News – Page 1216 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Mulvane sales tax issue for city enhancements passes

info2022-01-26T07:34:27-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Residents of Mulvane voted in a special election Jan. 18 on whether to implement a new sales tax to help fund multiple improvement projects. Based on the official results recently announced by Sedgwick County, the new sales tax passed by a slim margin (183-162) and will go into effect on July 1. The tax is scheduled to automatically sunset after five years. City Manager Kent Hixson noted many of the projects to be funded through the sales tax – including improvements to Rock Road, stormwater drainage and city parks – have been in Mulvane’s capital improvement plan for years. Source: Derby [...]

Mayor’s new focus addresses homelessness, reform in KCK

info2022-01-25T23:45:58-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Unified Government Mayor Tyrone Garner announced the formation of seven new committees to focus on everything from homelessness to arts and culture. Garner said each committee will be made up of Unified Government Commissioners and other community leaders. “In light of the number of persistent challenges facing our Community, I want to reassure our residents that we are unwavering in our commitment to make Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Garner said. One of those committees will address making sure people actually have places to call home. The Neighbors in Need/Unhoused [...]

Spring Hill City Council remains deadlocked over councilman’s absence

info2022-01-25T23:42:40-06:00January 25th, 2022|

The Spring Hill City Council remains in a political stalemate following the seventh consecutive meeting without a quorum. While the council attempted to meet Tuesday afternoon, the governing body could not conduct formal business due to the absence of Councilmember Steve Owen. On Jan. 10, newly elected council members Brian Peel and Joe Berkey were sworn into office. Shortly after the council voted for Berkey to take over the role of mayor following the resignation of former city council member and Mayor-elect Tyler Graves. Immediately after Berkey was seated, Owen left the meeting and has not returned. That night Owen left behind [...]

White Lakes Mall gets demolition timeline from Topeka leaders

info2022-01-25T23:39:51-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Topeka's newly elected mayor, Mike Padilla, and interim City Manager Bill Cochran held their first press conference of 2022 at city hall Tuesday morning. Cochran said the city is moving forward with the demolition of White Lakes Mall. Padilla said the process of knocking down the mall completely will take about three months, with asbestos removal being the top priority. "We want to do it right," Padilla said. Padilla touted the latest report that showed Topeka crime statistics are dropping. Topeka saw a 25% decrease in overall crime in 2021, a 27% decrease in property crime, and a 13.5% decrease in [...]

Osage County voters to decide sales tax question for law center and jail

info2022-01-26T07:38:16-06:00January 25th, 2022|

At a special election Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, local voters could determine whether future duties of the Osage County Sheriff’s Office will include operating a 120-bed detention center proposed to be built in Lyndon. On the ballot is a special question, which if approved would establish a 1/2 cent countywide sales tax to pay costs to “design, construct, equip and furnish a new law enforcement and public safety center …” The tax would pay for the startup costs of a proposed $20 million county jail and law enforcement center, and initial payments on bonds issued to finance the project. Source: Osage [...]

Overland Park approves pilot program making it easier for residents to keep backyard chickens

info2022-01-25T23:36:58-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Backyard chickens finally can become a reality for Overland Park homeowners, as long as their properties are at least a quarter acre. In the culmination of months of fine-tuning, councilmembers gave the final okay Monday to a two-year pilot program that will do away with a time-consuming process residents have for years undergone in order to keep chickens on their property. “I have heard from numerous residents in my ward and in other parts of the city that they’re very interested in urban agriculture and setting up backyard hens. I think this is a good compromise to get us started,” said Councilmember [...]

Senate committee advances economic incentives for $4 billion project

info2022-01-26T07:38:45-06:00January 25th, 2022|

A Senate committee early Tuesday night signed off on a new development incentive to help sway a $4 billion economic development prospect that's eyeing the state for a 3-million-square foot manufacturing plant. The committee sent the package of incentives to the full chamber even as some of its more conservative members tried to slow the down process and provide more oversight of the potentially lucrative incentive. Source: Sunflower State Journal

Longtime Lawrence school board member explains how district’s budget crisis has unfolded

info2022-01-25T23:31:44-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Lawrence school board Vice President Shannon Kimball took the board commentary portion of Monday’s meeting as an opportunity to provide some insight into the history of USD 497’s funding woes. The board heard from about 30 community members asking them not to close any neighborhood schools, and board members said they’d also received “hundreds” of emails. “In many of the emails that I’ve received and conversations I’ve had since the beginning of the year, the community has asked, ‘How did we get here and why are we having these conversations now?’ I’m going to talk about that a little bit because, [...]

The Fed is likely to signal a March interest rate hike and that further policy tightening is coming

info2022-01-25T08:01:00-06:00January 25th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve is expected to say this week it is moving forward with interest rate hikes and considering other policy tightening, reversing the easy policies it put in place to fight the pandemic. The Fed begins its two-day meeting Tuesday and on Wednesday afternoon, the central bank is expected to issue a new statement that shows it is resolved to fight inflation. Against the backdrop of a violent stock market correction, Fed officials are expected to say they are ready to push up the fed funds rate from zero as soon as March. "We don't expect them to sound dovish," [...]

‘Axe the Food Tax’ bill gets hearing as Kansas session speeds up

info2022-01-25T08:00:09-06:00January 25th, 2022|

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's plan to eliminate the state's hefty food sales tax will be getting a hearing in the House Taxation committee this week. The governor's plan, announced in November of last year, could save Kansans hundreds of dollars on groceries every year. It's expected to save about $500 each year for a family of four.... It's a sentiment that some Democrats and Republicans share. The bill, which would nix the state's 6.5% food sales tax, is set for a hearing Tuesday afternoon ... Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF