By The Informer Staff

Applications are being sought from interested residents to serve on a steering committee for the Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan.  

Ten members will be appointed to serve as “community-at-large” representatives, working with members of the Metropolitan Planning Commission, Wichita City Council members and Sedgwick County Commissioners. The application process is open until Friday, Aug. 24.

The plan steering committee will help guide the development of a new comprehensive plan, looking at the growth and development of Wichita and Sedgwick County to the year 2035.  The current Comprehensive Plan was developed in the early 1990s.  

The plan steering committee will have 21 members comprised of:

• Seven members of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission;

• Two members of the Wichita City Council;

• Two members of the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners;

• Ten community-at-large members (any Sedgwick County resident).

The plan steering committee will meet monthly (hour-and-a-half meetings) over a three-year period. There may also be periodic special community meetings or hearings that committee members will attend.

 The at-large members will be appointed by the Wichita city manager and Sedgwick County manager from the applications to provide a broad cross-section of the community. Applicant selection criteria will include: diversity of demographics and geography; prior civic involvement or experience; unique community interests/perspectives; and level of interest.  

 Interested county residents should complete and submit the online application form at www.communityinvestmentsplan.org. For those who need a paper application form or have questions, contact Dave Barber at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department at 268-4490 or dbarber@wichita.gov.