News – Page 1753 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Emporia discusses potential budget cuts

info2020-05-15T09:24:58-05:00May 14th, 2020|

City Finance Director Janet Harrouff gave Emporia City Commissioners recommendations on potential budgetary cuts that could be made as the city continues to navigate the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday morning via Zoom. The recommended cuts are a proactive measure at this time, Harrouff said, to help mitigate any lost tax revenue in the coming months. So far, the city has not seen a decrease in property tax or sales tax revenues because of how they are distributed. “With property taxes, we receive a distribution in January and a distribution in June from the county for the big ad [...]

Wichita mayor announces phased-in approach to reopen city, local programs

info2020-05-15T09:25:55-05:00May 14th, 2020|

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple announced Thursday the city's four-tier plan to reopen the city amid the coronavirus pandemic. Whipple said city employees are preparing safety protocols, supplies, information and signage for city hall and other city buildings. "We want to not only to get back to the services that people expect but also make sure that we are having extra emphasis on public safety," said Whipple. (Read more: KWCH News)

Some Lawrence leaders open to idea of tolled express lanes on SLT as long as existing lanes remain free

info2020-05-14T10:29:05-05:00May 14th, 2020|

City leaders indicated they were more open to using tolls to fund the expansion of the western leg of the South Lawrence Trafficway as long as some lanes would still remain free. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received an update from the Kansas Department of Transportation on the study to expand the western leg of the SLT using both open-access lanes and tolled express lanes. Decisions on whether any portion of the potential expansion will be tolled have yet to be made, but consultants with HNTB, who are working with KDOT on a study for the [...]

Lawrence leaders say they favor budget cuts over tax increases in the face of revenue loss due to COVID-19

info2020-05-14T10:28:07-05:00May 14th, 2020|

Lawrence city commissioners said they were largely uninterested in raising taxes to make up for the millions in revenue that the city projects it will lose because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they aren’t ruling out any options right now. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the City Commission received updated 2020 revenue projections to account for the pandemic and resulting economic slowdown and directed city staff regarding several policy decisions impacting the budget. Those included how much of the city’s savings commissioners are willing to spend down Read more: LJWorld.com.

Some restaurants look to provide outside dining; city to consider more flexibility for downtown restaurants

info2020-05-14T10:27:07-05:00May 14th, 2020|

When restaurants begin to reopen for in-house dining, some of those dining options will actually be outside. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to approve changes to the city’s temporary special event permitting process that allow businesses more flexibility in how they use their properties, and additional options are being discussed. Interim Planning Director Amy Miller told the commission that her office has been in contact with a lot of businesses, specifically restaurants, that are looking at ways to use their private parking lot to serve customers. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Municipal Bond Trends for May 13, 2020

info2020-05-14T10:22:55-05:00May 14th, 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.

KDHE updates travel-related quarantine guidelines

info2020-05-14T10:15:38-05:00May 14th, 2020|

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) will issue regular mandates on travel-related quarantines for international, domestic, and cruise-related travel. People in Kansas are asked to quarantine for a period of 14 days starting from the day they arrive in Kansas. Regularly check this list to stay up-to-date on travel-related guidance. Please refer to the KDHE Isolation and Quarantine FAQ for additional information. (Note: these mandates do not apply to critical infrastructures, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, including healthcare and public health, needed to continue operations during this pandemic.) (Read more: [...]

‘He’s going to be so very missed’: Community remembers fallen Overland Park officer

info2020-05-14T10:15:49-05:00May 14th, 2020|

Overland Park Police Officer Mike Mosher was laid to rest Wednesday. People came from near and far to pay their final respects. “I want to make it very clear that my dad is not gone. He’s just not here,” Mike’s daughter Tyler Mosher said. Things came to a standstill Wednesday afternoon, as family, friends, law enforcement and community members gathered to remember the Overland Park police officer. “He’s going to be so very missed,” Christy Zeeff said. (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF)

Marion County Commissioners continue planning for summer

info2020-05-14T10:16:15-05:00May 14th, 2020|

Marion County Health Department Health Administrator Diedre Serene explained to the Commissioners during their May 11 meeting that cases will not be taken off the case count once they have recovered. The number will not go down. “At this time all of our cases are out of quarantine (minus the one death) and they pose no risk to the community at this time,” said Serene. “The KDHE has very good guidance for business owners as well as families. As we learn more about the virus, the guidelines change as well as while we move through these phases. And don’t forget to [...]

Three Crawford County museums to receive $25,000 in funding

info2020-05-14T10:16:37-05:00May 14th, 2020|

Three local museums are receiving $25,000 in funding. The Crawford County Commission approved continuing funding for the Crawford County Museum Fund. The fund was established to assist local museums with operations, funding, and programming. Between the Crawford County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and county funds set aside, Crawford County Historical Museum, Miners Hall Museum, and Girard History Museum will receive $25,000 each. Devin Gorman, Executive Director, Crawford Co. Convention And Visitors Bureau, said, “As everybody’s out and ready to do things again, certainly would encourage you to check out local museums if you’re looking for something to do. It should be [...]