Jim's Writings

For years, Sedgwick County has worked to keep government lean and property taxes low. In fact, we've lowered the county's mill levy three years in a row—putting real money back into taxpayers' pockets. That's what good fiscal stewardship should look like.

But here's the frustrating part - under Kansas law, when we cut property taxes, we also lose part of our share of countywide sales tax revenue. Yes, you read that right. When we act responsibly and lower your property taxes, the state's formula takes away some of the sales tax that helps fund local services.

The countywide 1% sales tax, approved by voters in 1985, was designed to benefit both Sedgwick County and its 20 cities. In the past year, Wichita received approximately $90 million from this fund, while Sedgwick County retained about $40 million. These revenues have reduced the county's property tax rate by more than 5 mills and Wichita's by about 18 mills—providing Wichita property owners with a combined reduction of at least 23 mills. In Derby, the 2026 budget projects around $6.3 million in revenue from the same sales tax, offsetting roughly 17.3 mills in city property taxes. This revenue has been a significant benefit to Derby taxpayers, helping keep property tax rates lower for everyone.

The problem is how the state law divides those funds. Half the distribution is based on population, but the other half depends on how much property tax each government levies. So when the county lowers its mill levy, it doesn't just collect less property tax—it also gets punished with a smaller slice of countywide sales-tax revenue.

That's not just unfair - it's backwards. Good fiscal management should be rewarded, not penalized. By choosing not to capture about 4% in assessed-value growth for the 2026 budget, Sedgwick County gave up roughly $720,000 in sales tax revenue it otherwise would have kept. That's money lost simply for being conservative with taxpayers' dollars.

We've asked the Kansas legislature to fix this by basing the formula on assessed value - a measure of growth, rather than on property tax levies. That would create a true incentive for local governments to grow their communities and lower taxes responsibly.

Some cities like Derby will lose revenue if this formula was changed quickly. We do not want to harm any city, so fixing this formula may need to be drawn out over several years.

But since this sales tax was designed to reduce property taxes, punishing Sedgwick County for lowering the mill levy rate is counterproductive. Kansans deserve a system built on fairness and common sense, not one that discourages doing the right thing.

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

As we wrap up 2024 and prepare for another trip around the sun, it's an opportune time to reflect on our accomplishments and the challenges that lay ahead.

This year, the Sedgwick County Commission embarked on an ambitious slate of projects—so many, in fact, it's getting hard to keep track of them all. A highlight of these efforts is the County's leadership role in creating a new South Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital, a project now less than two years from becoming operational.

We've also supported the development of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, which is beginning to take shape. Adjacent to it, a new COMCARE facility is under design. Other significant undertakings include a juvenile corrections complex, a new election office, a new Emergency Management facility, and the completion of many new or remodeled courtrooms and District Attorney spaces within the county courthouse. Additionally, we're nearing a resolution to the long-standing administration building challenge. These are just a few of the major projects we're juggling, underscoring how much is happening across Sedgwick County.

Looking ahead, I believe our most pressing challenge will continue to be property tax relief. We are already pursuing several legislative policy initiatives aimed at reducing the county's growing reliance on your hard-earned property taxes.

One proposal I've championed is a "property tax check valve." Similar to a plumbing check valve that ensures flow in one direction, this measure would reserve property tax dollars exclusively for core government functions - essential services, like the Sheriff's Office, jail operations, 911, EMS and public works infrastructure.

This year, the County anticipates about $240 million in revenue from sales tax and property tax. If the check valve resolution were adopted, 92% of that would be reserved for core functions of government, including public works infrastructure. The remaining $19.6 million (which is half of the sales tax revenue) becomes the limit of what could be spent on anything considered non-core functions of government.

Historically, Sedgwick County has subsidized more than a dozen quality-of-life entities. Since voters approved the one-percent sales tax in 1985, the revenue has certainly offset property taxes. This year, sales tax revenue has reduced the property tax levy by nearly $140 million across the county's 21 municipalities.

As we move forward, balancing growth, infrastructure investments and meaningful property tax relief must remain our focus. With prudent fiscal management and innovative solutions, I'm confident we can meet the challenges ahead.

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

For years, Sedgwick County has worked to keep government lean and property taxes low. In fact, we've lowered the county's mill levy three years in a row—putting real money back into taxpayers' pockets. That's what good fiscal stewardship should look like.

But here's the frustrating part - under Kansas law, when we cut property taxes, we also lose part of our share of countywide sales tax revenue. Yes, you read that right. When we act responsibly and lower your property taxes, the state's formula takes away some of the sales tax that helps fund local services.

