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

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.