Local Leadership
Decision made: I am seeking re-election in 2026.
Four years ago, I expressed very specific goals that I wanted to accomplish in our community, and since the day I took my oath of office, I have never forgotten who it is I work for, the citizens of my district and the people of Sedgwick County. As I ask for your support, again, it’s important that I demonstrate how I have worked to deliver on the things I pledged to do in my first term.
Common Sense Podcast
On this episode of “Common Sense” host Ryan Baty sits down with youth advocate, mentor, and community leader Adan Grimaldo for an eye-opening discussion on the realities facing vulnerable youth in Sedgwick County. Drawing from Adan Grimaldo’s personal journey from gang involvement and behavioral health struggles to powerful transformation, the conversation dives deep into the root causes of youth violence, the foster care crisis, and the community’s role in reversing dangerous trends among local kids.
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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.
Responsible Growth
Healthy communities are growing communities, and when we consider growth throughout a county that is becoming more urbanized, we need to implement smart policy around issues like rural water, roads and prioritizing infill development. We also need to look at our future workforce and how we best partner with our school districts and our area colleges to leverage what we do at the County and support their efforts in preparing the next generation of stakeholders in our economy. Sedgwick County deserves leadership that understands where we are today, but also prepares us for our future.
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.
Well then…. 😂 … See MoreSee Less
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Special thanks to leadership from Kansas Water Office for hosting a local consult meeting in Wichita.
After the consult, I hosted Director Carolyn McGinn and staff at Sedgwick County offices for an extensive conversation around our rural water concerns and how we best position ourselves for responsible growth.
They acknowledged — we have a problem that needs solved.
In many parts of our county, a farmer can’t be granted an irrigation permit because the State knows there is not a secure well water source for that area.
But…. That same property owner can develop that track of land with 100+ homes, all dependent on domestic wells, and individuals building their homes on those lots are unaware of water challenges in the area.
Could you imagine building your dream home and not having access to water?
We are looking at ways to mitigate those issues and ensure that dependable water is a primary focus for rural developers.
More to come…. Soon! … See MoreSee Less
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Today, we will adopt a 2027 Budget for Sedgwick County Government. This process begins in February and touches every piece of an organization that spans across 48 departments and nearly 3000 employees.
Allocating resources in a budget is the most important thing we do as a Commissioner. Public safety, public health, public works, cultural assets, programming — on and on. There are a lot of needs in our community and I’ve never forgotten that I represent PEOPLE and FAMILIES in this process.
I have focused on the following strategic objectives since taking this seat in 2023:
✔️Staffing Stability for Sedgwick County
✔️Responsible Growth
✔️Modernization of Local Government
✔️Reducing our dependence on Property Taxes
✔️The last point is worth an additional note….
Working class families and seniors on fixed income are hurting. Inflation over the last 5 years has stretched many people beyond capacity — and they cannot sustain the growing cost of their government. It’s a cold, hard FACT.
I see and hear you.
Are there needs? Absolutely. We have to try and scale our public safety response in order to meet modern challenges, BUT, that investment has to come at a pace that our people can actually afford. I believe the County will continue to demonstrate how local government can achieve a working balance between scaling core services while reducing property tax dependence on our citizens. We CAN do both.
I will provide updates once this budget gets across the finish line.
Questions or feedback? … See MoreSee Less
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Standing alongside our local ranchers and cattle producers.
We know, firsthand, the challenges of drought and inflation — and how our ranchers have stayed the course for over a decade in order to provide the best quality beef and feed our nation. 🇺🇸 … See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it’s been deleted.11 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations CAPTAIN Arnold! 👏 … See MoreSee Less
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Northwest Expressway Update 🚧
Why do I care so much about NW Expressway? I absolutely believe this project will unlock a wave of economic development, safer and more effective roads, and more efficient transportation of freight.
But for me, it’s beyond the opportunity. It’s about being a good steward of the taxpayer.
For nearly 30 years, the taxpayer has invested nearly $30 million and has acquired close to 40% of the land designated in the established protective overlay. Prime real estate that could be developed sits idle while we continue to wait for a project that has no clear timeline.
To let a project stagnate, after so much taxpayer investment, has never been acceptable to me — so I will keep pushing for progress.
I’m grateful KDOT is conducting a study and moving the ball forward. Although I’m frustrated at the delay, I’m eager to see details soon. … See MoreSee Less
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My people!
Spent the lunch hour with the Advocates in Communities Team (ACT) of South Central Kansas. This group is mostly Mom’s with children who have special needs and they advocate for system reforms and supports for those with IDD and complex behavioral needs.
I provided updates on a program we are launching called START Services Model and the efforts to get crisis stabilization and respite care in our community.
The number of individuals that classify as dual diagnosed — mental health disorder and intellectual/development disorder — is growing and the service network is not equipped.
I hope to fix that.
Want to learn more?
centerforstartservices.com/START-Model … See MoreSee Less
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Happiest of Birthdays to our very own Lynda Baker!
If you call or visit the Commission office, it’s Lynda that you talk to — and for those that have contacted your Commissioner you know Lynda is kind, smart, organized and has a heart to serve people. She makes our office and our lives run smoothly.
We love and appreciate you, LB!
Only downfall…. She’s a Cubs fan. 😉 … See MoreSee Less
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As a young entrepreneur, I was given advice that has been a useful guide for decision making in elected office. It’s simple and profound. ⬇️
“Never let personal pride stand in the way of doing what’s right.”
There are several decisions on the horizon that will require a principled stand and a good dose of moral courage. It will be easy to let pride and politics influence decisions and votes.
One thing is for sure — I will never compromise the safety of our people and the proper stewardship of their tax dollars.
Mediocrity is always invisible until someone with passion and vision shows up to expose it. 🎯 … See MoreSee Less
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