The countywide 1% sales tax, approved by voters in 1985, was designed to benefit both Sedgwick County and its 20 cities. In the past year, Wichita received approximately $90 million from this fund, while Sedgwick County retained about $40 million. These revenues have reduced the county's property tax rate by more than 5 mills and Wichita's by about 18 mills. In Derby, the 2026 budget projects around $6.3 million in revenue from the same sales tax, offsetting roughly 17.3 mills in city property taxes.

The problem is how the state law divides those funds. Half the distribution is based on population, but the other half depends on how much property tax each government levies. So when the county lowers its mill levy, it doesn't just collect less property tax—it also gets punished with a smaller slice of countywide sales-tax revenue.

That's not just unfair - it's backwards. Good fiscal management should be rewarded, not penalized. By choosing not to capture about 4% in assessed-value growth for the 2026 budget, Sedgwick County gave up roughly $720,000 in sales tax revenue it otherwise would have kept.

We've asked the Kansas legislature to fix this by basing the formula on assessed value - a measure of growth, rather than on property tax levies. That would create a true incentive for local governments to grow their communities and lower taxes responsibly. But since this sales tax was designed to reduce property taxes, punishing Sedgwick County for lowering the mill levy rate is counterproductive. Kansans deserve a system built on fairness and common sense, not one that discourages doing the right thing.

In today's media landscape, complex issues often get reduced to sound bites or skewed interpretations, stirring up unnecessary opposition. A clear example of this is the discussion surrounding a new proposed sales tax aimed at reducing property taxes in Sedgwick County. If this idea were to go forward, it would require legislative action and a vote of county electors. Unfortunately, rather than presenting the full context of the benefits, the media tends to focus on opposition, distorting facts and fostering resistance.

The core issue is simple: 100% of new sales tax would be dedicated to lowering property taxes, dollar for dollar. Property taxes have increasingly become a burden on homeowners, especially in a housing market where many are already stretched thin. By proposing this sales tax, Sedgwick County could significantly reduce dependency on property taxes, providing immediate relief to homeowners who are shouldering too much of the financial load. The current 1% countywide sales tax is currently reducing the mill levy by 24-mills in Wichita and more than that in Derby. If you support this significant existing property tax relief, why not go a little further in that direction?

What the media often overlooks is that approximately 30% of the new revenue generated by this sales tax would come from visitors, not residents. This means that local taxpayers would not bear the full brunt of the tax. Instead, people passing through or visiting Sedgwick County contribute a significant portion, sharing the burden more equitably.

Additionally, this new sales tax, if it would become law, would come with a built-in safeguard—a five-year sunset clause. This sunset provision provides assurance to those concerned about long-term tax increases. Yet, media reports often fail to emphasize this crucial aspect, which could alleviate much of the opposition.

By framing the sales tax as a burden, without acknowledging its benefits or the protection offered by the sunset clause, the media fuels unnecessary controversy. The truth is that this initiative offers a balanced approach to addressing an overburdened property tax system, especially in a county where the housing market is already strained.

In the end, sales tax could be part of a sensible solution to alleviate property tax pressure in Sedgwick County, and the built-in sunset provision ensures that residents aren't snookered into growing government. By stirring up opposition without presenting the full context, the media is killing the idea before anyone understands the proposal.

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

[Op-ed content — paste the full text here when available.]

As we wrap up 2024 and prepare for another trip around the sun, it's an opportune time to reflect on our accomplishments and the challenges that lay ahead.

This year, the Sedgwick County Commission embarked on an ambitious slate of projects—so many, in fact, it's getting hard to keep track of them all. A highlight of these efforts is the County's leadership role in creating a new South Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital, a project now less than two years from becoming operational.

We've also supported the development of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, which is beginning to take shape. Adjacent to it, a new COMCARE facility is under design. Other significant undertakings include a juvenile corrections complex, a new election office, a new Emergency Management facility, and the completion of many new or remodeled courtrooms and District Attorney spaces within the county courthouse.

Looking ahead, I believe our most pressing challenge will continue to be property tax relief. We are already pursuing several legislative policy initiatives aimed at reducing the county's growing reliance on your hard-earned property taxes.

One proposal I've championed is a "property tax check valve." Similar to a plumbing check valve that ensures flow in one direction, this measure would reserve property tax dollars exclusively for core government functions - essential services, like the Sheriff's Office, jail operations, 911, EMS and public works infrastructure.

As we move forward, balancing growth, infrastructure investments and meaningful property tax relief must remain our focus. With prudent fiscal management and innovative solutions, I'm confident we can meet the challenges ahead.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite times of the year. The chill in the air and the vibrant fall colors create a setting of beauty and reflection. After the whirlwind of the political season, Thanksgiving invites us to shift our focus to what truly matters—our families, our friends and the many blessings in our lives. As the holiday season begins, it's fitting to pause and give thanks. The hymn, "Count Your Blessings," offers a timeless reminder that taking inventory of our blessings is a powerful practice. The song encourages us to count our blessings, not just in moments of ease, but especially when life feels discouraging, burdensome or unfair. Why? Because even in challenging times, there are blessings to be found if we look closely.

