[{"_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",6491445,"mediaKeyId","5444945-ef1ec8dbce3f810d7ef7bb63454a20db","parentId",5444945,"title","County reviews $20 million-plus CIP for Regional Forensic Science Center, opens search for site alternatives","audioSeconds",2770,"startMs",2775000,"endMs",4304,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444945-ef1ec8dbce3f810d7ef7bb63454a20db&start=2775&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444945-ef1ec8dbce3f810d7ef7bb63454a20db/thumbnail_2775000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6491445/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/County-reviews-20-million-plus-CIP-for-Regional-Forensic-Science-Center-opens-search-for-site-alternatives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491445-1204017b4d4ff4e6733bed8c9b40bf7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770599605&Signature=KdDbDtFzqdIM3DCKEcf281GCpAu9hEJBWyNwkdcKtWDJs1hMbL5-f2IvXI-y8o~ssn0HdouhyfycNSz1gSW5EOHz7aS8iRhvlx5OX17At9sviT7m-9V~gTPd8AA9OQkK~Ikecpn1CNFczAUQGM6AKHD44iUgEKIB9b9pg8R-cHy9AzQQn7bU~3gOsdzqqjYDZtTd64tqN0GNu~vfKDO-D4tOdGir1b5eZ~77tweuVLhmneTG2buHrhdPdJkp4-GE9Cwg3Dah4RSqFytnRBWguryzZkua0UJxPFzt1JKjIkxkcHBQif1KpVU5aoHamjjHdPfSrNe8NYyecUz~7ysZRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sedgwick County, KS","date","2025-07-22T16:54:08.543Z","article","Andrew Dills, Sedgwick County director of facilities, told commissioners at the July 22 staff meeting that staff has finalized a remodel scope for the Regional Forensic Science Center but paused detailed design pending the board's CIP authorization and budget decisions.

Dills said the capital-improvement plan before the board shows just over $1,200,000 for architecture and engineering design in 2026 and just over $19,000,000 for construction in 2027. \"We have had continual conversations with the architect firm just to kinda, firm up what we're doing as far as the remodel scope of work goes at the existing location, and we're basically done at this point,\" Dills said, adding that actual design work is on hold until the CIP budget is approved.

Why it matters: county leaders said the Regional Forensic Science Center is near capacity for space and staffing, creating operational risk. Ellie Steadman, director of the Regional Forensic Science Center, told the meeting the center generates revenue by providing autopsy services to other jurisdictions but cannot expand services indefinitely under current accreditation limits for forensic pathologists. \"Forensic pathologists are extremely rare,\" Steadman said, noting the county waited more than two years to fill a prior vacancy.

Project authorization and next steps: county finance staff explained that a project authorization will be required if the board approves the CIP so the county can show bonding plans and reimbursement intent to credit reviewers. Staff said the existing CIP contained an earlier authorization to expand the current campus; because the scope may change if the board chooses a new site, staff said they would bring a new project authorization when the board approves the updated CIP.

Site alternatives and cost questions: several commissioners asked staff to prepare estimated costs for alternatives, including retrofitting off-site buildings such as the former Riverside Hospital and potential consolidation with other county projects (for example, a proposed Comcare campus). Commissioners asked staff to return with: (1) estimated costs to relocate the full forensic program to a new facility, (2) retrofit assessments for candidate buildings, and (3) an updated funding plan that reflects whether the project would be a remodel of the current campus or a new build.

Operational constraints and revenue: Steadman said the center charges fees for out-of-county forensic services but does not charge municipalities inside Sedgwick County. She said fees do not cover all operating costs and that adding services would likely require hiring additional pathologists, which is costly and difficult given national shortages.

Decision timeline: staff said the CIP amounts will be part of the board's budget and CIP decisions this summer; the August board action will include the 2026 portion of the CIP and related authorizations. No formal action to move or redesignate the site was taken at the staff meeting.

