Sedgwick county government

Wichita arena lands a whopper

October 30, 2009

The Intrust Bank Arena in downtown Wichita has landed NCAA women’s basketball first- and second-round tournament games in 2011.

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Low NBA attendance in Wichita danger sign for Intrust Bank Arena

October 14, 2009

The Intrust Bank Arena management firm SMG must be wondering what it bit off in Wichita. Last night NBA professional basketball players put sneaker to floor in Wichita for the first time in 14 years, and only an estimated 8,000 fans showed up.

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Welshimer files for re-election to Sedgwick County Commission

October 9, 2009

Today, Sedgwick County Commissioner Gwen Welshimer filed for re-election to her position as a member of the commission. Her statement is below.

Welshimer, a Democrat, is so far the only candidate in that party. There are three Republicans who have either filed or are considering filing.

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Sedgwick County Commission asked to make more meeting information available

October 7, 2009

Today citizen Susan Morse of Bentley addressed the Sedgwick County Commission, asking that additional information about commission meetings be made available on the county’s website.

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Wichita downtown arena parking promises not fulfilled

September 30, 2009

In 2004, as residents of Sedgwick County were considering whether to vote for a sales tax to fund the downtown Wichita arena (now known as the Intrust Bank Arena and nearly ready to open), people wondered about parking.

So on a campaign literature piece, the arena supporters made this claim: “With the proposed garage structures, more than 10,000 parking spaces will be available within a three-block radius of the Arena (compared with the Coliseum’s 4,500 spaces.)”

Today, on the eve of the arena’s opening, these parking garages don’t exist.

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Betty Arnold’s Sedgwick County Commission race: running uphill

September 27, 2009

Last week Betty Arnold, a member of the board of USD 259, the Wichita public school district declared her intent to be a candidate for the Sedgwick County Commission. She’ll be running for the spot currently held by Dave Unruh, who has already filed for re-election.

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Lutz, Hanson, Fahnestock owe Wichita an apology

September 24, 2009

In the campaign for the sales tax to build the downtown Wichita arena (Intrust Bank Arena), the idea of hosting NCAA men’s basketball games was promoted as something that would happen if voters approved the arena.

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More local government 101 in Wichita

September 6, 2009

Here’s a message from John Todd about additional training provided by Americans For Prosperity.

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Wichita Eagle reporting, headlining discussed by commissioners

August 26, 2009

In today’s meeting of the Sedgwick County Commission, Wichita Eagle reporting and editorializing was the subject of an off-agenda item.

Commissioner Gwen Welshimer used this opportunity to read into the record part of a press release she issued yesterday. The entire press release is at the end of this article.

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The bridges of Sedgwick County are well marked

August 20, 2009

Even though they’re large and, in some cases bright bronze, you might not notice them as you drive by. Slow down a little, and you’ll see that bridges in Sedgwick County boast handsome commemorative plaques.

These plaques serve a useful purpose. They display essential information such as the name of the bridge, the year of its construction, the bridge’s inventory number, and the load standard to which the bridge was built.

But the rest of the information, particularly the names of the county commissioners, is superfluous.

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Wichita downtown arena parking problem

August 8, 2009

The Wichita Eagle editorial written by Rhonda Holman on June 29, 2009 now claims that the new Intrust Arena in downtown Wichita lacks adequate parking. This is a major change by the Eagle editorial board’s position. I have repeatedly asked county staff about the available parking in and around this soon-to-open facility since I became a commissioner in January. I have been repeatedly told by county staff that adequate parking will be available when the Intrust Arena opens next year. The most recent public assurance I have received was only a few days ago.

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Wichita Child Advocacy Center still in business, despite headline

August 8, 2009

A headline in the Thursday August 6, 2009 Wichita Eagle is a little bit misleading: “Sedgwick County budget saves pavilions, denies site for abused kids.”

Recognizing that the reporter who wrote the story probably didn’t write the headline, the fact is that the Sedgwick County Commission didn’t deny a site for the Child Advocacy Center. This Center is still operating. What happened at the meeting is that the county commission declined to grant a last-minute request for funding that would improve the Center’s office quarters.

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Sedgwick County seeks Kansas Coliseum developer

August 3, 2009

Sedgwick County is looking to unload itself of responsibility for running the Kansas Coliseum and surrounding facilities such as the pavilions. It has issued a Request for Proposal to that effect.

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Sedgwick County Manager Bill Buchanan should be dismissed

July 22, 2009

Last year a political science professor, a keen observer of Kansas politics, told me that city or county managers shouldn’t be in office more than four or five years. After that, he said, they gain too much power. They know too much: all the secrets, where the bodies are buried. Think of J. Edgar Hoover and his reign, which is what it was.

