Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita continues drought response

The City of Wichita is continuing Stage 2 of its drought response plan, which restricts outdoor watering to one day a week. All water customers are being urged to continue to find ways to cut back on water usage. Even though the outdoor irrigation season is coming to a close, there are still ways to save water by changing some daily habits. The city said 302 warning letters have been issued to water customers who were reported to be watering outside of their allocated day, and water use in the community is starting to increase. Before stage 2 restrictions, weekly highest water use was around 74 million gallons a day (MGD). The first week of restrictions, weekly highest water use was just over 55 MGD. Last week, the highest water usage was 64 MGD. During the last two months, efforts on education were prioritized over issuing fines. Going forward, staff plans to increase enforcement, including issuance of fines if warranted, while still continuing educational efforts on ways to cut back on water use. Stage 3 of the drought response will be discussed by city officials if water levels within Cheney’s conservation pool reach a 12-month average of below 50%. In stage 3, all outdoor watering for non-exempt customers is prohibited. This would include lawn and non-vegetable garden watering, private pool use and more. Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:22:40-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

Leon brings back local police department

The City of Leon has reintroduced their local Police Department after putting a pause on the agency two years ago. After stopping the Leon Police Department in September 2022, the city has decided to bring it back due to local needs. The City of Leon contracted with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office to keep a deputy on patrol in Leon a certain number of days during the day. As the contract progressed, city leaders and citizens realized they needed more evening and weekend coverage in addition to the daytime coverage they were receiving.
Source: Andover American

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:21:17-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

Sedgwick Council adopts strategic plan

After months of work from the Wichita State Public Policy and Management Center, the City of Sedgwick was presented with a strategic plan during the Sept. 18 meeting. The project began with interviews, four focus groups and a survey running between April and July 2024. Participants in the focus groups included local business owners, local organization board members, USD-439 students and community leaders. “It’s a great day to live in Sedgwick,” City Administrator Kyle Nordick said. “We have a lot of great things going on.” Nordick explained the PPMC was contracted to develop Sedgwick’s first ever strategic plan. Kate Young was the project associate for the plan, along with Kathy Sexton, senior management associate, Kian Williams, student assistant, and Amiee Kozushko, graduate assistant. “I was really excited because I lived in Sedgwick about eight years ago,” Young said. “It was a really fun project to get back into this community that I loved and lived in.” Young explained the project mission and vision along with the five goals for the strategic plan. She also mentioned the execution and evaluation for the city. The five goals are increasing collaboration for the best use of resources, meet the housing needs of the current and future residents to maintain vitality and manageable growth, provide quality parks and public spaces for youth recreation and community activities, promote business retention and development and continue to meet infrastructure and emergency management needs. With each goal was a list of strategies and the corresponding job title or champion. The council unanimously approved the plan 5-0.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:18:37-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

Olathe commission deals blow to ‘workforce housing’ proposal out south

A mixed-use and “workforce housing” development proposed in southern Olathe has hit a snag. On Monday, the Olathe Planning Commission unanimously recommended the denial of the HōM Flats rezoning and preliminary site development plan application. The proposal features just over 200 apartment units and several thousand square feet of planned commercial space on a 14-acre property west of 161st Street and Mur-Len Road. That’s near some single-family homes, a neighborhood center with retail, some lower-density multifamily and a fire station. Currently, the property is zoned mostly with rural and low-density designations from before Olathe annexed it from Johnson County, plus a little bit of city office zoning. Michigan-based developer Magnus Capital Partners LLC is seeking to convert it into “community center” (C-2) and low-density multifamily residential categories to make way for the mixed-use and apartment elements.
Source: Johnson County Post

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:16:52-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

This Johnson County city is the next to explore allowing accessory dwelling units

Another northeast Johnson County city is exploring new housing options to allow under its city code. The Merriam City Council on Monday unanimously voted to direct the city’s planning commission to draft an ordinance that explicitly allows accessory dwelling units, sometimes referred to as granny flats or mother-in-law suites. Over the past couple of years, accessory dwelling units proved a major sticking point in Prairie Village’s heated housing debate, with some residents expressing concerns that allowing for ADUs could lead to increased traffic, strained infrastructure and crowded schools. Prairie Village’s code allows for what are called accessory living quarters, which require tenants to be related to the primary property owner. Meanwhile, in Merriam, Billy Croan, the only resident who shared public comment on Monday, urged the city council to support accessory dwelling units in the name of property owner rights. Croan said he believes “government should not stand in the way” of people using their properties. City staff is going to work with the Merriam Planning Commission to draft an ordinance, which will eventually return to the city council for final consideration.
Source: Johnson County Post

