Endorsement: It’s a close call in the race for Sedgwick County Commission District 2 | Opinion

Voters in the Sedgwick County Commission District 2 race have two good options at the polls this fall.

Incumbent Democrat Sarah Lopez and Republican challenger Jeff Blubaugh are both experienced in local government. Lopez is finishing her first term on the commission, while Blubaugh comes to the race after two terms on the Wichita City Council.

Both are personable and public-spirited. The district would be well-served by either one. But a choice must be made: Only one can serve.

Sarah Lopez gets our endorsement.

This isn’t merely a case of the tie going to the incumbent, however. In our view, Lopez does have an edge on several issues.

Property taxes/budgeting: This is always a hot issue among homeowners, but the intensity seems to have leveled up in this election. “It’s the biggest issue in this commission race,” Blubaugh said. Elected officials at all levels are always challenged to provide the services that voters demand while keeping the effects on taxpayer wallets as light as possible.

Lopez has been successful on this front. Taxes are an issue, she acknowledges: “It’s really hurting a lot of our families right now.” During the most recent budget cycle, the Sedgwick County Commission faced a $4.9 million shortfall — and came up with a plan to lower the property tax rate while increasing staff pay and hiring new employees to fill in vacant positions.

“We are not looking at any deficits going forward,” she said. “We’re in a really healthy place.”

Blubaugh scoffs at the rate cut. In real dollar terms, he said, the lower mill levy “doesn’t even buy a cup of coffee” for most homeowners.

When asked how to rein in property taxes, though, Blubaugh often focuses on the property assessment process, which he said inflates the value of Sedgwick County homes and commercial properties. “The assessment process is broken,” he said. “I know these values are not the values.”

That may be. But the assessment process — along with appeals to the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals, another Blubaugh focus — takes place under the direction of the state, not the county. There’s not much the commission can do, except lobby the Kansas Legislature for changes.

Staffing: Blubaugh seemed to suggest that Lopez’s efforts to prioritize staffing issues is in conflict with a commissioner’s duty to represent their constituents.

“I have worked hard to represent the people of the district,” he said. “I don’t represent staff.”

Lopez, however, makes a good case for her staff-centric efforts as commissioner: It is difficult to serve the people of Sedgwick County if there aren’t smart and effective people in local government to do the work. This isn’t an either-or question.

“Our services at the county are only as good as the services or as the people who are providing those services,” Lopez said, adding: “The organization today is in a much healthier place than it was four years ago.”

Lopez seems well-poised to serve effectively for another four years, especially in proposals to consolidate county services with the city of Wichita.

“What it’s going to come down to is it has to be cheaper and it has to improve services to the community,” she said. “If it doesn’t meet those two criteria, then we would just be consolidating to say we’re consolidating and not for the benefit of our community.”

Lopez is, of course, the only Democrat on the otherwise all-GOP commission. We see that as a plus — non-Republicans deserve some representation, and it appears to us that Lopez has worked well with her colleagues across the aisle.

Again, Blubaugh is a worthy candidate who would serve District 2 well. “I work my tail off to ensure I am a good representative for the district,” he said. We believe him.

We don’t believe, however, that he has made the case that his opponent deserves to be turned out of office. Sarah Lopez is the best candidate for District 2.

This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 2:14 PM.