For decades, the Sedgwick County Jail has been overcrowded. A federal lawsuit in 1986 that capped the jail population and required a plan to deal with overcrowding at the facility was only the start. Since, multiple expansions and facilities have been built in an attempt to alleviate the numbers. But throughout 2021, the jail continued […]
Local Government
The latest news about local government in Wichita and Sedgwick County, and how it affects your community, from The Wichita Beacon.
Posted inLocal Government
From tall grass to tires, here’s how Wichita handles over 10,000 nuisance complaints a year
From a lawn with grass 12 inches too high to vacant homes with broken windows, the city of Wichita’s Neighborhood Inspections division takes complaints about major and minor neighborhood nuisances. For some residents, what appear to be minor code violations can hint at more serious issues. Aujanae Bennett, president of the neighborhood association in Northeast […]
Posted inLocal Government
Five questions with Wichita’s two new incoming council members
This November, a shake-up to the Wichita City Council was clinched by the election of two political newcomers. Wichita’s City Council District 6 elected Maggie Ballard, defeating one-term incumbent Cindy Claycomb with 55% of the vote. Wichita’s City Council District 3 elected Mike Hoheisel, defeating nine-month incumbent Jared Cerullo with 50% of the vote. The […]
Posted inLocal Government
Accomplishments, regrets, advice from Wichita’s outgoing City Council members
Nearly four years ago, Wichita City Council member Cindy Claycomb was sworn into her seat after winning a landslide election for her District 6 seat. Nearly nine months ago, City Council member Jared Cerullo took office after the existing council appointed him, in a 4-to-2 vote, to fill a vacant District 3 seat. Now, Claycomb […]
Posted inLocal Government
What eliminating the food tax could mean for Wichitans
In early November, Gov. Laura Kelly announced a major initiative: “Axe the Food Tax.” The plan would eliminate the state sales tax on groceries. Efforts to squash or reduce this 6.5% tax on food items have been ongoing since at least 2015. But with the opposing parties both signaling their support for removing the tax, […]
Posted inLocal Government
Why has Wichita removed 189 bus stops in 2021?
When Cindy Coss picked Dodge Literacy Magnet Elementary for her son, a huge draw was the bus stop three blocks away from the school. “‘It was like, ‘Yay,’” Coss said, when they learned of the bus stop at Maple and Bebe streets. Coss can’t drive due to epilepsy. She relies on the city bus system […]
Posted inLocal Government
‘It hasn’t gotten the focus and attention it should’: How Sedgwick County redistricting will impact Hispanic residents
Araceli Amador is concerned about Sedgwick County’s redistricting process. She’s worried that her community, largely made up of Spanish speakers in southwest Wichita, has not been sufficiently included in the county’s redistricting efforts. The process began in the fall and concludes with a vote on the final maps Wednesday. The result will be new boundaries […]
Posted inLocal Government
An affordable housing fund is on the horizon in Wichita. Here’s what that means.
December Markham’s kids grew up in the house she rents from the city of Wichita. Over the years, though, she’s seen it deteriorate. An unreliable heater. Flooring that is starting to peel, revealing nails that threaten her feet. She’s concerned that mold is growing on her bedroom wall. “I like my house,” Markham said. “There’s […]
Posted inLocal Government
Why $161 million in local COVID relief still hasn’t been spent
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Heartspring — a nonprofit that provides services and education to children with special needs and developmental disabilities — spent $109,000 on personal protective equipment and cleaning equipment. They paid $1.24 million in COVID-related personnel costs. They’ve also lost $170,000 to rescheduled, modified or canceled events and $2.12 million in revenue when the […]
Posted inLocal Government
Wichita has 23 vacant or expired board and commission appointments. That means one board can’t operate.
Nearly six months after the City Council passed its ethics policy, the Ethics Advisory Board meant to enforce it has yet to do any investigating. That’s not because there hasn’t been anything to consider. It’s because City Council members have yet to appoint a full board. In Wichita, there is no legal requirement to fill […]