info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Labette County commission may face lawsuit over county attorney budget proposal

info2021-07-02T09:02:12-05:00July 2nd, 2021|

The Labette County attorney and county commissioners may end up in court over a budgeting disagreement. Labette County commissioners are reviewing budgets with department heads to meet a July 20 deadline to have budgets complete. Labette County Attorney Stephen Jones met with commissioners Tuesday. ... Jones created a new position for one of his employees and wrote a job description for it. Because of that promotion, the other three employees in the office will take on different jobs and duties as well. These changes result in pay raises that exceed what commissioners directed. Jones said commissioners have the authority to set [...]

Johnson County housing costs remain a concern — new ‘toolkit’ pushes cities to find solutions

info2021-07-02T09:02:30-05:00July 2nd, 2021|

A so-called “housing toolkit” is now available for cities in Johnson County to use in advocating for more affordable residential development within their jurisdictions. The new document, dubbed the Housing for All Toolkit, aims to provide guidance for cities to think about adding more attainable housing, as affordability and the cost of housing remains a major concern among many Johnson County residents. United Community Services of Johnson County, a local nonprofit that facilitated the recent Johnson County Municipalities Community Housing Study, released the housing toolkit earlier this month at its annual Human Services Summit. Source: Prairie Village Post

Commission approves pay raises for Shawnee County leaders

info2021-07-02T00:13:20-05:00July 2nd, 2021|

Shawnee County leaders are getting pay raises. The Board of County Commissioners voted to approve the increases at their meeting Thursday morning. Nine elected officials received a pay increase. That includes: district attorney, sheriff, election commissioner, county clerk, register of deeds, county treasurer, county commission chair, and two county commissioners. Commissioners said they use standards to determine raises. They look at other county salaries, performance, and payment over the next person in charge in the office. "We're trying to stay within market, we're trying to make sure that we're able to attract and keep the key members of our team," Commission [...]

Live music has been absent from Eskridge’s bandstand for years. That will change July 10 with a celebration.

info2021-07-01T08:14:06-05:00July 1st, 2021|

Eskridge Park's bandstand in its prime was a place for the community to gather and listen to live music. When the bandstand was constructed in the early 1900s, it was the park's prominent feature. But for many years, the bandstand was in disrepair. Until now. The Eskridge Park Foundation recently finished refurbishing the bandstand, and the structure will be rededicated later this month. The free event will feature musicians after several years of no live music in the bandstand. Source: CJonline.com.

Municipal Bond Trends for June 30, 2021

info2021-07-01T08:07:35-05:00July 1st, 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.

Area’s housing costs remain less than other states

info2021-06-30T23:44:54-05:00June 30th, 2021|

There’s a growing gap here and nationwide between income levels and the median house price but, despite that, the region and state remain an affordable place to buy a house, say local housing professionals. A recent study by QuoteWizard, a division of the Lending Tree LLC mortgage company, found that in Kansas the median income increased by 24.17 percent since 2012, but that the median home price increased by 44.58 percent during that same time. That led to a difference between wage increases and housing costs of $109,966. Not good – but the good news is that it’s not as bad [...]

Broadband internet is the new electricity: The expansion of broadband to U.S. homes in focus

info2021-06-30T23:39:27-05:00June 30th, 2021|

“Generations ago, the federal government recognized that without affordable access to electricity, Americans couldn’t fully participate in modern society and the modern economy. Broadband internet is the new electricity," said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "It is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected,” Vilsack said last week during a group announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications, and Information Administration. The three groups have entered an interagency agreement to coordinate the distribution of broadband deployment federal funds. In accordance with [...]

Mission dog park plan at Broadmoor Park prompts tense debate among residents

info2021-07-01T08:05:36-05:00June 30th, 2021|

The city of Mission is in the midst of a conceptual redesign for Broadmoor Park — and a one-acre dog park included in the plans is sparking debate. At a public meeting Tuesday night about the park’s future, residents got into a tense back and forth about the proposed dog park, which is something the city and some residents have been working to bring to Mission for nearly seven years. ... some residents expressed concern about the proximity of a dog park near a playground with children, as well as worries about the need for maintenance, the potential for noise with increased [...]

Kansas City’s housing crisis forced this couple into Overland Park hotel — and it’s only getting worse

info2021-07-01T08:05:59-05:00June 30th, 2021|

Night after night, Stephanie Murray sits up late in a recliner, searching the internet for help. It’s not her recliner; just one in an Extended Stay America hotel in Overland Park, Kansas. Murray, her husband and two dogs have lived there for 17 months. At $56.72 a day, she needs charitable assistance to pay the room bill. She also needs help finding an apartment that will accept the federal housing voucher she recently received after a five-year wait. “I’m 56 years old, and I feel like I’m 106,” Murray says. The pandemic didn’t introduce housing insecurity into Murray’s life. She’s struggled [...]

Scatter cemetery planned at edge of city limits

info2021-06-30T23:32:38-05:00June 30th, 2021|

Reviewing a conditional use permit for a scatter cemetery near the 79th Street South/127th Street East intersection (east of Derby), the Derby Planning Commission took action to allow the special use at its June meeting. The cemetery would be located at the northwest corner of the intersection, along the northern and western edges of a 40-acre tract land. The cemetery itself would take up roughly five acres of the tract owned by the Sunflower Land Trust. While the land in question is part of Sedgwick County, it falls in Derby’s area of influence, triggering the review by the planning commission. Source: [...]

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