info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Winfield arts council receives $50,000 national award

info2022-01-31T01:13:46-06:00January 31st, 2022|

The Winfield Arts & Humanities Council has been awarded $50,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Rescue Plan. Winfield Arts & Humanities Council is one of five Kansas organizations to receive an NEA grant through the program. “We are honored to be recommended to receive this assistance and grateful for NEA’s appreciation for the struggles we face as an arts organization in a small community,” arts and humanities council director Cheri Kindt-Gonzales said. “Although they struggle as well, our supporters have been faithful to keep the arts vibrant in Winfield.” The grant will go toward [...]

‘Just the beginning’: Wyandotte County to establish public defender’s office by 2024

info2022-01-31T01:07:26-06:00January 31st, 2022|

Wyandotte County will establish a public defender’s office, a week after several residents spoke in a public hearing on why the county needed one. The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services voted on Friday to create the office, said Jonathan Carter, a spokesperson for Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree. Eight of the nine board members voted to install the office. One board member abstained from the vote, Carter said. The public defender’s office is expected to be up and running by 2024, Carter said. Source: KC Star Local News

Wind energy proponent says Senate bills would kill development in Kansas

info2022-01-31T01:03:42-06:00January 31st, 2022|

Wind and solar farms would be banned in more than half of Kansas counties — and made nearly impossible in the rest — under a trio of bills heard by legislators this week. One of the bills would require leases presented to landowners to come with a message in 16-point font urging them to hire a lawyer. One would deem projects “abandoned” if construction doesn’t commence within three years. The last would ban wind and solar farms on any land not zoned for industrial use — forcing 60 Kansas counties to consider zoning if they want to allow wind development. And [...]

Despite missing councilman, Johnson County mayor appoints new leader amid controversy

info2022-01-31T01:00:31-06:00January 31st, 2022|

The beleaguered Spring Hill City Council appointed a new member Thursday night over the objections of a councilman who has vanished from the public eye in a failed bid to thwart the move. New Councilman Chad Young was appointed after the council discovered a technicality allowing them to fill the seat, regardless of Councilman Steve Owen’s ongoing protest, as fallout from the mayoral election last fall continues to dog the small town. Source: KC Star Local News

Manhattan Levee upgrades to cost nearly $30 million

info2022-01-31T00:58:41-06:00January 31st, 2022|

The City of Manhattan and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are getting ready to start a nearly $30 million construction project to upgrade the Manhattan Levee. The levee system is 6.2 miles long and protects around 7,600 people and $1.2 billion worth of economic development. The project will raise around half of the levee up to three feet in some locations. However, Stormwater Compliance Engineer Bill Heatherman said some of the most important upgrades have nothing to do with height. "Many of the gate wells, which are the big concrete structures that allow us to control water in and out, [...]

Shortages in qualified police officers impact local departments

info2022-01-31T00:54:11-06:00January 31st, 2022|

Rural police departments in Kansas are feeling the pinch of staffing shortages. Many rural communities have found it difficult to find enough officers to keep a full roster of employees. According to the National Police Foundation, which conducted a national survey of police departments, the problem stretches across the country. Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers » Feed

Over 1,000 Wichita school workers out because of COVID-19

info2022-01-31T00:51:49-06:00January 31st, 2022|

More than 1,000 staff members in the state's largest school district are in quarantine because of COVID-19, but currently all Wichita schools are open. The Wichita Eagle reports that district records show that nearly 14% of the school district's staff — some 1,033 people — were off because of COVID-19 illnesses or exposure as of Friday. That is up from 912 and 646 in the previous two weeks. Earlier this month, the district had to temporarily close several schools, including one of its high schools, because of staff shortages as the highly contagious omicron variant of the virus spread, but at [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 28, 2022

info2022-01-30T20:46:28-06:00January 28th, 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.

Johnson County Charter Commission recommends no changes after fielding some hot-button proposals

info2022-01-28T08:27:34-06:00January 28th, 2022|

The Johnson County Charter Commission decided in a meeting Wednesday to wrap up its work next month leaving the county’s governing document pretty much as is. With their last votes on substantive issues, commissioners confirmed that no changes will be put on the ballot for voter approval, and there will not be any recommendations for the county commission to consider. The charter commission meets once a decade to decide whether the county’s foundational operating rules need fixing. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Garden Plain hires first city administrator

info2022-01-28T08:26:46-06:00January 28th, 2022|

Brian Gartland has been selected as the City Administrator of City of Garden, Plain Kansas. Brian will serve as the City's inaugural administrator to lead the community through strategic growth. About his new role, Brian says, “Together we will continue to serve Garden Plain by increasing economic development and innovative efforts; and by transforming public services for all who live, work and play in our City.” Source: WSU Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs

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