If managers are to serve their councils or commissions — instead of the other way around — sometimes a change needs to be made, just for the sake of change.

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Sedgwick County Commissioner Unruh to speak

July 14, 2009

At this Friday’s meeting of the Wichita Pachyderm Club, Sedgwick County Commissioner Dave Unruh will speak.

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Sedgwick County checkbook now open

July 8, 2009

Those interested in the finances and spending of Sedgwick County now have more information available.

The county checkbook website is at Sedgwick County checkbook. I’ve looked at it, and like a lot of these things, it takes a little practice and experimentation to find what you want.

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Sedgwick County solid waste fee criticized

June 19, 2009

Today’s by Rhonda Holman is a two-fer. Two issues for the price of one column, and two issues she’s wrong on.

She criticizes Commissioner Karl Peterjohn and Board Chairman Kelly Parks for the opposition of a solid waste management fee that would add a relatively small amount to property tax bills.

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Sedgwick County transparency effort delayed

June 19, 2009

This week Sedgwick County was scheduled to debut its financial transparency website. Based on the preview I briefly saw, this system will allow citizens to explore county revenue and spending in detail.

Evidently, the system presents too much detail. The rollout was delayed due to an issue brought up by the Sheriff, having to do with names of undercover officers being exposed.

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The empty arena

June 4, 2009

Kansas City’s Sprint Center (that’s their new downtown arena) is suffering from underuse. The Atlantic article The Empty Arena tells the story. Its subtitle is “If you build it, they might not come.” Despite being managed by a well-connected and experienced management group, no professional basketball or hockey team has moved in.

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Sedgwick County keeps lease agreement secret

June 1, 2009

A few months ago in March, SMG, the company that is managing the Intrust Bank Arena (formerly known as the downtown Wichita arena) signed a lease with the Wichita Thunder Hockey team.

Details of that lease weren’t made available to the public. Not to Sedgwick County Commissioners, either. So the public and even elected government officials don’t know anything about this contract, except for its term of five years.

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Sedgwick County industrial park presentation available

May 26, 2009

Last week’s meeting of the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners featured a presentation by Chris Chronis, Chief Financial Officer for Sedgwick County. Now his presentation is available to the public.

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Lack of information clouds Sedgwick County industrial park plans

May 21, 2009

At yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners, questions about a proposed industrial park development reveal that there’s still a long way to go before all issues are uncovered, much less understood.

At the meeting, Chris Chronis, Chief Financial Officer for Sedgwick County, presented information and responded to questions. While Mr. Chronis was thorough in some areas, even some basic information and understanding is missing.

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Sedgwick County industrial park chasing uncertain industries

May 21, 2009

Sedgwick County is considering becoming a developer of an industrial park. The county is limiting itself to deals described as a “home run,” meaning a company that plans to hire more than 1,000 workers.

The problem is that there are few of these deals each year. Maybe just five to eight. But Sedgwick County’s policy makes those odds even worse.

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Sedgwick County land development will harm private sector

May 20, 2009

As Sedgwick County considers whether to enter the industrial land development business, there are many considerations that must be weighed before proceeding. My greatest concern is the impact that government land development will have on the private sector in Wichita. … Government has advantages that the private sector doesn’t. It has access to free capital. It can give away land to companies. It can forgive future taxes. It can offer free infrastructure.

The effect of this will be to drive the private sector out of the new industrial real estate market.

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Sedgwick County needs to slow down, deliberate land purchase

May 18, 2009

Sedgwick County seems to be in a rush to make a huge decision that will have far-reaching and long-lasting effects on our county. We don’t have, however, anywhere near all the information we need to make this decision. We need to slow down and decide what role we want to have county government play in economic development.

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Sedgwick County industrial park requires scrutiny

May 15, 2009

At Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners, a seemingly innocent item appeared on the meeting agenda.

Titled simply “LAND PURCHASE CONTRACT — Presented by Chris Chronis, CFO” and accompanied by a recommendation to approve the contract, this item might have slipped public notice if not for Dion Lefler’s Wichita Eagle story the day before.

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I am now part of the system

May 14, 2009

At yesterday’s meeting of the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners, my nomination to become a member of the county board of zoning appeals was approved. I received a handsome certificate and some recognition for my blogging and activism.

