info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

State, local leaders debate tax program

info2024-01-08T11:19:42-06:00January 8th, 2024|

County leaders want the state to reinstate the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction. The program was introduced to help local governments during difficult times, but the state has withheld funding for the past 20 years. Kansas, grappling with economic challenges, introduced the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction (LAVTR) in 1937 to alleviate the burdens on local governments during the Great Depression. For the last 20 years, the state has withheld that funding. Today, a measure to reinstate the funding is gaining traction. During the economic turmoil of the 1930s, the state faced a dire situation, with Kansas being hit especially hard by [...]

A look inside the Village, Lawrence’s community to help people recover from homelessness

info2024-01-08T11:18:22-06:00January 8th, 2024|

Fifty small cabins will soon be available to help Lawrence community members experiencing homelessness recover and secure housing. The City of Lawrence has raised the Village of Pallet emergency shelters at 256 N. Michigan St., the former location of Veritas Christian School. Lawrence Community Shelter staff members will run the site. Misty Bosch-Hastings, homeless programs coordinator for the City of Lawrence, said she thinks a lot of people will probably compare the village to the city-sanctioned camp in North Lawrence. But “I want them to know that this is a very well thought out plan. The operational plans are to help individuals end their [...]

Clerk tabbed as 1st county administrator

info2024-01-08T11:16:15-06:00January 8th, 2024|

Longtime county clerk Tina Spencer will become Marion County administrator Feb. 1. The first to hold the position, she already is a familiar face, having been county clerk since 2013 and was deputy county clerk from 2005 to 2013. County commissioners voted Friday to hire Spencer on a three-year contract. Her salary for 2024 will be $100,000. It will be reviewed each following year. Her duties will include effectively administrating the affairs of the county; coordinating and enforcing resolutions, policies, and rules; overseeing appointed department heads and human resources; attending all commission meetings; presenting proposed policies; preparing estimates of revenues and [...]

Miller retires from county position

info2024-01-08T11:07:55-06:00January 8th, 2024|

After helping guide Barton County through the 2001 Hoisington tornado and the COVID-19 pandemic, longtime Barton County Emergency Management Director Amy Miller will retire retiring at the end of the year after 37 years with the county. Miller was recognized by the Barton County Commission Thursday morning. But, while sorry to see her leave, commissioners also met Sean Kelly, a county engineering tech and assistant emergency manager, who was promoted to fill the post. “Amy Miller was hired on Jan. 10 1986, and is currently the county second-longest working county employee,” said County Administrator Matt Patzner. She announced her retirement earlier this year [...]

Six fast-charging EV locations coming across Kansas

info2024-01-08T11:02:48-06:00January 8th, 2024|

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced on Wednesday that more than $4.6 million in federal funds will be directed to the first six locations selected for the state’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula program. With existing fast-charging stations spread across the I-70 and I-135 corridors, these selected locations will fill gaps in EV charging stations along the state’s major highways and interstate system. “As more electric cars and trucks make their way onto Kansas roadways, they will need access to adequate charging facilities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “With these awards, we’ll ensure electric vehicle charging stations are accessible to all Kansans for [...]

City Of Russell, KRSL/KZRS Russell Radio Partner For Russell Community Impact Award

info2024-01-06T09:34:25-06:00January 6th, 2024|

The City of Russell is thrilled to announce the Russell Community Impact Awards launch, an exciting monthly celebration dedicated to recognizing and honoring the unsung heroes in our community who are shaping Russell into a better place to live, work and play. These awards, co-sponsored by the City of Russell, KRSL/KZRS Russell Radio, and the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, aim to ignite a sense of community pride and civic engagement by spotlighting those individuals, businesses, and organizations that exemplify the very essence of our town's values and potential. Read more: KRSL

Next phase of Kansas’ gradual repeal of state sales tax on food to yield savings of $150 million

info2024-01-03T14:36:43-06:00January 3rd, 2024|

Gov. Laura Kelly said the next scheduled reduction in the state’s sales tax on groceries Jan. 1 would cut the rate in half to 2% and enable shoppers in Kansas to avoid $150 million annually in food costs. The agreement embraced by the 2022 Legislature and the governor established a three-year approach that included a Jan. 1, 2023, drop in the state sales tax on groceries from 6.5% to 4%. The next step on Jan. 1 moves the state’s assessment to 2% on food, food ingredients and certain prepared foods. That would trigger a reduction in state tax collections of $12.5 [...]

Marion County appoints County Clerk Tina Spencer as the first County Administrator

info2024-01-03T14:22:32-06:00January 3rd, 2024|

The Marion County Commission voted today to appoint County Clerk Tina Spencer as the first County Administrator. ... Spencer is a Master-Certified County Clerk and holds a Mini MPA Certificate for Executive Development in Public Administration awarded by Wichita State University Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs. She has extensive county government experience, having served as Marion County Clerk since January 2013 after serving as Deputy County Clerk since 2005. Spencer also has private-sector management experience. During her time as County Clerk, she has held leadership roles in the statewide Kansas County Clerks & Election Officials Association. ... Spencer’s appointment will create [...]

Former Manhattan Mayor, who led city through 1993 flood, passes away

info2024-01-03T13:48:48-06:00January 3rd, 2024|

Former Manhattan City Commissioner Roger Maughmer died Friday at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, following complications from pneumonia. He was 78. Maughmer served six years on the city commission from 1989 to 1995, serving as mayor during the 1993 flood and was a longtime member of the Manhattan Optimist Club. A native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Maughmer moved to Kansas in 1965 and eventually settled in Manhattan, where he worked for Southwestern Bell for 25 years. He often returned to Wyoming to his family cabin and was involved in racing cars with his son. He is survived by his wife Barbara and sons Glen and [...]

Fort Scott Has A New Human Resource Director and City Manager Reflects on 2023, Looks To 2024

info2024-01-03T13:35:42-06:00January 3rd, 2024|

Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin was asked what the city’s accomplishments were this year and also what is on the horizon for 2024 and he sent his reply. He also announced a new administrative position has been filled by Payton Coyan. Payton Coyan started as the Fort Scott Human Resource Director on December 27. She has four years of experience in driving strategic human resource operational initiatives, with a focus on talent acquisition, employee retention, succession planning, organizational development, legal compliance, and grievance management. She also has skills in recruitment, interviewing, resume screening, negotiating, conflict resolution, streamlining operations, and heightening employee productivity by [...]

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