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Sedgwick County officials warn state corrections formula could produce steep cuts to local programs
Summary
County staff and commissioners described a proposed redrawing of the state corrections funding formula that could reduce Sedgwick County adult corrections funding by roughly $2–3 million annually over three years; county leaders said they will press state officials and lobbyists to halt or revise the plan and are considering public steps
Sedgwick County commissioners were briefed on a proposed state corrections funding formula that county staff said could significantly reduce local adult corrections funding and force cuts to programs.
Steve Stonehouse, Department of Corrections, told commissioners that the county is currently at flat funding for the coming fiscal year but faces a proposed state action that would amount to "approximately a 50% cut starting next year, and we would absorb that over 3 years." He said the effect on adult services in Sedgwick County would likely be a multi‑million dollar reduction and that county leaders have raised those concerns with the state.
What county staff said would be affected: Stonehouse said the county would likely have to cut behavioral health funding tied to corrections programs, including substance abuse and mental health treatment and other ancillary services. He added that roughly 21 staff positions could be eliminated, and that the adult residential facility could be closed, shifting people who otherwise would receive community supervision into jail or prison.
Commissioners described a fast timeline and urged immediate political steps. The chair said the county had engaged a lobbyist, Jason Watkins, who had briefed the governor's chief of staff on the county's concerns. County staff and commissioners said discussions are underway with KDOC and the governor's office and that the dialogue is currently at staff and executive levels within the state.
Possible next steps: Commissioners discussed a range of responses, including an immediate press conference and legislative action to add provisos or language to an upcoming budget bill to halt or slow any state decision that would reallocate existing KDOC funds (the presenters described the issue as an internal KDOC budget reallocation rather than a net change to the state's overall corrections appropriation). County staff said they had asked state officials to reassess the methodology and suggested an independent third party review of the formula.
Numbers and impact: Presenters estimated that the county could see an annual reduction in adult corrections funding of roughly $2–3 million spread over the reform timeline and that 300–400 people who currently receive community corrections services could be affected by closures or program eliminations. Stonehouse emphasized the programs in question reduce recidivism and support reintegration: losing those services, he said, would likely increase incarceration and reduce supports for people returning to the community.
No formal action taken: Commissioners did not take a formal vote at the meeting. County staff said they were coordinating with the county's lobbyist and would follow up with the commission on whether a more public response or a press conference was warranted.
