News – Page 1707 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Topeka city manager proposes cutting 32.5 jobs

info2020-06-25T07:46:16-05:00June 24th, 2020|

Topeka city manager Brent Trout’s proposed 2021 city budget will include eliminating 32.5 full-time jobs in an effort to make up a $5 million deficit. "The elimination of these positions will help to balance the budget during a difficult budgeting year caused by reduced sales tax revenues," Trout said in a statement provided to The Capital-Journal. Trout is expected to soon put his proposed 2021 budget before the mayor and city council, who will consider making changes to that document before finalizing it in August. It wasn’t clear how many of the jobs proposed for elimination are currently vacant. (Read more: [...]

Ellis County hires new county administrator

info2020-06-25T07:46:46-05:00June 24th, 2020|

The Ellis County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the appointment of J. D. Cox as the new county administrator. Cox brings 23 years of local government experience, including 16 years of day to day management. Cox was first City Administrator of Neodesha (in rural Southeast Kansas), followed then by City Manager of Alliance, Nebr. (rural western Nebraska); Bethany, Okla. (in the Oklahoma City metro); and most recently, Longwood, Fla., which is part of the Orlando metropolitan area. Cox and his wife Tonya have three children: Kierstyn of Tallahassee, Fla.; Cali of Phoenix; and son Collin who is attending the [...]

Atchison County slows reopening down a bit

info2020-06-25T07:47:32-05:00June 24th, 2020|

Atchison County is engaging Phase 3.5 of its opening plan, effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 24 until one minute before midnight Tuesday, July 7. The new phase is in keeping within Governor Laura Kelly’s order to remain in Phase 3 of the statewide Ad Astra for another two weeks due to a spike of positive COVID-19 cases attributed to community spread, Atchison County health officials told county commissioners on Tuesday. County Health Officer Lori Forge, RN told commissioners there were 400 new cases and five deaths in Kansas associated with the pandemic throughout this past weekend. She attributed them all [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for June 23, 2020

info2020-06-24T07:56:21-05:00June 24th, 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.

The History of Water: Washington’s well was the result of a lucky strike decades ago

info2020-06-24T07:53:09-05:00June 24th, 2020|

Jim Smart still remembers the day about 55 years ago when he learned the city of Washington hit the water jackpot. “I was dehorning cattle at the vet clinic and George Cox pulled up in his old Jeep with a trencher on the back and said, ‘I think I found you some water out at Bob Boston’s,’” said Smart, who is a retired veterinarian. Cox told Smart that the water was in ‘heavy gravel and down deep,’ and he was going to pump the water for a few days and see if it was as good as it appeared to be. [...]

Paine saying goodbye to administration role

info2020-06-24T07:48:27-05:00June 23rd, 2020|

A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. – Jackie Robinson. This quote sums up Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine, not just because it was said by a baseball player, but because it so accurately describes all of Paine’s professional life. Paine has spent all of his career serving others. Even in the very beginning. After growing up in Bakersfield, CA, Paine started out in the military. He started out in the state of Washington where he served for almost three years. He worked as a public information officer. “That experience has proved valuable in [...]

Labette County to get $3.9 million in pandemic relief help

info2020-06-24T07:49:07-05:00June 23rd, 2020|

Labette County will receive $3.9 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funding through the state, Labette County commissioners heard Monday. Charlie Morse, Labette County Emergency Preparedness director, updated commissioners on the federal money distributed by the Kansas Office of Recovery. The federal government allocated $1.25 billion to Kansas from the CARES Act. Counties with a population of more than 500,000 received a share of this pool directly. The rest of the counties will receive an apportioned share based on population. Gov. Laura Kelly formed SPARK, the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas Task Force, to help develop a way to distribute the money. [...]

Facing millions in revenue shortfalls, Wichita looks to privatize Century II operations

info2020-06-24T07:49:22-05:00June 23rd, 2020|

Not unlike businesses and households across Wichita struggling with the financial fallout of Covid-19, the city is also considering ways to cut costs as it deals with millions in revenue losses as a result of the pandemic. City manager Robert Layton says Wichita is facing a $11.5-million deficit this year, and recommends a slate of measures to help balance the 2020-21 budget. That includes closing the city's pools and splash pads through summer, decreasing the frequency of mowing and forestry services and a plan to privatize the operations of Century II. (Read more: KAKE - News)

Salina to host community forum on policing next week

info2020-06-24T07:49:48-05:00June 23rd, 2020|

The City of Salina is planning to host a discussion on policing policies next week after several weeks of comments from the public on the topic during City Commission meetings. A formal announcement will be made later this week, but during Monday’s meeting city commissioners reached a consensus on the format of the meeting, which is expected to be at 6 p.m. next Monday. While a venue has yet to be confirmed, City Manager Mike Schrage said Kansas Wesleyan University has offered the use of Sams Chapel on its campus for the event. (Read more: News - Salina Journal)

Hays: $700K in new sales tax for parks, sports complex, street projects

info2020-06-24T07:50:45-05:00June 23rd, 2020|

Hays City Commissioners for now want to sock away an expected $700,000 annual sales tax windfall the city will start to get in 2021. The commissioners at their regular work session last Thursday evening looked at a long wish list of city projects. Those ranged from expanding multi-use recreational paths to park amenities to street improvements. No one mentioned giving any money to Ellis County. Ellis County Commissioners in early May formally asked Hays to pitch in $750,000 of its sales tax proceeds over the next two years toward the county’s planned $10.8 million Northwest Business Corridor project. The 55-mph bypass [...]