6829/thumbnail_2742000.jpg","/articles/6579189/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-lobbyists-report-wins-unfinished-bills-after-shortened-2025-Kansas-legislative-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579189-fd64d33c118cb4ee9b29a362c00bf4a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149191&Signature=hWVBN1a2qsJ3Gmytl5PGg2brZh-O0iOrOTgK1dhARC5qOqYHLgUfeQFgDvxkUVeU6QLZfqefWmUvY5YdcTh2hAnCuZ0AyxPLTUx537UrnsHAwY3-YWgu~oNXf2tvS9hD2mig8gpnMHDDQ0OcXN52Q-9PKBawUPqnsv992HhQcroopijCceV513nssDu10CoQraYWVnSSCDdRMfnJ01RdmjhF6E5vUddemIqNPwTYbad7DgrS08jK8J0vuCF0H4Flc7EnKG43xFM823nPittt3r1~TjiF5H4MkzOnPhJMtyHkps2s3OEsmI6StXOB5naUmFrywpTSOJdFub06yGXpHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sedgwick County officials and their lobbyists told the county Board of Commissioners on April 23 that the shortened 90-day 2025 Kansas legislative session produced a mix of enacted items that the county supports and several unfinished priorities that will carry into next year.

Jessica Lucas of Walken Public Strategies, the county’s contracted lobby group, briefed commissioners alongside colleagues Jason Watkins and Nathaniel Blank and Tanya Cole, the county’s assistant county manager. Lucas said the calendar change and a new budget process were among the session’s biggest differences this year.

“The legislature ran on its own foundational budget and did it in a compressed calendar,” Lucas said, noting many committee and floor calendars moved faster than usual. She listed enacted laws and budget additions the county supported: a change fixing March, August and November as allowable election dates (House Bill 2022); funding for in-home services and senior nutrition; money for hospitals to cover psychiatric care pending the county’s mental health hospital; and investments in intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) services that add services for people on waiting lists and raise reimbursement rates.

Lucas also told the board that House Bill 2045, reorganizing child-care programs into a single state agency and easing some workforce requirements, passed and could improve affordability and access.

But county leaders said several high-priority items remain unfinished. Lucas said House Bill 2275—intended as a short-term fix to apportion the county 1% sales tax when mill levies change—was sent to the governor but will only freeze apportionment rules through Dec. 31, 2026. The county plans to convene the Kansas Association of Counties and the League of Municipalities to negotiate a longer-term formula this summer.

“We are taking responsibility for convening those conversations,” Lucas said. Chairman Ryan Beatty said Sedgwick County should have a seat on any committee that develops the permanent formula.

Two other priority bills did not reach final enactment: a cremains-processing bill (House Bill 2331) that passed the House but was not finished in the Senate, and a juvenile-justice reform bill (House Bill 2329) that requires more Senate work. Lucas said the county will press these issues again in 2026.

Commissioners pressed lobbyists about the Astra proposal (Senate Bill 82), a property‑tax-related funding idea that passed the House but had not become law. Commissioner Howe asked whether the Astra proposal and other property-tax fixes replicate existing flawed formulas; county staff and lobbyists said the mechanics of those proposals warrant close review before they are advanced.

“There's a lot just to keep our eyes on,” Lucas told the board, adding that budget-planning conversations at the legislature are starting earlier (as soon as September) and the county should prepare requests in advance.

The county’s lobbyists also reported success in getting language changes into open‑records and bank-priority legislation and said the housing tax-credit program was reduced and given a sunset. Commissioners praised Walken Public Strategies and county staff for their work during the compressed session.

The board voted to receive and file the report from the lobbyists.","County lobbyists and staff told commissioners the 2025 session produced several wins for Sedgwick County—changes to election dates, targeted funding for seniors, hospitals and IDD services, and a child-care reorganization—while several priority items (juvenile justice, cremains law and long-term sales-tax apportionment) remain unresolved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sedgwick County recognizes Project SEARCH graduates; program highlights internships and hiring successes

Commissioners approve two island annexations and a rezoning amid planning concerns over scattered city boundaries

Sedgwick County lobbyists report wins, unfinished bills after shortened 2025 Kansas legislative session