info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Longtime Lawrence school board member explains how district’s budget crisis has unfolded

info2022-01-25T23:31:44-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Lawrence school board Vice President Shannon Kimball took the board commentary portion of Monday’s meeting as an opportunity to provide some insight into the history of USD 497’s funding woes. The board heard from about 30 community members asking them not to close any neighborhood schools, and board members said they’d also received “hundreds” of emails. “In many of the emails that I’ve received and conversations I’ve had since the beginning of the year, the community has asked, ‘How did we get here and why are we having these conversations now?’ I’m going to talk about that a little bit because, [...]

The Fed is likely to signal a March interest rate hike and that further policy tightening is coming

info2022-01-25T08:01:00-06:00January 25th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve is expected to say this week it is moving forward with interest rate hikes and considering other policy tightening, reversing the easy policies it put in place to fight the pandemic. The Fed begins its two-day meeting Tuesday and on Wednesday afternoon, the central bank is expected to issue a new statement that shows it is resolved to fight inflation. Against the backdrop of a violent stock market correction, Fed officials are expected to say they are ready to push up the fed funds rate from zero as soon as March. "We don't expect them to sound dovish," [...]

‘Axe the Food Tax’ bill gets hearing as Kansas session speeds up

info2022-01-25T08:00:09-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's plan to eliminate the state's hefty food sales tax will be getting a hearing in the House Taxation committee this week. The governor's plan, announced in November of last year, could save Kansans hundreds of dollars on groceries every year. It's expected to save about $500 each year for a family of four.... It's a sentiment that some Democrats and Republicans share. The bill, which would nix the state's 6.5% food sales tax, is set for a hearing Tuesday afternoon ... Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF

Overland Park neighborhood opposed to home part of substance abuse rehab program

info2022-01-25T07:59:22-06:00January 25th, 2022|

People in one Johnson County, Kansas neighborhood are opposed to the men moving in down the street. They’re part of a substance abuse rehab program, one that intends to use a home in Overland Park’s Shannon Valley subdivision to bring addicts back to society. Neighbors complain their presence threatens to make their streets dangerous.... Overland Park’s Planning office approved the plan on Thursday, citing the Fair Housing Act. That statute, which sits under the Americans with Disabilities Act, protects people in recovery from alcoholism and addiction as being disabled. Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF

SEC taking a closer look at continuing disclosure for municipal bonds

info2022-01-25T07:52:34-06:00January 25th, 2022|

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s acting director for its Office of Municipal Securities singled out disclosures related to its Rule 15c2-12 as an area the office is watching closely, following an academic study that found serious deficiencies in continuing disclosure. Ernesto Lanza raised that subject in his remarks before the Government Finance Officers Association’s Committee on Governmental Debt Management during GFOA's 2022 Winter Meeting. ... The concern is over two 2019 amendments to SEC Rule 15c2-12, which require bond issuers to disclose the incurrence of a financial obligation of the issuer or obligated person, if material, in addition to any agreements [...]

Derby finance director announces retirement

info2022-01-25T07:44:17-06:00January 25th, 2022|

The city of Derby’s long-time Finance Director Jean Epperson has announced her planned retirement on June 13, 2022. Epperson has been with the city of Derby since 2000, serving 21 years as finance director. “Jean is one-of-a kind and will be greatly missed,” said City Manager Kiel Mangus. “We have valued not only her knowledge and expertise, but also her friendly, patient demeanor. She has been a tremendous asset to the Derby community and I’m happy for her and wish nothing but the best as she begins the next chapter of her life.” Source: Derby Informer | News

Riley County eyeing House resolution aimed at requiring counties to have elected sheriffs

info2022-01-25T07:43:51-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Riley County commissioners are keeping a close eye on a house concurrent resolution in the Kansas Legislature. HRC 5022 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring that a sheriff be elected in each county. The resolution was proposed in response to a few counties in Kansas switching to all appointed personnel. County Counselor Clancy Holeman says Riley County could be the only county to fall under an exemption. “If this bill passed we’d have a very good argument at least because it doesn’t say Riley County is exempt. It says that any county that abolished the office of sheriff prior to Jan. 1, [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 24, 2022

info2022-01-25T07:39:02-06:00January 25th, 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.

Derby launches Commercial Facade Improvement program

info2022-01-25T01:15:59-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Under discussion for the past year, the city of Derby officially launched its Commercial Facade Improvement program in mid-January. The goal is to support local businesses through funding for exterior building repairs or improvements and replacement/removal of non-conforming signs. This is a matching grant program and the city will contribute up to 50 percent of the cost for eligible improvements. Businesses can receive up to $5,000 for facade improvements and an additional $7,500 for sign updates for a maximum of $12,500 per property. Three quotes must be submitted for requests over $5,000 and the minimum grant amount is $1,000. Source: Derby [...]

Doorbell cam captures apparent black bear cub in Winfield

info2022-01-25T01:14:11-06:00January 25th, 2022|

A Kansas wildlife official says an animal that was captured on video outside a Winfield home earlier this month appears to be a black bear cub. Video of the cub was posted to the Ring Neighbors app over the weekend, but the video's timestamp shows it was recorded the afternoon of January 8. Matt Peek, a research biologist with the state Department of Wildlife and Parks, said the department isn't aware of any resident black bears in Kansas and that it's unclear where the animal came from. "It would be unexpected for a wild bear cub to show up in that [...]

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