info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

How converting a downtown Wichita street from one-way to two-way can spur development

info2020-08-06T08:05:24-05:00August 5th, 2020|

The city of Wichita is preparing to convert another downtown street from a one-way road to two-way with a goal of improving traffic flow and driving future development along the street front. It's a big win for advocates of downtown Wichita. The City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve the design concept and funding to reconfigure a half-mile section of Emporia Street from Second Street south to Waterman. With the vote, the city plans to spend $300,000 on the project, which includes the installation of signal poles, signage and pavement markings. If funding allows, the city is exploring the option [...]

Walmart sets dates for temporary drive-in theater

info2020-08-06T08:12:10-05:00August 5th, 2020|

Topekans will get have two chances to see a movie at the parking lot of south Topeka Walmart, the site of a former drive-in theater, and free tickets will be available Wednesday afternoon. As part of its national pop-up theater campaign, Walmart announced it will show drive-in movies at 160 of its stores nationwide, with the Topeka location’s dates set for Tuesday, Aug. 25, and Wednesday, Aug. 26. Gates will open at 6 p.m., with movies starting at 7:30 p.m. Movies will vary by location, but Walmart lists "Wonder Woman," "Spy Kids," "Space Jam," "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," "Ghostbusters," "The Wizard [...]

Cities adopt representation flags across the state

info2020-08-06T08:02:59-05:00August 5th, 2020|

The city of Newton is just the latest in a host of Kansas towns working to adopt a new flag this year and in years just past. “We received 65 entries from Newtonians of all stripes -- from kids to seniors, amateurs to professional artists,” a Facebook post at Newton Flag Project reads. “Thank you for having fun with this and celebrating our community with us!”... In southeast Kansas, Pittsburg citizens just completed a city flag design contest last month. Their winning design incorporates a pickax to pay homage to the city’s mining history, wheat to represent farming traditions, a Balkans [...]

Merriam tree sale closes Aug. 10, available for residents only

info2020-08-05T08:00:14-05:00August 5th, 2020|

The city of Merriam is hosting a tree sale that will take orders until Monday Aug. 10. The tree sale is available only to Merriam residents, who can choose from a number of trees including maples, oaks, elms and flowering crabapples. Residents will get a $15 subsidy on the first two trees, with a maximum of $30 off their tree order. (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Municipal Bond Trends for August 4, 2020

info2020-08-05T07:52:16-05:00August 5th, 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.

Roeland Park begins second phase of Roe 2020 with curb, sidewalk, and driveway replacement

info2020-08-05T07:48:44-05:00August 4th, 2020|

The city of Roeland Park on Monday entered a new phase for the largest infrastructure project in its history, Roe 2020. Crews will remove curbs, sidewalks and driveways along Roe Boulevard at Johnson Drive and then move north to 51st Street during the project’s second phase. Temporary driveway access for residents along Roe will be created using gravel until curb construction and driveway installation is complete. Vehicles cannot drive on the new curbs or driveways for at least seven days after concrete pours. The construction crew will try to pour the curbs one day and the driveways the following day in an [...]

Wichitans speak out about proposed city budget that includes police increases, cuts to the animal shelter

info2020-08-05T07:51:00-05:00August 4th, 2020|

Several Wichitans spoke out Tuesday about the proposed city budget before the Wichita City Council. The total budget comes out to $630 million. The documents are available online at wichita.gov. The city says they are facing a revenue deficit of more than $11 million due to the COVID-19 pandemic. City of Wichita working on balancing budget amidst coronavirus pandemic Under the proposal, there is an increase for police to adjust for new hires, wages, pensions and IT costs. Century II operations would be based on contract management to put less burden on the city. The proposal also includes cutting the city’s [...]

State board approves historic designation for Century II, former downtown library

info2020-08-05T07:51:11-05:00August 4th, 2020|

The Century II center in Wichita got another layer of protection over the weekend when a state board voted it onto the Register of Historic Kansas Places. The state will now forward the building’s nomination to the National Park Service for possible inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review in a Saturday teleconference meeting also voted to grant historical status to the former Central Library building that shares the parking lot with Century II, the city’s convention and performing arts center since 1969. (Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Aguilera takes over as city administrator in Altamont

info2020-08-04T08:32:39-05:00August 4th, 2020|

The city of Altamont has welcomed a new city administrator, Audree Aguilera. Aguilera holds associate degrees in business and technical accounting from Barton Community College. She earned a bachelor’s in business administration from Ottawa University in 2018 and a master’s in public administration from Wichita State University this year. She has received added education from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Institute, the certified public manager program at the University of Kansas and the Municipal Training Institute through the League of Kansas Municipalities. Prior to joining the city of Altamont, she was the community development coordinator for Lyons for more [...]

Arkansas City could save more than $2 million with water loan refinancing

info2020-08-04T08:31:33-05:00August 4th, 2020|

A proposal to refinance three loans related to water services in Arkansas City could save the city more than $2 million through next 15 years. Arkansas City commissioners will consider two resolutions today that would allow the city to refinance the loans at a lower rate. The outstanding balance for the three loans is $23,114,128, the bulk of which ($19,844,813) is for the water treatment plant that opened in 2018. If approved, the refinance could save the city $2,194,041 in interest and shorten the term of all three loans, City Manger Randy Frazer said. “Right now interest rates are extremely low,” [...]

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