Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Pillars of light rise from Goodland, other Kansas towns

The bitterly cold temperatures that grabbed ahold of Kansas this weekend created an interesting phenomenon — pillars of light. But you had to brave the cold to see it. Brandon Vincent with the U.S. National Weather Service office in Goodland got some video of the pillars rising from Goodland early Sunday. An NWS Goodland Facebook post says the video was shot at 3:45 a.m. MST when the air temperature was 1 degree, the wind was from the north-northeast at 15 mph, and the wind chill was 18 below.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-01-31T07:26:05-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

De Soto calls in nonprofit — and well-known area leader — to monitor $4B Panasonic project

De Soto officials will turn to a nonprofit to help it monitor planning and construction of the new $4 billion Panasonic EV battery plant. And while the nonprofit is based in Virginia, its team includes someone very acquainted with the Kansas City area — Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog. De Soto contracted with the Institute for Building Technology and Safety to provide plan review and inspection services during construction of the 5.5 million-square-foot battery plant being built for Panasonic Energy Co. Ltd., according to a release. Construction of the project, which broke ground in November, is set to be completed in March 2025.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Ranson Financial2023-01-31T07:27:01-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

“A Practical Solution to Aid in the Effort to Lower Property Taxes” by Russell City Manager Jon Quinday

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about property taxes and quoted author Adora Svitak who said, “The first thing anyone can do about any issue is get informed.” I chose this quote for two reasons: Property tax is the most criticized and misunderstood source of local government revenue, and in the past ten years, I’ve seen very little public participation during the budget process. I can only speak to the City of Russell’s process, which begins in April and ends in August. April begins with a look back at how we’ve performed in the past, where we can improve, and begin discussing priorities for the next year’s budget. Then we begin reviewing and discussing different budget segments at each meeting, which concludes in August with the final budget recommendations. You can attend in person or virtually, or you are welcome to come to the city building and discuss the budget proposals. Remember, you can access the city council agenda and all supporting documents the week before the meeting by visiting the city website at www.russellcity.org

Property taxes are an issue and challenge to many folks in our community, and my parents taught me a long time ago to stay informed and provide solutions. I have a solution that may help with property taxes. The solution is not a novel idea or a stroke of genius; rather, it is part of an agreement between the state and local governments. The agreements involved the loss of local revenue sources in exchange for establishing the Local Ad Valorem Property Tax Reduction fund (LAVTR), County City Revenue Sharing (CCRS), and Special City-County Highway fund (SCCHF). Revenue sharing in this manner dates back to the 1930s, with the current LAVTR statutory framework established in 1965 and the CCRS established in 1978.

According to the December 2022 issue of the Kansas Government Journal, cities and counties in Kansas have lost at least $3,470,603,394 as the result of the State’s decision not to fund demand transfers. Some state officials refer to the LAVTR, CCRS, and SCCHF as “state aid,” yet the history of these funds does not support that classification. (more…)

Ranson Financial2023-01-30T16:36:24-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

Why Hutchinson will see more fires in February

The Hutchinson Fire Department plans to set a bunch of fires in February north and east of the town. But it plans to put those fires out, too. The burning is part of the fire department’s wildfire mitigation plan — by torching dead grass and weeds, there won’t be as much fuel for any wildfires that start later in the year. Doug Hanen, HFD division chief of operations, says that when new grass grows in the burned areas, the vegetation will have moisture in it and be less likely to burn.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-01-30T10:59:08-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

With Panasonic aboard, what’s next for the rest of De Soto’s former Sunflower plant?

