Sedgwick County staff told commissioners on Dec. 17 that a proposed extension of a five‑year agreement connected to the Northwest Expressway will be paused while officials await the results of a major investment study (MIS) expected next summer. The pause, staff said, reflects the secretary’s preference to reengage after the study confirms feasibility and next steps.

"The secretary at this time would prefer just to, take a break, let the MIS study finish through summer, and then reengage based on the study findings," a staff presenter said. Commissioners acknowledged they had supported the amended language under discussion but agreed the county should align with study findings before moving forward.

Staff also addressed recent inaccurate reports about the county’s role in the agreement. "The misinformation did not come from Sedgwick County," the presenter said, adding that a third party was the source and that there was no apparent malice.

Why it matters: the Northwest Expressway project carries potential transportation and land‑use implications for parts of Sedgwick County and neighboring jurisdictions; pausing to incorporate an MIS aims to ensure all partners share the same assumptions before committing county resources.

What’s next: the county will keep this item on the upcoming agenda so staff can explain the changes to the public and will return with language or recommendations after the MIS is complete. Commissioners said they support explaining the change publicly and clarified they had previously supported the amended language under consideration.