Sedgwick County will have a budget of $438,259,900 for next year, and county manager Tom Stolz said it’s a budget that was balanced with sacrifice.
An economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic put pressure on the budget process this year, and Stolz said the budget will not have pay raises for county employees. He said there have also been restrictions on travel and training, and the county is holding off on hiring except for critical positions. It does provide some positions for the health department and for the Integrated Care Team, along with positions at the Sheriff’s Office for medical services, judicial services and other needs.
Stolz said the budget is lean with a goal of continuing all needed programs and services provided by county government “at a time when our community desperately needs these services and probably more.”
The 2021 budget will continue the delivery of county services with no tax rate increase.
Commissioners also approved a budget of $19,368,910 for the fire district. The 2021 Capital Improvement Plan will include funding for improvements to the North Junction of I-135, I-235, K-96 and K-254. It also has funding for a county elections building and for replacements of new outdoor tornado sirens.
