Sedgwick County commissioners approve 2025 budget

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners approved the budget worth more than $560 million for 2025 on Wednesday.

The budget passed 4-1, with David Dennis being the lone commissioner to vote no. During the meeting, he said it was the first time in eight years he hadn’t voted in favor of the budget.

A news release from the county said the budget cuts the mill levy for the second straight year and establishes the lowest mill levy in 27 years.

Sedgwick County said the spending priorities focus on core services, staffing, and compensation improvements, especially in public safety. Commissioners also approved a 2025 budget for Fire District 1 with a reduced mill levy.

The commission voted to eliminate the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager position, which had never been filled. Commissioner Sarah Lopez and Chairman Ryan Baty voted against the move.

Focusing on funding for the core services meant debating funding for other things, like Exploration Place, which was a point of contention for the commission. They voted to approve the funding for this year but discussed a possible meeting with the city and Exploration Place to discuss the future of funding.

Here are some of the highlights of the budget:

• $16.7 million increase in employee compensation
• 26 additional Full-Time Employees (FTE), including:
• Eliminated 1 Full-Time DEI Program Manager position
• $28.8 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for County Facilities projects
• $760 thousand for a drainage project
• $19 million for roads and bridges
• Increased funding for three senior centers (Oaklawn, Clearwater and Haysville)
• Restored funding for one additional year of KPTS-TV contract to broadcast BoCC meetings
• Reallocated $200,000 from R328 (Northwest Expressway) to the ARC 95 project
• Increased $100,000 from the Economic Development program for a project viability study of R328 (Northwest Expressway)
• Reduced County mill levy by approximately 1/3 of a mill and Fire District 1 mill levy by more than 2/3 of a mill
• Did not capture all assessed property valuation growth

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