News – Page 2001 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Some Kansas cities and schools still use an Underwriter as their “financial advisor”! Here’s how to find out if you do [in 3 EASY STEPS]

info2019-09-13T11:29:36-05:00September 12th, 2019|

Although it's widely considered a "best practice" to use an independent advisor (i.e., not an underwriter-broker/dealer) when issuing municipal bonds, some local governments still use an underwriter as their advisor! Key reasons to NOT use an underwriter/broker-dealer as your advisor: Underwriters sometimes don't take competitive bids, and dictate the interest rate in a "negotiated" bond sale! Underwriters have other clients (bond buyers) who want a high interest rate (the opposite of what you want!) Underwriters have an incentive to put higher interest rates on your bonds so they can more easily sell them If an underwriter takes competitive bids, federal law [...]

Cowley College WCT to host Workforce Employer Summit on Sept. 24 in Wellington

info2019-09-12T21:11:44-05:00September 12th, 2019|

Cowley College Workforce and Community Education is hosting a Workforce Employer Summit that will bring local industry and business partners together to learn how Cowley WCE can help them train incumbent workers and build a future talent pipeline. The event will take place from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Cowley’s Sumner Campus in Wellington and from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Cowley’s main campus in Arkansas City. (Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Family thanks Miami County EMS for road-side delivery

info2019-09-12T21:10:57-05:00September 12th, 2019|

Miami County paramedic Jeff Watts smiled as he held 1-year-old Caroline Ferrero for a second time. On this occasion — the celebration of her first birthday with pizza and cake Friday, Sept. 6, at the Louisburg fire station — was in more pleasant surroundings than the first time Watts held Caroline. Stephanie Ferrero gave birth to Caroline on the side of U.S. Highway 69 north of Louisburg on Sept. 6, 2018. Watts held Caroline for the first time after cutting the umbilical cord on that cool and wet night. (Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Making Sense of Municipal Budgets

info2019-09-12T21:08:19-05:00September 12th, 2019|

When it comes time to begin the development of your jurisdiction’s annual budget, which song immediately pops into your head: “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” or “Don’t Cry Out Loud”? We suspect that the answer to this question will be the same whether asked of staff or elected officials. For most, the budget process is viewed as an accounting exercise that involves a multitude of spreadsheets, request forms and formulas all leading to a “balanced budget”. Oftentimes, the process seems to be cloaked in mystery because no one is quite sure what happens between the time budget requests are [...]

City could drop undefined EMS lawsuit

info2019-09-12T21:06:58-05:00September 12th, 2019|

The Haven Community EMS Board is taking steps to hire a professional accounting firm to handle day-to-day operations of the ambulance service – a move that could prompt the city to end its lawsuit against the cooperative service, according to one source. Now operating with just half of a board, because the city no longer sends its four representatives to EMS board meetings, the group is moving ahead with constructive action, said Dale Kaufman, chairman of the EMS board. “We are hoping to meet next week with the accountant,” Kaufman said. The CPA firm of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd currently [...]

Lenexa’s Complete Streets program recommends adding 139 miles of bike lanes, sharrows and trails in city

info2019-09-12T21:05:35-05:00September 12th, 2019|

A review of Lenexa’s transportation system found that the city is doing well on serving vehicle transportation needs, but it could use some improvements on walkability and bikeability. These were some of the findings presented to Lenexa city leaders on Tuesday when they got a first look at the results of Complete Streets, a year-long study on the development of a more complete transportation infrastructure in the city. As a result, the Complete Streets program proposes adding 70 miles of bike lanes and sharrows, or 19% of the city’s 365-mile road network, as well as adding 69 miles of trails to the [...]

Detter Resigns as Andover City Administrator; McCausland Named Successor

info2019-09-12T21:04:05-05:00September 12th, 2019|

After the executive session of last night’s, September 10th, City Council Meeting, Mayor Ben Lawrence and the members of the City Council accepted City Administrator Mark Detter’s letter of resignation. Detter, who has been the City Administrator for Andover since March of 2015 has accepted a new challenge, taking the City Manager position in Valdez, AK. His final day will be September 20. (Read more: Andover - News Flash)

Mission Police Department adding specialized unit to focus on analyzing crime trends, solving problems

info2019-09-12T21:02:43-05:00September 12th, 2019|

The Mission Police Department is creating a special unit of two police officers dedicated to solving problems, building cases and analyzing crime trends in the community. Cap. Dan Madden said the officers, who will likely be hired internally, will receive specialized training as the police department’s first Directed Patrol Unit. “They’re essentially a problem-solving unit, being able to look at and interpret data, and know where to get it,” Madden said. (Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)

Flip a Felon campaign hopes to reduce crime in Kansas

info2019-09-12T20:59:24-05:00September 12th, 2019|

Sedgwick County announced a campaign Thursday aimed at assisting law enforcement with the arrests of wanted persons with felony warrants in Sedgwick County, according to officer Kevin Wheeler. The campaign called “Flip-A-Felon” will target specific known individuals who have warrants for violent crimes and/or felony weapons warrants. This campaign is in collaboration with the Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kansas Department of Corrections. Each agency has provided Crime Stoppers with a list of some of their most wanted persons featured in this campaign. (Read more: Great Bend Post)

Butler County teachers receive state recognition

info2019-09-12T20:56:26-05:00September 12th, 2019|

Several Butler County educators are among those nominated for the 2020 Kansas Teacher of the Year award. Nominees were announced Tuesday via a Kansas State Department of Education news release and included recognition of Kansas teachers from four regions spanning the entire state. Butler County falls in Region 4 with five educators being nominated from local schools: Tiffany Arnold, Augusta Middle School; Denise Johnson, Blackmore Elementary School, El Dorado; Carla Ryan, Remington Middle School, Remington-Whitewater; Shala Willis, Robinson Elementary School, Augusta; Kara Belew, Andover Central High School; and Chase Casteel, Flinthills High School. (Read more: andoveramerican.com)