In Wichita, civic boards and commissions have a litany of powers. The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission — considered the most powerful advisory board in the city — can recommend whether a residential block can be turned into a parking lot. The Board of Park Commissioners can recommend that the city acquire new land for a park. […]
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
Wichita’s boards and commissions underrepresent women and people of color. Here’s how the city plans to change that.
When Shala Perez began serving on city, county, state and national advisory boards in 2009, she was often the only woman and person of color in the room. Having worked in law enforcement — including the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, the Bel Aire Police Department and the Mulvane Police Department — Perez was accustomed to this. But […]
Posted inDIY Democracy, Local Government
Have your voice heard: How to participate in Sedgwick County government meetings
A $484 million annual budget. $45 million in annual capital improvements. Over $100 million in COVID relief funds. These are the dollars a Sedgwick County resident can influence by participating in Sedgwick County Commission meetings. Here’s how. Where to find Sedgwick County meeting times and locations The county posts meeting dates, times and locations up […]
Posted inLea en Español, Local Government
Asista y hable: Cómo participar en el proceso de gobierno de Wichita
Todos los días, el gobierno de la ciudad de Wichita toma decisiones sobre una lista de temas: seguridad pública, parques y espacios verdes, y reglas de zonificación, por nombrar algunos. Entonces, ¿cómo puede usted asegurarse de que su voz sea escuchada en estos asuntos? The Wichita Beacon creó esta guía para ver, asistir y participar […]
Posted inDIY Democracy, Local Government
Showing up and speaking up: How to participate in Wichita city government meetings
Every day, Wichita’s city government makes decisions about a litany of topics: public safety, parks and green space, and zoning rules, to name a few. So how can you make sure your voice is heard on these matters? The Wichita Beacon created this guide to watching, attending and participating in city government meetings. Where to […]
Posted inLocal Government
Most local Wichita elections see single-digit turnouts. What made 2021 so different?
At Riverside Christian Church on the morning of Nov. 2, the line to vote stretched almost out the door. The parking lot buzzed with cars bringing voters to exercise their civic duty. On the ballot: not a president, state representatives or senators, nor even a mayor. Just three Wichita City Council races and four Wichita Board of […]
Posted inLocal Government
‘It wasn’t professional’: Leadership the No. 1 reason employees left Sedgwick County, survey finds
When Andrew Benson was promoted to a supervisor position at Sedgwick County Emergency Communications in 2017, it wasn’t a position he expected to leave after just two years. “I thought it could be a real career path for me,” Benson said. “Where I was doing good in the world.” As his colleagues took 911 calls […]
Posted inLocal Government
‘A lot of mystery behind the true donors’: Who are the LLCs donating to Wichita City Council candidates?
As Wichita City Council candidates face off in elections that end Tuesday, their latest campaign filings show that corporate contributions played a significant role in the general election — just as they did in the primary. Voters are casting ballots in three races — Districts 1, 3 and 6. Corporate or LLC donations totaled 18% to […]
Posted inEducation, Local Government
Young people are some of the least likely to vote. These young Wichitans are working to change that.
Dione Ramos didn’t think her first time voting would be special. She certainly didn’t expect a live band, a DJ blaring Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello, free tacos and recognition of first-time voters. But that’s what Vote Mob provided on Oct. 26. The annual celebration of voting is organized by local youth-led civic engagement group […]
Posted inLocal Government
Behind the boil advisory: How Wichita maintains its water pipes and where it failed
When a 36-hour boil advisory wreaked havoc in Wichita on Oct. 7 and 8, Alan King, the city’s public works director, wanted to make one thing clear. “This was a failure of the distribution system,” he said. In other words, the boil advisory came about as the result of a water main break in the […]