Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Leawood considers several options for conducting citywide survey on pit bull ban

This week, the Leawood City Council discussed the possibility of allowing residents to weigh in on its dangerous animal ordinance — the last one in Johnson County that bans pit bulls. Leawood is considering whether to send out a community survey about its pit bull ban, the last ban of its kind on the books in Johnson County. The Leawood City Council on Monday heard an overview of potential options for sending out a citywide survey asking what residents think of the city’s current rules around owning pit bulls.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Ranson Financial2022-08-03T10:30:59-05:00August 3, 2022|News|

Winfield Public Library goes fine-free

To ensure equitable access for all, Winfield Public Library has become a fine-free library, adopting recommendations from the American Library Association. While fees for lost or damaged books remain, existing fines have been waived. Studies show that going fine-free has positive effects for the entire community. Due to quarantine periods during COVID, WPL stopped charging for late materials in March 2020. Post-quarantine, WPL did not reinstate fines as research was gathered regarding the effect fines had on library usage. Based on data gathered, in July of 2022, the library board of directors voted to waive all existing fines and discontinue them on almost all materials. Fines will still be charged for inter-library loan items and technology (such as eReaders). Fees for lost or damaged materials remain on accounts and will continue to be charged.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler

Ranson Financial2022-08-03T01:11:58-05:00August 3, 2022|News|

New Fed Infrastructure Law Will Aid KS Bridge Improvements

Kansas cities and counties needing to replace or repair locally owned bridges have a supportive partner in the Kansas Department of Transportation. The agency is improving programs and collaborating with partners to take advantage of new revenue streams generated by the federally approved Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). KDOT has reshaped two local bridge improvement programs which focus on city and county bridges to include approximately $137.5 million in BIL funds over the next five years. The increase will more than double and triple local bridge impvement funds currently available in these programs under the existing Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE).
Source: Fort Scott Biz

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T17:58:26-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

Sedgwick’s city park is getting several new additions soon

The Sedgwick city maintenance crew laid the foundation last week at the city park for what will be the new playground equipment recently purchased by the city. The playground is called the flying alpine by Actively Play and includes two straight slides, a double straight slide, a sectional left turn slide, a sectional right turn slide, a honeycomb climber, net climber, upright snake climber, tic tac toe panel, gear panel, storefront panel, drum, and a rain wheel. “We’re not lacking for slides,” Mayor Bryan Chapman joked about the new playset.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T17:56:28-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

Sedgwick County jail critically understaffed, sheriff says as he seeks to boost deputy pay

The Sedgwick County Jail is experiencing critical staffing levels, with the deputy to inmate ratio more than double the national jail standard recommended average of one deputy to 30 inmates, Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter says. The jail now is staffing one deputy for about 69 to 75 inmates, according to Easter, who plans to ask the Sedgwick County Commission on Wednesday to increase starting pay for detention deputies by more than $4 an hour, from $19.34 to $23.50. The jail is budgeted to have 228 detention deputies but currently has 113 unfilled positions, according to Easter.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T05:55:19-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

It’s proving increasingly hard to hire cops in Kansas — and to avoid losing them to other jobs

The Dodge City Police Department struggles to keep officers. Stress, in an era where police complain they’ve become pariahs, only makes it harder to hire and keep officers on patrol. All that turnover means more work for the officers that remain, which could bring on more burnout. “We asked these people to do so much more with less staff,” said Deputy Police Chief Jerad Goertzen. “When we’re putting so much more on them and asking them to do more, (it) seems like burnout is hitting a little bit earlier.” A week after making that observation, two more people had put in their resignation letters. Law enforcement agencies across the country are straining to hire. Job postings that used to get hundreds of applicants now have a fraction of the interest. Officers are logging more overtime, morale is low and jails are struggling. Sedgwick County, for instance, is spending $2.3 million to install cameras in its jail to compensate for the people it can’t hire.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T05:54:55-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for August 1, 2022

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T05:47:16-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

Free land? How about a free house? Kansas town tries a little of everything to grow

If you’re looking for evidence of rural decay and postindustrial decline in this dusty north-central Kansas town, you can find it. The last remaining manufacturing employer, US Tower, closed its facility during the pandemic, putting about 25 local workers out of a job. On the edge of town lies a subdivision without any houses, a barren reminder of a free land program that has failed to attract much interest. In the middle of the day, the shutting of a car door echoes for blocks, bouncing between the aging two-story buildings that bracket Lincoln Avenue downtown. Many are vacant.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T05:42:53-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

Damaged Andover elementary school ready for new semester

Students are set to return to Prairie Creek Elementary School on August 11. The Andover school was damaged in the April 29 tornado, and workers have been making repairs since then. The school has been closed since the tornado, and students had to finish the semester elsewhere. Work is not expected to be completely done by the first day of school, but the building will be usable.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T00:22:39-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

New medical school opens in downtown Wichita

A new medical school is opening in downtown Wichita with its first class of 91 students. The Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine is located in the former State Office Building at Broadway and William. It has 116,000 square feet with classrooms, labs, and workshops as well as examination rooms that will allow students to simulate experiences working with patients. Students went through orientation on Friday and classes will begin Monday. There are 18 students from Wichita and Kansas. The school is planning for 127 students next year, and 170 students each year after that.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-08-02T00:21:09-05:00August 2, 2022|News|

About Ranson Financial

Leawood considers several options for conducting citywide survey on pit bull ban

Winfield Public Library goes fine-free

New Fed Infrastructure Law Will Aid KS Bridge Improvements

Sedgwick’s city park is getting several new additions soon

Sedgwick County jail critically understaffed, sheriff says as he seeks to boost deputy pay

It’s proving increasingly hard to hire cops in Kansas — and to avoid losing them to other jobs

Municipal Bond Trends for August 1, 2022

Free land? How about a free house? Kansas town tries a little of everything to grow

Damaged Andover elementary school ready for new semester

New medical school opens in downtown Wichita

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