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Ryan Beatty reelected chairman; Commissioner Meitzner named chair pro tem
Summary
The Sedgwick County commission elected Ryan Beatty to a second consecutive term as chair and selected Commissioner Meitzner as chair pro tem. Votes were cast by paper ballot when there were multiple nominations; Beatty received three votes to Howell’s two, and Meitzner received three votes to Bluebaugh’s two.
The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners elected Chairman Ryan K. Beatty to serve as chair through Jan. 14, 2026, and selected Commissioner Meitzner to serve as chair pro tem for the same period.
Nominations were made from the dais. Commissioner Meitzner nominated Chairman Beatty for chair; Commissioner Bubaugh nominated Commissioner Howell. Because there were multiple nominations, the clerk collected paper ballots and read them aloud. The recorded votes for chair were: Commissioner Howell voted for Howell; Commissioner Bubaugh voted for Howell; Chairman Beatty voted for Beatty; Commissioner Meitzner voted for Beatty; Commissioner Wise voted for Beatty. The tally gave Beatty three votes and Howell two.
For chair pro tem, the clerk read votes after nominations for Commissioner Meitzner and Commissioner Bluebaugh. The recorded votes were: Commissioner Meitzner (3 votes) and Commissioner Bluebaugh (2 votes), producing a 3–2 outcome in favor of Meitzner.
Commissioners thanked outgoing leadership and offered remarks on unity and priorities for 2025. Chairman Beatty acknowledged the responsibilities and pledged to ensure every commissioner has a fair voice in county initiatives.
Why it matters: Election of the chair and chair pro tem sets the commission’s leadership for the year and determines who presides over meetings and represents the commission in many intergovernmental and ceremonial roles.
What’s next: The newly confirmed leadership will continue work on county priorities noted by commissioners, including legislative outreach, homelessness/MAC planning and efforts to modernize shared county-city services.
