Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Johnson County libraries shift to virtual reading program during COVID-19

With the pandemic keeping all in-person activities and programming off the books at least through the end of 2020 at the Johnson County Public Library, the librarians who plan the annual summer reading program had to get a little creative. Melanie Fuemmeler, elementary coordinating librarian, said a lot of the regular library programming has been successful in a virtual-only format so making the switch to a virtual reading program was a no brainer. “I think we’re reaching a different set of patrons,” Fuemmeler said.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-06-25T07:45:20-05:00June 24, 2020|News|

USDA Invests in Community Infrastructure in Coffeyville, Kansas

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $8,300 for essential community development in the city of Coffeyville. “Modern, safe infrastructure is the bedrock of any community,” Hinrichsen said. “This project is unique in that it’s repurposing vacant infrastructure into something that the local community can use for years to come. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is dedicated to our partnerships with community organizations and their long-term commitments to economic prosperity; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.” The Coffeyville Area Community Foundation, a nonprofit serving the local community since 2001, will use an $8,300 Community Facilities Grant to develop some vacant lots of land into a community garden and orchard. These sites require small infrastructure improvements to make the project viable. This project will help purchase equipment to maintain proper levels of water and soil and provide security fencing around each property.
(Read more: Rural Development – U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Ranson Financial2020-06-25T07:46:09-05:00June 24, 2020|News|

Topeka city manager proposes cutting 32.5 jobs

Topeka city manager Brent Trout’s proposed 2021 city budget will include eliminating 32.5 full-time jobs in an effort to make up a $5 million deficit. “The elimination of these positions will help to balance the budget during a difficult budgeting year caused by reduced sales tax revenues,” Trout said in a statement provided to The Capital-Journal. Trout is expected to soon put his proposed 2021 budget before the mayor and city council, who will consider making changes to that document before finalizing it in August. It wasn’t clear how many of the jobs proposed for elimination are currently vacant.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-06-25T07:46:16-05:00June 24, 2020|News|

Ellis County hires new county administrator

The Ellis County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the appointment of J. D. Cox as the new county administrator. Cox brings 23 years of local government experience, including 16 years of day to day management. Cox was first City Administrator of Neodesha (in rural Southeast Kansas), followed then by City Manager of Alliance, Nebr. (rural western Nebraska); Bethany, Okla. (in the Oklahoma City metro); and most recently, Longwood, Fla., which is part of the Orlando metropolitan area. Cox and his wife Tonya have three children: Kierstyn of Tallahassee, Fla.; Cali of Phoenix; and son Collin who is attending the KUCIMAT public administration master’s program at the University of Kansas.
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-25T07:46:46-05:00June 24, 2020|News|

Atchison County slows reopening down a bit

Atchison County is engaging Phase 3.5 of its opening plan, effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 24 until one minute before midnight Tuesday, July 7. The new phase is in keeping within Governor Laura Kelly’s order to remain in Phase 3 of the statewide Ad Astra for another two weeks due to a spike of positive COVID-19 cases attributed to community spread, Atchison County health officials told county commissioners on Tuesday. County Health Officer Lori Forge, RN told commissioners there were 400 new cases and five deaths in Kansas associated with the pandemic throughout this past weekend. She attributed them all to community spread and not to any particular cluster.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2020-06-25T07:47:32-05:00June 24, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for June 23, 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.

Ranson Financial2020-06-24T07:56:21-05:00June 24, 2020|News|

The History of Water: Washington’s well was the result of a lucky strike decades ago

Jim Smart still remembers the day about 55 years ago when he learned the city of Washington hit the water jackpot. “I was dehorning cattle at the vet clinic and George Cox pulled up in his old Jeep with a trencher on the back and said, ‘I think I found you some water out at Bob Boston’s,’” said Smart, who is a retired veterinarian. Cox told Smart that the water was in ‘heavy gravel and down deep,’ and he was going to pump the water for a few days and see if it was as good as it appeared to be. At the time the city’s water was coming from Mill Creek, and Smart said all of the chlorine added to the water to meet health standards made it “taste terrible and smell strongly of chlorine.” Smart had recently moved back to Washington to work in a veterinary practice, and he got on the city council to help the community make some changes.
Read more: Washington County News.

Ranson Financial2020-06-24T07:53:09-05:00June 24, 2020|News|

Paine saying goodbye to administration role

A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. – Jackie Robinson. This quote sums up Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine, not just because it was said by a baseball player, but because it so accurately describes all of Paine’s professional life. Paine has spent all of his career serving others. Even in the very beginning. After growing up in Bakersfield, CA, Paine started out in the military. He started out in the state of Washington where he served for almost three years. He worked as a public information officer. “That experience has proved valuable in my line of work. As a journalist, I know you need to know five things who, what, why, where, when and how. Having gone through defense information school, I am not intimidated by press. So then if you aren’t intimidated by the press, then you can help them do their job and get the story out that you want to get out,” said Paine.
(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Ranson Financial2020-06-24T07:48:27-05:00June 23, 2020|News|

Labette County to get $3.9 million in pandemic relief help

Labette County will receive $3.9 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funding through the state, Labette County commissioners heard Monday. Charlie Morse, Labette County Emergency Preparedness director, updated commissioners on the federal money distributed by the Kansas Office of Recovery. The federal government allocated $1.25 billion to Kansas from the CARES Act. Counties with a population of more than 500,000 received a share of this pool directly. The rest of the counties will receive an apportioned share based on population. Gov. Laura Kelly formed SPARK, the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas Task Force, to help develop a way to distribute the money. SPARK came up with a three-phased approach. The first round will provide $400 million in direct aid to counties. The second phase will include $310 to $525 million for public and private entities in August. The third phase will provide $9 to $324 million to public and private entities in October, Morse told commissioners.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-06-24T07:49:07-05:00June 23, 2020|News|

Facing millions in revenue shortfalls, Wichita looks to privatize Century II operations

Not unlike businesses and households across Wichita struggling with the financial fallout of Covid-19, the city is also considering ways to cut costs as it deals with millions in revenue losses as a result of the pandemic. City manager Robert Layton says Wichita is facing a $11.5-million deficit this year, and recommends a slate of measures to help balance the 2020-21 budget. That includes closing the city’s pools and splash pads through summer, decreasing the frequency of mowing and forestry services and a plan to privatize the operations of Century II.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-06-24T07:49:22-05:00June 23, 2020|News|

About Ranson Financial

Johnson County libraries shift to virtual reading program during COVID-19

USDA Invests in Community Infrastructure in Coffeyville, Kansas

Topeka city manager proposes cutting 32.5 jobs

Ellis County hires new county administrator

Atchison County slows reopening down a bit

Municipal Bond Trends for June 23, 2020

The History of Water: Washington’s well was the result of a lucky strike decades ago

Paine saying goodbye to administration role

Labette County to get $3.9 million in pandemic relief help

Facing millions in revenue shortfalls, Wichita looks to privatize Century II operations

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