info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Manhattan to review draft of strategic plan, to be released to public Friday

info2021-09-28T06:28:45-05:00September 27th, 2021|

Manhattan city commissioners will discuss their five-year plan for Manhattan at their Tuesday meeting. ... City staff members, with help from the hired firm Planning NEXT, are finalizing the first draft of the strategic plan, which they are calling Crossroads MHK. The plan lays out goals and priorities for local leaders, who are supposed to use those goals in their decision-making. The plan is set to be available to the public for feedback beginning Friday until Oct. 17. The plan will be available on the project website, engagemhk.org/crossroads, for review and comment, according to a city memo. The city government will [...]

USDA and HHS Launch Resource Guide to Help Rural Communities Increase Access to Child Care Services

info2021-09-27T07:46:57-05:00September 27th, 2021|

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development Katie Hamm today unveiled a joint resource guide (PDF, 3.5 MB) to help people in rural and Tribal communities increase access to child care services. ... The guide was developed in partnership by USDA Rural Development and the Office of Early Childhood Development in HHS’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF). It provides useful information to help stakeholders in rural communities – including Tribes and Tribal organizations – address the need for improved [...]

Restoration of Topeka’s Constitution Hall is speeding up thanks to a national grant

info2021-09-27T07:19:10-05:00September 27th, 2021|

Grant Glenn began to think he wouldn't see in his lifetime the historic Constitution Hall reach completion of its restoration process. The project has moved slowly and its momentum has stalled a few times through the years. When the rest of the world seemingly stopped in 2020, the restoration of Constitution Hall hit a turning point. Momentum picked up. That turning point was when the building's facade was restored. The creamy white stone exterior is a replica of Constitution Hall's original, 1855 facade. Glenn, a Friends of the Free State Capitol board member, said he now believes he will see the [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for September 24, 2021

info2021-09-27T07:07:17-05:00September 27th, 2021|

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.

Pilsen prepares for return of Fr. Emil Kapaun remains

info2021-09-26T21:25:53-05:00September 26th, 2021|

The tiny town of Pilsen is preparing for the return of its most famous native son. Residents spent the day cutting the grass and painting parking lines outside of the church in town where Father Emil Kapaun's remains will be taken after they arrive in Wichita Saturday morning. It's a day many in the town never thought would happen. "It's one of the greatest feelings I've probably ever had in my life,” said Marvin Tajchman, who has worked at the church where Kapaun's remains are going to be taken for the last 20 years. Residents like Tajchman and others say they don't [...]

Rental housing program delivers $41.5 million in aid to struggling Kansas households

info2021-09-26T21:21:45-05:00September 26th, 2021|

Olathe residents Sheryl and Gary Evert were among thousands of Kansans struggling to pay their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. They eventually sought assistance under the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program authorized by Congress and financed through federal coronavirus relief legislation. Under KERA, the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation, or KHRC, has granted $41.5 million in rental, utility and internet assistance to 7,800 eligible households across the state since March. “My wife Sheryl and I are in our 70s, and before we received our KERA funding, life was really stressful,” Gary Evert said. “We didn’t know when we would be able to [...]

The community gathered to celebrate a big milestone for one southeast Kansas tradition

info2021-09-26T21:20:10-05:00September 26th, 2021|

The community gathered to celebrate a big milestone for one southeast Kansas tradition. This weekend was the 75 annual McCune Fall Festival. The tradition was originally started to bring people into town to celebrate the start of the fall season. It started off with a few people, but eventually grew into what we see Saturday. Clint McCulm has been the parade marshall for the past 41 years and says this has been a great way for McCune graduates to reunite. Clint McCulm, McCune Fall Festival Parade Marshall, says, "We have a lot of classes coming back every year, like just coming [...]

In Parsons the community was focused on paying tribute to the past, present and future of the city

info2021-09-26T21:18:37-05:00September 26th, 2021|

In Parsons the community was focused on paying tribute to the past, present and future of the city. Saturday the city gathered in Forest Park for a dedication ceremony to celebrate the refurbishment of the park's urns. The two urns were placed by the Ladies Improvement Association back in 1908. About a decade ago one of the urns were left on its side during the construction of a new bathroom in the park. It stayed like this until Mike Brotherton and Dave Mattox worked to fix the urn as part of the city's 150th anniversary. Dave Mattox, Parsons 150th Anniversary Committee, [...]

Mission voters approve sales tax hike to pay for street maintenance

info2021-09-26T21:15:48-05:00September 26th, 2021|

Mission voters overwhelmingly approved increasing the city’s sales tax in order to pay for road improvements, results from a mail-in election this month show. The Johnson County Election Office reports the measure to raise the city’s quarter-cent sales tax to three-eighths of a cent passed with 77% approval. A total of 1,634 ballots were mailed in between Sept. 1, when the ballots were sent out, and Sept. 21, when they were due. The total number of ballots cast produced a voter turnout rate of nearly 24%. Source: Prairie Village Post

Kansas tax receipts up 22% over projections in August

info2021-09-26T21:14:13-05:00September 26th, 2021|

Kansas' total August tax revenues were $629 million, 22% over projections, and 15.7% over last year's total. Though the amount seems significant, some experts argue that the large dollar signs are not as promising as they appear. "The August tax receipts don’t reflect economic progress; it’s quite the opposite," Dave Trabert, CEO of Kansas Policy Institute, told The Center Square. "Gov. Kelly’s 2019 and 2020 vetoes of legislation that would have removed tax increases caused by not conforming to changes in the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are causing taxes on people and businesses to rise. Fortunately, a new legislature [...]

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