News – Page 1945 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Century II activist wants a better explanation for tax district expansion

info2019-11-11T20:46:46-06:00November 11th, 2019|

In its first meeting after a contentious election, the Wichita City Council is being asked to approve millions of dollars in improvements and incentives for some of the mayor’s signature projects. One community activist says the city should slow down ... The city’s proposing expanding a tax district west of the new baseball stadium, approving more than $100 million dollars in Industrial Revenue Bonds and signing a complicated development agreement for four downtown buildings that includes up to 500 city-owned parking spaces. The buildings are part of a new education complex that will include a medical school, a culinary arts school, [...]

More than 200 people participate in Kansas City and Topeka local consult meetings this week

info2019-11-11T20:48:13-06:00November 11th, 2019|

The more than 200 northeast Kansans who gathered in Topeka and Kansas City emphasized the importance of flexibility during the second round of Local Consult meetings this week. KDOT used the input gathered at the first round of Local Consult meetings in August to shape not only the public input sessions that are underway now, but also the next major state transportation plan, known as FORWARD. The second round of meetings is designed to make sure we are on the right track with FORWARD’s design – and to make sure we better understand regional priorities for expansion and modernization projects. (Read [...]

Kansas Gov. Kelly issues disaster declaration after grass fires rage in Cheyenne County

info2019-11-10T22:33:04-06:00November 10th, 2019|

Governor Laura Kelly has issued a disaster declaration after multiple large grass fires broke out on Saturday in northwest Kansas. The fires started in the morning on Nov. 9 near the Colorado border. Several homes were evacuated and other families were on standby, ready to leave if the fires grew out of control. The fires, mainly two large ones, are now contained, but they first spread more than 19 miles along U.S. 36 Highway. Picture from the National Weather Service out of Goodland, Kansas. (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF)

Library makes way for new apartments in Olathe. But a new branch is coming to downtown

info2019-11-10T22:29:33-06:00November 10th, 2019|

An Indianapolis company wants to build apartments where the Olathe Downtown Library is now, but library director Emily Baker assures residents that a public/private partnership is in the works to create a bigger, more modern library downtown. The Milhaus development company is proposing to replace the library and its parking lot with two four-story apartment buildings containing 170 market-rate units, ground-floor office space and on-site amenities, said Emily Carrillo, senior planner for the city of Olathe. That development, southeast of Chestnut and Park streets, is known as Chestnut South. (Read more: Joco 913 News)

Wichita to operate the first electric buses in Kansas

info2019-11-10T22:26:55-06:00November 10th, 2019|

The state's first electric buses are coming to Wichita. KCUR reports that the city's first battery-powered bus will hit the roads this month, with 10 more expected to join the fleet next year. The city's transit director, Mike Tann, scored a nearly $2 million federal grant to purchase four low-emissions buses from ProTerra. He has also bought seven smaller electric buses to replace aging buses that look like old trolleys using another grant. (Read more: KWCH News)

USDA provides loans to three rural Kansas Electric Cooperatives

info2019-11-10T22:25:07-06:00November 10th, 2019|

Three rural electric cooperatives serving south-central and southwestern Kansas will receive more than $32 million in financing to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in their regions. Nationally, USDA is providing $1.4 billion in financing to 27 projects through its Electric Loan Program. In Kansas, the following electric cooperatives received financing: • Ark Valley Electric Cooperative Association Inc. will receive a $5.74 million loan. (Read more: Local - The Hutchinson News)

Mayor, council to consider adopting new Topeka flag

info2019-11-10T22:23:59-06:00November 10th, 2019|

A white, five-pointed star at Topeka’s site on the state map is among features of a proposed new city flag put forth last spring by Forge, the city’s young professionals association. Topeka’s mayor and city council will consider adopting that flag when they meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in their chambers at 214 S.E. 8th. The Shawnee County Commission won’t meet Monday because of the Veterans Day holiday. (Read more: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Kansas’ annual tax revenue projection surges $207 million

info2019-11-10T22:22:28-06:00November 10th, 2019|

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican leaders of the Legislature offered conflicting interpretations Friday of new tax revenue projections placing an extra $207 million in the state government’s treasury during the current fiscal year. If the assessment by university economists and executive and legislative branch analysts holds, state lawmakers would end the 12-month budget cycle in June 2020 with more than $900 million on deposit. Pressure by the governor to deepen public investment in education, Medicaid expansion, transportation, child welfare and other programs during the 2020 legislative session would influence the bottom line, just as GOP demands for tax cuts would [...]

With Brookridge package on the table in Overland Park, county commission debates its role in tax incentive proposals

info2019-11-10T22:16:09-06:00November 10th, 2019|

Increased public pressure about tax incentives and the Brookridge development briefly caused county commissioners to debate their role in the project’s future Thursday. The commission was getting an update about the Dec. 2 public hearing scheduled for the Overland Park golf course redevelopment when Commissioner Michael Ashcraft suggested commissioners “remand it back.” The package requested by the developer includes more than $200 million in incentives through tax increment financing and a community improvement district. Although it’s too late for the commission to veto a tax increment financing district for the project, commissioners took the opportunity to express some frustration that information [...]

Fairway committee will review proposed changes to non-discrimination ordinance language before it heads to council

info2019-11-10T22:13:34-06:00November 10th, 2019|

City Administrator Nathan Nogelmeier told the Post this morning that, following Wednesday’s meeting, the administration had decided against putting the NDO on next week’s council agenda. “Given the number of suggested changes, it was determined that it would be more appropriate for the Committee to continue to work on the draft rather than conduct committee work at the City Council level,” Nogelmeier said. The Fairway administration committee on Wednesday decided to advance a non-discrimination ordinance draft to the city council for consideration at its Nov. 12 meeting — but the committee is making no recommendation about whether to adopt or not [...]