Municipal Bond Trends for July 28, 2022

2022-07-29T07:23:10-05:00July 29th, 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.

Radio towers handed over to Claflin, Ellinwood

2022-07-29T00:41:29-05:00July 29th, 2022|

As County Communications continues its move to the system, the county’s Claflin and Ellinwood repeaters are no longer needed, 911 Director Dena Popp said. It was suggested the UHF TAC 11 (Ellinwood) and 18 (Claflin) be transferred to the cities for their utility and public works departments. Under the proposed agreements, the cities would be responsible for the transfer of the repeaters and utilities, if any, and assume all licensing, maintenance and other costs. Both were established over a decade ago and are atop the water towers. Popp said for the county to remove and get rid of them wasn’t [...]

KPERS moves ahead with refinancing to avoid volatility of employer contributions

2022-07-29T07:19:13-05:00July 29th, 2022|

Trustees of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System relied on their authority to refinance the system’s unfunded liability in a bid to stabilize public employer contribution rates during a period in which investment earnings were expected to shrink. The KPERS board simultaneously cut the porfolio’s investment return assumption to 7% from 7.75%, which had been the highest among the nation’s large public pensions. The decision to lower the portfolio’s annual earning estimate added $1.8 billion to the system’s unfunded liability, but had no influence on retiree benefits. The board in May also committed to reamortization, a process of refinancing billions [...]

JoCo, De Soto and Kansas add millions more in incentives toward Panasonic battery plant

2022-07-29T00:38:15-05:00July 29th, 2022|

Johnson County will add another $15 million to a growing pot of incentives dedicated to Panasonic’s new $4 billion factory planned for De Soto. The Board of County Commissioners on Thursday voted to spend $7.5 million on local road improvements and commit another $7.5 million toward building a new fire station with hazmat capabilities for the factory. Kansas officials have already committed $829 million in incentives to lure the Japanese electronics maker to De Soto. That includes $500 million in refundable tax credits, which allows the firm to not only reduce its tax burden, but receive cash directly from the [...]

Wichita firefighters helping in South Dakota

2022-07-29T00:36:30-05:00July 29th, 2022|

Some members of the Wichita Fire Department have moved north during their two-week assignment with the Kansas Forest Service Fire Suppression Module. They spent two-and-a-half days working on the Trout Fire in northwest Nebraska. From there, they headed north to the Casino Fire in southwest South Dakota. The fire is on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It has burned 12,636 acres and is at least 80% contained. According to the Wichita Fire Department, four hand crews, 10 wildland engines, one dozer, and three water tenders are assigned to the fire. The Wichita firefighters have put in handline, caught spot fires, [...]

Shawnee Mission boosts substitute pay after schools struggled to cover teacher absences last year

2022-07-29T07:20:07-05:00July 29th, 2022|

The Shawnee Mission school board this week unanimously approved an increase in substitute teacher pay for the upcoming school year, a move aimed at counteracting the district’s increasing struggles at finding enough classroom subs. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded teacher shortage issues in SMSD and districts nationwide and led to a shrinking substitute pool, especially last year. Source: Prairie Village Post

Overland Park OKs solar panels for energy-efficient redesign of 75th Street fire station

2022-07-29T07:20:49-05:00July 29th, 2022|

Plans for reconstruction of Overland Park Fire Station 41 are moving along as the city approved the addition of solar panels to the building. The fire station, which is undergoing an energy-efficient redesign, sits near the intersection of 75th Street and Conser, just west of Metcalf Avenue. Last week, the Overland Park City Council voted to have SFS Architecture, a local firm, design a solar infrastructure for the station and increase the reconstruction project cost by $225,000 to add solar panels to the building. Source: Prairie Village Post

Inside Look at the Massive Walmart Fulfillment Center

2022-07-29T07:21:06-05:00July 29th, 2022|

The largest Walmart Fulfillment Center in Kansas celebrated its one year anniversary with a ribbon cutting today. The new facility employs nearly 400 people, which surpasses the original goal of 300. Associates take orders from Walmart's website, where the items are then picked, packed and shipped directly to customers. Debbie Parkhill, the General Manager of the center, says the employees have been working hard to make sure everything is ready to go. Source: KSNT 27 News

Topeka Zoo critical to saving Sumatran Tiger

2022-07-29T00:27:31-05:00July 29th, 2022|

A new pair of breeding tigers are coming to Topeka. With less than 500 Sumatran Tigers in the wild, saving the species is critical. Of the 72 Sumatran tigers in AZA-accredited zoos in North America, seven have been born here at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center. The Topeka Zoo announced Thursday it has received recommendations to transfer its tigers to other zoos per a Species Survival Plan (SSP), and has been designated a new breeding pair of tigers. The zoo said it will release more information following the quarantine periods which are expected to be complete this fall. Source: [...]

Public forums begin for Wyandotte County community health assessment

2022-07-29T07:21:38-05:00July 29th, 2022|

The Unified Government Public Health Department of Wyandotte County is holding community forums in July and August 2022 as part of a Community Health Assessment for the county. Forums are open to anyone who lives in Wyandotte County. The forums will gather input from people who live in Wyandotte County about the biggest health challenges facing the county and ways to make Wyandotte County a healthier place to live for everyone. Source: Wyandotte Daily

Go to Top