News – Page 2051 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Potential loss of millions in property tax revenue hangs over Johnson County budget deliberations

info2019-08-01T21:35:40-05:00August 1st, 2019|

A dark shadow of angst loomed over public discussion of the county budget Monday night as residents and commissioners considered the possible impact of appeals made by big box retailers on their property values that could cost local governments millions. “What are we going to do when we lose that tax appeal and now we’re short by hundreds of millions, probably, per year?” asked winery owner Kirk Berggren, during a public hearing on the county’s $1.26 billion 2020 budget. (Read more: Prairie Village Post - Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)

Lawrence and firefighters union to begin mediated contract negotiations

info2019-07-31T20:36:23-05:00July 31st, 2019|

Representatives for the City of Lawrence and the local firefighters union will soon begin mediated negotiations in an attempt to resolve disagreements regarding pay increases and other changes to the union’s contract. The first meeting with a mediator from the United States Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will be Thursday and is scheduled to last all day. Assistant City Manager Casey Toomay said the city and the union, Local 1596, have tentatively scheduled additional mediated meetings through Aug. 7. “We look forward to having the assistance of a mediator and hope to reach agreement,” Toomay said. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Months After A Tornado Tore Up Linwood, Kansas, Residents Find Different Paths Forward

info2019-07-31T20:34:33-05:00July 31st, 2019|

Dena Duffin, 53, pulls her teenage son close as she looks into the trailer stuffed with tables, tubs of housewares and whatever else they were able to salvage when the tornado ripped their home off its foundation the night of May 28. “I gave that to my dad,” she says, pointing to a dented copper tub. “And there’s a stepstool and shelf my dad made for us. You can’t replace those kinds of things.” Clothes, furniture and appliances will be replaced when the Duffins leave this rural corner at Highway 32 and 206th Street just outside of the tiny town of [...]

This Johnson County neighborhood ranked one of the ‘hottest ZIP codes’ in nation

info2019-07-31T20:34:08-05:00July 31st, 2019|

Shawnee Mayor Michelle Distler often has viewed her city’s attractive homes, walkable downtown and abundant green space as a well-kept secret. But now the secret’s out. For the first time, a piece of this Johnson County suburb is ranked as one of the country’s “hottest ZIP codes” by realtor.com, a national real estate website. The neighborhood along Nieman Road and Johnson Drive — and its accompanying 66203 ZIP code — came in fourth in the nation. (Read more: KC Star Local News)

KDHE: 83 Kansas counties in ‘high risk’ for West Nile Virus

info2019-07-31T20:33:51-05:00July 31st, 2019|

The latest data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment identifies 83 Kansas counties in a "high risk" for West Nile virus. Of the state's 105 counties, those remaining in a "moderate risk" are in the northeast part of the state, in a line stretching north and east from Chase County to the Missouri and Nebraska borders. Counties in the "high risk" cover all of western, central and southeast Kansas. Wichita, Hutchinson, Salina, Garden City, Dodge City, Hays and Pittsburg are among the more populated cities facing the high risk. The KDHE says the high-risk level is based on a [...]

Firefighters retire after more than 40 years of service

info2019-07-31T20:32:29-05:00July 31st, 2019|

More than 40 years is a long time to serve a community, but Mike Regnier and Jim Davis are more than happy they were needed for so long by the city of Marion’s Volunteer Fire Department. Both Regnier, the city’s fire chief, and Davis are retiring this week after 44 and 42 years respectively — a term that surprises them both. “I don’t know,” said Davis. “You just get on and you never figure out how to get off. As long as you feel that you can do it, and if you’re needed, you stay.” (Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Kansas National Guard disputes labeling of land in Salina as excess property

info2019-07-31T14:40:58-05:00July 31st, 2019|

The Kansas National Guard lodged objections to state auditors labeling as surplus property about a dozen acres near the Salina Municipal Airport with an estimated market value of $250,000. The two vacant lots were identified as excess for a joint committee of the Kansas Legislature during a survey of property held by nine state agencies. This report on surplus property was another piece of a puzzle being worked by state lawmakers who have sought for years to return buildings and land to the tax roll and passed a law ordering the Kansas Department of Administration to develop criteria for speeding identification [...]

Ellis City Council opts to permanently close city pool

info2019-07-31T14:30:30-05:00July 31st, 2019|

The city of Ellis announced in a news release Wednesday that, effective immediately, the Ellis Municipal Pool will be permanently closed. “At the last Council meeting, it was reported that the pool is losing almost 30,000 gallons of water every 2-3 days. After further evaluation, the City reluctantly made the difficult decision to close,” the city said in a news release. “We apologize for the inconvenience. Our Splash Bash on Aug. 17 will go on as planned but our itinerary will be modified accordingly. Watch for our new flyer!” (Read more: Hays Post)

Belle Plaine moves forward on quiet zone

info2019-07-31T14:28:45-05:00July 31st, 2019|

Belle Plaine is now one step closer to having a quiet zone within city limits, the Belle Plaine News reports. The Belle Plaine City Council passed Ordinance No. 1677 at its July 18 meeting. It states the city will close the railroad crossing at 10th Avenue and North Line Street. The News reports class-three barriers will be used to close the intersection permanently. (Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Buhler City Council asks for reduction in proposed mill levy

info2019-07-31T11:45:09-05:00July 31st, 2019|

The Buhler City Council was in agreement during Tuesday’s regular meeting to cut a proposed half mill increase from the budget. Capital improvements and regular cost increases were said as the reason for the $3,500 increase in the numbers, but the Council informed City Manager Merrill Petersen to trim the budget so that the mill levy would stay at 51.2 mills. Petersen says he will move some numbers around and cut $1,000 from the general fund to hit the Council’s target. (Read more: Hutch Post)