What do the Zoo, Exploration Place and Jobs have in common?

Discussion about County funding for all three are expected to be on the agenda for the Sedgwick County Commission meeting next Wednesday, May 13. Commissioners have proposed reviewing the multi-year funding agreements the County has with the Sedgwick County Zoo, Exploration Place, and the organization charged with leading area economic development efforts, the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition (GWEDC). The next meeting of the Sedgwick County Commissioners will include a discussion about the County's partnership with the Zoo, Exploration Place, and GWEDC. An article published in the Wichita Eagle provides background information about how the County funding is used and the importance of these partnerships. An Eagle editorial makes the case for keeping these long-term partnerships in place. Sedgwick County Zoo’s funding agreement with county in jeopardy Wichita Eagle – 5/3/15 County shouldn’t shred agreements Wichita Eagle – 5/6/15 While it’s always fiscally prudent to review budgetary commitments made with taxpayer dollars, there are also compelling reasons to continue the current funding commitments for these three organizations. Long-term public-private partnerships symbolize the County’s commitment that each of these organizations need to achieve maximum positive results for our region. Believing that each of these organizations have an impact on our quality of life and our ability to grow and attract businesses and a talented workforce, Chamber leadership plans to attend and weigh in on the discussion among the County Commissioners on May 13. We encourage you to do likewise. Commissioners welcome your questions and your thoughts in advance of the meeting on this and other issues. The phone number for all Commissioners is 316-660-9300, where you can leave a voicemail. You may also reach them by email or Twitter: FIRST DISTRICT – Dave Unruh dunruh@sedgwick.gov or @DaveUnruhSedgCo SECOND DISTRICT – Tim Norton tnorton@sedgwick.gov or @TimNortonSC THIRD DISTRICT – Karl Peterjohn kpeterjo@sedgwick.gov or @KarlPeterjohn FOURTH DISTRICT – Richard Ranzau rranzau@sedgwick.gov FIFTH DISTRICT – Jim Howell Jim.Howell@sedgwick.gov or @Howell4KS Use this link to confirm your district and your representative http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/commissioners/commission_districts.asp Meetings are held in the Commission Meeting Room located on the third floor of the Sedgwick County Courthouse at 525 N. Main. If you plan to attend, please arrive by 8:45 a.m. since seating is limited. We’ve also provided other important links so that you can follow this issue: View the May 13 agenda once it has been published https://sedgwickcounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx Join the social media conversation #ontheagenda  @GWEDC  @SedgwickCoZoo  @DiscoverAtEP  @SedgwickCounty Watch the Commission meeting live http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/e-video.asp or tune in to KPTS Channel 8 at 9 a.m. on Wednesday Subscribe to receive weekly commission meeting agendas http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/communications/subscribe.asp