Local Government Archives – The Wichita Beacon

The city of Wichita is searching for a new police chief. (Fernando Salazar/The Beacon)

Local Government

Here’s what the community-led search committee is looking for in a new Wichita police chief

by Celia Hack June 24, 2022June 23, 2022

Editor’s note: Faith Martin and Harvey Sorensen are donors to The Wichita Beacon. Michael Birzer is a member of The Wichita Beacon’s Community Advisory Board. View a list of our financial supporters here. As the Wichita Police Department reels from a scandal regarding racist text messages sent by Wichita police officers and faces a lawsuit […]

The City Council voted to condemn and demolish this property just west of Interstate 135 and Central Avenue on June 14. (Alex Unruh/The Beacon)

Local Government

Wichita allocates additional $100K to fund demolition of dangerous and dilapidated properties

by Celia Hack June 21, 2022June 22, 2022

Homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for financial assistance for mortgage and property tax payments from a new statewide fund. (Alex Unruh/The Beacon)

Local Government

Kansas has $56 million to help homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage following pandemic

by Celia Hack June 15, 2022June 15, 2022

Mayor Brandon Whipple and Wichita City Council members Brandon Johnson, Becky Tuttle, Mike Hoheisel, Jeff Blubaugh, Bryan Frye and Maggie Ballard shared their top budget priorities for the upcoming 2023-24 budget, which they will vote on in August. (Photos courtesy city of Wichita)

Local Government

Animal control, paved streets, water fountains: What City Council members want in the 2023 budget

by Celia Hack June 13, 2022June 13, 2022

Reggie Davidson, recreation superintendent for the Park and Recreation Department, won the Excellence in Public Service Award from the city of Wichita this year. (Alex Unruh/The Beacon)

Wichitans You Should Know

Why Reggie Davidson is the city of Wichita’s 2022 Public Service Award winner

by Celia Hack June 13, 2022June 13, 2022

Sedgwick County Commissioners Pete Meitzner, Sarah Lopez, David Dennis, Lacey Cruse and Jim Howell shared their top budget priorities for the upcoming 2023-24 budget, which they will vote on in August. (Photos courtesy Sedgwick County)

Local Government

Five out of five Sedgwick County commissioners agree: Employee pay a top budget priority

by Celia Hack June 8, 2022

Joseph “J.W.” Harris leads a cooking class at his apartment in The Studios, a complex aimed at people experiencing homelessness. (Fernando Salazar/The Beacon)

Wichitans You Should Know

‘Don’t treat them different’: One formerly homeless Wichitan on what the city needs

by Celia Hack June 7, 2022June 16, 2022

Jonathan Marr, deputy director for Sedgwick County Emergency Management, won this year’s Excellence in Public Service Award for Sedgwick County. (Alex Unruh/The Beacon)

Wichitans You Should Know

Why Jonathan Marr is Sedgwick County’s 2022 Public Service Award winner

by Celia Hack May 31, 2022

A vacant lot in Wichita

Local Government

It’s been a year. What has Wichita’s land bank accomplished so far?

by Celia Hack May 23, 2022

A much-discussed topic in negotiations for the 2022 city budget was the 2022-2031 capital improvement program, which set aside $20.3 million to replace six of Wichita’s 22 fire stations. (Alex Unruh/The Beacon)

Local Government

Wichita’s budget passes in August. Here’s how you can get involved in shaping it now.

by Celia Hack May 20, 2022June 29, 2022