Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Forensic Lab Expansion topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County approves bond intent for regional forensic lab expansion after debate on site and debt timing
Summary
Sedgwick County commissioners voted 4–1 to authorize a resolution declaring intent to reimburse costs for an expanded regional forensic science center (DNA lab), with county financial staff saying the county will issue bonds after construction and seek reimbursement in 2028. One commissioner dissented over site and design concerns.
Sedgwick County commissioners on April 8 adopted a resolution authorizing the county to proceed with planning and future bond financing for an expansion of the regional forensic science center, citing growing demands on forensic services and slow turnaround times for toxicology and DNA work.
Lindsay Perso, Sedgwick County chief financial officer, told commissioners the project was included in the county's capital improvement plan and that the resolution before the board preserves the county's ability to spend for design and construction now and later reimburse those costs from bond proceeds. "We would still need a construction contract and a bond issuance," Perso said, adding the county projects issuing bonds in 2028.
The county originally estimated the project at roughly $20.4 million; Perso said the resolution does not issue debt immediately but enables reimbursement planning and preserves financial forecasting that aims to stabilize the property-tax levy over time. "No issuing debt today, no bonds today, just simply stating your intent to do that long term," Perso said.
Commissioners framed the project as a public-safety priority. One commissioner described operational delays in forensic testing that affected law enforcement casework and sexual-assault evidence processing, saying sheriff, police and the district attorney had urged the expansion to reduce delays and support prosecutions.
Commissioner How recorded the lone no vote and expressed reservations about the site layout and building design, saying he supported improved forensics capacity but had concerns about the project footprint. The resolution passed 4–1.
Next steps include finalizing construction contracts, refining project cost estimates, and returning to the board for bond authorization when the county is ready to issue debt. Perso said the county will continue to present detailed financial plans and timing to preserve levy stability while meeting public-safety needs.
The board's action preserves the project within the county's capital plan and authorizes staff to pursue the technical and legal steps needed for later bond issuance.
