info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Tribal casino may be build on land near Wichita. It could cost Kansas millions in taxes.

info2020-06-09T11:46:46-05:00June 9th, 2020|

Federal officials have cleared the path for a tribal casino to be built on land just north of Wichita, setting up a potential showdown between the state of Kansas, Sedgwick County and the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. The Wyandotte and others — including casino magnate Phil Ruffin and former Wichita Mayor Bob Knight — have been fighting to open a casino in Park City for decades, but legal challenges and voters have thwarted legal gambling in Sedgwick County. The proposed casino would open just south of the Kansas Coliseum and the Greyhound Park race track, both now closed, in the area [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for June 8, 2020

info2020-06-09T11:42:49-05:00June 9th, 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.

Lawrence City Commission to consider agreement to power city buildings with wind energy

info2020-06-09T08:01:15-05:00June 9th, 2020|

City leaders will soon consider an agreement that would allow nearly all of the energy that powers city buildings to come from renewable sources. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider entering into a 20-year agreement with Evergy Energy, formerly Westar Energy, for 8 megawatts of renewable energy annually. The energy would be generated from the Ponderosa Wind Farm in Beaver County, Okla., and is projected to save the city about $100,000 per year. Read more: LJWorld.com.

After 3 decades, Douglas County Public Works director to retire; he ‘really cared about the safety of the traveling public’

info2020-06-09T08:00:50-05:00June 9th, 2020|

A longtime Douglas County public servant who has overseen some of the county’s unsung improvements will soon retire. Public Works Director Keith Browning, 66, will leave the position later this month after having served the county for 31 years over two stints, where he has overseen the maintenance and improvement of the county’s hundreds of miles of rural roads and related infrastructure. Browning, who has been the director for the department’s last 22 years, has also overseen much larger projects, including the reconstruction of the Lone Star Lake spillway and rehabilitation of the bridge over the Kansas River in Lecompton, he [...]

Lawrence City Commission to discuss changes to controversial sidewalk repair program

info2020-06-09T08:00:10-05:00June 9th, 2020|

City leaders will soon discuss some new ideas for sidewalk repair, including the creation of a sidewalk insurance program and a potential city takeover of maintenance responsibilities. The Lawrence City Commission requested to reconsider the city’s sidewalk maintenance program earlier this year, and the commission will discuss the potential changes as part of its work session Tuesday. Some residents have voiced strong opposition to the program, which generally requires homeowners and other property owners to pay to repair city sidewalks that border their property. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Topeka ordering non-union workers to take 5 unpaid days off

info2020-06-09T08:57:53-05:00June 8th, 2020|

The City of Topeka is requiring its 285 non-union employees to take five unpaid days off to help cut the city’s costs in the wake of financial struggles tied to the coronavirus pandemic. City spokeswoman Molly Hadfield told the Topeka Capital-Journal that the employees must take the five days between June 13 and Sept. 18. City Manager Brent Trout last month eliminated the jobs held by the deputy city manager, neighborhood relations director and emergency management coordinator. Trout, the mayor and city council members also cut their own pay by 6%. The city is also considering changes in healthcare coverage for [...]

Wichita plans to double emergency fund as COVID-19 expenses near million-dollar mark

info2020-06-09T08:58:52-05:00June 8th, 2020|

Having already spent almost all of the $1 million set aside for Wichita’s response to coronavirus COVID-19, the city is poised to double its emergency fund to fight the disease. A request to put an additional $1 million into the fund will come before the Wichita City Council on Tuesday and Mayor Brandon Whipple said he doesn’t expect any opposition. “The thought moving forward is we’re going to be able to be reimbursed for this money,” Whipple said. “Our staff are conservative enough with their interpretations (of what’s reimbursable) to where we can feel confident about it. (Read more: Local News [...]

Sedgwick County Expands COVID-19 Testing To Better Gauge Community Health

info2020-06-09T09:02:27-05:00June 8th, 2020|

Sedgwick County is using three strategies for COVID-19 testing to get a better sense of disease spread in the community. The county opened up its free testing to people who don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms, began a random testing program and created a mobile testing unit to reach vulnerable populations. Until now, the county health department, working under guidelines set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), used strict criteria to determine who was eligible for an appointment for testing. (Read more: RSS Feed)

Kansas Governor Poised To Trade Some Emergency Powers To Keep Her COVID Orders

info2020-06-09T09:03:08-05:00June 8th, 2020|

A deal forged by the governor and legislative leaders extends the Kansas disaster declaration in response to the coronavirus through September, for now ending what’s become a partisan conflict. The bill lets Gov. Laura Kelly keep some of her powers to respond to the coronavirus, like delaying deadlines for things such as filing taxes or renewing drivers licenses. The plan gives legislators more control over extending the disaster declaration and reviewing new orders. “A compromise position. A position that still allows the governor to operate,” Republican Rep. Fred Patton told the House this week. (Read more: RSS Feed)

Butler community reacts to EduCare Center shuttering

info2020-06-09T09:19:47-05:00June 8th, 2020|

The announcement that Butler Community College is terminating its EduCare Center program has been a source of shock and sadness throughout the community. The college announced the closure of the program earlier this month citing unpredictability of service because of COVID-19 and budget difficulties. “This business decision was made with a very heavy heart, but with looming budget cuts and the unpredictability of COVID-19 outbreaks, it was necessary,” Dean of Health, Education and Public Services Christy Streeter said in an email to parents on Monday, June 1. “We realize EduCare has had a positive impact at Butler and on the families [...]

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