Sedgwick County District 5 collaboration board adopts bylaws, outlines regional priorities

The Sedgwick County District 5 District Collaboration Board voted to adopt a set of bylaws and used its inaugural meeting in March 2025 in Derby to identify regional priorities including emergency medical services, stormwater funding, workforce training and mental-health supports.

Board chair Jim Howell opened the meeting, reviewed Kansas open-meetings and records requirements and said he would "entertain a motion to adopt the bylaws as presented." Dale Pratt moved to adopt the bylaws; Jason Murkowski seconded. Chair Howell called for a voice vote, heard several "ayes" and stated there was no opposition, and the motion passed.

The adopted bylaws establish the board's regular schedule (odd months, the second Monday at 11:30 a.m.), set quorum at 10 of 18 appointed members, and allow a designated nonvoting alternate to speak at a meeting if the appointing stakeholder notifies the chair in advance. The bylaws also record that the board will follow Robert's Rules of Order for formal motions and votes and remind members they are subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act and Kansas Open Records Act; Howell said violations of the open-meetings law can carry a personal fine of up to $500.

Board members spent the bulk of the meeting identifying topics for future agendas and county expert briefings. Several members flagged emergency medical services as a priority. Mayor Mark Statz of Derby said the area has grown while EMS capacity has not kept pace: "I think that's very important... some of the response times are very slow," he said, urging discussion of whether an additional ambulance crew or station is needed in southeast Sedgwick County.

Jim Howell also described ongoing county workforce and training initiatives and recent county discussions with WSU Tech. Howell said WSU Tech is planning a large facility expansion and has asked for county financial support; he described a $43,000,000 expansion and said county staff had been asked to consider a $1 million contribution. Board member and WSU Tech adjunct Jason Brodsky asked for a future briefing on high-school technical programs that feed local industry and apprenticeship pipelines.

Members raised stormwater funding, with Howell summarizing prior county proposals including the idea of a dedicated sales-tax funding stream and noting the political difficulty of placing a countywide funding measure before voters. Senior center funding and transportation subsidies also drew attention: Howell said a $36,000 seasonal transit subsidy for certain communities is under review and that commissioners face difficult budget choices.

School leaders at the table described in-school supports: Heather Bohati, superintendent of Derby Public Schools, said she was "excited to be here" and that collaboration among districts is useful. Superintendents and other board members described school-based mental-health staff funded by grants (MHIT/ComCare partnerships) and said SRO coverage varies by district; Rose Hill has two assigned officers and Mulvane has two SROs, per participants. Members also asked the board to consider presentations on expelled-student supports, chronic absenteeism, and transportation solutions for workers on nonstandard shifts.

Other recurring local issues included illegal dumping, homelessness and substance-abuse impacts, and traffic and road-safety concerns at locations members named (including an intersection cited near Clifton and 47th Street South). Howell asked county departments — public works, public safety, human services and legal — to be available for future briefings.

Howell said he will circulate meeting notes and a proposed agenda for the board's next meeting, tentatively scheduled for May 12, 2025, and requested that superintendents and other stakeholders share contact information to enable interagency coordination.