City leaders indicated they were more open to using tolls to fund the expansion of the western leg of the South Lawrence Trafficway as long as some lanes would still remain free. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received an update from the Kansas Department of Transportation on the study to expand the western leg of the SLT using both open-access lanes and tolled express lanes. Decisions on whether any portion of the potential expansion will be tolled have yet to be made, but consultants with HNTB, who are working with KDOT on a study for the project, told the commission the tolled expressway was an option they want to consider.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Lawrence city commissioners said they were largely uninterested in raising taxes to make up for the millions in revenue that the city projects it will lose because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they aren’t ruling out any options right now. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the City Commission received updated 2020 revenue projections to account for the pandemic and resulting economic slowdown and directed city staff regarding several policy decisions impacting the budget. Those included how much of the city’s savings commissioners are willing to spend down
Read more: LJWorld.com.

When restaurants begin to reopen for in-house dining, some of those dining options will actually be outside. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to approve changes to the city’s temporary special event permitting process that allow businesses more flexibility in how they use their properties, and additional options are being discussed. Interim Planning Director Amy Miller told the commission that her office has been in contact with a lot of businesses, specifically restaurants, that are looking at ways to use their private parking lot to serve customers.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

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.