Tagged: Sedgwick County Commission

Sedgwick county residents Thursday had a second chance to publicly voice concerns about the recommended 2013 budget.

About 50 people gathered in the commission chambers at the county court house to listen and express concerns about proposed cuts outlined in the county manager’s 2013 recommended budget.

The budget includes broad cuts to eliminate the $9.3 million deficit, including funding reductions to the County Extension Center and 4-H programs, Judge Riddel Boy’s Ranch, senior centers and the Sedgwick County Zoo.

Sedgwick county residents Wednesday voiced concerns to the county commissioners about recommended cuts in the proposed 2013 budget.

The public hearing on the budget was the first of three feedback sessions scheduled before the commissioners are expected to adopt a budget on August 15.

County residents expressed concern over cuts to senior centers, Exploration Place, and the County Extention Center, and the closure of Judge Riddle Boys Ranch.

Under the recommended budget senior centers would be cut $66,300.

The Sedgwick County Manager Wednesday presented his 2013 recommended budget to the commissioners. It proposes layoffs, cuts to services and closing the Judge Riddel Boys Ranch.

County Manager Bill Buchanan said he had to do “less with less” to reach the goal of eliminating the county’s $9.3 million deficit by the end of 2013.

Buchanan said in their analysis the budget team focused on the core missions of programs and looked for duplications of services.

If I may be boastful for a moment here, let me just say that you are listening to the voice of a very brave man. I didn’t realize I was brave—in fact, I’ve lived my life fairly oblivious to my own courage for lo, these many years.

But at a recent Sedgwick County Commission meeting, Commissioner Richard Ranzau proposed allowing folks with concealed-carry handgun permits to tote their pistols into many county buildings, including mental health facilities. Commissioner Karl Peterjohn agreed, saying, “I feel safer in a building where concealed carry is allowed.”