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Yearly Archives: 2021

Douglas County considering more changes to land-use regulations to further limit rural residential development

2021-02-21T09:50:14-06:00February 21st, 2021|

Although Douglas County adopted new zoning regulations last year to limit residential development in rural parts of the county, that effort did not go exactly as planned. Tonya Voigt, the county’s zoning and codes director, told the County Commission recently that new codes that were adopted in early 2020 slowed the number of residential subdivisions into land parcels of 10 acres or smaller, but vastly increased the number of divisions into 20-acre lots. She said that meant the codes didn’t create the situation the county staff had hoped for. “It has not slowed down development; it has just changed the way [...]

Garden City declares financial emergency

2021-02-20T12:18:01-06:00February 20th, 2021|

The Garden City Commission declared a financial emergency at its regular meeting Tuesday. Melinda Hitz, Garden City finance director, said the cash balance of the electric fund is low, sitting around $100,000, when typically the balance is between $4 million and $5 million. There is a reserve fund that has a little over $4 million, but the operating fund is concerning, Hitz said. Mike Muirhead, Public Utilities director, said the fund is low for several reasons. First, retail and commercial sales are down approximately $1.75 million from projected utility costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ...Declaring a financial emergency is the [...]

Uniontown faces higher gas prices

2021-02-21T15:19:45-06:00February 19th, 2021|

Bourbon County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a resolution that could help the city of Uniontown address issues with natural gas following a winter storm that saw an increase in gas usage. Bourbon County Emergency Manager William Wallis met with commissioners to discuss the recent storm. Later in the meeting, commissioners approved a resolution and proclamation for a State of Local Disaster Emergency. Wallis said he received a call from the Kansas Division of Emergency Management on Monday, and he learned that 22 Kansas counties would have issues with conservation of natural gas. Wallis said the city of Uniontown purchases natural gas [...]

Small town Kansas takes on big problem of deafening railroad engine horns

2021-02-19T09:27:55-06:00February 19th, 2021|

Bartlett Arboretum owner Robin Macy is moving closer to a peaceful solution to BNSF Railway’s track expansion at Belle Plaine that increased the frequency of train engines blasting horns near intersections at levels comparable to a Boeing 737 on approach for landing. “This was a tranquil place. Concerts, weddings happened routinely. People came here from all points, many different states,” Macy said of the era before doubling of BNSF track in the southcentral Kansas community a decade ago. “We used to have about 20 trains a day and now we can have a train through here every five minutes.” Macy and [...]

Gas costs soar due to arctic blast in Winfield

2021-02-19T09:25:01-06:00February 19th, 2021|

The City of Winfield has incurred $10 million in natural gas costs through the previous six days as sub-zero temperatures gripped the area, leading the city to look for ways to mitigate the financial fallout. “The cost of this event to our community has been one that we have had very little control over. We are seeking every avenue of relief as this is an insurmountable cost for us that, without relief, will be felt for years to come,” Winfield city manager Taggart Wall said in a letter to the community, which was posted on the city’s Facebook page and emailed [...]

Altamont energy emergency nears its end

2021-02-19T09:22:30-06:00February 19th, 2021|

Altamont city officials announced Wednesday night that it appears the city is coming out of the woods with its energy emergency as far as rolling blackouts and the potential discontinuance of natural gas supplies that would require resident evacuations. Mike Shields, Altamont police chief and public information officer, said it appears the need for evacuation is becoming less likely, though the city remains prepared and asked residents to remain prepared. While loss of natural gas supply is a diminishing concern, the extreme financial impacts the energy emergency has created remain a concern. Source: Atchison Globe Now

Municipal Bond Trends for February 18, 2021

2021-02-19T09:01:41-06:00February 19th, 2021|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Airfest coming to Great Bend skies

2021-02-19T09:00:30-06:00February 19th, 2021|

The Great Bend Airfest will once again land at the Great Bend Municipal Airport. The event, held every three years because of the cost, takes flight Sept. 17-18. “I don’t believe there were more than three air shows in the whole world last year because of COVID,” airport Manager Martin Miller said, addressing the City Council Tuesday night. “And we figured 2021 was going to be in high demand so we got busy.” They started in November booking acts, he said. They were successful and have a full schedule of aerial and static displays planned. Source: Great Bend Tribune

As natural gas prices surge, Winfield pleads for relief

2021-02-19T09:00:40-06:00February 18th, 2021|

In a normal year, Winfield will spend $1.6 million on natural gas. During the recent arctic blast, the bill grew well over $10 million in a span of six days. "How does the community the size of Winfield pay for that gas supply?" Taggart Wall, Winfield City manager asked. Taggart says he has never seen a surge like this. He explained the cost of natural gas is 150 times more than normal. The city has been working to conserve energy by closing schools and factories but the cost still racked up. "It's not like the city makes money off of this. [...]

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