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Wichita accepts KDHE planning grant to advance Community Resilience Plan
Summary
The City of Wichita accepted a KDHE subaward of roughly $200,000 over two years to support development of a Community Resilience Plan, funding consultant work, public engagement and a public dashboard; the Sustainability Integration Board recommended acceptance and council approved the subaward unanimously.
WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita City Council voted unanimously Sept. 3 to accept a Kansas Department of Health and Environment planning grant to advance a Community Resilience Plan and other sustainability work. The subaward, part of KDHE’s ERAMP program, is expected to total about $200,000 over two years and carries no required city match.
City staff said the funding would primarily pay for consultant resources, stakeholder engagement and development of a public dashboard to show progress and solicit input. "Our hope is to utilize this probably first and foremost for consultant resources," said Gary Janssen, Public Works and Utilities, noting staff would lead the effort while outside expertise speeds analysis and public engagement.
Russell Arbon Fox, vice chair of the Sustainability Integration Board, told the council the board has used small, targeted funding to buy air quality monitors and award microgrants and that the KDHE money would allow the board to pursue broader, integrated planning consistent with its ordinance. "We want to be able to help the city to have a clear understanding through cost‑benefit analysis and through meetings with stakeholders," Fox said.
Staff said the project would not create new regulations or commit the city to funding outside the existing budget without future council approval; examples of potential uses included cost‑benefit analysis of projects such as energy efficiency upgrades, tree canopy strategies and transit improvements. Harold Schlechtweg of ICTrees urged approval and emphasized trees’ role in cooling and air quality.
Council approved the subaward and authorized staff to reallocate funds between projects as needed. The final Community Resilience Plan and any specific project funding would return to the council for approval, staff said.
