U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $781,127 to provide telemedicine software and equipment to ensure equitable health care access in central Kansas. … “Collaboration and strategic planning are at the heart of Barton County’s success, and this project speaks to our administrative ability to put long-term planning into action,” said Sue Cooper, Barton County Grant Coordinator. “Living in rural Kansas means we need to act cooperatively for the prosperity and well-being of our residents.” This Rural Development investment will help Barton County and three other Kansas counties establish telehealth programs that connect vulnerable populations to vital services that address public health needs and substance use disorder treatment. The grant will connect existing county services to critical healthcare providers. The interactive equipment will allow Barton and Ellsworth County jails remote access to nursing and physician services and decrease the costs associated with transporting inmates. Clients of the Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, and Stafford County Health Departments will access public health services remotely. Central Kansas Community Corrections and the Twentieth Judicial District Juvenile Services will be able to provide vital counseling, treatment, and educational programs that address substance use disorder. The program will create regional access to essential healthcare services and improve patient outcomes.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $40,000 toward new patrol vehicles and equipment for the City of Norton Law Enforcement Department. … The city of Norton will use a $40,000 grant to assist with the purchase of two new patrol vehicles and related equipment. The vehicles will provide law enforcement services for nearly 3,000 people in the Norton area. This public safety partnership is made possible by the additional contribution by the City of Norton of $35,000.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $501,956 to provide interactive video conferencing equipment to allow access to students in rural Kansas. … This Rural Development investment will help Labette County provide interactive video conferencing equipment to Unified School District 506. The equipment enables the distribution of high-quality curricular instruction allowing access for students in rural Kansas.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $50,000 toward a new ambulance for the city of Caney, Kan. … The city of Caney will use a $50,000 grant to assist with the purchase of a new ambulance. The ambulance will provide emergency medical care for over 2,200 people in the Caney area. This public safety partnership is made possible by the additional contribution through a commercial lender of $129,083.

City leaders voted Tuesday to prohibit most Airbnbs and other short-term rentals where the property owner lives elsewhere. As part of its regular meeting, the Lawrence City Commission voted 3-1, with Mayor Jennifer Ananda absent and Vice Mayor Brad Finkeldei opposing, to prohibit non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in neighborhoods that are zoned for single-family homes, allowing them only in residential areas zoned as multi-family and in specific types of properties. City code already allows short-term rentals where the homeowner rents out a room or section of the house, or where the owner rents out the entire house while continuing to live there most of the year. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the commission also voted to expand the definition of owner-occupied short-term rentals to include duplexes and properties that have accessory dwelling units — such as mother-in-law suites or converted carriage houses — as long as the person operating the rental lives in one of the dwellings on the site.
Source: LJWorld.com.

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.