Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

White House forms coalition with local governments to pursue building performance policies

President Joe Biden on Friday announced the launch of a Building Performance Standards Coalition, a partnership between more than 30 city and county governments along with the states of Colorado and Washington. The announcement came during the U.S. Conference of Mayors annual winter meeting. The administration describes the effort as a “first-of-its-kind partnership” committed to “cleaner, healthier, and more affordable buildings,” and said participating governments cover nearly 20% of the country’s building footprint. The ultimate goal is to advance legislation or regulation in each of those jurisdictions by April 22, 2024.
Source: Smart Cities Dive – Latest News

Ranson Financial2022-01-25T01:03:01-06:00January 25, 2022|News|

Rising Interest Rates Hit Municipal-Bonds Market

Municipal bonds are off to their worst start since 2011. The early-year bond rout has dragged returns on the S&P Municipal Bond Index to minus 1.1% through Jan. 20, counting price changes and interest payments. The loss is an early sign that rising interest rates could make 2022 rockier than last year, when federal stimulus and elevated demand from homebound savers led to record low volatility and historically high prices. Now investors are eyeing those prices more warily. Muni bond mutual and exchange-traded funds took in a net $830 million through Jan. 19, compared with $6.1 billion last year …
Source: WSJ.com

Ranson Financial2022-01-24T07:25:42-06:00January 24, 2022|News|

Smart meters allow for intermittent utility disruption on delinquent accounts

Although municipal utilities – such as Gardner – are not subject to the Kansas Cold Weather rule, the city tries to work with those customers who are behind on their bills during the winter months. “We are working closely with customers to get them into contact with the agencies that offer assistance to help them with the hardships brought on by the COVID 19 Pandemic,” said Daneeka Marshall-Oquendo, public information officer.
Although the Kansas governor suspended late fees and penalties during the pandemic, that order was lifted in Oct. 2021. At the end of the pandemic order, 1518 customers were delinquent, which Marshall-Oquendo said was 306 percent higher than the usual 300 scheduled disconnects. Due to the installation of “smart” meters last year, customer utilities can now be disconnected from the city office. Customers delinquent on more than $100 will receive a notice, and disconnects will only take place on Wednesdays.
Source: Gardner News

Ranson Financial2022-01-24T07:24:15-06:00January 24, 2022|News|

KCC Announces Program to Help Low Income Households With Internet Costs

The Emergency Broadband Benefit, a federal program that helped almost 9 million low income Americans afford internet service in 2021, ended on December 31st. The Kansas Corporation Commission wants Kansans to know that a new $14.2 billion federal program, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), is available to fill the gap. With higher income maximums, the ACP could help even more families afford internet access for work, school, and health care. Current Emergency Broadband Benefit participants have until March 1 to contact their internet provider and switch over to the new plan with no interruption of service.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-01-24T01:51:07-06:00January 24, 2022|News|

Wichita Launches PROPEL Loan Program for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

The City of Wichita announced the second round of the PROPEL (Providing Resources & Opportunities for Proprietors, Entrepreneurs & Lenders) Small Business Loan Fund today. The low-interest, short-term revolving loan program was developed to make access to capital more readily available to minority-owned and women-owned firms and businesses located in Wichita City Council District 1. Funding of $220,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money has been allocated to the revolving loan fund, along with a generous contribution from INTRUST Bank, to enable the PROPEL fund to extend participation to business owners throughout Wichita on an ongoing basis. The next round of PROPEL funding will accept applications now through Friday, March 18, 2022.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-01-24T07:19:11-06:00January 24, 2022|News|

Chase County employees to see wage increases this year

Some Chase County employees will see an increase in pay this year after commissioners approved a 5% increase for elected and appointed personnel, as well as increases in some department budgets. The increase was approved during a lengthy special meeting held Tuesday morning at the courthouse. Jail administrator Larry Sigler came to discuss detention center salaries and wages. He told commissioners that new hires in security will come in at a rate of $18.50 per hour. Tenured employees will move to $19 per hour. Sigler also asked commissioners for “additional compensation” for salaried employees that are on guard duty.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2022-01-24T07:19:21-06:00January 24, 2022|News|

