After six hours of public comment and debate, Wichita City Council approved its annual budget without any major changes. The Wichita Police Department got a multi-million-dollar increase while the rest of the city budget was cut by millions of dollars, despite dozens of opposition speakers and weeks of protests calling for cuts to the police budget and more spending on social services. … The City Council signed off on cutting 29 city jobs and privatizing management of Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, a measure that is projected to save $5.7 million over the next two-and-half years.
via Wichita Eagle

A nearly $5 million federal grant award made public Tuesday will enable the Topeka Metro bus service to take steps that include replacing seven buses in its aging fleet.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., announced the U.S. Department of Transportation had awarded a grant totaling $4,987,500 to Topeka Metro from its Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2020. “With the funding we receive from this grant, Topeka Metro will be able to improve our operations by replacing a portion of our aging bus fleet, while also investing in technology to enhance communication with our bus operators,” said Topeka Metro general manager Bob Nugent.
via Topeka Capital-Journal

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today issued a formal legal opinion addressing the authority of boards of county commissioners and local school boards to adopt public health measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in local public and private schools that include provisions different from executive orders issued by the governor. …
Synopsis: Because Executive Order 20-59 is a statewide order relating to public health, boards of county commissioners have statutory authority under L. 2020 Special Session, Ch. 1, § 33 to issue an order relating to public health that is less stringent than the provisions of Executive Order 20-59, if the required statutory findings are made. Boards of county commissioners, acting as a county board of health, also have authority under L. 2020 Special Session, Ch. 1, §§ 37 and 38, to review, amend, or revoke any orders issued by a local health officer as a result of an executive order of the governor. In addition, local public schools also may obtain such flexibility from their local school boards, which ordinarily have statutory and constitutional authority to adopt local policies governing matters such as wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands, and temperature taking in local schools, and Executive Order 20-59 has not displaced that preexisting local authority.
The opinion is available at http://ag.ks.gov/opinions.

The City of Wichita is offering a new program, Open Air ICT, to support local businesses and protect public health during the pandemic, the City announced Tuesday. The Wichita City Council approved the program Tuesday which will allow restaurants, bars, and retail stores to apply for a free permit to use the adjacent sidewalks, streets, and on-site parking. Businesses may use the areas for shopping, dining, drinking, and advertising. The permit will help businesses provide safer environments for their customers to social distance.
via KSN-TV

The Harvey County Commission voted unanimously at its commission meeting today to extend a local order requiring face masks be worn in Harvey County through Sept. 15 in a continued effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The order requires individuals to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth in any indoor or outdoor public space where social distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained at all times. “We really appreciate everyone that is doing their part to promote community public health by wearing a face mask,” said Dr. Doyle Detweiler, the public health officer for Harvey County.
via Harvey County Now

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.