News – Page 1674 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Arkansas City could save more than $2 million with water loan refinancing

info2020-08-04T08:31:33-05:00August 4th, 2020|

A proposal to refinance three loans related to water services in Arkansas City could save the city more than $2 million through next 15 years. Arkansas City commissioners will consider two resolutions today that would allow the city to refinance the loans at a lower rate. The outstanding balance for the three loans is $23,114,128, the bulk of which ($19,844,813) is for the water treatment plant that opened in 2018. If approved, the refinance could save the city $2,194,041 in interest and shorten the term of all three loans, City Manger Randy Frazer said. “Right now interest rates are extremely low,” [...]

Broadband upgrades go in south of Pratt

info2020-08-04T08:23:24-05:00August 4th, 2020|

Improving broadband service in Pratt County has taken a step forward with an SC Telcom project south of Pratt, but it didn’t have anything to do with millions of dollars the USDA is purportedly funneling towards such projects. SC Telcom recently completed installing fiber for internet service upgrades that will connect 30 locations as part of the South Highway 281 Pratt project. Of those, 22 are existing customers who are converting from an inferior technology ... (Read more: News - The Garden City Telegram)

U.S. long bond demand raises prospect of whole curve yielding below 1%

info2020-08-04T08:18:18-05:00August 4th, 2020|

A decline in U.S. Treasury yields over recent weeks has investors eyeing the approach of an unusual phenomenon - the entire U.S. yield curve sinking below 1%. Policymakers are looking to position the country to recover once the COVID-19 pandemic eases and allows the Fed to raise interest rates again. But those steps look a long way off as the virus continues to spread and talks on a new aid bill in Washington drag out. “Everybody thinks the Fed is going to be running rates near zero indefinitely. That’s bringing down the 30-year bond yield to incredibly low rates,” said Brian [...]

Shawnee County budget public hearing draws only one speaker

info2020-08-04T08:14:49-05:00August 4th, 2020|

A public hearing on next year’s requested Shawnee County budget drew only one speaker Thursday, after seven people spoke at last year’s budget hearing. Commission Chairman Bill Riphahn said afterward he felt a bit disappointed that more people hadn’t come to speak. Commissioner Kevin Cook said Monday’s low number of speakers wasn’t indicative of the amount of input commissioners receive from the public. (Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Municipal Bond Trends for August 3, 2020

info2020-08-04T08:10:46-05:00August 4th, 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.

Kansas Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Many States Due To COVID-19

info2020-08-04T08:11:13-05:00August 3rd, 2020|

The massive layoffs and business closures caused by the coronavirus outbreak took Kansas from having nearly $1 billion in savings to being $650 million in the red. As the virus began to spread in March, state lawmakers ended their legislative session early and dispersed from the capital before they were able to fix the state budget to fit the new reality. That left Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to propose budget cuts to make up the difference. She has suggested trimming increases in agency spending, gathering up money that agencies have left unspent, taking a loan from a state investment pool and [...]

Wichita’s mayor planning to hold meeting to give local business owners access to resources

info2020-08-04T08:11:33-05:00August 3rd, 2020|

Wichita’s Mayor Brandon Whipple says he is trying to stay ahead in case business owners are being asked to close again. Since business owners that sell alcohol were asked to close at midnight last week, Mayor Whipple says he wants to make sure he hears from them and has resources available for the owners and employees if they are asked to shut down again. This includes federal assistance, available housing and job opportunities. “If the order comes down from the county level or the state level that bars need to shut down then I want to be prepared as Mayor by [...]

Derby school district to purchase hotspots for students with limited internet access

info2020-08-04T08:12:25-05:00August 3rd, 2020|

The Derby Board of Education last week approved the purchase of 301 Verizon Jetpack mobile internet hotspots. The unlimited data devices are intended for students in need of assistance obtaining internet services for schoolwork and other school-related needs. The purchase will be funded by Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds and donations, and is estimated to cost more than $20,000. The exact total cost is not yet finalized. The number of devices was determined by the district based upon the number of students who had spotty internet access or no internet access at all last spring. (Read more: Derby [...]

Sedgwick County breaks ground on new fire station in Andale to replace current one

info2020-08-04T08:12:49-05:00August 3rd, 2020|

Leaders of Sedgwick County Fire District 1 broke ground Monday afternoon on a new fire station which will replace the current Station 31 in Andale. The new, approximately 10,000 square foot station will have four bays to hold public safety vehicles. It replaces the current station’s 2,400 square foot facility that only has one bay and requires some public safety vehicles to be stored outside unprotected from the elements. The new station will be more publicly accessible... (Read more: KSN-TV)

Big Brutus attraction reopens to the public

info2020-08-04T08:13:45-05:00August 3rd, 2020|

After being closed since March 17, 2020 because of coronavirus shutdowns, the Big Brutus, Inc. museum at West Mineral, Kansas is open again for visitors. Face masks are required in the museum and social distancing recommended on the complex, but the monstrous mine tool attraction in Southeast Kansas is viewable, as of August 1, 2020, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Big Brutus is a mining excavator, Bucyrus Erie model 1850B, with the largest electric shovel in the world. It stands 16 stories tall (160 feet), weighs 11 million pounds and has boom 150 feet long. (Read [...]