De Soto approves TIF district for majority of Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant land

De Soto’s City Council unanimously approved a 5,877-acre tax increment financing district to help redevelop a portion of the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. It also voted Thursday evening to re-annex 131.4 acres adjacent to, but outside the TIF district. Earlier this month, officials effectively dropped that land from an initial 6,376-acre annexation after learning it was titled to the Johnson County Park & Recreation District. But the district’s board of commissioners consented to the annexation Tuesday, resolving the procedural snarl.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Ranson Financial2022-01-24T07:19:28-06:00January 24, 2022|News|

Legislative auditors skeptical Prairiefire development can pay off $64.8M in bond debt

The Overland Park retail, office, hotel and residential development attached to the Prairiefire museum struggles to attract out-of-state tourists and could default on $64.8 million in bond debt issued through a state economic development program under scrutiny by the Legislature. Auditors with the Legislature said their analysis of the PrairieFire project built with capital raised through issuance in 2012 of Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, or STAR bonds, indicated the project wasn’t generating enough sales tax revenue to repay debts in the required 20-year period. Originally, $64.9 million in bonds were issued for the project. Debt remaining to be paid: $64.8 million. Auditors predicted it could take until 2046 or 2104 to produce sufficient sales tax revenue to retire the PrairieFire obligations held by the city of Overland Park.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2022-01-24T07:19:51-06:00January 24, 2022|News|

Wyandotte County residents turn out in support of proposal to establish a public defender’s office

The Kansas State Board of Public Indigents’ Services held a public hearing Saturday at Kansas City, Kansas Community College on a proposal to establish a public defender’s office in Wyandotte County which currently does not have one. The hearing was attended by close to 200 community members. In her Governor’s Commission for Racial Equity and Justice Initial Report, Gov. Laura Kelly recommends that counties with more than 100,000 residents have a public defender’s office. Wyandotte County has more than 165,000 residents. Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree told the board he thinks a public defender’s office is necessary. “I was a private attorney, and as a private attorney, I was on this list,” said Dupree. “I, at one time, enjoyed the funds that came from this list, but then I realized things need to change.”
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2022-01-24T01:42:48-06:00January 24, 2022|News|

Northeast USD 246 working outside the box to fill staff vacancies due to COVID

As Omicron surges and schools close due to staffing shortages, new plans are needed to keep kids in class. We paid a visit to one local district working outside the box to fill open positions. Elementary Principal Kerstin Womble says Northeast USD 246 has been struggling with staffing issues like every other district in our area. “It’s been a little difficult for us as a small town because we share subs with every district in the area.” But you wouldn’t know it if you paid a visit to one of their schools, like we did. That’s because, everyone is stepping up. “It’s been kinda neat seeing teachers that may teach 5th grade or junior high stepping into a kindergarten position for an hour or two, kindergarten teachers experiencing junior high, experiencing custodial duties, it’s been really nice to see them all step up.”
Source: KOAMKOAM

Ranson Financial2022-01-24T07:21:07-06:00January 24, 2022|News|

About Ranson Financial

White House forms coalition with local governments to pursue building performance policies

Rising Interest Rates Hit Municipal-Bonds Market

Smart meters allow for intermittent utility disruption on delinquent accounts

KCC Announces Program to Help Low Income Households With Internet Costs

Wichita Launches PROPEL Loan Program for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses

Chase County employees to see wage increases this year

De Soto approves TIF district for majority of Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant land

Legislative auditors skeptical Prairiefire development can pay off $64.8M in bond debt

Wyandotte County residents turn out in support of proposal to establish a public defender’s office

Northeast USD 246 working outside the box to fill staff vacancies due to COVID

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