Sedgwick County is beginning the process for establishing next year’s budget.
As KMUW’s Deborah Shaar reports, the first step is hearing from the people who carry out the county’s functions.
The Sedgwick County Commissioners and county manager are getting their first look at what the county’s departments and agencies are requesting for budget year 2017. Six departmental budget hearings will be held through May 19. (See the schedule here.)
The county adopted a $412 million budget last year, sparking public outrage for making cuts in the areas of public health, economic development, and arts and culture. The county says the current year’s budget reflects a majority of the commission who supported limiting the growth of county debt and funding some level of road and bridge projects from property taxes.
The recommended 2017 budget will be presented to commissioners on July 13. After that, Sedgwick County residents will have a chance to weigh in on the proposed budget at two public hearings on July 27 and August 4 and through an online forum beginning July 13.
The commissioners are scheduled to vote on the county's budget on Aug. 10.
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Follow Deborah Shaar on Twitter @deborahshaar.
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