Sedgwick County commissioners approve NCAT sublease delegation, hear fire district and public-safety updates

Sedgwick County commissioners on Wednesday delegated county approval authority for planned improvements at the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT), heard a live demonstration of a new search-and-rescue dog and several public-safety updates, and adopted a proclamation recognizing August 2025 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month.

The commission adopted a resolution to delegate review and limited approval authority to county staff for capital work at NCAT after learning WSU Tech plans to build an 85,000-plus-square-foot expansion and a hangar, a project the county described as a roughly $45,000,000 capital investment. Assistant County Counselor Samantha Cien told the commission, “This improvement requires the county's approval under the sublease.” The board’s adopted measure delegates technical review to the county director of public works and financial compliance review to the county chief financial officer; both officials must provide written approval before work may proceed, county staff said.

The sublease at issue stems from a series of agreements the county described on the record: a 50-year base lease between the Wichita Airport Authority and the Sedgwick County Public Building Commission, a county sublease dated April 6, 2011, and subsequent operating agreements with WSU Tech. County CFO Lindsey Poverseau said the sewer connection that prompted the off-agenda request had only recently arisen and explained the urgency: “So that's why, yes, I did ask if we could have this as an off agenda item,” she said, noting the county sought to avoid delaying the project scheduled to break ground in August 2025 with classes planned to begin in January.

Public-safety updates led the morning's 'good-news' segment. Nicole Gibbs of strategic communications introduced Violet, a 15-month-old Belgian Malinois that Sedgwick County Fire District 1 and the State Fire Marshal's office displayed for commissioners after recent training. Firefighter Josh Smith described Violet as a “live find canine” and explained the dog is trained for disaster scenarios such as tornadoes, hurricanes and floods, where the dog can locate live victims faster than human searchers. Smith said Violet is on track to receive certification in December and will be available first to Sedgwick County, then regionally and statewide.

The Sheriff's Office also announced a first-ever Sheriff Benefit Fund Run, a fundraiser to support the office's annual holiday food-box program. Detectives and Sheriff's Office staff told commissioners the program provides about 400 food boxes each holiday, roughly $100 worth of food per household. Detective Kyle Bersin said, “Every holiday, we feed approximately 400 families.” Organizers said about 110'115 runners had signed up for the weekend event; online registration was $35, with a last-minute $20 donation option available on the day of the run.

Jeremy Noll, president of FOP Lodge 74 and a county forensic investigator, described a recent Fraternal Order of Police Disaster Area Response Team (DART) deployment to Kerrville, Texas, after flooding. Noll said the team fed about 800 meals during a three-day deployment and provided remediation help for first responders whose homes were damaged.

The commission also adopted a proclamation recognizing August 2025 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month. Emergency Management Director Julie Stimson outlined planned outreach during the month, including an open house for the county's emergency operations center on Aug. 21 and a reminder that residents can sign up for Civic Ready mass notifications; Stimson called the proclamation timely as local preparedness and response are emphasized nationally.

Several routine but consequential administrative actions were approved during the meeting. The board: - Combined and approved multiple resignations and appointments to local advisory and code-appeals boards (items B through G on the agenda). Newly sworn appointees included a representative who said on the record she looks forward to serving her district. - Approved Board of Bids and Contracts recommendations, including a two-year on-call roofing services agreement (with three one-year renewal options), acceptance of Haney & Associates Architects for architectural and engineering services for EMS Post 1 in the amount of $69,500, and a recommendation regarding parking-garage elevator work. - Approved the Fire District No. 1 consent agenda, including a charitable land donation and deed corrections. - Approved the county consent agenda for a range of routine items (items I through S).

The commission used its weekly agenda to remind the public of a first public budget hearing for the county's 2026 recommended budget set for 6 p.m. July 30 in the Ruffin Building lower-level auditorium and noted a second hearing and final adoption scheduled for Aug. 20. Commissioners encouraged public participation and explained written comments can be submitted at sedgwickcounty.org.

An executive-session motion to consult with legal counsel about an ongoing lawsuit was approved by vote; commissioners recessed and later returned to open session and adjourned the meeting without further binding action.

Votes at a glance: all recorded roll-call motions described below were approved by the commission with recorded ayes from Commissioners Bluebaugh, Wise, Howell, Meitzner and Chairman Beatty unless otherwise noted.

- Adopt proclamation declaring August 2025 National Emergency Management Awareness Month — adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Accept resignations and adopt resolutions reappointing and appointing members to various code, electrical and mechanical appeals and building-standards boards (items B through G) — adopted (combined motion; roll call: unanimous). - Approve Board of Bids and Contracts recommendations (roofing services; Haney & Associates for EMS Post 1 at $69,500; parking garage elevators) — adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Approve Fire District No. 1 consent agenda items A'C (land donation, deed correction, other items) — adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Approve county consent agenda items I'S — adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Adopt resolution delegating limited review/approval authority for NCAT capital improvements to the director of public works and CFO (off-agenda item) — adopted (roll call: unanimous). - Recess into executive session for attorney-client consultation regarding ongoing litigation — motion by Commissioner Meinster approved (roll call: unanimous).

The commission did not take other binding action during the open session. The meeting adjourned at 11:01 a.m.