News – Page 1763 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

USDA brings broadband to two rural Kansas counties

info2020-05-08T09:04:46-05:00May 7th, 2020|

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced on Thursday the USDA is investing $71 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Kansas and Oklahoma. This funding is part of USDA’s round one investments through the ReConnect Pilot Program. Just under 60 farms in Kansas and Oklahoma will be affected by this broadband service. “The need for rural broadband has never been more apparent than it is now – as our nation manages the coronavirus national emergency. Access to telehealth services, remote learning for school children, and remote business operations all require access to broadband,” said Secretary [...]

Florence approves plan for employees

info2020-05-07T09:28:35-05:00May 7th, 2020|

Florence city council made a commitment to city employees Monday, approving a plan to pay employees’ salaries if they contract COVID-19 or another pandemic in the future. “It’s a good thing for the employees,” councilman Matt Williams said. “It shows our employees that we’re looking after them.” (Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Shawnee will direct federal COVID-19 funding at small businesses, public service providers

info2020-05-07T09:27:15-05:00May 7th, 2020|

The city of Shawnee was awarded $168,955 in federal funds to mitigate the growing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. City leaders Tuesday debated how they wanted to spend the funds — whether to support small businesses or public service providers — but ultimately went with city staff’s recommendation to allocate $56,955 toward public service provider assistance and the remaining $112,000 toward business assistance. The council also supported matching the federal funding with city dollars. (Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Roeland Park residents can apply for property tax assistance program through May 22

info2020-05-07T09:26:48-05:00May 7th, 2020|

The city of Roeland Park’s property tax assistance program is accepting applications from residents who qualify for a full reimbursement of the city’s property tax, with exclusions for special assessments. The program has $15,000 budgeted from the city’s general fund that can be used for the most recent tax year, and refunds are “issued per household on owner-occupied homes only,” according to city documents. (Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Overland Park committee recommends keeping pools closed for the season

info2020-05-07T09:25:29-05:00May 7th, 2020|

After weighing the prospects of a shortened season, face masks, restrictions on distancing and the future uncertainties of the pandemic, an Overland Park City Council Committee has reluctantly recommended that the city not open its outdoor pools this summer. The Community Development Committee considered the possibility Wednesday of only opening one of its five pools, the Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center. But that could only happen with a long list of restrictions on staff and patrons due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Training the staff for the new procedures would delay the opening to July 1, meaning that the pool would only be [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for May 6, 2020

info2020-05-07T09:15:59-05:00May 7th, 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.

Cowley County might open facilities next week

info2020-05-07T08:57:53-05:00May 6th, 2020|

Cowley County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to keep all county buildings closed to the general public until May 10 or until it is appropriate to open. The decision was made Tuesday morning at during a virtual meeting on Zoom. Because of the coronavirus, the buildings have been closed to the public for several weeks unless someone calls in and makes an appointment at a particular office. “People can’t just walk in and out of the buildings,” said county administrator Lucas Goff. But he also said many people have taken advantage of the appointments policy and have taken care of business [...]

Emporia State to receive roughly $1.7 million in CARES Act funds

info2020-05-07T08:58:05-05:00May 6th, 2020|

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress with bipartisan support and signed into law by President Trump on March 27 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has since impacted communities across the nation. While the more than $2 trillion economic package mainly strives “to protect the American people from the public health and economic impacts” of the virus, it has also been used during this time to support numerous businesses, organizations and educational entities. In an online forum Monday, Emporia State University President Allison Garrett announced initial details of what the CARES Act could [...]

Roeland Park begins phase one improvements to R Park, on track to complete phase two by late 2020

info2020-05-07T08:58:26-05:00May 6th, 2020|

The city of Roeland Park on Monday began site work for phase one of improvements to R Park, 5535 Juniper Street. After approving the three-phased, multi-year plan in March 2019, city councilmembers and city staff celebrated the beginning of construction with a socially-distanced groundbreaking last week. Mayor Mike Kelly said times like these make it clear as to why resources are dedicated to outdoor spaces, and that he thinks it’s a great time to improve the park. “Given the challenges of today, it’s nice to have some good news to report to Roeland Park residents,” Kelly said. “This park’s plan was made [...]

Pandemic poses new troubles for election planners in Kansas and Missouri

info2020-05-07T08:58:41-05:00May 6th, 2020|

While Chely Scarbrough signed up to work as an election judge in Kansas City this year, she isn’t crazy about the prospect of being in close contact with people in the midst of uncertainty over the COVID-19 virus. “I am worried,” Scarbrough said. “I haven’t been able to hug or kiss my grandson since all this started.” Still, she plans to report for duty for the June 2 municipal election in Missouri. Scarbrough also intends to work Aug. 4 when Missouri holds its primary election, and Nov. 3 when Missourians vote for offices as essential as governor and U.S. president. “I’ll [...]