The buildout of De Soto’s Astra Enterprise Park, formerly Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, won’t begin and end with Panasonic’s $4 billion electric vehicle battery factory. Here’s a look at what the 9,035-acre site, which the partnership has owned since 2005 and in the fall renamed Astra Enterprise Park. No Wizard of Oz theme park is in the cards this time, but the vast swaths of land Sunflower has set aside for projects — and preservation — nevertheless promise significant new vitality for the former World War II powder and propellant plant site’s longtime owners have envisioned.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Ranson Financial2023-01-30T12:26:49-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

Hixson retiring as Mulvane city administrator

At its Jan. 16 meeting, during an executive session, Kent Hixson announced to the Mulvane City Council his plans to officially retire from his position as Mulvane City Administrator in 2023. Hixson has served as the city administrator in Mulvane since 1994, holding a master’s degree from the University of Missouri and a bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University. He has been an ICMA credentialed manager since 2002. While the city will start the search for his replacement shortly, in his announcement the 67-year-old Hixson noted he plans to stay on in his role through Oct. 6.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Ranson Financial2023-01-30T12:26:59-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

New RCPD director settling in to new position

In the first month since taking over as the sixth director of the Riley County Police Department, Brian Peete has done a lot of visiting with members of the public. A well-attended meet and greet was held Thursday at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. A day later, Peete visited with KMAN, calling the ceremony both heartwarming and emotional. “It’s extraordinarily refreshing and blessed to be part of a community that has high expectations, but also understands that it takes everyone to move public safety and to move just the general vibe of a community forward,” he said. Peete was hired by the Riley County Law Board in late October, but finds himself in a unique position, now that four of the seven members who hired him based on a more progressive approach to law enforcement, have since transitioned off the board, swinging the political pendulum from a liberal entity to a more conservative one. Peete says he’s been reassured by the new board, who have expressed support for him and RCPD.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2023-01-30T12:27:15-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

Deputies Recovering Well After Dodge City Shooting

The Ford County Sheriff’s Office provided updates Friday on the condition of the deputies injured during an officer-involved shooting in Dodge City Monday morning. Deputies Gary Salmans and Brandon Hornback were identified as the Ford County deputies who were injured. Deputy Salmans was hit by shrapnel during the incident. He was treated and released from St. Catherine’s Hospital in Dodge City Monday afternoon. Deputy Hornback was shot and taken to a hospital in Wichita where he underwent surgery. The Clark County Sheriff identified Undersheriff Wallace Long as the third deputy who was injured. He too was taken to a hospital in Wichita. All three men are now recovering from their injuries at home, and are said to be doing well.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2023-01-30T10:54:10-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

As petition gains steam, Manhattan official says fees are needed to maintain Aggieville parking garage

An online petition calling for free parking for Aggieville employees has more than 5,900 signatures as of Friday. Fees for the new parking garage on North Manhattan Avenue took effect on Jan. 17. But a city official says the city government needs the money for upkeep of the building. Employees at Aggieville’s Bluestem Bistro started the petition — “Free Parking for Aggieville Employees” — three weeks ago on change.org. “Employee parking in Aggieville has been a struggle for years, and with recent construction, it is only getting worse,” said a statement on the online petition.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2023-01-30T12:28:23-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

Winfield prepares for sesquicentennial celebration

The Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Winfield 150 Committee is making plans to celebrate 150 years since the town’s incorporation date in 1873 and residents are invited to participate in the festivities. There are many ways to get involved, starting with becoming a sponsor of the celebration. The chamber is asking for supporting sponsorships of $150 or more to help with the costs of the big community celebration weekend June 2-4.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Ranson Financial2023-01-30T12:29:06-06:00January 30, 2023|News|

About Ranson Financial

Pillars of light rise from Goodland, other Kansas towns

De Soto calls in nonprofit — and well-known area leader — to monitor $4B Panasonic project

“A Practical Solution to Aid in the Effort to Lower Property Taxes” by Russell City Manager Jon Quinday

Why Hutchinson will see more fires in February

With Panasonic aboard, what’s next for the rest of De Soto’s former Sunflower plant?

Hixson retiring as Mulvane city administrator

New RCPD director settling in to new position

Deputies Recovering Well After Dodge City Shooting

As petition gains steam, Manhattan official says fees are needed to maintain Aggieville parking garage

Winfield prepares for sesquicentennial celebration

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