Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Lawrence school board members question proposed cuts to administration, other staffing

Cuts to administration that both did and did not make it into recommendations for the Lawrence school board to consider drew questions from board members Tuesday evening during their budget work session. District administrators recommended a restructuring of administration; on the other hand, they recommended against a 5% reduction to administrative staff who make $100,000 or more, which would save about $169,600. The district is facing a budget shortfall estimated between $3.2 and $3.85 million dollars, though the school board members have said they’re looking to make around $7 million in cuts to provide staff raises and rebuild depleted reserve funds. On Tuesday, Executive Director of Finance Cynde Frick said that with an estimated loss of funding from declining enrollment, plus increases in property/liability insurance and utility costs, the district will most likely need to save between $3.62 and $4.27 million.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2022-03-24T00:55:39-05:00March 24, 2022|News|

New Assistant City Administrator Daniela Rivas hits ground running in role with McPherson

Barely seven days in, and Daniela Rivas already has a solid handle on things in her role with the City of McPherson. Given her resume, that’s probably to be expected. Rivas, the city’s new Assistant City Administrator and Finance Director, already has a wealth of experience to her name. That’s why she fit the mold for the new position, which combines duties of previously separate roles. “We were very fortunate to land a candidate of her experience and caliber,” McPherson City Administrator Nick Gregory said. “Through her first week, she already has shown to be an impressive, knowledgeable and up-and-coming leader for the McPherson Community.” Rivas officially began March 14, leaving her position as city administrator for the City of Columbus, where she served since 2018.
Source: McPherson, KS

Ranson Financial2022-03-24T07:49:43-05:00March 24, 2022|News|

Residents forbidden to work on roads

County commissioners drew a hard line Monday on an issue that has been discussed on again and off again for years: county residents working on roads adjoining their property. In recent weeks, commissioners talked about roads near Lincolnville having newly laid rocks bladed off. Rural Lincolnville resident Mike Beneke, who graded the pointy rocks into a wind row after they caused flat tires on a truck and a trailer, was warned that the county could take action against him.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Ranson Financial2022-03-24T07:51:32-05:00March 24, 2022|News|

Kansas is on path to make it easier to get your seized property back from police

Police can keep seized property “as long as necessary,” state statute says, if they believe it could be evidence in a trial. A proposed change to state law would require police to give items back. Police hold the power to seize property believed to be used in a crime. Some cases stall or charges don’t move forward and critics of existing state law said getting back property even when it doesn’t link to criminal activity is too hard. “Many (people) opt not to fight the forfeiture and reluctantly give up their property, rather than rack up legal bills exceeding the property’s value,” Alieen Berquist, community engagement manager for the ACLU of Kansas, wrote in testimony to lawmakers.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2022-03-24T07:52:23-05:00March 24, 2022|News|

Overland Park Police say ‘teams’ of thieves may be responsible for over 100 car break-ins

More than 60 vehicles in south Overland Park were broken into early Wednesday morning in what police say appears to be an organized effort. “We think it had to have been a team,” says Overland Park Police spokesperson John Lacey. “At least six, even probably 10 people going from car to car, breaking windows, looking inside, things of that sort.” The break-ins were mostly located in four different apartment complex parking lots along 135th Street, between Nall and Metcalf. The thieves appeared to target items visible through the windows, but also looted through the cars’ compartments and center console. Lacey said he expects many more break-in reports to be filed as the day went on.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2022-03-24T00:40:05-05:00March 24, 2022|News|

Is your internet too slow? Study shows over 1 million Kansans might not have fast enough internet

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced a large populace of people to begin working from home, many people found that their internet speed was not quite adequate for their needs. Two surveys conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas Institute for Policy & Social Research from Jan. 2021 to Jan. 2022 found that over 1 million Kansans live in a ZIP code where recorded average download speeds are below adequate for things like online education, streaming content, and households with multiple users. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines “broadband” internet at a minimum of 25 Mbps of download and 3 Mbps of upload speeds (commonly referred to as 25/3).
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-03-24T00:38:37-05:00March 24, 2022|News|

Western Kansas Groundwater levels fall a foot in 2021

Average groundwater levels across western and central Kansas fell by more than a foot in 2021, with the greatest declines in the southwest portion of the state, according to preliminary data compiled by the Kansas Geological Survey. The KGS, based at the University of Kansas, and the Division of Water Resources (DWR) of the Kansas Department of Agriculture measure about 1,400 wells every year to monitor the health of the High Plains aquifer and other aquifers in western and central Kansas. Those measurements showed an overall average decline of 1.01 feet last year. Most parts of the region saw below-average precipitation for the year, especially during the summer growing season for agricultural crops. “The key takeaway is that 2021 started off very dry and, outside of the month of May, which is the last month most folks in western Kansas saw any measurable precipitation, dry conditions continued right into the summer and fall months,” said Brownie Wilson, KGS water-data manager.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-03-24T00:36:37-05:00March 24, 2022|News|

