Print edition: 
More employees than expected signed up for a voluntary retirement program in Sedgwick County government.
County Manager William Buchanan said 120 people have accepted early retirement.
"I was very pleased and surprised by the number of people who took this opportunity," Buchanan said.
He described the early retirement program as "one tool to get our financial house in order."
The county offered early retirement to 385 employees — 202 who qualified for full retirement benefits and 183 who qualified for reduced benefits.
The national average of people who take early retirement when offered is between 2 and 10 percent, Buchanan said when he announced the plan.
The first day for employees to retire under the plan is July 1; the last day is Jan. 1.
The early retirement program was offered to minimize the number of layoffs that could be needed as the county tries to shave $9 million from its budget next year and $8 million in 2013.
Buchanan said Tuesday he doesn't know how many employees will be laid off.
Under the retirement program, the county will pay accrued vacation and comp time and up to 30 days of sick time for employees who have 800 or more hours of sick leave.
Eligible employees who agree to retire early also will get to choose between help with health insurance or a lump-sum payment of 20 more days of sick leave for a total of 50 days of sick pay.
For employees who choose the former, the county will continue to pay its share of premiums for five years or until the employee reaches age 65, whichever is first.
