Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

County concerned city’s housing incentives could affect property taxes

Riley County commissioners on Thursday expressed concerns about how Manhattan’s potential housing incentive programs could affect county property tax income. The city’s proposal to use an estimated $8 million in sales-tax revenue to provide incentives for increasing workforce housing would decrease the county’s property tax collection for a set number of years — such as 7, 14 or 25 years — though the county would not be responsible for paying for any of the incentives. County commissioner John Ford said during an intergovernmental meeting the majority of the county’s budget comes from property taxes, and it can’t use sales taxes to bolster that budget. Additionally, a 41% property tax abatement already affects the county’s revenue from that source. City commissioners Peter Oppelt and Karen McCulloh argued that using incentives to develop more housing in Manhattan would generate a good deal of money for the county in the long term. “It’s some (lost) property tax for a period of time, but the rewards will be a much more vibrant workforce, much more availability for housing for people so we don’t have periods with long commutes, and I just think (it’s) a more positive environment for Manhattan and Riley County,” McCulloh said. Deputy city manager Jason Hilgers added that the county loses money by not having enough housing in Manhattan, thus requiring some people who work in town to commute from Pottawatomie County, where they pay their property taxes. Furthermore, he said dollars from vehicle taxes “rival property taxes.”
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2024-02-22T10:03:55-06:00February 22, 2024|News|

These ethanol plants want to bury CO2 in Kansas to cut their carbon footprints

Two companies seek to build the first sites in Kansas where carbon dioxide emissions get pumped deep underground to keep them out of the atmosphere, a practice that proponents argue will combat climate change but that many environmental groups oppose. The fledgling carbon sequestration industry is picking up pace globally, and geologists say rock formations beneath Kansas offer a bonanza of suitable locations for it. “Kansas has abundant geology that would be compatible with long-term permanent CO2 storage,” said Brendan Bream, a senior scientist at the Kansas Geological Survey. The Kansas Geological Survey envisions conducting a county-by-county study to identify suitable areas. The two proposals for the state’s first carbon sequestration wells are linked to ethanol plants in central Kansas. They’ll need to pass muster with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The proposals come amid a national trend of corn ethanol makers racing to access federal tax incentives that could make or break an industry at risk of being sidelined by newer biofuels with smaller carbon footprints. The wells would also mark a new chapter in Kansas’ foray into the world of carbon capture. So far, the state has three CO2 pipelines in southwest and southeast Kansas, and one well that repurposes the emissions from a Garden City ethanol plant into a tool for forcing hard-to-get fossil fuels out of the ground.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2024-02-22T10:01:25-06:00February 22, 2024|News|

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $16.5M for Short Line Rail Projects to Improve Agricultural Supply Chain

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that nearly $16.5 million will go toward 17 short line rail expansion and rehabilitation projects. These investments, made through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Rail Service Improvement Program (RSIP), will improve the state’s agriculture supply chain. “These needed rail infrastructure improvements will lift up rural Kansas and, in doing so, will maximize the economic potential of the entire state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By strengthening agriculture supply chains, my administration is helping our farmers and ranchers connect to regional, national, and international markets.” RSIP recipients will use the funds for expansion and capacity improvements, major track rehabilitation, and rail replacement. These projects support rail improvements that enhance safety, expand carload capabilities, reduce truck traffic, increase operating speeds, and improve operating efficiencies. State funding for the 17 projects will be enhanced by a 30% match from each recipient, resulting in a total rail infrastructure investment of more than $23.5 million. The program received 26 applications requesting more than $39 million in total costs through IKE, the state’s 10-year bipartisan transportation program. “Rail service lessens the number of trucks that would otherwise be on local roads and Kansas highways, which reduces roadway maintenance and rehabilitation needs,” Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed said. “Having different modes of quality transportation strengthens our state and creates new economic development opportunities for Kansas communities.”
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

Ranson Financial2024-02-22T09:59:41-06:00February 22, 2024|News|

Newton Schools announces updated plans for new playground

After receiving the majority of the necessary funds, Slate Creek Elementary announced to its students the plans to build a larger inclusive playground than originally expected. Slate Creek Elementary works with a number of students with disabilities throughout the county with the Harvey County Special Education Cooperative. Many of these students use wheelchairs and other mobility aids and communication devices. The current playground isn’t equipped to accommodate them. Tenae Alfaro, Slate Creek Elementary’s principal, gave an update to the students, announcing the plans for the playground. Students were selected to press a button and show the increases in funding the school had made over time. Alfaro said she was proud of the students for their commitment to the cause and was confident they could reach their final goal. The playground will have a surface that wheelchairs can use. The current playground has an inaccessible sand ground. The playground will also have a communication panel for students who use communication devices. In 2021, students at Slate Creek began fundraising for an inclusive playground and raised an initial $20,000. Fundraising efforts continued throughout the community with an original goal of $450,000 for a smaller playground. In November, the organization handling fundraising, All Together Now, tripled donations they received with the help of the Newton Community Foundation and the Asbury Park Community Foundation. Fundraising surpassed that number significantly, and the school has raised $600,000. They now plan to build a larger playground, which is already 85 percent funded and will cost $710,000 total.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2024-02-22T09:55:09-06:00February 22, 2024|News|