Ending: Staff committed to provide commissioners with retrofit estimates, cost comparisons for new construction versus remodel, and clarifying information about what the CIP authorization would permit before the August board decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners Staff Meeting - 7/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Andrew Dills, Sedgwick County director of facilities, told commissioners at the July 22 staff meeting that staff has finalized a remodel scope for the Regional Forensic Science Center but paused detailed design pending CIP authorization and budget decisions.","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},6491450,"Sedgwick County staff urge reinstating stormwater advisory board, propose countywide regulations and funding study",2727,119000,2846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444945-ef1ec8dbce3f810d7ef7bb63454a20db&start=119&end=2846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444945-ef1ec8dbce3f810d7ef7bb63454a20db/thumbnail_119000.jpg","/articles/6491450/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Sedgwick-County-staff-urge-reinstating-stormwater-advisory-board-propose-countywide-regulations-and-funding-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491450-4592fd83a0379f769b4b1f4c34cbe459/orig.mp4?Expires=1770599605&Signature=I-76n4ip6VPJn4C9sIDJ6YL6jZcR8iXYvJ3i5O3VBHGdMdMI2NguriUkcU9bpbK4G9o72kNxcMrA~ccuLbO2JFxL2TogEhGGKd92N6UBy4anTD9fiJVk5M0z2RyMLFvkZq5C-IaHqM1c6-kHMv9Wrov2y643Q~fPTyGR4OdpNtFjqaqdEwpz8siwErVnX1UrKvZer~b4Q2oPBbnRbAUKjcaPLouyMZN4TsqLe7mafC4nqIZUVior2miikKh2v8OHNHuPJi7MqkopT-ff-n9otgkve10-JZzstkyBdVz2V1mQxZTVD2dJzKv8adrAuSiFDBL94lp77dteSPdqecVMJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lynn Packer, Sedgwick County director of public works and county engineer, and Susan Erlewine, director of environmental resources, told commissioners at the July 22 staff meeting that Sedgwick County needs a countywide approach to stormwater regulation and a dedicated funding source to address recurring flood damage.

The recommendation follows a review of the county's flood history, including the 1998 \"Halloween\" storm that produced about 10 to 12.6 inches of rain, caused almost $40 million in damage and required about 5,300 evacuations, and prior major floods dating back to the early 20th century. Packer said the county will bring an updated stormwater resolution to the board in August that would update census references and expand stormwater quality and quantity regulations to unincorporated portions of the county.

Packer told the meeting, \"we're going to update our stormwater resolution\" to reflect the new census and to apply regulations countywide in unincorporated areas. He said staff also recommends reinstating the Stormwater Management Advisory Board (SMAB) to coordinate regional planning and funding discussions with cities and smaller communities.

Why it matters: county staff said flooding is a regional problem because watersheds drain from northwest to southeast; actions in one jurisdiction affect downstream communities. Susan Erlewine outlined contamination and public-health risks from runoff, including algae blooms and mosquito breeding in standing water, and warned that sediment and pollution from 56 historic landfill or dump sites and hundreds of contaminated sites could be mobilized during floods.

Details and background: staff recounted earlier SMAB work and studies. Packer said SMAB was formed Oct. 31, 2007, and that earlier surveys and watershed inventories identified many candidate projects. A 2010 survey reported that roughly 90% of respondents supported a countywide stormwater maintenance approach and were willing to pay a modest monthly fee; earlier project lists identified 64 projects at about $217 million (2009) and 78 projects exceeding $550 million (2017) before updates. Packer said some communities such as Derby have already completed or started some identified projects.

Funding options discussed: commissioners and staff reviewed several revenue options: property tax (not currently on the table), sales tax, and utility-style fees such as an equivalent residential unit (ERU) or a solid-waste-type fee. Packer said smaller cities that do not hold NPDES Phase 2 MS4 permits currently do not have the annual reporting and public outreach requirements; he proposed coordinating permit-related services and public education credits to reduce the administrative burden on small towns.

Commissioner discussion: Commissioner Howell and other commissioners emphasized voter approval for a dedicated revenue source, saying a ballot measure would give the public a choice and provide a stable local match that could improve competitiveness for federal grants. Justin Wagner, county councilor, said staff will research legal options and what must be done to place a funding measure on the ballot.

Next steps: county staff will place an updated stormwater resolution on the August agenda to (1) update the census reference and (2) apply county stormwater regulations to unincorporated areas. Staff recommended reconvening SMAB to revisit project lists, update priorities and design a funding approach that supplements — not supplants — city-level programs. Commissioners asked staff to return with funding scenarios, estimated revenue by approach, and outreach plans for cities and residents.

Ending: No formal vote was taken at the staff meeting. Staff said the resolution will appear in the next board agenda and that further public and intergovernmental outreach will follow if the board directs staff to proceed.","Public works and environmental staff reviewed Sedgwick County's flooding history, said the county will update its stormwater resolution to cover unincorporated areas and recommended reinstating the Stormwater Management Advisory Board to develop funding options, with a county resolution scheduled for the August agenda.","actionData","errors"]

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County reviews $20 million-plus CIP for Regional Forensic Science Center, opens search for site alternatives

Sedgwick County staff urge reinstating stormwater advisory board, propose countywide regulations and funding study