News – Page 1886 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Riley County losing out on $661,000 in revenue since mortgage tax phase out

info2020-01-20T19:08:29-06:00January 20th, 2020|

Riley County lost out on $661,000 in tax revenue in 2019 mortgage registration fees after the Kansas legislature voted in 2014 to begin a five-year phase out of fees, said Debbie Regester, the county’s register of deeds. “I guess I’m the only register of deeds in the state of Kansas that still continues to gripe about this or bring it to the board,” Regester said. “In counties that are much larger than ours, I can’t even imagine how much revenue they’ve lost.” In 2018, the last year of the tax’s phaseout, the county collected $200,792 in mortgage registration tax fees. No [...]

WSU Innovation Campus developer seeks up to $33 million in IRBs for new NetApp site

info2020-01-20T19:07:18-06:00January 20th, 2020|

Six years after first announcing it would partner with Wichita State University and move onto its Innovation Campus, NetApp is finally doing it. Innovation Campus developer MWCB LLC is seeking up to $33 million in industrial revenue bonds to build a 168,000-square-foot Wichita headquarters for the global data storage and cloud management company. NetApp would move from its current location at 37th and Rock Road — which MWCB is buying with plans for redeveloping it — to the northwest corner of 17th and Oliver. (Read more: Carrie Rengers: Business Columns & Blogs |)

Gov. Laura Kelly’s budget calls for refinancing KPERS, pay raise for state workers

info2020-01-20T19:06:00-06:00January 20th, 2020|

Gov. Laura Kelly revealed her proposed blueprint Thursday for $7.8 billion in government spending on state services next year, including social service investments, aid for higher education and a pay raise for state employees. The Democratic governor again asked lawmakers to lower state contributions to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System by extending payments for 10 years and adding $4.4 billion in interest payments, a proposal met with swift condemnation by her Republican adversaries. Republicans also scoffed at Kelly’s ideas for providing $53.2 million in credits to low-income families for sales tax assessed on food and placing $54 million in a [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 17, 2020

info2020-04-16T08:06:47-05:00January 20th, 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 Advisors.

Spirit layoffs could stress Wichita, Sedgwick County finances, Moody’s cautions

info2020-01-19T18:35:18-06:00January 19th, 2020|

One of the world’s top credit rating agencies has issued a report expressing concern about potential stress on Wichita-area governments if Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner doesn’t get back in the sky sooner rather than later. The Moody’s investment firm report identifies the 2,800 recently announced layoffs at Spirit AeroSystems as a potential catalyst that could cause future financial issues for local government. “The (Spirit) layoffs are credit negative for the city of Wichita, Sedgwick County and surrounding communities because the workforce reduction threatens to result in weaker retail sales, lowering sales tax revenues that support local government budgets,” the report [...]

Commerce study critical of incentives offered in Rural Opportunity Zones

info2020-01-19T18:21:00-06:00January 19th, 2020|

A new report from the Kansas Department of Commerce concludes a state program that provides cash incentives for those who move to rural areas failed to influence relocations or curb systemic population declines across the state. Commerce secretary David Toland told lawmakers in hearings this week that rural communities would be better served by offering a menu of region-specific incentives that have yet to be identified. Kansas between 2012 and 2018 spent about $12 million on the Rural Opportunity Zones program. More than 2,000 individuals received either income tax credits or student loan assistance. (Read more: Local - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Wichita street projects for 2020 total $215M, mayor says

info2020-01-19T18:02:40-06:00January 19th, 2020|

The city of Wichita has 16 street and bridge projects — either underway or planned — for the coming year that total more than $215 million. Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple highlighted some of the projects during his first briefing for media. He showed slides of the Kellogg and Webb bridge with new aesthetic lighting. The LED lights will include different colors for each season, he said, as well as designs for holidays such as an American flag for Memorial Day. The same lighting will be installed for the Greenwich bridge, he said. (Read more: Local News |)

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple talks about street projects for 2020

info2020-01-19T17:58:39-06:00January 19th, 2020|

The inauguration of Brandon Whipple as Wichita’s 102nd mayor marks a new era in local politics. A lot of questions are on the table as the 37-year-old Democrat assumes the “non-partisan” position at the helm of City Hall. But one big question stands out: How the hell did this relatively unknown, brash, outspoken, non-traditional politician displace an incumbent mayor who was backed by all the traditional power centers in local politics? (Read more: Local News |)

Gardner’s plans to annex Hillsdale Water Plant in Miami County stalls

info2020-01-19T17:54:51-06:00January 19th, 2020|

Last September, the Gardner City Council adopted a Consent for Annexation for the Hillsdale Water Treatment plant, located at 22705 South Moonlight Rd., in Miami County. The Gardner City Council voted to start the process of annexing the city’s water treatment plant during a Sept. 3 meeting. At that time, Ryan Denk, city attorney, told council members that because the property was owned by the city, it did not have to go before the Miami County Commissioners and could be approved by the city council at the next meeting. Miami County commissioners apparently disagreed, and the property has yet to be [...]

‘Long time coming:’ After 15 years, a building rises at Mission Gateway in JoCo

info2020-01-19T17:34:11-06:00January 19th, 2020|

For the first time in 15 years, something new is rising from the dirt and weeds of the long-vacant site of the former Mission Mall in Johnson County. After years of false starts, construction is well underway at the Mission Gateway development — a $225 million project that’s highly visible for commuters along Shawnee Mission Parkway, just west of Roe Avenue. It will include a massive entertainment complex, food hall, apartments, offices and shops. “It’s been a long time coming, that’s for certain,” Mission Councilman Ken Davis said. “I am glad that we’ve persisted and we’ve kept our relationship with the developer on [...]