info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

DA’s office investigates Wichita City Hall over inaccuracies in Century II reports

info2020-09-08T07:02:42-05:00September 8th, 2020|

Prosecutors have opened an investigation of the city of Wichita’s handling of records after a complaint by one of the founders of a group seeking to save the Century II Convention and Performing Arts Center from potential demolition as part of a proposed redevelopment project. Celeste Racette, leader of Save Century II, says she’s gotten what she believes to be incorrect and/or incomplete information in response to requests she’s filed in her campaign. A city official admitted there are errors in the documents that were provided to Racette, but said they were inadvertent clerical mistakes in descriptions caused by errant cutting [...]

No big problems so far with Winfield mask order

info2020-09-08T07:02:22-05:00September 8th, 2020|

Other than some confrontations between people, few problems have been reported to authorities so far regarding compliance with the City of Winfield’s face mask ordinance. ... Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said there have been a handful of incidents at local businesses involving customers who refused to wear masks, but these have been resolved without any further issues. Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Grant to aid in Winfield trail conditions

info2020-09-08T07:01:51-05:00September 8th, 2020|

The City of Winfield has applied for a Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism grant that would help to pave some of its city-owned trails, making them more durable for all-weather use and improving ADA access. City officials are tackling trail improvements after receiving feedback from the community. “Recreational trails were one of the highest priorities received in the community survey last fall,” said Winfield city manager Taggart Wall, referring to a survey release last year to help with comprehensive planning. Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Four Kansas cities seeking HQ of U.S. Space Command

info2020-09-08T07:00:45-05:00September 8th, 2020|

Gov. Laura Kelly said Friday she is pushing for President Donald Trump’s space force to be in Kansas. Four cities, including Leavenworth, have submitted proposals seeking to land the headquarters of the U.S. Space Command, which would be in charge of military operations in space. The other cities are Derby, Kansas City and Wichita, who have also provided information on potential development sites to the federal government, the governor’s office said. "Our strong teams of state and local economic development professionals have the tools available for the attraction, growth, and retention of the U.S. Space Command headquarters," said the governor in [...]

New Junction City High School more than half finished, expected to open before next school year

info2020-09-08T07:07:24-05:00September 8th, 2020|

Geary County Schools U.S.D. 475 is currently more than halfway done with the construction of a brand new Junction City High School. Construction on the massive project began 18 months ago and is expected to be finished in June 2021. Chief Operations Officer David Wild said the school has been split in to three zones. Zone three, which includes the athletics department, is still mostly concrete and steel. On the other end of the project, crews have completed the roof on zone one and are putting up drywall. Source: KSNT News

Garden City approves second bid package for Big Pool project

info2020-09-08T07:12:17-05:00September 8th, 2020|

The guaranteed maximum price for Bid Package 2 for the Garden Rapids at The Big Pool project was approved by the Garden City Commission at its regular meeting Tuesday. ... Bid Package 2 is a total of $3.9 million, bringing the total project cost to $12.3 million. In addition to the base bid package, the commission approved a buy-up option for a breezeway between the old bathhouse and the new admission/concession building. Source: News - The Garden City Telegram

Risk Creeps Into Municipal Bond Market, Yet Rates Stay Low

info2020-09-07T09:51:45-05:00September 4th, 2020|

Add the municipal market to the long list of American institutions reshaped by Covid-19. The pandemic is threatening the creditworthiness of many municipal securities long seen as safe investments—bonds for higher education, health care, tourism and travel. ... Municipal bond defaults have reached their highest rate since 2011, the aftermath of the last recession, according to Municipal Market Analytics data. Still, Americans continue to pour money into municipal bond mutual funds, which are clocking 17 straight weeks of inflows since mid-May. Source: Wall Street Journal.

USDA Invests Over $265,000 in Community Infrastructure in Lucas, Kansas

info2020-09-04T09:37:24-05:00September 4th, 2020|

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $265,300 to renovate a community center in the city of Lucas. “Modern, safe community infrastructure is essential for rural communities to thrive,” Hinrichsen said. “Whether it’s a safe and accessible library or facilities for public and civic meetings, rural communities rely on modern infrastructure to invigorate and serve their town and public. Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand, USDA is dedicated to rural communities like Lucas and their long-term commitments to [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for September 3, 2020

info2020-09-04T07:03:09-05:00September 4th, 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.

Federal cleanup funding proposed for southeast Kansas smelter sites

info2020-09-04T08:15:46-05:00September 4th, 2020|

The Environmental Protection Agency has added a site in Caney in Montgomery County to its Superfund List of hazardous waste sites eligible for federally funded long-term remedial cleanup and has proposed adding another site in Weir in Cherokee County to the list, the Kansas Department of Health Environment announced this week. As a result of historic smelting operations at the two sites, both contain lead, which can pose serious health risks... Source: Newton Kansan

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