County reports strong investment returns and rising Comcare revenue; fund balances remain above policy

Sedgwick County’s unaudited fourth‑quarter financial update for 2025 showed generally stable fiscal performance, strong investment returns and notable increases in behavioral‑health fee revenue, county budget staff told commissioners on Feb. 4.

Deputy CFO Brent Shelton said the county ended 2025 with a $111 million general‑fund balance, exceeding the county’s 20% policy minimum (about $66 million). A year‑over‑year reduction in total fund balances (about $37.2 million) reflected capital encumbrances tied to construction at the state mental health hospital and timing of ARPA (federal stimulus) reimbursement flows, Shelton said. Investment income for 2025 totaled $20.3 million, with a fourth‑quarter contribution of $7.2 million as the county’s portfolio outperformed its benchmark.

Comcare and Medicaid revenue: Shelton highlighted a substantial increase in Comcare fee revenue under the PPS‑1 Medicaid billing model, which has lifted fee‑for‑service receipts and strengthened the behavioral‑health fund. Commissioners noted that these funds are intended to be deployed back into services and that staff is working on guidance for a target fund balance and spending plan.

Other notes: The financial update reviewed personnel costs, one‑time software upgrades and planned capital projects (detention facility improvements, Comcare crisis‑center expansion, several bridge and road projects). Staff also noted fiscal pressures outside the county’s control, including state legislative changes and interest‑rate uncertainty.

Board action: After questions from commissioners about specific funds (opioid‑settlement and auto‑license funds), the board voted to receive and file the quarterly report.

— Article provenance: Financial presentation begins at SEG 3054 and the receive-and-file vote occurs around SEG 3677–3688.