info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Downtown Overland Park controversial murals move closer to reality with commission OK

info2019-05-14T06:48:19-05:00May 14th, 2019|

Some opponents of a downtown Overland Park mural project may have decried its bold, bright colors and multiracial themes as contrary to the community’s history. But the city Planning Commission signaled Monday that it was time to embrace new traditions. Planning commissioners paved the way for the city’s first major multi-mural project when they approved zoning exemptions for the outside of four buildings. “I see a lot of rejuvenation with downtown Overland Park, which is great, and I think this adds to that,” commissioner Kip Strauss said. “It creates its own new history.” The murals, part of a downtown art project [...]

Labette County moves toward greater courthouse security

info2019-05-14T06:36:06-05:00May 14th, 2019|

Labette County commissioners agreed Monday to spend over $20,000 for design of a project to beef up security at the courthouse. “We’ve talked about this a long time. I think it’s time to pull the trigger and get this moving,” Commission Chairman Doug Allen of Parsons said. The commissioners agreed to enter into a contract with Design Group Architects, Ltd., Bolivar, Missouri, for design of a security system throughout the building. Allen said he walked through the building with Design Group Architects about a month ago along with department heads, who gave their input on security needs for their offices. Allen [...]

Topeka police place delay on radio traffic broadcast online

info2019-05-13T09:32:04-05:00May 13th, 2019|

The Topeka Police Department in about mid-March placed a 15-minute delay on its radio traffic broadcast free of charge at Broadcastify.com, police Chief Bill Cochran said this past week. That move means online listeners hear conversations 15 minutes after they take place. But people using police radio scanners continue to hear Topeka police traffic in a manner that is not delayed or encrypted, Cochran said. He said the 15-minute delay for the online traffic provides “the best of both worlds,” balancing public safety and transparency by continuing to give the public access to police radio traffic but providing officers more time [...]

Finney County gives final OK to Wind River Grain tax abatement; completed storage bin to hold 1 million bushels of grain

info2019-05-13T09:31:06-05:00May 13th, 2019|

Nearly two years after giving preliminary approval for a 10-year, 20-percent tax abatement for Wind River Grain to construct a nearly $3.29 million grain storage bin, the Finney County Commission on Monday gave the project final approval. In August 2017, the commission gave the preliminary go-ahead for the abatement so that Wind River could begin construction of the storage bin. With the $3,286,860 bin now complete, the company came to the commission at its most recent meeting to get final approval of the tax abatement. The commission held a brief public hearing, at which time no one from the public spoke, [...]

Bourbon County looking at formal agreements to share services, resources

info2019-05-13T09:28:11-05:00May 13th, 2019|

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday reviewed a statute that would allow them to share services with other entities in an effort to save taxpayers money. County Counselor Justin Meeks said there has been discussion about an inter-local agreement between the county and city of Fort Scott to work on roads. "I know there has been a push in the community for cooperation and looking at consolidation or shared services," Meeks said. "Actually, there's a law already in place to do that. If it's in the best interest of both parties, it can be done." He cited Kansas State Statute Article 29, [...]

Fort Scott city commissioners agree to sewer line repairs

info2019-05-13T09:21:33-05:00May 13th, 2019|

The Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday approved a motion to move forward with repairs to several sanitary sewer lines, which, according to city officials, will save money for the city in the process. Public Utilities Director Michael Mix appeared before commissioners with a review of sewer repairs in 2018 and to request approval to use the 2019 Joplin Toolbox for repairs and rehabilitation to several sewer lines at an amount not to exceed $300,000. Mix showed vidoes of sewer improvements done in 2018 as well as current issues with pipes that are deteriorating due to age, as well as deposits [...]

Council formed to fight food insecurity in Lyon county

info2019-05-13T09:11:54-05:00May 13th, 2019|

The Lyon County Commission unanimously agreed to sign a resolution Thursday forming the Lyon County Food and Farm Council in partnership with Healthier Lyon County. The council aims to tackle the problem of food deserts in the county. According to Teresa Briggs, who spoke on behalf of Healthier Lyon County, there are a lot of them. Food deserts exist wherever grocery stores and farmers markets don’t. If a person has to travel more than a mile to find a source of fresh, affordable produce such as a grocery store, that constitutes a food desert. Many of the county’s smaller communities don’t [...]

Neosho County Commissioner: Energy firm could sue

info2019-05-13T09:02:12-05:00May 13th, 2019|

A newly appointed Neosho County commissioner took a stand in favor of the Neosho Ridge Wind project if a good deal is possible and also warned the county could face a lawsuit over the issue. Commissioner David Orr, appointed after the resignation of ex-wife Jennifer Orr, said Thursday evening that he is in favor of the project if officials can put the right deal together. But he warned he does not think the developer, Apex Clean Energy, will simply go away if officials cannot agree on agreements for road use, decommissioning and payments in lieu of taxes. “Apex is not going [...]

Spring Hill seeking resident input for Parks Master Plan

info2019-05-13T08:57:59-05:00May 13th, 2019|

The City of Spring Hill’s Park Advisory Board and the Spring Hill Recreation Commission have commissioned the development of a master plan for parks and recreation. Community input is an important part of this process and helps the City and Recreation Commission best tailor the plan to reflect the community’s desires and needs. The City and Recreation Commission invite all residents to provide feedback and input on the draft master plan at a public open house. (Read more: City of Spring Hill news)

Johnson County manager’s proposed budget would hold property tax rate steady for 2020

info2019-05-13T08:55:33-05:00May 13th, 2019|

The county budget envisioned by County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson Thursday proposes keeping the tax rate at a constant 26.013 mills for 2020 — although property values are expected to continue to climb. The $1.265 billion budget calls for a $934.5 million in total spending, with $331.4 million in reserves. That number includes the wastewater and airport budgets, which are funded by user fees; parks and the library, which have their own property tax levies; and expenditures supported by grants or other funds. When those expenses are removed, the county would spend $410.3 million. The spending proposed by the county manager [...]

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