Even when the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries eventually ramps down to zero, Lawrence shoppers will still be paying close to 3% in sales taxes on groceries. The overwhelming majority of Kansas cities and counties — Lawrence and Douglas County included — charge local sales tax in addition to the state sales tax, and state lawmakers ensured that would not change. The recently passed changes not only don’t affect local sales taxes on groceries, but also prohibit local governments from reducing or eliminating their local sales taxes on groceries.
Source: LJWorld

The question of whether the City of Lawrence should ban or otherwise limit the use of disposable plastic bags will once again be up for debate. After state legislation to prohibit municipalities from banning plastic bags did not come to pass, Vice Mayor Lisa Larsen asked her fellow commissioners at their meeting Tuesday about bringing the issue of plastic bags back up. Other commissioners agreed they’d like to consider the matter, with Mayor Courtney Shipley adding she was very interested in the topic.
Source: LJWorld

Mark Griffith, Allen County’s new road and bridge director, stresses safety. He believes it’s important to listen to citizens about the problems they encounter on county roads. There’s a good reason why people care so much about county roads and bridges, according to Mark Griffith. “That’s what they travel on every day. That’s what they take their kids to school on,” he said. “Their homes may be their sanctuaries, but they spend a lot of time in their vehicles. They need to feel comfortable when traveling on our roads and bridges.” Griffith is the county’s new road and bridge director, and also will oversee the county’s rock quarry. He serves under Public Works Director Mitch Garner.
Source: Iola Register

Clark Kent is headed to Hutchinson in June. So is the Batmobile. The 2022 Smallville Comic Con is going to take place in Superman’s “supposed” hometown – Hutchinson. From June 18 to 19, eight celebrity guests, more than 120 vendors and almost 60 exhibitors will attend the convention. “It is the largest year for our celebrities — we’ve never had any this large before,” said Troy Robinson, Smallville operations manager. Troy Robinson projected that this year’s attendance will surpass 5,000, which has remained the record for the last seven years.
Source: Salina Journal

Travis Wilson isn’t opposed to change in his southeast Kansas community. But for his 160-acre plot of land, there sure has been a lot of it in recent years. First came arrival of wind development in Allen County, dotting the landscape around Wilson’s property with turbines — a decision he respects, even though it means his house “sounds like a washing machine” if windows are open. But now the southern part of his land is directly impacted by a new kind of development: a proposed 89-mile transmission line from Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant in Burlington to another power station near Joplin, Mo.
Source: Salina Journal

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.