Sedgwick County commissioners approved a plan Wednesday to make safe-operating grants of up to $5,000 available to small businesses beginning next week. The allocations will go up to a total of $5 million, which is part of an additional $9.3 million in federal CARES Act funding given to the county because it has the state’s highest employment rate after the effects of Covid-19. The county originally received $99.6 million in funding. The county surveyed businesses this summer for their most pressing needs in responding to the pandemic’s effects, which have taken a toll on restaurants, bars and many other hospitality and retail sectors. Of the 140 responses, the priorities were cash, personal protective equipment and supplies, training and workforce development, and Covid-19 testing.
via Wichita Business Journal

The Hutchinson Correctional Facility Central Unit is on lockdown after 84 residents and 10 staff tested positive for the coronavirus this week. The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) says a total of 99 residents and 17 staff have tested positive since the pandemic began. Five residents and 7 staff have recovered. The KDOC says all the positive cases are asymptomatic. KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda says they have consulted with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). New steps include: All residents in the Central Unit will remain locked in their cells, necessary movement will be done in cohort groups, essential resident workers in laundry and food service will continue to operate on a limited schedule, some residents may be relocated to Lansing Correctional Facility’s COVID-19 Medical Unit
via KSN-TV

After accepting just over $11 million for coronavirus relief last month from the state of Kansas, the Saline County Commission approved how that funding will be divided Tuesday. The funding comes from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund and passed through the state. Saline County administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes said the county received over 100 applications for funding, which were submitted to an advisory committee set up by the county commission last month.
via News – Salina Journal

City of Lawrence sanitation workers will soon vote on whether to unionize. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to adopt a resolution setting dates for the election for later in August. Teamsters Local 696 recently filed a petition with the city on behalf of the city’s 70 sanitation workers, whose duties include handling trash, recycling and yard waste collection, asking that the city conduct a union election…
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Kansas State University will not implement mandatory COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff upon returning to campus this fall, according to Dr. Kyle Goerl, medical director at Lafene Health Center. “It doesn’t seem to do much good to test an entire group of individuals once with no plan to do further surveillance testing,” Goerl said during a Virtual Town Hall Meeting put on by K-State officials Tuesday. “And so, we have elected no to do that at Kansas State.” This route is different than the one being taken by the University of Kansas, which is requiring everyone returning to campus to get tested for COVID-19 before fall classes begin. K-State will still test people who show symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
via 1350 KMAN

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.

Boy Scout Matthew Whittaker will be building a trap shooting range in Sabetha. … Whittaker presented to the commissioners about his idea of building a trap shooting range in Sabetha to complete his Eagle Scout Project. The proposed location for the range is east of the water treatment plant. M. Whittaker said the project is estimated to cost around $10,000 – $4,500 for the trap shooting machine and $5,500 for the concrete work and building.
via Sabetha Herald

Shawnee is planning an overhaul to its downtown program that incentivizes commercial improvements. Revisions to the city’s policy would simplify financial incentive packages for downtown businesses and increase reimbursable expenses. City staff, in conjunction with the Shawnee Downtown Partnership, had proposed numerous revisions to the policy after reviewing the program this summer.  …Adopted by the city in 2003, the Downtown Improvement Program is an incentive policy designed to encourage businesses to invest in their buildings to make the downtown area more attractive, according to city documents. The policy provides financial incentives to downtown businesses to assist them with costs toward improvements that maintain their appearance.
via Shawnee Mission Post

Keep those masks on, Wichita. The City Council on Tuesday extended the city’s mask mandate until after the Labor Day weekend as the fight continues against the COVID-19 pandemic. The council vote was 4-3 to continue requiring masks for employees and patrons of most public-facing businesses and indoor gatherings until Sept. 8.
via Wichita Eagle

In an effort to prop up dining and drinking establishments hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wichita City Council has approved a plan to make it easier for them to take their business outside. The new program, called Open Air ICT, will allow businesses to get a free permit to expand into outdoor spaces in city right-of-way, including streets, grassy areas, sidewalks and parking lots adjacent to their businesses, said Gary Janzen, city engineer. Restaurants and bars are forecast to be the biggest beneficiaries, although the permits could also be used for outdoor display of retail goods.
via Wichita Eagle