Print edition: 
Each Monday, The Eagle highlights a government record that is available to the public. Open records help people keep government in check and help them better understand how government affects their lives.
For a complete list of You Oughta Know columns, go to www.kansas.com/oughta.
The record: Sedgwick County manager William Buchanan's recommended budget for next year.
Why you'd want it: To learn more about how the county plans to shoulder revenue declines and a drop in state funding, and where it plans to make cuts.
The first public hearing on the budget will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the commission's chambers on the third floor of the courthouse, 525 N. Main. A second hearing, when the commission will adopt the final budget, is Aug. 5.
Where you get the records: Much of the budget is online at the county's Web site, www.sedgwickcounty.org. Click on the "2010 recommended budget" link.
How much it will cost: The information is free.
