News – Page 1631 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Revenue continues to rebound at Kansas Star

info2020-09-22T07:27:16-05:00September 21st, 2020|

Revenue at the Kansas Star Casino grew again last month, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth for the casino following a shutdown in part of March and through the entirety of April. Gambling revenue was more than $14.1 million in August, the casino’s highest since the shutdown. But the revenue still hasn’t met pre-pandemic numbers. For the entirety of 2020, Mulvane’s 1 percent share of the casino revenue has totaled $863,272. Source: Derby Informer | Area

Shawnee County reports drop in revenue, expenses in 2020 budget update

info2020-09-22T07:28:29-05:00September 21st, 2020|

Shawnee County is still “financially healthy” despite the economic damage that has resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Betty Greiner, the county’s director of administrative services, provided an optimistic budget update to Shawnee County commissioners during their Monday meeting at 701 N. Kansas Ave., saying revenue and expenses are both below projections. Revenue is $3.8 million under previous estimates, while expenses are $3.5 million under budget, according to Greiner. The drop in revenue was offset by the additional money saved from departments spending wisely, she said. Source: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal

After Decision Upholding FCC’s 5G Rules, Cities Now Weighing Appeal

info2020-09-22T07:29:53-05:00September 21st, 2020|

Dozens of cities and counties were on the losing end of a federal court decision last month that largely upheld Federal Communications Commission rules restricting their ability to regulate technology for 5G infrastructure. Local governments that objected to the rules now have until Sept. 28 to file an appeal for a new hearing before the entire 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals—a step at least some are considering. “We are speaking with our clients right now about whether or not to do that,” said Gerry Lederer, an attorney with Best, Best and Krieger, who represents the National League of Cities and [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for September 18, 2020

info2020-09-21T08:26:49-05:00September 21st, 2020|

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.

Shawnee County to consider restricting unregulated signage on county property

info2020-09-21T08:15:56-05:00September 21st, 2020|

Placing unregulated signs on Shawnee County property could soon be illegal. “Unregulated signage on county property has direct and secondary effects that are harmful to the safety and general welfare of the county as a whole and to its individual citizens,” read a resolution introduced recently by Shawnee County Commission chairman Bill Riphahn. ... Commissioners will hear public comment on the resolution, and Riphahn said there is a chance commissioners will vote on it Monday. His proposal limits the size and design of signs and indicates signs can only be single- or double-sided, and not inflatable or “air-activated.” Source: Local Government [...]

Violators of large gathering ban in Lawrence face max fine of $500, month in jail

info2020-09-21T08:13:35-05:00September 21st, 2020|

The Lawrence city commission in a special meeting Thursday passed an ordinance cracking down people who violate COVID-19 health orders banning mass gatherings, the city announced in a release. City commissioners took up the issue to address community health concerns after recent videos showed crowded parties on weekends near the University of Kansas in violation of the emergency order issued earlier this month. That order, an attempt to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, in part banned gatherings of more than 45 individuals. Those guilty of violating the order will face a fine of $500 and up to a month in jail. Cases will be [...]

Ellis County to expand landfill

info2020-09-21T08:13:47-05:00September 21st, 2020|

Ellis County is preparing for expansion of the county landfill, including with the purchase of 180 acres of land adjacent to its existing landfill. The new acreage will make room for the growing amount of construction and demolition trash brought to the landfill just northwest of Hays at 1515 W. 55th St., according to county public works director Bill Ring. The county struck a deal a year ago to buy the rocky pasture from John and Susan Karlin for $380,000 or $2,111 an acre. They wanted to sell the entire pasture, or not at all, Ring said. “We’re doing a buy-out [...]

Petition is expected to kill a plan to tax businesses along major Wichita street

info2020-09-21T08:13:55-05:00September 21st, 2020|

A plan to tax businesses along Wichita’s most important downtown street appears to be doomed after eight months of controversy and a chaotic petition process. Opponents of a Business Improvement District for the Douglas Design District are within two validated signatures of overturning a City Council decision to levy a special tax on all businesses in the area to pay for promoting the commercial avenue from Washington to Oliver. They’re expected to get confirmation of the signatures they need sometime before an Oct. 15 deadline, when the Planning Department plans to wrap up a process of verifying that the people who [...]

City of Sedgwick and AT&T differ on cell tower location

info2020-09-21T08:14:29-05:00September 21st, 2020|

The city council wants to encourage AT&T in their desire to build a cell tower in Sedgwick, but they have concerns regarding the company’s choice of locations. City Administrator Joe Turner told the council at their meeting on Sep. 8 that he preferred to keep the tower on city owned land and proposed to AT&T the following potential locations: waste water and retention dam, industrial park and parcel north of industrial park, and the land near the east water tower. Their engineers said the east water tower location is the one that will work for them, that the Industrial Park is [...]

Rural hospitals see funding, testing strategy among biggest pandemic hurdles

info2020-09-21T08:14:57-05:00September 21st, 2020|

Amid a pandemic that has drastically impacted the way rural hospitals provide services, telehealth has provided patients and staff at Smith County Memorial Hospital desperately needed services and support. Allen Van Driel, CEO of the northern Kansas hospital, said medical professionals been able to connect with specialists from distant sites to provide services to their local patient base. The added hands were especially critical at the beginning of the pandemic when patients were scared to come in, he said. “Telehealth has been especially effective in providing access to providers in the emergency department,” Van Driel said. “We now have a backup [...]