info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Sedgwick County Sheriff pushing for vaccines for deputies, jail medical staff

info2020-12-28T11:32:06-06:00December 27th, 2020|

As vaccines continue to roll out, the Sedgwick County Jail is asking when will they see a shipment? "We're getting no direction from them whatsoever in fact we're having a hard time even communicate with them they don't return a lot of emails," said Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter. He says his staff has spent the last month and a half asking KDHE for an update for the COVID-19 vaccines. "The fact of the matter is inside the jail is a lot different environment than anywhere else," Sheriff Easter explained Source: KSN-TV

Lenexa Fire Using Digital Alerts for Road Safety

info2020-12-28T11:32:12-06:00December 27th, 2020|

Every day, the Lenexa Fire Department responds to emergencies on roads and highways in and around our community. While risk is always a part of the job, roadside incidents are especially dangerous for fire crews. Struck-by collisions are the leading cause of death for firefighters in the field, and according to respondersafety.com, 46 emergency responders have already died in 2020 after being struck on the road during an emergency response. “People typically think structure fires are the most dangerous thing we do,” said Lenexa Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Welch, “but the reality is, our safety is significantly compromised when we’re working [...]

Roeland Park adopts ‘safe and welcoming’ ordinance that limits police’s work with ICE

info2020-12-28T11:30:54-06:00December 26th, 2020|

The Roeland Park City Council this week adopted a much-discussed ordinance regarding immigration that, among other things, puts new limits on how the city will work with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Advocates have cast the ordinance as a “self and welcoming” measure that will help build trust between the city and Roeland Park’s immigrant community. A similar ordinance is on the books already in neighboring Wyandotte County and has been discussed in other Kansas cities, including Lawrence. Source: Prairie Village Post

Lowest Muni Bond Yields Aided Covid-19 Recovery

info2020-12-23T12:47:45-06:00December 23rd, 2020|

State and local governments can reap the benefits just when they need money most. When the coronavirus pandemic struck the U.S. in early March, among the first reported casualties was the $3.9 trillion market for states and local governments. The yield on municipal debt sold by almost 2,000 borrowers with more than 55,000 outstanding securities hovered at 1.14%, the lowest since at least 1979, when the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal Index began compiling data. ... All told, states and local governments this year will match or exceed the decade-high $478 billion of new offerings in 2016. That's because the appetite for [...]

How Muni Bonds Fared in 2020 and What to Expect in 2021

info2020-12-23T08:46:47-06:00December 23rd, 2020|

Municipal bonds fared better than expected throughout 2020 despite the global pandemic and subsequent impact on state and local government budgets. With record issuance and strong investor interest, muni bonds posted robust performance during the year and their yields have largely normalized since disruptions in March. Source: Municipalbonds

With COVID causing Kansas hospital capacity issues, patient transfers can take hours

info2020-12-23T08:46:00-06:00December 23rd, 2020|

With the coronavirus pandemic causing capacity issues and staffing problems at Kansas hospitals, many patients at rural facilities are waiting hours to be transferred to bigger medical centers. “We will sometimes have to make 10, 15, 20 calls to find bed availability,” said Dr. Richard Watson of Cheyenne Mountain Software, which is working with smaller Kansas hospitals on the logistics of patient transfers. “There have been times where we have had no beds available in Kansas.” When that happens, they look for beds in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Colorado and Texas. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

At end of ‘extreme’ year, Prairie Village approves 1.5% bonus for city employees

info2020-12-23T08:45:34-06:00December 23rd, 2020|

The Prairie Village City Council has approved a 1.5% end-of-year bonus for all city employees, citing their work during the coronavirus pandemic, along with a roughly $1.4 million projected 2020 budget surplus. The bonus is based on city employees’ 2020 base salaries and the payouts will total roughly $101,250, according to council documents. The move was approved at Monday’s city council meeting. Mayor Eric Mikkelson said city employees merited the bonus because they had “made extraordinary sacrifices to keep our city running smoothly this year.” Source: Prairie Village Post

Sedgwick County gets first doses of coronavirus vaccine

info2020-12-23T08:44:32-06:00December 23rd, 2020|

Officials with Sedgwick County says the county's first allocation of the coronavirus vaccine has arrived. The county is using guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to determine who gets the vaccine. The first doses are going to health department workers who take samples from people who might have the coronavirus. EMS personnel are also among those getting the first doses. Source: KSN-TV

Horton police chief to retire at end of the year

info2020-12-23T08:44:12-06:00December 23rd, 2020|

The City of Horton announced Tuesday Police Chief John Calhoon will retire on Dec. 31. Calhoon is not only Chief of Police but also works as City Administrator. After 35 and a half years of working in law enforcement, he will retire from his chief position, but will remain with the City of Horton as the City Administrator. Source: KSNT News

Municipal Bond Trends for December 22, 2020

info2020-12-23T08:43:22-06:00December 23rd, 2020|

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.

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