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Ryan Beatty re-elected chair; Pete Meitzner chosen pro tem as new commission seated
Summary
Following the Jan. 15 swearing-in of two new commissioners, the board re-elected Chairman Ryan Beatty to a second consecutive year and selected Commissioner Pete Meitzner as chair pro tem after an on-the-record vote.
The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 15 re-elected Chairman Ryan Beatty to serve as chair through Jan. 14, 2026, and selected Commissioner Pete Meitzner as chair pro tem.
The board followed a paper-ballot process for contested nominations as explained by County Counselor Justin Wagner. Commissioner Meitzner nominated Chairman Beatty to serve a second year; Commissioner Jeff Bluebaugh nominated Commissioner Jeff Howe. Ballots were cast and read aloud: Commissioners Howell and Bubaugh voted for Howell; Chairman Beatty, Commissioner Meitzner and Commissioner Wise voted for Beatty. Beatty received three votes and was declared chair.
For chair pro tem, the board considered nominations for Commissioner Meitzner and Commissioner Bluebaugh. Votes read aloud showed Meitzner receiving three votes (Meitzner, Beatty and Wise) and Bluebaugh receiving two votes (Bluebaugh and Howell). Pete Meitzner was elected pro tem.
Commissioners praised outgoing and continuing leadership and discussed themes of regional collaboration, modernization of county services and the importance of shared leadership. The board also noted new committee assignments will be announced in coming weeks.
Why it matters: The chair and pro tem are ceremonial presiding officers and often represent the commission publicly; commissioners said they will focus on regional partnerships and modernization efforts in the coming year.
