FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lifespan of a road, and what maintenance is done to ensure that lifespan is met?
The typical lifespan of a city road is 20-30 years. To maximize the life of our roads, City staff stays on top of routine maintenance including crack sealing, pothole repairs, and resurfacing as needed.
What happens if we don’t do this?
In order to provide adequate road maintenance and repairs, we need to invest in our future. Without the continuation of the 0.5% sales tax the City of Sedgwick will have to look into implementing a property tax increase, which means the cost for these improvements would fall solely on property owners within Sedgwick city limits.
What housing is available in Sedgwick?
A list of landlords is available here.
How will the money be used?
The money will be used to maintain and improve the city roads, water system, and other infrastructure on a regular schedule. It will allow the city to move forward with paving Jefferson Avenue - 4th to 7th Street; Lincoln Avenue - 1st to 7th Street; Jackson Avenue -1st to 4th Street; 2nd Street - Jackson to Jefferson; 5th Street - Jackson to Harrison.
I just moved to Sedgwick, where do I sign up for utilities?*
The City of Sedgwick provides water, sewer, trash and recycling. A Water Utility Service Form must be filled out and utility [at] cityofsedgwick.org (emailed to the Utility Clerk). You will be required to pay a $126.50 administration fee/first month's base fees, which can be paid online in the Online Payments/Billing tab (click Court/Misc button) and we will need a copy of your identification. You may take a picture of your drivers license and email to the Utility Clerk or bring ID to office so we can copy.
What is impacted by the 0.5%?
The 0.5% sales tax will be applied to all purchases made within the city limits, online purchases delivered within the city limits, and vehicles and other goods that are taxed based on an individual’s place of residence.
Who do I contact for other utilites?
What are the benefits of the 0.5% sales tax?
A sales tax is beneficial because it not only generates funding from people who live in Sedgwick, but also people who live outside the city limits. The sales tax would generate funding from anyone spending money within the city limits, which includes those who commute to Sedgwick for work, families who live outside of Sedgwick that are coming to town for school, and visitors coming to town for one of our many events.
What trash carts do we need, how much does it cost and when is trash picked up?
The city contracts with Waste Connections for trash and recycling. You will be provided with a Recycling Cart and a Trash cart. You will be asked what size of trash you would like when you sign up with the city for utilities. The choices you have are:
- 95 Gallon (same size as the recycle cart) $13.50 per month
- 65 Gallon $12.50 per month
- 35 Gallon $11.50 per month
The Recycle Cart is $4 per month. If you choose a size and decide to upgrade later, Waste Connections charges a $25 fee to upgrade.
Trash is picked up every Thursday and Recycling is picked up every other Thursday. Recycle Schedule Recycle Brochure*
NOTE: Have your trash/recycle cart at the curb by 6am on Thursday morning. Trash pickup for Thanksgiving is on Friday!
How does Sedgwick’s mill levy compare to other communities in Harvey/Sedgwick County?
Currently, the City of Sedgwick has a higher mill levy than several surrounding communities which is why the City is sensitive to placing more burden on property owners.
| City | Hesston | North Newton | Valley Center | Bentley | Newton | Sedgwick | Halstead | Burrton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mill Levy | 38.439 | 51.881 | 54.856 | 61.784 | 70.383 | 74.990 | 75.406 | 76.089 |
How do I notify the Police Department to watch my house while I am on vacation?
A vacation form is available at Sedgwick City Hall or you can print off a copy of the form here: Vacation Form. This form gives the Police Department information on how long you will be gone, who to contact if there are problems, and who is allowed to come and go from your house.
How does the City currently allocate the property tax it receives?
For a $100,000 home in Sedgwick, Kansas, the city receives $862 in annual property taxes. This $862 is allocated between city funds as seen in this chart.
How do I find out about community events happening in Sedgwick?
This website is a good source of information along with Facebook page: City of Sedgwick, Kansas
What is the ballot question?
Shall the following be adopted?
Shall the City of Sedgwick, Kansas, be authorized to impose a one-half of one percent (0.5%) Citywide retailers’ sales tax, the revenue from which will be used for the purposes of providing mill levy support and paying the costs of street and other public improvements of the City, including but not limited to, payment of debt service on financings issued for such purposes, with the collection of such sales tax to commence on January 1, 2025, or as soon thereafter as permitted by law; all pursuant to the provisions of K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., as amended?
To vote in favor of the 0.5% sales tax passing, press the word “YES” on the voting machine, or completely darken the oval to the left of the word “YES’ on the paper ballot
To vote against the 0.5% sales tax passing, press the word “NO” on the voting machine, or completely darkent the oval to the left of the word “NO” on the paper ballot
What companies offer internet service in Sedgwick?
There are several options for internet in this area. Please visit the page for Internet providers.
How to provide (positive and negative) feedback on Department and Staff?
Coming soon!
Where and how can I pay for a ticket?
Coming soon!
Does the police department provide fingerprinting and V.I.N. inspections?
Coming soon!
What do I do about traffic complaints in my neighborhood?
Coming soon!
When is the election, and who can vote?
The election will be held Tuesday, November 7, 2023, and will be open to all registered voters who live within the city limits of Sedgwick, KS.
How much will this tax generate annually?
Each year the 0.5% sales tax is projected to generate approximately $203,000.
What is the current maintenance/replacement schedule for roads?
Sedgwick has had an annual program for street repairs for several years. The current program utilizes the PASER rating system which uses eight different visual criteria during inspection to evaluate pavement surface conditions.