info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Overland Park committee gives nod to $5.2 million streetlight replacement project

info2021-03-29T07:08:44-05:00March 29th, 2021|

A program that will replace most of Overland Park’s older high-pressure sodium streetlights with LEDs is expected to save the city $407,000 a year for the next decade, according to the city’s staff. The council’s public works committee moved ahead Wednesday with the $5.2 million project. Most of that will be paid for with bonds, but $750,000 will come from the city’s general fund, said city traffic engineer Brian Shields. Replacing the sodium lights with the more energy-efficient light-emitting diodes is a part of the city’s five-year capital improvements plan. Source: Prairie Village Post

Electric scooters roll into Great Bend

info2021-03-29T07:08:16-05:00March 29th, 2021|

A new mode of transportation is rolling into Great Bend. but it isn’t a plane, train, or automobile, it’s a scooter. Last year, before COVID hit, Matt Hiss and his wife traveled to Austin, Texas. While exploring the city, they stumbled upon electric scooters and it planted an idea in their mind. Coming from a small community, the scooters were a new experience for the Hiss’. They say it was a fun and inexpensive way to get around. So when an ad for Bird Scooters popped up, they thought why not bring the business to Great Bend? “The first chance we [...]

After Lawrence sets renewable energy goals, Kansas lawmakers pass bill that prohibits cities from limiting natural gas

info2021-03-27T16:25:19-05:00March 26th, 2021|

In direct conflict with Lawrence’s goals for renewable energy, state lawmakers have passed a bill backed by the natural gas industry that prohibits cities from making any rules or requirements that would limit the use of natural gas or propane. The Kansas Gas Service sponsored the bill, and private gas companies such as Black Hills Energy have also expressed support for the bill, saying that the bill is “preserving energy choice,” as the Journal-World previously reported. ... Both the City of Lawrence and Douglas County have submitted testimony against the bill. Jasmin Moore, the sustainability director for the city and county, [...]

Garden City housing shortage affects whole community

info2021-03-27T16:23:37-05:00March 26th, 2021|

Garden City has a lack of housing. The shortage is at all levels – from rentals to single family homes. The shortage is not just in one area. Lona DuVall, president/CEO of the Finney County Economic Development Corporation, said the shortage is due to little housing construction over the past 20-25 years. The area is now feeling the full impact. ... It wasn’t until the Rural Housing Incentive District tool came available a little over 10 years ago that it was affordable to develop the land the community had because of the lack of infrastructure, DuVall said. Until then, housing construction [...]

Build America Bonds may be key to financing Biden’s infrastructure plans

info2021-03-26T10:04:19-05:00March 26th, 2021|

Republicans and Democrats agree that the U.S. is in dire need of a major infrastructure overhaul and, at the very least, that Congress should authorize significant repairs to roads and bridges. The fierce disagreement between the two parties begins over which provisions are worthy of running the federal deficit higher, as well as dispute over how to finance such a massive undertaking. And while Wall Street worries itself with the potential for future increases to the corporate and individual income tax rates, Democrats may soon turn to an Obama-era tool to finance their infrastructure plans: Build America Bonds, or BABs. BABs [...]

City of Lawrence to launch new water rate structure that charges higher rates for irrigation, other accessory water use

info2021-03-26T09:58:26-05:00March 26th, 2021|

After delays, the City of Lawrence is preparing to roll out a new water billing method that aims to encourage conservation by charging higher rates for irrigation or for other accessory uses. The new billing structure goes into effect April 1 and includes three inclining residential rates and a structure that intends to bill the higher rates only for accessory usage. Households with relatively stable water use all year will pay the lowest rate, while the city will charge those that water their lawns or otherwise use larger-than-average amounts of water 10% to 15% more for those extra gallons. Source: LJWorld.com.

Municipal Bond Trends for March 25, 2021

info2021-03-26T09:57:26-05:00March 26th, 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.

Bill would provide sales tax relief to struggling movie theaters in Kansas

info2021-03-26T09:56:31-05:00March 26th, 2021|

Lawmakers discussed a bill on Thursday that would let movie theaters keep state sales taxes collected for tickets and concessions. Local sales tax would still need to be collected. This would apply to the next two years, beginning in July. Estimates said it could cost the state nearly $7 million a year. Revenue fell sharply for movie theaters last year because of social distancing efforts during the pandemic, but there is hope that theaters can start getting more visitors this year. "It would help during that recovery period, we expect that we won't really reach what our capacity was prior to [...]

Goodwill thrift store is barred from opening new spot in Johnson County. It’s suing

info2021-03-26T09:55:59-05:00March 26th, 2021|

Goodwill has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Olathe, arguing that a law restricting thrift stores discriminates against businesses that serve low-income customers. The legal battle comes after the city denied a license application for Goodwill to open a new location. Since 2002, Goodwill operated a store on the north side of West 135th Street in Olathe. But with the lease up in 2019 and the building in need of repair, leaders decided to close it and relocate across the street, about 1,200 feet away, said Edward Lada, president and CEO of Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. [...]

Kansas area codes 620 and 785 will be required to dial 10 digits by end of 2021

info2021-03-26T09:54:35-05:00March 26th, 2021|

Beginning April 24 Kansas residents with area codes 620 and 785 will be asked to dial the complete 10 digit phone number to make a call. The 10 digit number will be required to make any phone calls that previously could be dialed with seven digits. Residents are encouraged to begin dialing the 10 numbers starting April 24, however, calls will still go through with seven digits until Oct, 24 at which time the area code for local calls will be mandatory. After Oct. 24, 2021 callers who do not dial the 10 digit number will not be able to complete [...]

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