Local Leadership
I am grateful to serve our community.
We are in a pivotal season for Sedgwick County. We need leadership to help improve our position economically while working to bridge the divide relationally. This community is our home. I want to do all that I can to make sure we are improving and fostering the best quality of life for everyone in Sedgwick County.
Common Sense Podcast
Welcome to Common Sense with Ryan Baty. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Katy Tyndell, a co-founder of the grassroots organization Leading Kansas. Together, they dive deep into the motivations behind civic engagement, what drives local movements to action, and the urgent issues facing our state and nation. We talk about defending constitutional freedoms, the role of our federal government, and fostering civic dialogue in an increasingly polarized world.
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Change for the Better
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Issues
Staffing Stability for Sedgwick County Government
With nearly 3,000 employees across 46 departments, the work being done by our employees is vital to the quality of life we experience in the community. Upon my arrival on the Commission, we were experiencing significant staffing shortages – particularly in public safety and public health. Aggressive and strategic adjustments in compensation plans returned increased employee morale and staffing stability. Today, we have staffing levels above 90% and our performance goals are all being accomplished. Strategic workforce investments have provided more effective and efficient services to the 525k people of Sedgwick County.
Homelessness, Foster Care and Behavioral Health
Every policy decision must find a connecting link to healthier families. Our community has made significant progress in several large scale community challenges. In homelessness, we continue to develop a long-term community plan with a focus on shelter, services, and affordable housing. We have worked collaboratively to reduce the negative impacts of a foster care system that is failing our most vulnerable kids. We have also invested into a new COMCARE CRISIS center that will increase services such as mobile mental health, 988 suicide line, medical detox beds as well as other strategic initiatives to help meet the growing needs of our community.
Development of the Northwest Expressway
Connecting K-96 to Kellogg through west Sedgwick County has been a discussion for 30+ years. This would spur incredible economic development, but the conversation had stalled as had cooperation amongst key stakeholders. I have worked to re-engage the project with KDOT, Maize, Goddard and the City of Wichita as well as helping to reestablish the NW Expressway Coalition. We now have more momentum in the project than what has been seen in over a decade.
Property Tax Reform
Increasing property taxes has become a painful challenge for many families and businesses. With nearly 50% of our county revenues being generated through property taxes, we aim to reduce the county’s dependency on this revenue source and provide relief to our community. In each of my budgets, we have found ways to reduce the property tax mill levy while also stabilizing core county services. As my #1 priority in 2025 and 2026, we will continue to reduce property tax burden through a series of strategic reforms and initiatives.
Modernizing Local Government
The cost of government continues to increase, and reform is needed to counteract the increasing costs. As we look across the county and our 20 city partners, I will advance plans to eliminate redundancies via more shared services, strategic partnerships, and functional department consolidations. It is time to modernize the local government model and in doing so we will find reduced costs and improved efficiencies. I will continue leading the conversation and building collaborative relationships.
“The government closest to the people, serves its people best”
– Thomas Jefferson
Success is Local
Success requires leadership that listens to the pulse of the community. Local government needs to be shaped by civility and collaboration in order to maximize the potential of our people.
As a business owner & pastor, I am excited to communicate our vision for Sedgwick County and demonstrate a plan that enhances quality of life in our community. These conversations will be focused on our economy, quality of life investment and the appropriate function of our local government.
Work in the Community
Here are a few ways we give back to our community with links for you to join in!
Love Schools
The heart of this organization is to pair local businesses with local schools in order to meet strategic needs and supply resources.
Foster Care Advocate
I have worked with selective organizations to help raise awareness of the foster care crisis in our community.
Firm Foundation Ministries
This organization provides transitional housing and reintegration skills training for individuals leaving correctional facilities.
The Mattress hub
We have strategically partnered with local schools and organizations to donate beds to children in need.
Very grateful for these firefighters from Sedgwick County Fire District 1 and Wichita Fire Department. This could have been a significant tragedy if not for their excellent work and partnership on scene.
BRAVO!
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Fire District 1 is investigating a house fire in Park City
www.kake.com
Sedgwick County Fire District 1 is investigating a house fire that left six family members trapped and a firefighter in harm’s way in Park City Friday morning.1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Just shy of 1.5” of glorious rain at Casa de la Baty! … See MoreSee Less
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Every other month leadership from the County and the 20 cities in Sedgwick County gather to talk through a variety of topics. This sort of collaboration is incredibly valuable! … See MoreSee Less
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Grassroots organizations are powerful tools to advance ideas and express frustrations. Leading Kansas is a local movement that has become very active over the last year, so I engaged Katy Tyndell with a simple question – is it possible to maintain the organization's goal of staying non partisan? There are areas where we found agreement, and areas where we have differing opinions, but I enjoyed the entire conversation and encourage you to listen to the full podcast on my website and YouTube channel. … See MoreSee Less
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Q: What did you do today?
A: Hung out with a Rock LEGEND! 🎸
Joe Walsh is a humble man who is giving back to Veterans in a real way. It’s been an honor to have him back home in Wichita! … See MoreSee Less
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Leading Kansas Co-Founder, Katy Tyndell, joined me for a robust conversation around individual rights and free speech. She talked about her concerns today, and I referenced similar concerns about the previous Administration's actions. It was a fascinating back and forth. We have to elevate the Constitution, especially in difficult times, as the ultimate compass for our decisions and activities. Listen to the full podcast on my website and YouTube channel. … See MoreSee Less
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Sedgwick County Drug Court is an intensive 18-24 month program. This is one of two speciality courts we host in our District Court — the other being Veteran’s Court.
There have been 485 graduates of this program and the testimonies are powerful! One common theme we hear, over and over, is the value of work. Corrections and Court staff make it a requirement to find and maintain employment, and we see how work brings incredible dignity and value to an individual as they pursue recovery.
⬇️⬇️CONGRATULATIONS! These four have graduated from the Sedgwick County Drug Court, an opportunity which provides them with resources, tools, and accountability to be successful on probation and in the community by addressing their underlying substance use disorder.
www.kwch.com/2025/11/14/4-graduates-celebrate-completion-sedgwick-county-drug-court-program/ #kwch12 … See MoreSee Less
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Joe Walsh is the REAL deal. Thank you for honoring our Veterans. We are excited for the VetsAid concert this Saturday, November 15th! … See MoreSee Less
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God showing off tonight. 🙌 … See MoreSee Less
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