News – Page 1849 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Small towns embrace sharing equipment, people

info2020-02-27T06:48:42-06:00February 27th, 2020|

Most people learn the value of cooperation in grade school — but for cities the word can mean anything from sharing resources to ideas. Hillsboro has a relationship with Peabody providing its water and sometimes working with Peabody employees on electric issues, Hillsboro city administrator Larry Paine said. “It’s important, particularly as it’s harder to find employees with the right levels of training in both areas,” he said. There are drawbacks to sending city workers to assist in neighboring communities, though, Paine said. “If we were out of town helping another community and needed somebody to respond to a current Hillsboro [...]

Merriam discusses moving to LED bulbs in city streetlights

info2020-02-27T06:45:36-06:00February 27th, 2020|

The Merriam city council on Monday discussed purchasing LED bulbs for streetlights in need of replacement, and eventually transitioning entirely to LED bulbs. A move to LED bulbs is trending among Shawnee Mission cities: Prairie Village its streetlights from Kansas City Power & Light in 2016 and set about installing LED heads. And in November 2019, Overland Park and Lenexa entered a partnership to switch to LED bulbs on some shared streetlights. Recently, Shawnee approved the acquisition of streetlights from Evergy (formerly KCP&L) and a conversion to LED bulbs. (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Solution for Northeast Wichita food desert in the works

info2020-02-27T06:45:05-06:00February 27th, 2020|

“Why are these stores continuing to open every couple of blocks?” This is one of the questions Wichita Councilman Brandon Johnson hears from his constituents about the excess of dollar stores in Northeast Wichita. Councilman Johnson says they can be great for jobs, but they are missing a key demand. “No produce, no lettuce, no tomatoes, no cucumbers, anything that is really healthy for you. You can’t get those items,” he said. There is only one Save-a-Lot in his district. Johnson says overcoming the food desert in Northeast Wichita has been a struggle. “The challenge was that some of these bigger [...]

Crawford County climbing visitor spending ranks

info2020-02-27T06:44:39-06:00February 27th, 2020|

New data shows Crawford County now ranks 12th in Kansas for total visitor spending — up 10 spots over the last 4 years. The county says the casino, hotels and more dining options are helping them grow. And this opens the door to even more opportunities for attractions for visitors. Devin Gorman, Crawford Co. Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, “I think we’re in a very good spot right now, there’s always new opportunities for growth as well so whether that’s attracting more events or looking at facilities and whether we need to add something there.” (Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)

Kansas moves to rid local tax lid in favor of transparency

info2020-02-27T06:56:03-06:00February 26th, 2020|

Kansas is moving toward eliminating limits on local property taxes in favor of a proposal aimed at requiring officials to be more transparent about upcoming levies. Many lawmakers don’t think current limits are effective, the Senate voted 39-0 on Tuesday to approve a bill described by supporters as a local tax transparency measure. It goes next to the House. The bill would repeal a local tax lid pushed through the Republican-controlled Legislature by conservative lawmakers in 2015. Cities and counties would be required to send notices to all taxpayers if they intend to raise more money from property taxes in the [...]

Hutchinson Council will interview manager finalists this week

info2020-02-27T06:56:17-06:00February 26th, 2020|

The Hutchinson City Council will conduct two executive sessions this week, on Thursday and Friday, to interview city manager candidates. The sessions will begin at 11 a.m. each day and be held in the Executive Conference Room of the City Council Chambers at City Hall. No action items are scheduled and the length of each meeting will be determined on those dates, according to agendas posted by the city. The council on Feb. 13 settled on five finalists, out of more than 30 applications, to grant in-person interviews. The names of the finalist have not been released. (Read more: Local - [...]

Merriam discusses moving to LED bulbs in city streetlights

info2020-02-27T06:57:25-06:00February 26th, 2020|

The Merriam city council on Monday discussed purchasing LED bulbs for streetlights in need of replacement, and eventually transitioning entirely to LED bulbs. A move to LED bulbs is trending among Shawnee Mission cities: Prairie Village its streetlights from Kansas City Power & Light in 2016 and set about installing LED heads. And in November 2019, Overland Park and Lenexa entered a partnership to switch to LED bulbs on some shared streetlights. Recently, Shawnee approved the acquisition of streetlights from Evergy (formerly KCP&L) and a conversion to LED bulbs. Merriam purchased streetlights from KCP&L in 1996, and all light fixtures installed [...]

Kansas Senate moves to restrain county appraisers

info2020-02-27T06:57:51-06:00February 26th, 2020|

Senators in the Kansas Legislature on Tuesday embraced sweeping changes to restrain county appraisers and property valuations that increase local tax burdens. The Senate passed legislation that would prohibit appraisers from increasing property valuations because of normal maintenance made to the property. They also couldn’t raise valuations while valuations are being appealed. Other bills that received favor would mandate training for county appraisers and members of the State Board of Tax appeals and would ban someone from serving as county treasurer or appraiser if they previously had been removed from such a position. (Read more: State Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Green light: Baxter Springs finally gets traffic signal at high school entrance

info2020-02-26T06:58:56-06:00February 26th, 2020|

A decadeslong effort in Baxter Springs has finally come to a close now that the school district has obtained the installation of traffic lights at the entrance of Baxter Springs High School on Highway 69. School officials got the green light Feb. 6 to have the traffic signal installed at the intersection of Military Avenue and Lion Pride Way on Highway 69. (Read more: www.joplinglobe.com)

Want more property tax revenue? Local Kansas officials must vote, Senate says

info2020-02-26T06:55:55-06:00February 26th, 2020|

Kansas homeowners have long complained of property tax bills that appear to grow year after year. Fueled by rising home values, the increases are a source of rising anger among residents. The Legislature is moving closer to approving restrictions that would – at least in theory – make it easier for homeowners to fight future hikes. The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill to prohibit local governments from growing the total amount of property tax revenue collected each year unless officials vote to do so. Localities would also have to hold a hearing for residents to air their views. But [...]