Among the many factors working against the City of Lawrence’s efforts to have denser, more environmentally sustainable and ultimately more affordable housing is a development trend happening on land just beyond the city’s boundaries. Recent decades have seen a boom of rural neighborhoods with multi-acre lots near the city’s boundaries, precluding denser city expansion in those areas and creating other problems for both the city and the county. Newly proposed regulations would put a halt to such developments and encourage what planners say is a smarter way for the community to grow. Source: LJWorld.com

Downtown Hays is thriving. Less than a handful of storefronts on Main Street are vacant. This is similar to Salina, where only three storefronts are available to rent. In September, Hays’ downtown will offer something new that is similar to Salina’s downtown – a small-town, locally- owned food market. Starting at the beginning of September, Kuhn’s Market will open its doors on Main Street in Hays. The market is attached to Philip Kuhn’s Blue Smoke Barbecue and will feature Kansas-grown produce and meats, as well as specialty cuisine, which includes Asian, Hispanic, vegetarian, gluten free and of course, barbecue items. Source: [...]

The City of Winfield wants to hear from the public about whether to increase the number of chickens residents are allowed to keep. The planning commission will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall to collect opinions on the keeping of chickens within the city limits. A local citizen has asked to change the current regulations that allows just one chicken to be kept for exhibit in 4-H or the county free fair, according to a press release issued by the city. Source: CourierTraveler

The referendum addressing the continuation of the Finney County 1⁄4 percent sales tax passed in the Aug. 3 election. Unofficial results show 802 votes yes and 315 voted no. ... Matt Allen, City Manager of Garden City, said although voter turnout was low, the result is “consistent with how this community choses to finance core general services like public safety, roads, parks and (in the case of the City of Garden City) a unique public facility like Lee Richardson Zoo. Since the 1990s, Finney County voters have approved ballot measures that shift the cost of the services and facilities more toward [...]

As a nationwide ammunition shortage frustrates gun owners and retailers, Kansas law enforcement agencies say they have sufficient supply to train officers as prices go up. "It’s just supply and demand at this point — everyone wants it, and we want it, too," said Lt. Benjamin Blick, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office spokesperson. "So the price has increased." Deputy Abigail Christian, a spokesperson for the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office, said the agency has observed the price increases in the past year. Source: CJonline

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.