McPherson Police Department buys new non-lethal ordnance

The McPherson City Commission heard a request for the purchase of four new BolaWraps and 40 cartridges for the McPherson Police Department. Police Chief Mikel Golden requested approval to upgrade from the old equipment. Golden explained the old-style BolaWraps use .380 cartridges to deploy Kevlar rope with treble hooks that wrap around a person’s clothing. He went on to say the new models are more like tasers and use a battery to shoot the rope electronically. The old-style is monitored by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms due to the use of the .380 cartridges, and the new style is not. He explained the manufacturer has moved away from making the old ones, and for this reason, those cartridges and parts are no longer available.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed

Ranson Financial2022-03-24T07:55:10-05:00March 24, 2022|News|

Alicia Hidalgo Named 2022 City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year

Alicia Hidalgo, City Clerk, City of Liberal, Kansas, has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Mildred Vance City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year for the State of Kansas. The award was announced at the 72nd annual City Clerks and Municipal Finance Officers Association of Kansas (CCMFOA) Conference in Manhattan, Kansas on Thursday, March 17th. Alicia has worked for the City of Liberal for over 15 years, beginning her service as City Clerk in 2015. Prior to being hired as City Clerk, Alicia held various positions for the City of Liberal. Alicia was instrumental in navigating the City of Liberal through the COVID pandemic, apprising their City of the ever-changing laws and mandates. She is a trusted resource for planning and decision making and is always willing to go the extra mile for the City’s success. Alicia serves on the Local Emergency Planning Board and is a member of numerous local clubs and committees. She helped implement a community clean-up program to help local organizations earn money for their programs; oftentimes volunteering her time on the weekends to help. Alicia is a member of CCMFOA and has served on the CCMFOA Education/Certification Committee, the Education/Program Planning Committee and the Board of Directors. She has served as an International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) conference committee member and was inducted in 2020 as an Athenian Fellow. Alicia’s City Manager stated that she “embraces challenges, finds solutions, and maintains relationships” to help make their City a better place. Outside of work, she would probably say that her greatest joy comes from her two sons. This award is presented each year to a City Clerk or Finance Officer who has made significant contributions to the State association, the profession and their city. The award was named in honor of Mildred Vance, former auditor and City Clerk/ Municipal Finance Officer of Parsons, Kansas, who served her community from 1948 to 1988. Mildred was instrumental in developing and promoting professional education programs for city clerks and finance officers at the state and national levels and was one of the first 100 clerks to receive the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation in 1972. Mildred was later accepted into the Academy for Advanced Education (AAE) and served as a director of IIMC. She strongly believed that city clerks and finance officers should contribute to their communities and she unselfishly gave of her time and talents in church, community and civic activities.
Source: CCMFOA

Ranson Financial2022-03-24T07:58:28-05:00March 23, 2022|News|

Young Kansas native documents decades worth of abandoned buildings around the state

At 21-years-old, Emily Cowan – a Kansas native – is living through decades of memories thanks to her camera and love for writing. “It turned into, ‘well, let me think about this on a deeper level of what is the history of this building?’ People had memories here,” Cowan said. You may have already heard of the website Abandoned Kansas. It’s a non-profit organization that’s brought us pictures of old, abandoned buildings like Menninger’s Clock Tower in Topeka, and most recently, the beloved White Lakes Mall. Abandoned KS is ran in part by Cowan.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2022-03-23T09:01:01-05:00March 23, 2022|News|

About Ranson Financial

Lawrence school board members question proposed cuts to administration, other staffing

New Assistant City Administrator Daniela Rivas hits ground running in role with McPherson

Residents forbidden to work on roads

Kansas is on path to make it easier to get your seized property back from police

Overland Park Police say ‘teams’ of thieves may be responsible for over 100 car break-ins

Is your internet too slow? Study shows over 1 million Kansans might not have fast enough internet

Western Kansas Groundwater levels fall a foot in 2021

McPherson Police Department buys new non-lethal ordnance

Alicia Hidalgo Named 2022 City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year

Young Kansas native documents decades worth of abandoned buildings around the state

Services

Company