info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Merriam moves ahead with plan to redesign key downtown corridor

info2022-02-18T08:14:50-06:00February 17th, 2022|

The city of Merriam approved a nearly $450,000 design contract with BHC Engineering for work along Merriam Drive in downtown, from Johnson Drive to 55th Street. ... The design scope includes the portion of Merriam Drive from Johnson Drive to 55th Street, which runs directly through the city’s downtown area. While this is simply the design contract, the final project when completed aims to bring new curb and gutters, sidewalks, pavement and bike lanes to that stretch. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Municipal Bond Trends for February 16, 2022

info2022-02-17T10:20:12-06:00February 17th, 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.

A few Kansas jails are finally allowing medical care for opioid addiction

info2022-02-17T00:08:10-06:00February 17th, 2022|

A recent decision to let people continue treatment for drug addiction while in the Sedgwick County Jail in Wichita reflects a significant shift in thinking at Kansas sheriffs’ offices that is gaining momentum. Sedgwick officials no longer take people off of their prescriptions for medications such as buprenorphine when booked into jail. No one keeps a tally of how many Kansas jails allow incarcerated people with opioid or alcohol addictions to receive the combination of medication and counseling that can help them. But nationally, only a fraction of jails do so, researchers say. Sedgwick’s joins at least a few other Kansas [...]

Minutes show Fed ready to raise rates, shrink balance sheet soon

info2022-02-17T00:04:40-06:00February 17th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released the minutes from its Jan. 25-26 meeting. Following the meeting, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee said it would not raise interest rates yet but strongly indicated a hike is on the way as soon as March. In addition, the committee set out procedures for how it will start unwinding its nearly $9 trillion balance sheet, which consists largely of bonds it has purchased in an effort to drive down rates and stimulate growth. Since the meeting, fresh inflation readings have shown prices rising at the fastest pace in 40 years. The Fed targets inflation [...]

City Council taking steps to address vacant properties in Topeka

info2022-02-17T00:02:46-06:00February 17th, 2022|

City officials are moving forward with taking action over those vacant properties around the city. With Tuesday's vote, the City of Topeka is adopting updated standards for building code enforcement. It is now in line with two sets of standards called the "International Energy Conservation Code" and the "International Existing Building Code". The vote comes as city officials are looking to address the number of vacant house fires in Topeka. Monday, a fire broke out at an abandoned home near 16th and Clay in Central Topeka. That fire marks 690 vacant or under renovated house fires in 20 years, according to [...]

Bill seeks to reduce excessive record fees

info2022-02-16T23:57:57-06:00February 16th, 2022|

A Kansas Senate panel considered Monday how best to proceed with amending the state’s open records act to increase transparency without triggering unintended consequences and placing an undue burden on municipalities. Senate Bill 386 would limit fees for copying and providing records, including the cost of staff time, under the Kansas Open Records Act to the lowest hourly rate of the person qualified to provide the records. The bill would also ensure no fee is charged if a search determines the record does not exist. It would also give the record custodian the discretion to waive any fee should it be [...]

Community health needs discussed

info2022-02-16T23:43:52-06:00February 16th, 2022|

A meeting was held Tuesday to discuss tactics and available resources for implementing the Community Health Improvement Plan, which is a list of the Cowley County’s most pressing needs paired with potential resources to address them. “We want to take all the insights, information and feedback and put it to use in the community,” said William Newton Hospital marketing director Sarah Johnson, who facilitated the Zoom discussion. The top community health needs, identified in earlier planning meetings, include behavioral/mental health, drug/substance abuse, suicide, poverty, affordable housing, child care, awareness of healthcare services, lack of health resources, obesity, preventative health and wellness, [...]

Chanute to expand fiber through three new areas

info2022-02-17T10:17:42-06:00February 16th, 2022|

Chanute city commissioners authorized the next expansion phase of the city’s fiber optic broadband utility at Monday evening’s meeting. But the project won’t begin until Oct. 1 because of the anticipated waiting time for materials and supplies. If City Manager Todd Newman had waited until the fall to authorize the work during the winter of 2022-23, he said, the expansion might not have begun until the fall of 2023. City officials have ordered transformers and expect it will take 70 weeks for them to arrive. The project will expand fiber through three areas ... Officials expect the project to cost $600,000 [...]

Man explains desire to expend Pottawatomie County Commission

info2022-02-17T10:18:20-06:00February 16th, 2022|

“I wanted you to hear from me why I’m doing that,” Doug Kern said. If Kern’s petition is successful, the expansion would be added to the November ballot. Kern said expanding the board will allow board members to have conversations outside a formal meeting without violating open meeting law. He said expanding the board to five would remedy that. “I think there are times and issues that might need some discussion outside the scope of the public ear. And that’s my motivation,” he said. “I have no desire to be a county commissioner, so I’m not trying to expand it to [...]

County commits $125,000 to dam project

info2022-02-17T10:18:43-06:00February 16th, 2022|

The Chase County Commission committed $125,000 for the Cottonwood Falls dam repair project Monday morning, after a discussion with Bruce Boettcher of BG Consultants and Pat Larkin, representing the city of Cottonwood Falls. The dam has been a cause of concern since 2013 when deterioration became visible on the outside walls. It has been monitored over the past nine years. The dam, which was originally constructed of wood in the 1860s, and later replaced with limestone and concrete in 1906. Source: Emporia Gazette

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