Commissioners approve submission of nearly $5M federal grant to expand Sedgwick County Zoo elephant habitat; county to provide $2.5M match

The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners voted Nov. 13 to submit an Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program application seeking $4,999,924 to expand elephant habitat at the Sedgwick County Zoo, and authorized staff to accept the award and execute documents if the grant is awarded.

Grant administrator Carrie Mainland told the board the project would add about 19,500 square feet to the zoo’s elephant area to accommodate births expected in 2025. "This request is for $4,999,924 in grant funds with a direct 1 to 1 matching funds," Mainland said. She also said the zoo and Zoological Society would provide matching funds through a capital campaign.

Commissioner Dennis, who disclosed his membership on the zoo board, urged approval and framed the project as an economic opportunity: "We have 5 new baby elephants coming to Sedgwick County Zoo next year," he said, adding the county’s zoo generates about $60 million in annual economic impact and that the total project cost is roughly $10 million. "If we can get this grant, it'll pay for 0.5 of what we're looking for," he said.

CFO Lindsay Poverseau clarified county funding plans: the county intends to provide the $2.5 million match from investment income that exceeded estimates, stressing the money is one‑time revenue. "We actually are taking action today to spend that $2,500,000 and award it to the Zoological Society as our contribution to this project, regardless of whether the grant is received or not," Poverseau said. She added staff will bring further discussions on long‑term funding and that unspent funds would be handled in the next fiscal year as needed.

County legal counsel Justin Weidner reviewed a 1966 ballot initiative that authorized county support and land acquisition for the zoo and said the long‑standing public‑private relationship with the Sedgwick County Zoological Society makes county contributions for major projects not unprecedented. The board approved the motion to submit the application and authorized the chairman and revenue manager to sign required documents; the motion carried 5–0.

The application deadline listed in the presentation materials was updated during the meeting; staff said they would confirm the current deadline before filing. If awarded, staff said they would return with the grant acceptance and necessary budget adjustments for commission approval.

What happens next: staff will confirm the grant deadline, submit the application, and — if the award is made — return to the board with the grant agreement and budget authority requests.