info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County leaders sued over alleged censorship of magazines at jail

info2020-09-18T07:02:04-05:00September 18th, 2020|

The Human Rights Defense Center, a Florida-based nonprofit that focuses on prisoner rights, is suing the Johnson County Board of Commissioners and the Johnson County sheriff, claiming they’re withholding magazines and other publications from jail inmates. The nonprofit says the staff at the New Century Adult Detention Center has refused to deliver dozens of the organization’s mailings to inmates, in violation of their First Amendment rights. Source: Prairie Village Post

Auditor: Topeka officer violated no policies in use of force incident involving Black woman

info2020-09-18T07:01:37-05:00September 18th, 2020|

Edward Collazo, the city of Topeka’s independent police auditor, has concluded Topeka police officer Kevin Schulz violated none of the department’s policies Aug. 23 when he used force on Tamiko Mitchell, a Black woman stopped for a traffic violation. Collazo decided that after thoroughly reviewing officer statements, witness statements and seven police body camera videos, said Molly Hadfield, the city’s media relations coordinator, in a news release late Thursday afternoon. Collazo shared his findings in a 17-page report, she said. Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Lawrence City Commission finalizes ordinance that provides protections for undocumented immigrants, requires notification of certain ICE activity

info2020-09-18T07:24:25-05:00September 18th, 2020|

City leaders have finalized a nondiscrimination ordinance regarding undocumented immigrants, including the addition of two provisions meant to create transparency regarding how police interact with those populations. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance on second reading with two additions. The additions require public notification when the police department is aware of certain federal immigration activities in Lawrence as well as notification should the department make changes to its policy that generally limits police cooperation with federal immigration agents for noncriminal matters. Source: LJWorld.com.

Hutchinson looks to part-time patrols to address park issues

info2020-09-18T07:06:49-05:00September 18th, 2020|

A majority of the Hutchinson City Council agreed Tuesday to have part-time police service aides begin to patrol the city’s parks at night, particularly focusing on Orchard Park, to address concerns from the public about vandalism and loud after-hour activities in the park. Police Chief Jeff Hooper said the effort would cost about $20,000 to $25,000 a year if it were year-round, but he could manage it in his current budget with money from unfilled officer positions. Source: Local - The Hutchinson News

Water services set for Derby with new agreement

info2020-09-18T07:10:12-05:00September 18th, 2020|

For the past couple of years, Derby has been in negotiations with the city of Wichita for a new wholesale water services agreement – with the original contract (set in 2001) coming up on its expiration. While there have been holdups along the way – stemming from Wichita’s focus on its own facility upgrades, the current pandemic, etc. – City Manager Kathy Sexton presented the Derby City Council with a new proposed agreement at its most recent meeting on Sept. 8. The renewed agreement would look very similar to the original agreement, according to Sexton, and include no immediate changes for [...]

Lyon County adjusts gathering limits with new public health order

info2020-09-18T07:09:33-05:00September 18th, 2020|

Lyon County commissioners approved an updated public health order prioritizing “flexibility” and “individual responsibility” Thursday after weeks of community input and discussion with local leaders. Set to begin Friday and run through Nov. 12, the new order maintains the same language on recommendations for travelers, high-risk individuals, long-term care centers and area businesses, again “highly encouraging” the use of masks in favor of mandating them. The majority of changes come in the category of mass gathering limits, which will be raised significantly moving forward. Source: Emporia Gazette

City of Emporia extends mask mandate through Oct. 21

info2020-09-18T07:09:01-05:00September 18th, 2020|

A citywide mask mandate will remain in effect through Oct. 21 following a decision by Emporia City Commissioners Wednesday night. City Attorney Christina Montgomery said no changes had been made to the language of the mandate, other than its expiration date. The mandate, which was passed unanimously, requires a mask or other face covering that covers both the nose and mouth to be worn in indoor and outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible. It applies to all businesses, organizations and non-profits located within city limits, including all employees, visitors, customers, members and non-members. Source: Emporia Gazette

City of Emporia sees increase in sales tax revenue amid pandemic

info2020-09-18T07:08:37-05:00September 18th, 2020|

Like other cities around the state, Emporia saw a surprising increase in sales tax revenues for June and started the 2021 fiscal year with a 2.9% increase over the previous year, despite the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. According to the Kansas Department of Revenue’s August report, which reflects mostly revenues from June, the City of Emporia brought in $395,463.23 in August — a 9.3% increase over Aug. 2019. The city ended the 2020 fiscal year, which ran from July 2018 - Aug. 2019, with $746,474.57. The 2021 fiscal year ended with $768,258.48 — 2.9% increase over 2019. So far, the city [...]

Eudora lands deal for new railway manufacturer

info2020-09-18T07:25:42-05:00September 18th, 2020|

Modern Manufacturing announced Thursday that it had indeed selected Eudora for the project. Leaders from the city of Eudora, Douglas County and the Kansas Department of Commerce all gathered in downtown Eudora to celebrate the announcement, and the ceremony even included one unexpected visitor — a noisy freight train rumbling through the north edge of downtown, interrupting the speech of Modern Manufacturing’s president. “Ah, there is the sound of money,” Russ Taylor, president of Modern Manufacturing, told the crowd. “That’s great.” Indeed, Eudora leaders are hopeful trains end up equating to big money for the town of about 6,300 people just [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for September 16, 2020

info2020-09-17T07:53:51-05:00September 17th, 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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