News – Page 1293 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

November general election breakdown: Why some Kansas communities are pushing for a sales tax increase

info2021-10-28T07:03:06-05:00October 28th, 2021|

The November general election is just one week away. Besides candidates, thousands of Kansas voters will vote on ballot questions. From new fire stations to better parks and even mental health services, several community leaders said they need extra funding for some essential upgrades. "The fire station is just too small. We have firefighters sleeping in spaces that used to be closets, so it is behind time, it is past time," said Andover Fire Chief Chad Russell. ... Great Bend is hoping to add up to a .45% increase to its sales tax. "It is the most equitable tax everyone pays [...]

Thrive’s goal: Getting people to work in Allen County

info2021-10-28T07:02:25-05:00October 28th, 2021|

County commissioners will need to consider whether to pay more to expand a countywide transportation program to round-the-clock coverage. The current schedule doesn’t help people who need to get to work. Three local industries are willing to contribute to costs to expand coverage. A county transportation plan could expand to round-the-clock coverage to help employees get to work. At least that’s the hope for Thrive Allen County. Representatives asked county commissioners to agree to spend up to $54,000 more a year to expand the service and purchase another vehicle for the program. Source: The Iola Register

Manhattan nixes Sunday AM liquor sales proposal

info2021-10-28T07:01:30-05:00October 28th, 2021|

Liquor stores and retailers will have to wait on any loosening of local rules about alcohol sales. Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday discussed amending local ordinances to allow the sale of liquor to begin at 9 a.m. Sundays, which is now allowed under state law. Currently, stores can sell alcohol from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Mayor Wynn Butler and commissioners Mark Hatesohl and Linda Morse — the majority of the commission — said they weren’t in favor of pushing back the time. Source: themercury.com

Municipal Bond Trends for October 27, 2021

info2021-10-28T06:59:55-05:00October 28th, 2021|

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.

Water use in Garden City grows

info2021-10-27T07:14:34-05:00October 27th, 2021|

Water consumption in Garden City is on a slight upward trend, but is about 5% less in 2021 than in 2020, which was an abnormally high-water usage year. Fred Jones, Garden City Water Resource Manager, gave an update on water consumption in the city at the Garden City Commission meeting on Oct. 19. Jones said the range among consumption totals differs approximately 245 million gallons of water over the past five years, which is staying relatively level, but looking at the trend line, there's a slight increasing trend, but the community is growing, so it's expected. Source: Garden City Telegram

Municipal Bond Trends for October 26, 2021

info2021-10-27T07:09:32-05:00October 27th, 2021|

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.

Snowy winter predicted in Johnson County — see if your city requires homeowners to shovel sidewalks

info2021-10-27T06:59:07-05:00October 27th, 2021|

Ok, we realize it’s not even Halloween yet, but residents of Johnson County may want to make sure they have their snow shovels ready. This winter could be a harsh one, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which says the greater Kansas city area is predicted to be cold and snowy this upcoming winter. ... And with snow comes the unavoidable chore of shoveling your driveway. And in some homeowners’ cases, shoveling city sidewalks next to their homes. Maybe the city of Overland Park had that in mind when it recently posted on its Facebook page a “City Code of the Month” reminder [...]

Iola raises pay 5.9%

info2021-10-27T06:59:41-05:00October 27th, 2021|

Christmas came early for Iola city employees Monday night. Council members approved a 5.9% cost of living adjustment to employee paychecks next year, mirroring the same increases Social Security recipients will receive next year. The city traditionally has tied its COLA to the Social Security Index. Next year’s raise is the largest in the past 20 years. The last time COLAs were north of 5% was in 2009, when raises were 5.8%. While the raises are above what the Council planned when setting the 2022 budget earlier this year, with insurance premiums rising only about 1.3% next year, the city should [...]

How a meatpacking plant changed one Kansas town 40 years ago and left a Colorado community behind

info2021-10-27T07:01:14-05:00October 27th, 2021|

Garden City and Lamar share the same river, the same highway, the same railroad line and the same Dust Bowl past. And through the 1960s, they were roughly the same size. But the population of Finney County — home to Garden City — has doubled since 1970. It’s now over 38,000. The number of people living in Prowers County — home to Lamar — has slowly slipped under 12,000. Larry Jones has watched the transformation of western Kansas’ largest city from his farm and cattle company that sits just outside of town. “If you’d been here 20 years ago and looked [...]

Andover voters to decide on proposed sales tax

info2021-10-27T00:24:13-05:00October 27th, 2021|

A question for a one cent sales tax will be on the Nov. 2 ballot for Andover voters. The sales tax will sunset in no later than eight years. The proceeds of the sales tax will pay for the purchase of a second fire station, a remodel of the existing fire station, and a complete teardown and renovation of the 13th Street Sports Park. A fire station south of US54 is important as the city continues to grow and especially as the expansion of US54 comes nearer, the city said in a release. The park reconstruction will add an additional baseball/softball [...]