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $770 Million for Rural Infrastructure Projects During Investing in America Tour

During a visit to Edgecombe County, N.C., a Rural Partners Network community, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden today announced that USDA is funding 216 projects in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands to bring high-speed internet, clean water, state-of-the-art infrastructure and economic growth to rural communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The new projects, totaling $772.6 million in investments, will benefit more than 1 million people living in remote areas of the country by providing reliable high-speed internet access, clean, safe water and a range of support for rural families, agricultural producers and small businesses. Secretary Vilsack and Neera Tanden announced the awards during the Rural Prosperity town hall at Edgecombe Community College as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s fourth Investing in America tour. Many of the projects announced today were made possible through historic investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Today’s announcement comes just months after USDA announced a Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant to equip 10 telemedicine stations throughout Edgecombe County. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is transforming our country for the better – reaching communities in every corner of the United States, including those that have too often been left behind,” Secretary Vilsack said.
Source: USDA – Latest News Releases

Ranson Financial2024-02-22T09:32:30-06:00February 22, 2024|News|

Narcan vending machine gives Hutchinson tool to prevent overdose deaths

Hutchinson will soon have a vending machine available that dispenses free Narcan so the public will have quick access to life-saving intervention in opioid overdoses. The vending machine will be officially introduced 11 a.m. Thursday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Crossover Recovery Center, 400 W. 2nd Ave. A new naloxone vending machine is located at Crossover Recovery Center, 400 W 2nd Ave. to provide free public access to emergency opioid overdose medication. Residents can access the free naloxone by simply entering their ZIP code. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2024-02-21T07:14:54-06:00February 21, 2024|News|

Privatizing cemetery upkeep in Galena

The City of Galena has something in the works when it comes to its cemeteries. It’s accepting bids from contractors to privatize upkeep at the three it currently owns and maintains “The Old Galena,” “Oak Hill,” and “Hillcrest” cemeteries. … “We believe that the cemeteries deserve the utmost respect, and they need to look pristine all the time. We do our best to keep, to make that — although sometimes we fall short. So, our hope is that by putting out for bid, we will have some contractors put some bids in that are within our budget — that they can handle the mowing and maintenance season,” said Galena Mayor, Ashley Groves.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2024-02-20T21:02:21-06:00February 20, 2024|News|

McAnarney agrees to Marion’s interim city administrator role

There’s a new position ahead for Mark McAnarney, if only for a short period of time. McAnarney has reached an agreement with Marion city officials to serve as the city’s interim city administrator. The Marion County Record says McAnarney begins his work Thursday. The Record also says McAnarney will work three days a week at a full-day rate of $488 per day or a five-hour maximum of $244 per day. Employee benefits will not be included. Marion had been looking for a city manager after the resignation of Brogan Jones on Nov. 15. There is currently no word on when the city plans to have a permanent city administrator named. McAnarney, meanwhile, served the city of Emporia for over 30 years, first as assistant city manager starting in 1989 and then as city manager in 2013. He retired in late 2021. He also served as Neodesha’s interim city manager between October and mid-January. McAnarney has agreed to talk with KVOE News this week about his decision.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

Ranson Financial2024-02-20T12:14:36-06:00February 20, 2024|News|

New $20M Overland Park police training facility back on table

Overland Park is almost ready to move ahead on a new Overland Park Police Department training facility and some other major public safety investments. In the city’s draft capital improvement plan list for 2025-28, the city has budgeted nearly $20 million for the new facility. Overland Park plans to build the new training center at police headquarters, on the W. Jack Sanders Justice Center campus located at 12400 Foster St.
Source: Johnson County Post

Ranson Financial2024-02-20T12:13:33-06:00February 20, 2024|News|

Brown County commissioners meet with planning committee over survey results

The Brown County commissioners-Richard Lehmkuhl of District 1, Lamar Shoemaker of District 2 and William Pollock of District 3-met with Brown County Planning Commission members-who included Bill Vonderschmidt-on Monday over results collected from the survey conducted by Olathe-based ETC Institute. The commissioners and Planning Commission met with ETC Director of Community Research Jason Morado via Zoom call about the 2023 Community Survey that was conducted in Brown County. Morado gave some specifics of the survey. “The survey was five pages long,” Morado said. “On average, it takes residents about 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. The survey was administered by a combination of mail and online to Brown County households.” Morado also added that the sample size included 803 completed surveys, a 95% level of confidence and that demographics of the survey responded reflected the actual population of Brown County.
Source: County Government | hiawathaworldonline.com

Ranson Financial2024-02-20T12:10:33-06:00February 20, 2024|News|

About Ranson Financial

County concerned city’s housing incentives could affect property taxes

These ethanol plants want to bury CO2 in Kansas to cut their carbon footprints

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $16.5M for Short Line Rail Projects to Improve Agricultural Supply Chain

Newton Schools announces updated plans for new playground

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $770 Million for Rural Infrastructure Projects During Investing in America Tour

Narcan vending machine gives Hutchinson tool to prevent overdose deaths

Privatizing cemetery upkeep in Galena

McAnarney agrees to Marion’s interim city administrator role

New $20M Overland Park police training facility back on table

Brown County commissioners meet with planning committee over survey results

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