info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

JoCo cities looking at caveats on tax incentives for big box retailers who make ‘dark store theory’ appeals

info2019-08-07T20:38:32-05:00August 7th, 2019|

Should cities continue to give generous tax incentives to big retailers even if it means those businesses will eventually challenge their property valuations, demand several years of tax refunds and leave homeowners and school districts holding the bag? Some Johnson County cities are beginning to say no. As the news has begun to sink in that yet another corporate discounter – Walmart – recently won an appeal of its property values, a few cities are already looking at ways they can protect themselves. And the idea of the day seems to be tax incentive agreements that can rake back some of [...]

Lenexa updates code to allow golf carts on some public residential streets

info2019-08-07T20:37:52-05:00August 7th, 2019|

After Lenexa residents posed questions on proper usage of golf carts on residential streets, the city council updated city regulations to make them more easily understood and enforceable. Before the city updated the code, golf carts were generally not allowed to operate on city streets. City staff reported receiving numerous questions from residents regarding the use of golf carts on public streets. (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Garden City celebrates National Night Out with local first responders

info2019-08-07T20:36:33-05:00August 7th, 2019|

Kids surfed down inflatable slides and slurped on snow cones as the heat beat down on Garden City Monday afternoon, taking advantage of a “night out” with their families, neighbors and, notably, local first responders. Dozens of residents took to the streets, driveways and front yards Monday for National Night Out, the local celebration of a national event aimed at building community relationships with law enforcement and reducing crime across the country. (Read more: News - The Garden City Telegram)

Revised bridge program could be boon for county

info2019-08-07T20:35:59-05:00August 7th, 2019|

Marion County might benefit from the reinstatement of a state program designed to reduce the number of deficient bridges on local roads. County engineer Brice Goebel told commissioners Monday that the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement program will pay $140,000 per location to build local bridges. “It does not have to meet federal guidelines,” Goebel said. (Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Wichita Police Department shows off its two new police horses

info2019-08-07T20:32:50-05:00August 7th, 2019|

The Wichita Police Department’s mounted unit now has two new members - Hero and Keeper. The Mounted Unit’s eight horses, 14 officers and two sergeants were featured at a news conference Wednesday afternoon in Old Town Farmer’s Market to introduce its newest partners. Becca Boldra, Wichita Police Foundation executive director, said the “Horse for Heroes” fundraising campaign allowed the department to purchase the Clydesdales and introduced the horses to the community. (Read more: Local News |)

High speed fiber laid in Greensburg’s northwest sector

info2019-08-07T20:32:06-05:00August 7th, 2019|

Haviland Telephone Company is working to bring Greensburg residents up to speed with a three-layer process to provide residents with high speed fiber optics cable in city limits. Some Greensburg residents are already experiencing the joy of high speed internet as provided by Haviland Telephone Company’s new fiber cable, but most are patiently waiting for their turn to get linked into the new internet option made possible by city leaders. (Read more: Kiowa County Signal)

Kansas imposes toughest online tax collections in the nation

info2019-08-07T21:14:56-05:00August 7th, 2019|

Kansas plans to impose what some tax experts said Wednesday would be the nation’s most aggressive policy for collecting state and local taxes on online sales, possibly inviting a legal battle. The state Department of Revenue issued a notice last week saying any “remote seller” doing business with Kansas residents must register with the department, collect state and local sales taxes and forward the revenues to the state, starting Oct. 1. It cites a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year allowing states to collect sales taxes on Internet sales. Most states now have policies to collect such taxes, but almost all set minimum annual sales [...]

Marshall County Commissioners interested in funding local development

info2019-08-07T21:00:20-05:00August 7th, 2019|

Marshall County commissioners plan to decide soon on funding for economic development in the 2020 budget. All three board members have expressed interest in increased funding.... Commissioner Keith Bramhall says he’s in favor of allocating $25,000 in 2020 funding for the Marshall County Partnership for Growth, a countywide economic development organization. The county is currently funding the group at $2,500 per year. Bramhall also said he wanted to revisit Commissioners Chairman Dave Baier’s proposal for the county to provide $20,000 in grant monies for new businesses. (Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Tour of local housing sparks discussion, ideas for Marysville

info2019-08-07T20:59:23-05:00August 7th, 2019|

Republic County economic development director Luke Mahin visited Marysville Monday for a housing development tour with Marshall County Partnership for Growth director Ellen Barber and Partnership president Nic Stoll. Mahin said he noticed that Marysville has many housing issues that are similar to Belleville’s. After the tour, Mahin had lunch with Barber, Stoll, Bulldog Apartments manager Mary Kueny and Partnership board member Rob Peschel. Mahin was joined for the tour and lunch by Kansas State University architecture student Harley Schuster, who is interning this summer with Mahin’s group. Schuster said that during the tour she saw lots of opportunities for housing, [...]

Report: Kansas farm real estate values up 6% from last year

info2019-08-07T17:25:36-05:00August 7th, 2019|

A government report shows farm real estate values went up 6% in Kansas from last year. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Tuesday that the value of all land and buildings on Kansas farms averaged $1,960 per acre for 2019. That is $110 per acre higher than last year. The report is a bright spot as Kansas farmers struggle with mounting debt, lower crop prices and trade challenges. (Read more: KAKE - News)

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