info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Topeka city council approves changes to camping ordinance

info2025-02-05T09:44:39-06:00February 5th, 2025|

Topeka is expanding its restrictions on where homeless people can stay. At the City Council, on Tuesday, Feb. 4., the governing body approved new changes to a citywide camping ordinance. Two big changes are a 10-day limit for how long someone can camp on private property and no camping within 100 feet of public infrastructure. The city is also clarifying that language to include roads, utilities, government buildings schools and healthcare facilities. That was reduced from 500 feet under the previous ordinance. Source: KSNT 27 News

What is the future for Emporia’s Tyson Food Plant?

info2025-02-05T09:43:20-06:00February 5th, 2025|

A major food production plant in northeast Kansas is due to shut down this month in the Emporia area, ending hundreds of jobs for the local community. 27 News reached out to the City of Emporia this week to get an update on the imminent closure of the local Tyson Food Plant. City Manager Trey Cocking said the plant’s final day of operation will be on Friday, Feb. 14. Tyson Food, Inc. announced the closure of its Emporia plant in December 2024. More than 800 workers were included in the layoff notice for the plant, spelling the end of a major [...]

Federal funding freeze on hold for now, but what could it mean for JoCo?

info2025-02-03T09:48:47-06:00February 3rd, 2025|

Though a federal judge has temporarily blocked the order and the White House’s original memo has been rescinded, the Trump administration’s proposed freeze on federal grants, loans and other funding streams has left many local governments, organizations and community groups in Johnson County waiting for clarity. The potential freeze calls into question the fate of millions of dollars expected to flow into Johnson County for various projects, regional partnerships, community initiatives and other programs over the next few years. The Trump administration’s stated justification for the pause, articulated in a memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget issued [...]

Merriam weighs how to pay for $9M of work on busy stretch near old Antioch Library

info2025-02-03T09:47:18-06:00February 3rd, 2025|

The city of Merriam is clearing the way financially for two public projects at one of the city’s busiest intersections: buying the old Antioch library branch and burying utilities along Shawnee Mission Parkway nearby. In the past month, the Merriam City Council has separately approved the right to issue debt to purchase the now-vacant Antioch Library building for nearly $4 million and finance another $5 million for burying utility lines in front of the Merriam Grand Station development across the street. The city council voted 7-0 on Jan. 13 to approve a resolution reserving the right to issue debt for the [...]

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $11M for Community Improvements

info2025-02-03T09:45:18-06:00February 3rd, 2025|

Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday that 24 rural Kansas communities will receive a share of nearly $10.9 million through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to assist with community development projects. CDBG, a program facilitated by the Kansas Department of Commerce and its Quality Places Division, is a federal grant program that provides funding for projects that might otherwise not be constructed. The total funding of $10,849,582 will be matched with local funding, allowing more than $26.9 million to be available for the identified local projects. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Mission Gateway debacle may go to trial, holding up any future plans for former mall site

info2025-02-03T09:44:12-06:00February 3rd, 2025|

The partially built structures at Mission Gateway could sit untouched for another year or more as the site’s future remains ensnared in court. But instead of reaching a decision that would allow the site to be sold and future development plans to be considered, the judge suggested a trial may be necessary. Two years ago, the Mission City Council approved a $268 million mixed-use project that would’ve included a 90,000-square-foot Cinergy Entertainment complex, 50,000 square feet of commercial or restaurant space, 370 apartment units and a parking garage. The second face would have included a 200-room hotel and 100,000 square feet [...]

Grain Belt Express begins emminent domain process

info2025-02-03T09:41:20-06:00February 3rd, 2025|

With a reported 95% of required landowner easement contracts now in hand, Grain Belt Express (GBE or GBX) has begun statutory eminent domain procedures to acquire the remaining land needed to begin construction of its approved electric transmission line across the state into Missouri. Source: Great Bend Tribune

North Newton to implement strategic plan this year

info2025-02-03T09:40:29-06:00February 3rd, 2025|

One of the goals of the City of North Newton’s strategic plan is to identify land that is eligible for development opportunities. The North Newton City Council approved the strategic plan during its November meeting. The city is looking into development, because residents showed interest in having more community spaces and housing options, as well as more diversity in the tax base to keep the town in a strong position in the future. Source: Harvey County Now

A Balancing Act, website to give City of Lawrence feedback on budget, is about to go live

info2025-02-03T09:38:56-06:00February 3rd, 2025|

The online program the City of Lawrence uses to gather community feedback to help shape its budget is going online Saturday. In budget talks beginning much earlier than usual this year, city commissioners were hesitant to rule out the possibility of a property tax increase, and they indicated they were interested in possibly charging user fees for Lawrence Parks and Recreation facilities. A Balancing Act allows folks to tell the city in which areas of the budget they’d recommend increasing or decreasing funding. City staff members then use that feedback to help shape the budget they ultimately present to the commission [...]

Peabody mayor wants city administrator

info2025-01-31T09:55:20-06:00January 31st, 2025|

Peabody mayor Catherine Weems spoke longingly at a city council meeting Monday night about hiring a city administrator. “All our other municipalities have city managers, and they make a huge difference,” she said. “I really think we need someone who, on a consistent basis, is pulling the city together. I’ve done my best in the interim to help, but we really need someone on a daily basis to be calling the shots.” Source: Marion County RECORD

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