info2022-05-06T07:23:09-05:00May 6th, 2022|
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.
info2022-05-06T07:22:44-05:00May 6th, 2022|
May is mental health awareness month. The sheriff in Douglas County, Kansas, knows a healthy deputy means a healthy community. Studies show, 6% of the general population experience PTSD. That number is much higher among first responders at 20%. Sheriff Jay Armbrister takes his own trauma to encourage his employees to seek help. The sheriff's office has taken their Peer Support Program from six members to now 18.This voluntary group of people, both uniformed and civilians, stepped forward to be trained on peer support. Source: KSN-TV
info2022-05-06T07:22:02-05:00May 6th, 2022|
The Montgomery County attorney settled a lawsuit with the ACLU by agreeing to create new policies to inform defendants of their right under Kansas law to seek diversion agreements. The American Civil Liberties Union settled a lawsuit filed five years ago against prosecutors in Montgomery County for disproportionately seeking harsh sentences for defendants posing nominal risk to the public by declining to make available diversion program alternatives required under Kansas law. The ACLU and ACLU of Kansas said Thursday the settlement was finalized with Montgomery County Attorney Lisa Montgomery, who operates out of the county seat in Independence. She agreed to [...]
info2022-05-06T07:21:21-05:00May 6th, 2022|
Kansas public schools feel the pinch of enrollment losses that came with the COVID-19 pandemic — and it could mean fewer teachers, bigger classes and widespread budget cuts. The number of students enrolled in Kansas public schools dropped by more than 15,000 since the start of the pandemic, according to state data. Some of those students may have moved out of state, but many likely turned to homeschooling or online education. Federal COVID relief money helped districts cover shortfalls at the start. But longer-term student losses will mean less state funding. “We will have to start to reduce the budget footprint, [...]
info2022-05-06T07:18:18-05:00May 6th, 2022|
A new partnership has been formalized in Southeast Kansas. The City of Pittsburg has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This will allow KDHE to provide environmental services to the city on a per-project basis. Deputy City Manager Jay Byers says Pittsburg will now contract directly with KDHE, and benefit from the organization's relationship with the Environmental Protection Agency. "It makes it easier for us to get the work done. They have connections to contractors. They have some capabilities in-house and a great deal of familiarity with this kind of work so that way [...]
info2022-05-06T07:17:49-05:00May 6th, 2022|
It's been nearly four months since Kansas lawmakers signed off on a bid to attract a $4 billion business investment from a secret company. While state leaders have been quiet about the details of the project, including the prolonged timeline, according to Secretary of Commerce and Lieutenant Governor David Toland, the state is still in the running to secure the deal. "We're just watching and waiting," Toland said in an interview this week. Source: KSNT 27 News
info2022-05-06T07:17:15-05:00May 6th, 2022|
Gov. Laura Kelly signed bipartisan legislation Thursday creating incentives in the form of state income tax credits for investors in construction of residential housing that contributes to economic development in Kansas. The Kelly administration’s statewide survey of housing needs — the first of its kind in three decades — pointed to the need for affordable housing, especially in rural communities. The shortage was identified as an impediment to expansion of existing businesses and attracting new employers. The tax credit administered by the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation and the Kansas Development Finance Authority would be capped at $13 million annually. The law [...]
info2022-05-06T07:16:39-05:00May 6th, 2022|
Sedgwick County officials spent an hour last week outlining EMS service in the community, and answering questions about staffing issues. The discussion with the Clearwater City Council was requested by city officials, who are concerned about response times in the community and staffing issues with a Sedgwick County EMS Citizen Response Vehicle (CRV) stationed in Clearwater. Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers
info2022-05-05T16:27:27-05:00May 5th, 2022|
2023 CDBG Proposed Program Changes can be found here https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/cdbg/2023proposedchanges/ and in the Kansas Register. Public comments that either support or oppose changes are welcome. All comments should be submitted to cdbg@ks.gov until the Public Hearing, which will be held on Tuesday, June 7 at 10:00 AM (CST) via Zoom. All members of the public are welcome submit comments and participate in the Public Hearing. The Public Hearing meeting information can be found at the link above.
info2022-05-05T07:22:25-05:00May 5th, 2022|
The Montara community of Topeka once served as base housing for Forbes Field when the U.S. Air Force owned the land. Now, the area is home to Shawnee County residents, or about 430 households. It’s also a desert. The area isn’t lacking in water but resources. The closest supermarket is 5.5 miles away, and the closest bus stop is almost 4 miles away. Be Filled of South Topeka offers food, clothing, classes and other resources for community members. Since its soft opening in January, it has helped more than 1,500 people. “All they have to do is come in, and we [...]
