Kansas Counties to Celebrate Kansas County Government Month - April 2023
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2023
News Contact: Kimberly Qualls, (785) 213-4717 or qualls@kansascounties.org
Kansas Counties to Celebrate Kansas County Government Month
Topeka, Kan. – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed an Official Proclamation on April 1, 2023, declaring the month of April as Kansas County Government Month (KCGM), a month-long statewide celebration to recognize the importance of the work that county government provides in serving their communities and residents.
The Kansas Association of Counties (KAC), in partnership with all 105 Kansas Counties, will celebrate Kansas County Government Month (KCGM) during the month of April, to showcase how counties achieve healthy, safe, and vibrant communities for Kansans. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Kansas Counties RISE!” which RISE! stands for Resiliency, Inclusion, Solvency and Empowerment - and the exclamation point speaks to the enthusiasm and passion with which we tell the success stories of how Kansas Counties are serving their constituents, Kansas residents, each day.
KAC is kicking off the month-long celebration in conjunction with National County Government Month (NCGM), an annual campaign hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo). Since 1991, the National Association of Counties has encouraged the 3,069 counties across the country to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of county government.
“Kansas Counties employ nearly 30,200 employees serving nearly three million Kansans. These county government employees are instrumental in providing effective products and services daily to help keep Kansans healthy, safe, and informed,” stated Bruce Chladny, KAC Executive Director. “I encourage all Kansans to participate in Kansas County Government Month outreach events to learn how all 105 Kansas Counties assist you and your loved ones each and every day.”
Kansas Counties invest nearly 3.9 billion dollars* annually in services with a focus on justice and public safety, health and human services, transportation, utilities, and administration. Kansas Counties are funded through county-generated revenue (91 percent) plus 370 million dollars of intergovernmental sources including other local, state and federal funds (9 percent ).*
“In Shawnee County, we are proud of the programs and services we provide to our residents on an ongoing basis,” shared Aaron Mays, KAC President and Shawnee County Commissioner. “Just like many Kansas Counties, our County employees’ efforts and teamwork help make our County into a great place to work, but more importantly, a wonderful place to call home and raise a family. We want to recognize the actions and duties of approximately 1,300 Shawnee County employees, as well as all County government employees across Kansas, throughout April.”
KCGM statewide activities include social media presence throughout the entire month to highlight effective county programs, introduce county employees, and raise public awareness and an understanding about the various services and products provided across Kansas counties. To follow Kansas County Government Month activities, events and informational posts from all across our Kansas Counties throughout April, be sure to visit KAC’s Facebook page and Twitter feed (search hashtag #KSCountiesRISE).
You can find a copy of the 2023 Kansas County Government Month Proclamation here.
*Source: NACo Analysis of U.S. Census Bureau - Census of Individual Governments: Finance, 2017
The Kansas Association of Counties is a quasi-public agency, which seeks to advance the public interest by promoting effective, responsive county government in Kansas. Founded in 1975, as an instrumentality of its member counties, KAC serves county governments through: legislative representation, technical assistance, leadership, and professional education.