info2021-04-22T07:02:21-05:00April 22nd, 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.
info2021-04-22T06:55:12-05:00April 21st, 2021|
As local and state governments have yet to see the return of their revenues to the pre-pandemic levels, the American Rescue Plan Act allocates roughly $350 billion towards assisting both levels of governments with their fiscal recovery, and also a small allocation towards capital project funds for governments to carry out projects to support work, education and health monitoring during COVID-19. All funds allocated under this relief package to local and state governments must be used by December 31, 2024, and the governments cannot use the funds towards pensions or to offset revenue resulting from a tax cut enacted since March 3, [...]
info2021-04-22T06:55:48-05:00April 21st, 2021|
Johnson County residents raised concerns during a virtual meeting Wednesday night about the potential toll costs associated with a U.S. 69 Highway expansion proposal. The meeting was the second in a series of town hall meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to gather feedback on the project that would expand the highway from four to six lanes from 103rd Street to 179th Street. KDOT explained that adding express toll lanes is the best option. The department’s study showed the express toll option outperformed alternative plans in improving safety, reducing congestion and promoting sustainability. The plan outlined the proposed [...]
info2021-04-22T06:58:08-05:00April 21st, 2021|
Even as Kansas remains far from reaching the coveted public health standard of herd immunity against COVID-19 — essentially starving off the virus because it runs out of vulnerable bodies — more than 60 counties just turned down their weekly allotment of vaccine doses. Not long ago, local health officials struggled to get enough doses for people clamoring for protection in a pandemic. Now they’re straining to get people willing to take their shots — and sorting out how to make the most of doses given out to smaller groups.Consider Barton County in central Kansas. It’s named for Clara Barton, the founder [...]
info2021-04-22T06:58:42-05:00April 21st, 2021|
The Brown County Commission heard from RJ Hamilton of Hamilton Recycling, who requested on Monday morning for the commission to consider going in with neighboring counties for a recycling center. Hamilton told the commissioners that the Falls City recycling location shut down in 2019 due to equipment failure, but he has been asked by many people for local avenues to reopen one. He said he was hoping Richardson County in Nebraska could work with Brown County to reopen a recycling center. He said he hoped to get other neighboring counties involved for a possible regional program. The commissioners said they weren’t [...]
info2021-04-22T07:00:13-05:00April 21st, 2021|
As Kansas officials struggle to find enough people to vaccinate from the coronavirus, Sedgwick County has dropped the requirement for people to make an appointment. Starting Monday, appointments will not be needed to get a vaccination at the former downtown Wichita library, 223 S. Main. Appointments can still be made, though, at sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19. The announcement comes as 62 of the 105 counties “rejected their weekly allocations of COVID-19 vaccines from the state this week” as demand stagnates, according to public radio station KCUR. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
info2021-04-22T07:00:54-05:00April 21st, 2021|
Mayor Wynn Butler wants more people involved in a survey about community priorities. Other commissioners agreed Tuesday at a work session. The city is working through its CrossroadsMHK strategic plan. “I would just be interested in having the survey link easily found on the website, because I think we could get more people,” Butler said. “I was a little bit disappointed with 600 or so people having taken that survey.” In March, CrossroadsMHK issued an online survey to the community seeking feedback about the plan from the public. The survey has closed, but CrossroadsMHK will release a second one later this [...]
info2021-04-22T07:01:01-05:00April 21st, 2021|
A federal jury found that the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, discriminated against a Black firefighter and then retaliated against him when it fired him for raising complaints. The 10-member jury returned a verdict in favor of former Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department employee Jyan Harris on Thursday after deliberating for about eight hours. The jury awarded Harris $2,432,000, an amount that represents back pay, future pay and compensatory damages for both his discrimination and retaliation claims. “Hopefully now it shows them that you can’t do people like that,” Harris said after the verdict was read. “You have to [...]
info2021-04-22T07:01:16-05:00April 21st, 2021|
The Kansas Nebraska Heritage Area Partnership, a diverse, bi-state partnership of cultural, historical, economic development and tourism organizations and individuals, has formed in hopes of establishing a National Heritage Area within 49 counties between north central Kansas and south central Nebraska. The area includes Marshall County. The mission of the Heritage Area Partnership is to connect communities and attractions, instill pride of place, and promote immersive experiences for residents and visitors to enhance appreciation for the region’s unique landscape and nationally significant cultural history. Source: The Marysville Advocate
info2021-04-22T06:55:36-05:00April 21st, 2021|
The Lenexa Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program was one of just four agencies, and the first municipal agency, across the United States to earn national certification this year by CIT International. “It is a high honor to be the first municipal agency in the nation to earn this certification and I believe it reflects our commitment to best serving those individuals who live with mental illness in our community,” said Chief of Police Dawn Layman. The CIT program is a community partnership of law enforcement, mental health and addiction professionals, individuals who live with mental illness and/or addiction disorders, their [...]
