info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Ford County spends more than $100,000 litigating voting access case

info2019-02-26T09:18:14-06:00February 26th, 2019|

Ford County spent more than $100,000 fighting a three-month long voting access lawsuit. The county paid the Hinkle Law Firm $100,936 in legal fees and services, according to a document obtained through an open records request. Ford County Clerk Debbie Cox was sued in October after relocating Dodge City’s sole polling site outside city limits ahead of the November midterm election. The cost to open a new site varies depending on factors like equipment and setup. Harvey County estimated expenses around $5,000 while Saline County reported costs at nearly $22,000. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

County officials investigating factors behind uptick in number of women booked in Johnson County jail

info2019-02-26T09:15:20-06:00February 26th, 2019|

No one can fully explain the reasons yet, but there’s a troubling trend afoot at the Johnson County jail. For the first time in recent memory, women are being booked into detention in increasing numbers, causing a disproportionate spike in the female population. They are staying longer, too, according to statistics kept by the county department of corrections. “It’s one of those things I wish I could explain but I can’t,” said Sheriff Calvin Hayden. But in the coming weeks, county officials are going to dive into those statistics and look for an answer. (Read more: Prairie Village Post - Neighborhood [...]

Johnson County home appraisal values rise again; see how much today

info2019-02-26T09:14:10-06:00February 26th, 2019|

The one time of year has come when Johnson Countians don’t want to see their home values go up — county appraisal time. The county will send out appraisal notices on Monday to 198,000 property owners, The Kansas City Star reports. Homeowners also can see their 2019 appraisals online on Monday. The new appraised value will be higher for more than 90 percent of homes in Johnson County, according to The Star, but the increase won’t be as large as the double-digit-percentage jumps experienced last year. Attribute it to a residential real estate market that remains robust, but that has cooled [...]

Hays Regional Airport gets new manager

info2019-02-26T09:12:53-06:00February 26th, 2019|

Jamie Salter has been named the new manager of city-owned Hays Regional Airport by City Manager Toby Dougherty. An employee with the city of Hays for 11 years, Salter took over as airport manager on Sunday. Salter has a Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Hays State University. She worked for the city for more than 11 years. A press release from the city’s Human Resources Director Erin Giebler said Salter has previously provided administrative support for the airport. “Mrs. Salter has 11 years of experience with the City of Hays,” Dougherty said. “She is well-versed in airport operations and regulatory [...]

Barton County awarded more funding for safety improvements at JUCO Road intersection

info2019-02-26T09:09:50-06:00February 26th, 2019|

Following the tragic accident at the intersection of North Washington Avenue and Northeast 30 Road (JUCO Road) last April that took the life of an 18-year old from Olmitz, Barton County Commissioners voted in favor of making changes to increase awareness and signage at the intersection north of Great Bend. The teenager’s vehicle was struck by a cement truck that was traveling north on Northeast 30 Road. Barton County Engineer Barry McManaman noted changes to speed limits and signage were made following the accident. McManaman says the preliminary thoughts are to add flashing warnings, radar speed displays, and active warning devices [...]

Sign up for our free KanCap Elected Officials Training in Beloit (Thursday, March 7)

info2019-02-25T11:13:20-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Water is a business! City Council and rural water district boards have a lot to consider: water pressure, meeting all federal and state regulations and standards, and making rates affordable. In fact, their job is making the right choices about complex managerial, financial, and technical aspects of running a high quality water utility. Yes, it takes time to keep up on the laws, regulations, and rules. However, as a board/council member, you are personally responsible. Water is the foundation of your community’s jobs and future. Like any business, there are risks and options, but is your board/council keeping them in mind? [...]

Lawrence city leaders interested in requiring some bar staff to receive sexual assault intervention training

info2019-02-25T09:54:04-06:00February 25th, 2019|

City leaders have indicated they are interested in requiring that at least some staff at bars and other businesses that serve alcohol be trained to recognize and intervene in sexual harassment and assault. As part of its meeting this week, the commission asked city staff to draft an ordinance that would make sexual assault intervention training mandatory for certain drinking establishment managers, beginning in about a year. The draft will come back for further consideration at a later date, at which time the commission will also discuss the requirements for the training and how the training will be funded. The city [...]

To comply with state law, Mission removes old ordinance that granted police power to seize weapons during emergencies

info2019-02-25T09:26:51-06:00February 25th, 2019|

The city of Mission has taken steps to ensure compliance with state law after discovering it had an outdated ordinance on the books intended to allow police officers to confiscate firearms and weapons during a declared state of emergency. Mission officials believe the ordinance would have been deemed unenforceable under state laws which explicitly protect individuals’ rights to keep legally held firearms. City officials said Mission never used the ordinance before it was taken off the books. Before the council moved to strike it this week, the ordinance had given the mayor the authority to order a law enforcement officer or [...]

NextEra application for Pretty Prairie wind farm detailed; will not use locally built turbines

info2019-02-25T09:15:32-06:00February 25th, 2019|

NextEra Energy filed its long-anticipated application with Reno County on Feb. 15 seeking necessary permits to construct its proposed 220-megawatt Pretty Prairie Wind Energy Center in the southeast quadrant of the county. The application itself is just 21 pages long, though, with maps, notification lists and legal documents, the full application runs about 70 pages. NextEra paid a $300 application fee for the project, which will likely cost around $300 million to build, based on recent public wind turbine construction estimates. A couple of things stand out when studying the project. First is its sheer size. Second is the fact the [...]

Gardner council creates benefit district for residential developments

info2019-02-25T09:08:57-06:00February 25th, 2019|

Gardner City Council adopted a resolution creating a benefit district for an 82 acre multi- phase residential development during its regular meeting January 18. The establishment of the benefit district will enable the city to install a sanitary sewer lift station and other site related improvements on the proposed Tuscan Farms residential development. Tuscan farms will contain 208 single family lots and 56 additional rental units. According to Matthew Wolff, finance director, the home values in the project will start at approximately $250,000. The rental units will be maintenance free. Chad Burkdoll, developer, has provided the city with a $339,000 letter [...]

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