The concept of grace — the unearned goodness or favor we receive, is central to Thanksgiving. All of us have been blessed by others, often in ways we could never repay. Yet Thanksgiving isn't only about feeling grateful; it's about expressing it. A simple thank-you note, a heartfelt word of appreciation or an act of kindness can convey how much we value the sacrifices others make for us - their time, talents and generosity. As a person of faith, I can't approach this season without acknowledging the ultimate source of all blessings. I don't deserve the abundant grace God pours into my life, but He gives it freely because of His boundless love. Gratitude is the only fitting response to the intentional grace God offers to each of us.

So, as we gather with loved ones, savor the delicious food and enjoy the football games this Thanksgiving, I encourage you to go a step further. Be intentional. Don't let the season pass without expressing your thanks to those who have shown you kindness, support and love. These moments of gratitude are what matter most. Thanksgiving should not be confined to a single day or season. Let's carry its spirit into every day by focusing on the blessings we've received and by saying thank you to others and to God.

When discussing the 2020 General Election, I'm often asked about claims of widespread fraud and whether the presidency was stolen. While opinions are strong on this matter, I've found some interesting data worth considering.

First, in 2016, nearly 8 million people voted for third-party candidates, but in 2020, that number dropped to less than 3 million. Voter registration grew by over 15% between 2016 and 2020 due to a social media push to register and vote, which may help explain this shift.

In both 2016 and 2020, Trump lost the popular vote; however, in 2016, he secured 304 Electoral College (EC) votes - 34 more than required. In 2020, Biden won 306 EC votes, meaning the two Trump campaigns had a swing of 70 EC votes that can be traced to slim margins in four battleground states.

Both Trump and Biden significantly increased their popular vote counts compared to 2016, setting records for the most votes cast for any presidential candidate in U.S. history. Biden received 15.4 million more votes than Hillary Clinton did in 2016, while Trump gained 11.2 million additional votes. This aligns with the 15.9% rise in voter registrations and a 7% increase in voter participation. Furthermore, 5 million voters who chose third-party candidates in 2016 shifted to one of the major candidates in 2020.

In the end, for Trump to have won, four battleground states would have needed to swing, by more than 123,000 votes collectively — just 0.07% of the total voters. While Biden didn't have an overwhelming personal following, many voters cast their ballots against Trump, rather than for Biden.

Ultimately, the election was less about Biden's popularity and more about the divisive feelings toward Trump. Talking about the past election may be interesting but does not have a lot of value now. People often vote strategically. They will vote against the one they dislike the most, even if the result is not much better.

Similar to U.S. currency, elections have many security features in each step of the voting process that are designed to combat fraud. Compare that to the elections we trusted 30 or 40 years ago with virtually no thought about integrity and security. Today, the election process in Kansas and especially in Sedgwick County have overlapping security checks and balances that should assure voters that they can trust the accurate results. For example, we do a pre-election machine programming test, and then after each election, a random sample of the ballots is hand-counted in a public audit. In Sedgwick County, every single ballot is a paper ballot.

Whenever I hear of allegations of voter fraud, I take it seriously. I know quite a bit about how elections work, so whenever I hear about systematic election fraud, I spend energy digging into the allegations. If it were true the elections are rigged and there are widespread, unchecked, sinister, bad actors committing all sorts of felonious crimes, then we do not have a country. I will not say there is zero voter fraud, but I am aware of several opportunities that can improve our election security, and as one who canvasses the county elections and certifies our election results, I will continue to advocate for election policy improvements. In the meantime, vote! Your vote matters and will be tallied accurately. Exercise your Constitutional right.

In today's media landscape, complex issues often get reduced to sound bites or skewed interpretations, stirring up unnecessary opposition. A clear example of this is the discussion surrounding a new proposed sales tax aimed at reducing property taxes in Sedgwick County.

The core issue is simple: 100% of new sales tax would be dedicated to lowering property taxes, dollar for dollar. Property taxes have increasingly become a burden on homeowners, especially in a housing market where many are already stretched thin.

What the media often overlooks is that approximately 30% of the new revenue generated by this sales tax would come from visitors, not residents. This means that local taxpayers would not bear the full brunt of the tax. Additionally, this new sales tax would come with a built-in safeguard—a five-year sunset clause.

By framing the sales tax as a burden, without acknowledging its benefits or the protection offered by the sunset clause, the media fuels unnecessary controversy. The truth is that this initiative offers a balanced approach to addressing an overburdened property tax system. By stirring up opposition without presenting the full context, the media is killing the idea before anyone understands the proposal.