Sedgwick County projects steady levy, warns of falling investment income as budget hearings open

Sedgwick County budget staff on May 1 laid out a multi-year financial forecast that keeps the county’s mill levy unchanged while flagging falling investment income and continuing pressure from public-safety and state-mandated program costs.

Laurian, the county budget director, told the Board the forecast is a planning tool separate from the formal spending limit: "The forecast is a planning tool...the budget it's a maximum spending limit in a given fund for one year." The forecast assumes a stable mill levy of 27.567 mills and models 4% assumed valuation capture for 2027–2031.

The forecast notes several specific commitments and changes: a $2 million transfer each year from the general fund to the arena fund starting in 2027; restored zoo capital funding of $400,000 beginning in 2027; and $27.1 million in cash-funded capital projects through 2030 (with a $5 million placeholder in 2031). Technology Review Board projects totaling $41.7 million are included across forecast years.

Staff also warned that investment income—above $17 million in 2025—was modeled to decline to roughly $9.7 million by 2031. "Anything that we collect over what we think will eventually be our final rate, we do consider that to be one-time income," Laurian said, urging commissioners to treat such receipts cautiously.

Commissioners were reminded the hearings are for departments to present decision packages; pay pools, updated health insurance, retirement and workers' compensation figures will be incorporated into the recommended budget later. Key calendar dates: the budget simulator runs through June 7; June 16 is the last day for changes into the recommended budget; the recommended budget will be presented July 15; and the revenue-neutral-rate hearing and budget adoption are scheduled for Aug. 26.

The sheriff—who presented later in the hearing—said public-safety needs remain acute, listing nine county touch-points for safety services and noting recruitment and medical costs as ongoing stressors. He also told commissioners his office had no decision packages for the hearings: "We have none," he said.

Next steps: staff will post the recommended budget when it is available on July 15 and hold online and in-person hearings before final adoption on Aug. 26.