[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6564456,"mediaKeyId","3283530-3f327079c529b22265cbec7a9c9686ab","parentId",3283530,"title","Sedgwick County staff outline options for countywide noise rule as commissioners raise enforcement concerns","audioSeconds",1808,"startMs",74000,"endMs",1882000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3283530-3f327079c529b22265cbec7a9c9686ab&start=74&end=1882","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3283530-3f327079c529b22265cbec7a9c9686ab/thumbnail_74000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6564456/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-staff-outline-options-for-countywide-noise-rule-as-commissioners-raise-enforcement-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564456-b95dc59516ee6b08ca2fd402fa99b44b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149190&Signature=I4zDHxKmP-Flsqq~vMTlOazA0aoHbliioysCky2khN9bB-nAx4kMxaDkE0Uthp3Z52A74rM7kBtOJ0mtDvO3hm0NyCPmvkSuBk2Zqn916yMxxW1CSe8p0mAeIBA1l7fxsGX7srNxS0H2ddM0GUPpYi~qxqjLN65F8a0woUij0lNynfB8bc1xNWFYMf3-00TioNjNtLbG778THF4gvYWNoSRaTJQgdXw6flVLmSM5gwh3T-95-YQsh~EFpI31mHZD78GsbcFsgVCzz08nyldB1QJsyQWMQfJhh~bMxRi6jMDp5jRcyrQTaEl4Kk0HB1SFGoiA2ZQUL8zp7dBKNQYj9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sedgwick County, KS","date","2025-05-14T04:27:08Z","article","Assistant County Counselor Armand Shekaif briefed Sedgwick County commissioners on options for a countywide noise resolution, presenting two main approaches — measurable decibel thresholds and a reasonableness standard — and describing enforcement, evidentiary and exemption challenges.

Shekaif told the commissioners the county currently has no blanket prohibition on loud noise in the unincorporated area and relies on targeted provisions in the county code (for example, the animal code for continuous barking) and on disorderly-conduct charges in specific circumstances. \"Currently, there's not [a] countywide resolution for the unincorporated area of Sedgwick County that would generally prohibit loud noises,\" Shekaif said.

The two approaches presented

Shekaif described a decibel-based approach that sets specific thresholds measured at a specified distance (for example, 50, 75 or 100 feet) and requires trained equipment and certified procedures. He said the downside is cost and administrative burden: \"It would require training, the equipment, cost of maintenance,\" and could invite expert testimony and testing requirements similar to other regulated measurement devices.

He contrasted that with a reasonableness standard, which he said most Kansas municipalities use and which the Kansas Supreme Court has upheld when care is taken to include objective factors. Under that approach, an ordinance would prohibit \"unusual or loud or excessive noise\" that \"creates a nuisance or interference\" measured against the perspective of a hypothetical reasonable person. Shekaif recommended the reasonableness approach as the better option for Sedgwick County, citing three reasons: it avoids equipment and training costs, it can track language supported by Kansas Supreme Court precedent, and it can be more expeditious to enforce.

Enforcement and evidentiary issues

Commissioners pressed on who would enforce a new rule and how short-duration events — fireworks, isolated gunshots or other ephemeral noises — would be handled. Shekaif said enforcement could fall to either MABCD staff or the sheriff's office, and acknowledged many noise complaints occur on nights and weekends when MABCD is not operating. He warned that under a reasonableness standard complainants or officers would likely need audio/video evidence or contemporaneous officer observations because by the time staff or deputies arrive the noise often has ceased.

Potential exemptions and scope

Shekaif noted jurisdictions typically carve out exceptions for agricultural activities, industrial operations consistent with existing approvals, train and aircraft operations, lawful discharge of firearms and other uses. He also reported a review of other jurisdictions: the City of Wichita and cities such as Topeka use reasonableness-based ordinances (with measurement tools available mainly as a defense), some municipalities combine reasonableness with distance criteria, and only one county he found (Atchison County) had a countywide ordinance.

Commissioners' perspectives and staff direction

Commissioners expressed mixed views. One commissioner said the reasonableness standard felt subjective and hard to apply, noting difficulty in documenting severity for short incidents. Another commissioner said he did not want the county to become the primary enforcer and prefers handling certain cases through existing zoning or civil remedies.

Commissioner-level comments led to two staff follow-ups: several commissioners asked staff to gather data on how many noise complaints the county and sheriff receive (\"For that, I would have to defer to MABCD and the sheriff's office ... I can also obtain it and do a follow-up,\" Shekaif said) and Commissioner Bluebell asked staff to broker small meetings between neighbors and property operators in his district to try to reach local agreements rather than adopt an immediate countywide rule.

No formal vote or ordinance was proposed or adopted at this meeting.

