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Sedgwick county has spoken loud and clear that a data center is not wanted here. Data centers have caused significant harm in areas where they have been built. Our county is already fighting longstanding drought conditions. A report by the International Energy Agency estimated one center could consume 2 million liters of water a day. A town in Oregon reported 30% of their water consumption was from a Google data center. We do not need the potential water loss that a data cent

The pause on data centers was extended by the Sedgwick County Commissioners until December. This pause, if used appropriately, will allow for future steps to be data driven, future-focused, and address community concerns. It will be more important than ever for the public to stay involved and provide input in this process. Many data centers rely on political pressures, secrecy, false sense of urgency, and capitalize on the fear of missing out on returns that are often exagger

The economic “benefits” of data centers have become death sentences for many communities; towns with several large data centers have found their budget unable to even fund their local fire department. A business that must operate in darkness and use scare tactics “if you don’t act now” is a walking red flag. Unfortunately, many residents in Barber County feel unheard and betrayed by their leaders. Local elections matter. Make sure you know what stance your candidate has conce

“Here I feel that I belong” Growing up, I listened to my grandmother share her reasons for staying not just in America, but specifically in Kansas. When tragedy upended her life with chaos and fear, the local community surrounded her family with love and support. In that pivotal moment, she found an overwhelming sense of belonging. Her stories were filled with war and loss, but also with sacrifice, bravery, and the enduring strength to never give up. We, as a community, have

At the most recent BOCC Staff Meeting (8/11/2026), discussion concerning federal grant money regulations and upcoming changes outlined concerns about the impact it will have on the county. CHANGES INCLUDE: Event Services - Public entities receiving federal funds are subject to a viewpoint-neutrality mandate on all county-controlled property as a condition of receiving any federal funds, even if the event of facility does not receive any federal funding. - Applies to libr

The increase in property taxes has had an additional burden on many who already are experiencing financial hardships. This has become a difficult issue to address for many reasons. Property taxes are used to fund many essential services at the city/county level. The budget that is set directly impacts the amount of property taxes that are paid. Property appraisals play a key role in determining the property tax. Article 11 of the Kansas Constitution requires the county apprai

The opening of the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital is going to provide a much needed resource for not only our community but the entire state. The lack of inpatient beds lead to significant strain on hospitals and law enforcement. The process of seeking crisis help is often a long and traumatic experience for patients and families. While working as a crisis screener, there were many times I spent hours calling to find an open bed for a patient, only to have the

Changes in the federal and state budgets have caused significant strains and cuts on essential services. The delicate balance of reducing tax load on citizens while ensuring essential services are maintained will require continued cooperation between the city, county and state and ongoing evaluation of community needs. Cutting mental health and crime prevention programs only harms communities. The 2026 budget cut the crime prevention program by over 82%. This program serves y