News – Page 1097 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Lenexa improves pay, benefits to attract talent

info2022-05-12T07:41:01-05:00May 12th, 2022|

he key to providing exceptional services is having excellent employees. But like many other organizations, the City of Lenexa has found it difficult to attract and retain staff over the last few years. New enhancements to pay and benefits are designed to bring in great new employees and keep them on the job. At the beginning of 2022, the City had a historic 50 vacant full-time positions. Most of those were in entry-level positions, which are critical to providing day-to-day services like public safety; parks, streets and stormwater maintenance; and pool lifeguards. A pay and benefits study completed in late 2021 [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for May 11, 2022

info2022-05-12T07:38:42-05:00May 12th, 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.

Riley County to require licenses for Airbnb, Vrbo owners

info2022-05-12T07:37:43-05:00May 12th, 2022|

Residents operating short-term rental properties in unincorporated areas of Riley County now must apply for a license, with yearly renewals, following updated regulations passed by the County Commission May 5th. This applies to Airbnb and Vrbo rentals. Licenses will be granted only once properties are in compliance with a list of requirements in the updated Riley County Land Development Regulations. That includes having working smoke detectors in each bedroom, weekly trash collection and appropriately sized egress windows for the property. Planning and Development Director Amanda Webb says the goal of the new short-term rental license program is to protect the health, [...]

Rural Pottawatomie County residents voice concerns over potential rock quarries, wedding venue requests

info2022-05-12T07:12:08-05:00May 12th, 2022|

Conditional use permits for proposed rock quarries in Pottawatomie County are getting some attention, primarily from local residents uninterested in living too close in proximity. One of them, requested by Mid-State Materials, would be located on Reves Road, south of Wheaton. But the planning commission recently recommended denying approval. The Pottawatomie County Board of Commissioners can override that decision with a two-thirds majority on the three seat commission. Resident Travis Ross is a fourth generation farmer in the area and spoke against the Mid-State Materials request at Monday’s meeting. “As a resident we are concerned about the gas line by Wheaton, [...]

Governor signs bill to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries

info2022-05-12T07:10:25-05:00May 12th, 2022|

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a bipartisan bill Wednesday to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries. The governor signed the bill in a ceremony at a grocery store in Olathe. The bill will phase out the sales tax starting this year, and it will be eliminated by 2025. The governor said House Bill 2106 will provide Kansas residents with financial relief, especially as costs continue to rise. Kansans currently pay more for groceries than residents of almost every other state, due to the state’s 6.5 percent tax on groceries. Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Local and state leaders focus on safe driving in Sedgwick County

info2022-05-12T07:09:17-05:00May 12th, 2022|

The Kansas Department of Transportation is working with state and local leaders to promote a safe driving campaign in Sedgwick County. Over the past year, Sedgwick County has seen a rise in crashes, several of which have resulted in deaths. This campaign is stressing the importance of seatbelts and other good driving habits. Speakers at a conference Wednesday morning also highlighted the dangers of speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence. In Sedgwick County, more than 23% of fatal crashes involved some kind of impairment. When looking at seatbelt use, 41% of traffic fatalities were found to involve a driver [...]

Crawford County enters new highway pilot program

info2022-05-12T07:40:28-05:00May 12th, 2022|

Keith Browning, a road engineer with the Kansas Association of Counties, spoke Tuesday with the Crawford County Commission about a new pavement management system. Browning, recently retired as the director of Douglas County Public Works with over 25 years of experience, facilitates communication and education between counties and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) on road issues and transportation matters. “I am trying to encourage this around the state,” said Browning. “A lot of money is spent to maintain our roads, and the goal is to have the best pavements possible with the resources available.” According to Browning, his system is [...]

Pittsburg discusses fund allocation and Section 8 payment standards

info2022-05-12T07:07:21-05:00May 12th, 2022|

The Pittsburg City Commissioners met today to discuss the allocation of Revolving Loan Funds and Section 8 payment standards. Primarily, the commissioners discussed allocating $30,000 from the RLF to support infrastructure improvements to Blue Spoon Properties. Commissioners also voted to raise the Section 8 payment standard as rent prices rise in the area. Quentin Holmes, Director of Community Development and Housing stated: “It’ll really open up opportunities for those who need the program and the landlords in town who had to increase their rent.” Source: KOAMKOAM

Girard outdoor projects are in the works

info2022-05-12T07:06:03-05:00May 12th, 2022|

City officials in Girard are planning to make it a healthy summer. A number of outdoor projects are in the works. This first is a new disc golf course located between the Crawford Hills Municipal Golf Course and the County Fairgrounds. Also, the city pool, which is set to open Memorial Day Weekend, is getting a new splash pad. And, city crews will soon begin work on resurfacing the tennis courts at the skatepark, which will then be used for pickleball. "I'm glad to see, we want to give people some exercise, basically for health type purposes, get out and get [...]

Brown County takes steps to protect county as wind energy topic heats up

info2022-05-12T07:34:37-05:00May 12th, 2022|

The Brown County Commissioners took steps to protect the county as the wind energy topic heats up. Clif Heiniger presented the commissioners with a letter signed by 143 residents who were concerned about wind turbines being present in the county. Heiniger told commissioners most of the signees were rural resident and cited everything from visual, noise, electronic interference to reasons they didn't want the turbines. He also noted that property values would suffer with large wind turbines in the area. A member of the Brown County Glade Watch - as the group of concerned citizens has named themselves - Heiniger told [...]