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.
Watch On:
View All
Change for the Better
Your pocket change fuels community change. Donate today.
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.
God showing off tonight. 🙌 … See MoreSee Less
19 CommentsComment on Facebook
The American Dream is only possible because of the sacrifices of the American soldier. 🇺🇸
Today, we honor all who have served. Thank you. A personal note of appreciation to the veterans in my own family that have served their country — my Grandfather and my Father.
God bless our veterans and protect those in active service. … See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
The newest Common Sense Podcast episode is now LIVE! I had a great conversation with Leading Kansas co-founder, Katy Tyndell, about their grassroots movement that hopes to encourage more civic engagement across our state. There are things we find agreement on, and areas where we don't, but I always enjoy the opportunity to engage other perspectives — and Katy was gracious to join me and have a good faith discussion. The full episode is on my website and YouTube channel. … See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
The most recent election had an 11.5% turnout across our county. We need to find ways to civically engage our citizens and encourage them to get involved at all levels of their government. Society needs more civic communication, not less, which is why I'm always eager to sit down and talk with people from all sides of the political spectrum. Hear my full conversation with Leading Kansas co-founder, Katy Tyndell, on my podcast tomorrow. … See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
The annual Cuffs vs. Axes Charity Boxing Classic was a fun night with friends supporting our first responders. This event grows larger each year and the great people at Park City Arena are terrific hosts!
Great boxing
Supporting local heroes
And finding a puppy a loving home! 👍 … See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
I'm always looking for opportunities to engage the public in conversation. When I walked into a Town Hall Meeting back in June, and noticed over half the people in the room were from one organization, I became curious as to what is motivating this group to get engaged. My recent podcast guest is the co-founder of Leading Kansas, Katy Tyndell. We talk about issues from both sides of the aisle, and dive deeper into what is driving people to join their grassroots movement. Full podcast episode will be out Monday. … See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Life update — I’ve recently had to get reading glasses. It all makes sense when I see the stacks of paperwork I’ve yet to file from the last few months. It’s not my aging eyes… it’s the workload. 😉🤓 … See MoreSee Less
24 CommentsComment on Facebook
Yesterday, we issued a Proclamation of Sedgwick County declaring Gathered Strong Day.
The room was full of energy and optimism. Organizations like Gathered are working hard on behalf of foster kids and families — to reform a system that is missing the mark.
We see your work, Gathered. Thank you. These superhero’s and others like them that are standing in the gaps for vulenerale kids are MY PEOPLE!
Learn more ➡️ gatheredstrong.com … See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations to all the candidates that prevailed in our local elections.
I have friends that won last night and friends that lost. There were good, well intentioned, people up and down the ballot. I'm grateful there are people that care enough about our community to throw their hat in the ring and advance ideas. It takes courage.
The government that impacts your life most directly is on the local level. We should talk about that 11.5% turnout and how we better engage our family, friends and neighbors. … See MoreSee Less
www.facebook.com
Send a message to learn more16 CommentsComment on Facebook