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:14:54-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

Prairie Village will address speeding on neighborhood street after residents’ petition

Speed tables are coming to a connecting street near Meadowbrook Park. The Prairie Village City Council last week unanimously approved the installation of two speed tables along 90th Street between Somerset Drive and Roe Avenue, just north of Meadowbrook Park. This comes after residents along the street banded together to petition for a traffic calming measure along the street.> Source: Johnson County Post

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:13:16-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

Yes, it’s possible to build too much housing. But Junction City has been recovering.

The story of how the city built entire neighborhoods for a population that never materialized is, in some ways, a story of bad timing and unforeseeable events – a fluke. But the experience also illustrates the risks many smaller communities can take in pursuit of economic development, and of the catastrophic fallout that can result if the gamble doesn’t pay off. In Junction City, the recovery process has not been without obstacles, and there are open questions as to the social costs of its charted path. The population has been in decline, with Junction City losing 408 people from 2022 to 2023 and 4.7% of its population since 2020. But the city has, in other ways, made a remarkable comeback, in large part due to high levels of transparency, introspection, and trial and error on the part of the city’s political leaders. Source: KLC Journal

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:12:13-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

Phillips County prepares for mock disaster drill

A community-wide mock disaster drill will take place in Phillips County Wednesday. The exercise will involve the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, the Phillipsburg Fire Department, Phillips County Rural District #1 Fire Department, Phillips County Health Systems, Amber Wave, and Phillipsburg High School. The drill will simulate a major real-life disaster to help local agencies learn how to coordinate and respond should a real disaster hit the region, which is required every four years under federal law. “We are grateful for the chance to work with our local first responders and healthcare providers to improve our readiness for potential disaster situations,” says Tara Overmiller, CEO of Phillips County Health Systems, in a news release. “This drill will allow us to assess our current systems and ensure we can work together effectively to respond to emergencies.” On Wednesday, residents of Phillips County may see a large number of emergency vehicles and personnel, but there is no need for concern.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:10:14-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

Why you will see more Kansas police officers at railroad crossings

You may see more officers pulling drivers over near railroad crossings this week. It is part of “Operation Clear Track.” From now through Sept. 29, state, federal and railroad law enforcement departments will enforce railroad grade crossing and trespassing laws nationwide. The project’s goal is to reduce pedestrian and driver injuries and fatalities around railroad tracks. Law enforcement will be stationed at targeted railroad grade crossings, handing out railroad safety cards to motorists and pedestrians and issuing warnings and citations to violators. Federal statistics show that a train hits a person or vehicle every three hours in the United States. “Operation Clear Track” is an effort by Operation Lifesaver Inc.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:09:17-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

City of Topeka offers free computers to local residents

City officials are giving away free computers to local residents in and around Topeka as part of a digital equity initiative. Taylor Bugg with the City of Topeka said in a press release that qualifying Topeka and Shawnee County residents between the ages of 18 and 59 can sign up for TSC – Get Digital, to get a free computer. People applying for this must receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension Benefit Program or have a household income less than 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Applicants must live in the following urban areas: Topeka, Auburn, Dover, Rossville, Silver Lake, Tecumseh, Wakarusa. Bugg said the computers are on a first-come, first-serve basis. People interested in getting a computer must pre-qualify by calling 785-368-3098 by Sept. 27.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2024-09-25T09:08:27-05:00September 25, 2024|News|

About Ranson Financial

Wichita continues drought response

Leon brings back local police department

Sedgwick Council adopts strategic plan

Olathe commission deals blow to ‘workforce housing’ proposal out south

This Johnson County city is the next to explore allowing accessory dwelling units

Prairie Village will address speeding on neighborhood street after residents’ petition

Yes, it’s possible to build too much housing. But Junction City has been recovering.

Phillips County prepares for mock disaster drill

Why you will see more Kansas police officers at railroad crossings

City of Topeka offers free computers to local residents

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