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Sedgwick County land purchase raises questions

May 13, 2009

Wichita Eagle newspaper stories from summer 2003 tell of the City of Bel Aire‘s plans for an industrial park. Today Sedgwick County may purchase this land from the small city.

This item, described on the agenda — at least I think this is the item — simply as “Land purchase contract” has assumed a sense of urgency.

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Today I may become part of the system

May 13, 2009

At today’s meeting of the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners, my nomination to become a member of the Sedgwick County Board of Zoning Appeals is on the agenda.

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More money to Wichita government

April 9, 2009

A letter in today’s Wichita Eagle places a lot of faith on things not yet seen, and in things we know don’t work.

“I think it is dumb that people are complaining about the new Intrust Bank Arena. It will bring money and tourists to Wichita, not to mention great entertainment. That means more money brought to our government, and that’s a good thing. — Caleb Beeson, Wichita”

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On the wall of Karl Peterjohn’s office

March 25, 2009

Earlier this week I stopped by the Sedgwick County Courthouse to visit with newly-elected commissioner Karl Peterjohn. Next month I’ll have a feature about Peterjohn’s first few months in office. Until then, here’s a photograph I took of a cartoon that hangs on the wall of his office (click to view a larger version):

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Wichita downtown arena contract seems to require Sedgwick County approval

March 20, 2009

Sedgwick County, owner of the Intrust Bank Arena (the downtown Wichita arena), has a five-year contract with SMG that outsources the management of the arena.

Yesterday, SMG announced a 10.5 year lease with the Wichita Thunder hockey team. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, and SMG is resisting their release, as explained in Wichita Eagle reporting referred to in my post Wichita downtown arena open records failure.

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Wichita downtown arena open records failure

March 20, 2009

Yesterday, the company that manages the Intrust Bank Arena (the downtown Wichita arena) announced a lease with the arena’s flagship tenant, the Wichita Thunder hockey team. But we don’t know the details of the lease. Unbelievably, some Sedgwick County Commissioners and managers are okay with that.

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Wichita downtown arena costs increases start

March 5, 2009

The Intrust Bank Arena, better known as the downtown Wichita arena, is adding $2 to the cost of a ticket for hockey games once the arena opens. (Cost of tickets at Intrust Bank Arena increased by facility fee, March 5, 2009 Wichita Eagle)

We shouldn’t be surprised at this. Expect more price increases.

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Sedgwick County Courthouse Message

February 22, 2009

The people of Sedgwick County may drive by or enter their courthouse without seeing and contemplating the message above its doors. Here’s a photograph I took. The message reads: “Free and independent courts for a free and independent people.”

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Who Makes the Money in Sedgwick County?

February 11, 2009

Here’s a story sent to me by a friend. A local, newly elected official went to his church late in 2008 in Sedgwick County to pick up some family members. When he went in, he saw two deputy sheriffs and a third person at the information desk in the church’s atrium. This official knew one [...]

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Derby Reporter Gives Up

February 6, 2009

The Wichita Business Journal reports that the Derby Reporter is going out of business. (Derby newspaper shutting down) The cause of this is attributed to Sedgwick County’s recent decision to print its legal notices in the Wichita Eagle instead of the Derby newspaper. This quaint practice of publishing legal notices in newspapers is mandated by [...]

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Arena Seating Upgrade Illustrates Problem

February 5, 2009

Once we’ve started down this road, it’s hard to turn back. I’m referring to the $1.7 million that the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners approved for upgrades to the seating in the downtown Wichita arena. Evidently there’s a new type of raised seating that makes for a better audience experience for those seated on the [...]

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Downtown Wichita Arena Spire. Wow.

February 3, 2009

Here’s a photograph I took of the spire on the Intrust Bank Arena now under construction in downtown Wichita. You may be excused for confusing it with a non-functional flagpole. There was actually a ceremony surrounding the raising of this pole. Here’s what one Wichita Eagle letter-writer thought of the spire and Sedgwick County Commissioners. [...]

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Bob Hanson of Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission Speaks to Sedgwick County Commissioners

January 26, 2009

At the January 21, 2009 meeting of the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners, Bob Hanson, President/CEO of the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission addressed the commission. We have to step back and wonder why it’s necessary to occupy the time of the Sedgwick County Commissioners and the people of the county who pay attention to [...]

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Parks’ Selection as Sedgwick County Commission Chair Breaks Tradition

January 14, 2009

In a move that suggests that there may be some change in the way things are done in the Sedgwick County Courthouse, Kelly Parks was selected as chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for the next year. No other name was placed in nomination. Then, Gwen Welshimer was selected as chairmen pro tem, again [...]

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