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.
Northeast Johnson County mayors reflected on 2020 — a year notably filled with coronavirus-related challenges — at the 2021 NEJC Chamber State of the Cities luncheon last month. The luncheon itself served as an example of a COVID-19 challenge, as the annual event went virtual with an afternoon Zoom call. While racial unrest, the 2020 election and big city projects were all hot topics, COVID-19 sat atop everyone’s list, including Overland Park Council President Kurt Skoog — who stood in for Mayor Carl Gerlach.
Source: Prairie Village Post
The city of Wichita is taking the next step in a plan to outsource the management of Century II. The Wichita City Council on Tuesday will vote to authorize the release of a request for proposal (RFP) that will be sent to prospective private building management companies later this month. The move to private management has been envisioned as a cost-saving measure, with Robert Layton, city manager, having previously said it would considerably reduce — if not eliminate — the roughly $2.5 million the city spends on the building’s operating costs each year.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
For the first time this school year, the Olathe school district will allow all students to return to the classroom full time, starting next month. It’s the first of Johnson County’s largest districts to announce that students in middle school and high school will be allowed in classrooms five days a week, just like elementary school students have been doing. The smaller Spring Hill district and De Soto district allowed secondary students to return to full-time, in-person learning on Feb. 1.
Source: Joco 913 News
The Strong City Opera House has been awarded a $90,000 Heritage Trust Fund grant by the Kansas Historical Society, Saturday morning. The funds are a much needed boost for the Strong City Preservation Alliance to continue renovations on the historic building located at the corner of 5th and Cottonwood streets. “It’s been a very emotional day,” said Ross MacTaggart, SCPA member, of the announcement.
Source: Emporia Gazette
While the pandemic is sure to continue altering plans for months to come, local officials say they’re committed to providing as normal — and as entertaining — of a year as possible moving forward. During a brief joint city/county luncheon Wednesday, officials discussed the general impacts COVID-19 has had on the community thus far, with one of the chief among them being the cancellation of numerous popular local events and celebrations. In speaking on the importance of providing residents something to look forward to, Mayor Rob Gilligan encouraged attendees to do everything in their power to promote a return to normalcy.
Source: Emporia Gazette
New Sedgwick County Health order started at midnight last night, just in time for local restaurants to prepare for fans to enjoy the big game in person. KSN talked with bar and restaurant staff this weekend who say they’re excited for some safe social interaction. Staff at The Rusty Nail and Hurricane Bar and Grill say it’s been quite some time since they have been able to host events like these because of the pandemic. So, they are very excited about it. Both locations have sanitized their restaurants several times and say they have enough space for people to watch the game, and still be socially distanced.
Source: KSN-TV
Waiting for vaccine doses — if you have been heading to either of the two Sedgwick county sites providing vaccines you may have had to wait. Friday morning at the drive-thru clinic at the Wichita City Transit Office on 777 E. Waterman, things were running smoothly with very little wait. The night before, however, the lines were longer. The Sedgwick County Health director said one reason for the longer lines is that many people are showing up early.
Source: KSN-TV
Winfield USD 465 is holding a contest to find another Viking logo. The familiar, lushly bearded Viking set sail for colder waters after the district learned that it is the one used by Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D., and has been for years. According to USD 465 Superintendent Nathan Reed, last year he was contacted by an Augustana alumnus irate that USD 465 was using the university’s logo.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
In July 2019, local businessman and longtime Topekan Kent Lammers sent a letter to Topeka’s mayor and city council asking whether improvements were being planned for the southernmost stretch of S.W. Topeka Boulevard. “With several new and exciting attractions, such as the Heartland Stampede and the downtown Evergy Plaza, is there a plan to address the condition of the South Topeka Boulevard corridor?” he wrote. “As a main gateway to Topeka from Forbes and a major thoroughfare to and from Heartland Park and downtown, the first impression of Topeka when arriving from the south is not good.”
Source: CJonline.com.
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