info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Topeka given until Oct. 16 to propose settlement in use of force lawsuit

info2020-09-28T07:26:30-05:00September 27th, 2020|

A federal judge on Friday gave Topeka’s city government and police officer Christopher Janes until Oct. 16 to make a settlement proposal to Timothy Harris, who is pursuing a lawsuit involving an incident in which his jaw was broken. Harris then has until Oct. 30 to submit a counter-proposal, U.S. Magistrate Teresa J. James said in a scheduling order she issued that day imposing deadlines for various, specific court actions to be taken by July 2021. The order doesn’t set a date for the trial, which it said is expected to be held in Topeka and last seven days. Civil rights [...]

Wichita paid $1.5M in overtime to police ordered to work extra during early June protests

info2020-09-28T07:26:41-05:00September 27th, 2020|

The Wichita Police Department spent more than $1.5 million paying overtime to officers and other employees under a temporary staffing directive aimed at monitoring early June protest activity that authorities feared might lead to unrest in the city. At the same time violence prompted Wichita police to break up gatherings at 21st and Arkansas on two successive nights, the department implemented an “Emergency Mobilization Plan” its says was meant to ensure officer and community safety if demonstrations spurred by the death of George Floyd in Minnesota escalated locally. Luckily, the city saw no large-scale protest-related violence outside of June 2 and [...]

Shawnee wants to regulate virtual learning centers as more pop up during pandemic

info2020-09-28T07:26:55-05:00September 27th, 2020|

Shawnee is developing city code to regulate remote learning centers within the city. The move has been prompted by the recent increase in virtual learning centers set up for children at the start of a school year that has seen tens of thousands of students across Johnson County thrust into remote learning settings amid the COVID-19 pandemic. City staff is drafting text amendments to Chapter 17 of the city code, which addresses how daycares, businesses and pop-up learning centers can facilitate remote education for students. In addition, following an inquiry about a potential homeless shelter, Shawnee city staff is also developing [...]

JoCo Election Office expects 90% voter turnout for Nov. 3, with most ballots cast by mail

info2020-09-28T08:03:50-05:00September 27th, 2020|

County election officials are adding secure drop boxes, polling places and an extra Saturday for advance voting, in anticipation of a record 90 percent turnout in the Nov. 3 presidential election, Johnson County Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt told the Board of County Commissioners Thursday. Schmidt told commissioners she expects more votes to be cast by mail than in person this year, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The last day to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27. “I urge voters if they’re going to send that application in to send it now. Do not wait until the week before [...]

Roe 2020 project on schedule, residential section to be completed by Thanksgiving

info2020-09-28T08:06:40-05:00September 27th, 2020|

The largest infrastructure project in the history of the city of Roeland Park is well underway, and the residential part of the corridor is on track for completion by Thanksgiving 2020. Roe 2020, a $10 million renovation project on the city’s main thoroughfare, is in its fourth month of construction. Mayor Mike Kelly said the city appreciates residents’ patience with inconveniences brought on by the project. Although no project is perfect, Kelly said he’s proud of the outreach campaign the city has conducted since the beginning. “It’s been very encouraging,” Kelly said. “Obviously with any kind of construction there’s growing pains and [...]

Haviland businesswoman featured in WSJ about starting a small business during Coronavirus

info2020-09-27T14:47:23-05:00September 25th, 2020|

The pandemic forced hundreds of thousands of small businesses to close. For Madison Schneider, it was a good time to start a new one. The 22-year-old in Haviland, Kan., opened Lela’s Bakery and Coffeehouse on Sept. 12, naming it after her grandmother. It has been busy every day since, she said. “It just felt like the right thing to do,” Ms. Schneider said. Americans are starting new businesses at the fastest rate in more than a decade, according to government data, seizing on pent-up demand and new opportunities after the pandemic shut down and reshaped the economy. Read more: Wall Street [...]

City of Wichita v. Trotter: City’s ordinance is a permissible restriction on the time, place, and manner in which people may offer entertainment to the public

info2020-09-25T09:42:27-05:00September 25th, 2020|

The City of Wichita has adopted an ordinance requiring anyone who wishes to operate an "entertainment establishment" to first obtain a license from the City. These licensing requirements are triggered by someone's decision to provide entertainment to the public, though they do not govern the content of the entertainment a person may provide. Anyone with a license must comply with restrictions based on noise level, hours of operation, building capacity, safety, and security. A Wichita jury found Arlando Trotter had violated these provisions by operating an unlicensed club. On appeal, he challenges the constitutionality of Wichita's licensing framework, claiming it impermissibly [...]

Bond Sales: Competitive vs. Not

info2020-09-25T09:19:43-05:00September 25th, 2020|

Our recent item about Arkansas City saving over $2.7 million as a result of a competitive bond sale sparked some conversation among our readers. The question may arise: how much better is a "competitive bond sale" as compared to the old-fashioned "just have one underwriter tell us the interest rate" model? By way of background, a best practice in today's world of local government finance is to utilize an independent Municipal Advisor (sometimes still called a "Financial Advisor") -- such as Ranson Financial Group -- for municipal financing activities, including conducting a competitive bond sale to take bids from all possible [...]

Sandhill crane decoy company eyes move to Great Bend to meet growing demand

info2020-09-25T07:49:29-05:00September 25th, 2020|

A Hoisington-based hunting decoy company has plans to expand its offerings, and hopefully create new jobs in central Kansas, in the coming years thanks to partnerships with an area manufacturer and a state university. Deception Decoy Co. is co-owned and operated by brothers Garrett and Grant Doyle, with Garrett operating as the sales and production manager and Grant as the R&D manager and sculptor. Source: Local - The Hutchinson News

Municipal Bond Trends for September 24, 2020

info2020-09-25T07:38:13-05:00September 25th, 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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