Ending

Shekaif summarized the trade-offs and said he would provide additional information on complaint volumes and enforcement options if the board wished to pursue a countywide resolution. Commissioners left the discussion with differing preferences and asked staff for more data and localized outreach before returning to the issue.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners Staff Meeting - 5/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Assistant County Counselor Armand Shekaif briefed Sedgwick County commissioners on options for a countywide noise resolution, presenting two primary approaches — decibel-based thresholds and a reasonableness standard — and outlined enforcement and evidentiary challenges.","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},6564452,"Sedgwick County outlines solid waste programs; pilot mattress-coupon plan proposed to curb illegal dumping",2723,1871000,4594000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3283530-3f327079c529b22265cbec7a9c9686ab&start=1871&end=4594","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3283530-3f327079c529b22265cbec7a9c9686ab/thumbnail_1871000.jpg","/articles/6564452/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-outlines-solid-waste-programs-pilot-mattress-coupon-plan-proposed-to-curb-illegal-dumping","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564452-3b323c00f103e555170a2f4365cdb369/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149190&Signature=hBL7uqCvAif7vYZ9xcRx9FI-OHqrrByS~7RktvFlPCv1CTAqmhyHfWOmlwvlZxIX5Iu2XqVhlgM0CHwXA0QrT06JORuTRqbl4w4T3gEfU0LgGpJH2WFGV8HpU9Y0~Yk60s8M2fpJZCQAFeY1fVr6dGvalp1gp5Bx3gM07YOyEru5eeFHizoaTFWDPK~1UdLG1gYEywsJ6fRsi2O0s75LVeiOAPa6NRhqivgw0o51hJIXXrd9LJyRn5NhXhEDbHUXe5RexTNTxp4MqdtB8vHhHHfcZo0hjpt91U1KlvfAw4RkXcVTWANhzoyByER6cAbHzqmlQZPBO4sxbUKIWhA44A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Susan (last name not specified) reviewed Sedgwick County's solid waste programs for commissioners, describing the household hazardous waste facility, remote collection events, Christmas tree recycling, MedSafe drug drop boxes, tire and electronic-waste events, bulky-waste coupons and a proposed pilot mattress coupon program.

Why the county runs these programs

Susan said KDHE requires a solid waste plan and a solid waste committee (with specific positions and board appointments). The county’s functions include plan maintenance, facility inspection, public education and operation of a household hazardous waste facility that accepts many consumer hazardous materials for free. She told commissioners these programs reduce landfill space, keep hazardous materials out of waterways and reduce illegal dumping.

Key program numbers and examples

- Christmas tree recycling: The county operates 22 drop sites (10 within Wichita). \"From 02/2001 when we started this through January of this year, we have received over 28,000 trees,\" Susan said. Trees are mulched and much of the mulch is used by residents and parks.

- Household hazardous waste: In 2024, the facility served more than 15,000 people and accepted over 1,000,000 pounds of material. Since 02/2002 the facility has collected over 24,000,000 pounds of chemicals and household hazardous waste.

- Remote collection and e-waste: The county has run 99 remote collection events since 02/2005, serving more than 20,000 vehicles and collecting roughly 2,800,000 pounds at those events. E‑waste collection has recovered metals and materials that would otherwise require new mining and can contain hazardous elements such as lead and mercury.

- Tires and illegal dumping: The county reported collecting the equivalent of roughly 1,336,000 passenger-tire units (by weight) through tire programs; Susan described public-safety and mosquito risks from dumped tires and reminded commissioners that whole tires are banned from Kansas landfills.

- Swap-and-shop and revenue: The swap-and-shop reclaimed inventory saved an estimated $47,000 in contractor disposal costs last year. Susan said 94.7% of the solid waste program budget is funded by a dedicated solid waste fee; the remainder (5.3%) comes from the general fund.

Mattress coupon pilot and other initiatives

Susan said the Solid Waste Committee recommended a pilot mattress coupon program for the coming fall: the county plans to offer 3,000 coupons valid for disposal of up to two items (mattress or box springs) each at Brooks Construction and Demolition Landfill; she estimated the maximum potential cost if all coupons were used would be about $120,000. The program is a pilot to test demand and impacts on illegal dumping.

Commissioner questions and staff follow-up

Commissioners asked whether coupon programs encourage use by people who can already pay disposal costs, whether coupons would reduce roadside dumping, and whether year-round drop-off options (for tree limbs, tires, bulky furniture) are preferable to periodic events. Susan said the plan is a pilot and that township partnerships, remote events and collaboration with cities have been used in the past. She offered to provide additional township-collected mattress/tire numbers and answer questions about past events and participation rates.

No vote or ordinance change was taken at this meeting; commissioners were scheduled to receive related fee and plan information at the next meeting.","County solid waste staff reviewed programs required by KDHE and run from the household hazardous waste facility to remote collection, e-waste and tire events; proposed a fall pilot of 3,000 mattress coupons to reduce roadside dumping. Staff provided usage and cost figures and said most program revenue comes from a dedicated solid waste fee.","actionData","errors"]

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Sedgwick County staff outline options for countywide noise rule as commissioners raise enforcement concerns

Sedgwick County outlines solid waste programs; pilot mattress-coupon plan proposed to curb illegal dumping