Sedgwick County is in sound fiscal condition, according to a first quarter financial report.
The county sites healthy fund balances and a 4.6% tax base growth for that positive news. Revenues have grown as collections have improved, the real estate market is strong and there has been a slight growth in retail sales and use taxes.
Brent Shelton, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, says the county’s unemployment rate has improved. At the end of April 2020, it stood at 18.7 percent. At the end of last month, it was down to 5.6 percent.
The county says the insurance market will pose challenges, thanks to increases in property premiums during the second quarter. That's due to $80 billion in losses in the insurance industry last year.
Also during the meeting, Chairman Pete Meitzner proclaimed May 16-22 as Emergency Medical Services Week. Dr. John Gallagher, Director of Sedgwick County EMS, thanked his staff for their hard work during a very trying past year.
The 2021 theme for EMS Week is “THIS IS EMS, Caring for Our Communities.”