News – Page 2132 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

With the new Sabetha Health and Wellness Center opening next month, city discusses future of Midtown building

info2019-05-15T09:57:09-05:00May 15th, 2019|

The commission discussed the plans for the Midtown Building, since the new Sabetha Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) is set to open in June. It was previously discussed to tear down the Midtown Building in order not to compete with the SHWC. “I get not competing on exercise because we are charging for that, but they are not offering a free gym for kids or people that want to just go play basketball,” City Commissioner Nick Aberle said. “They are offering a pay per use gym. They just want to blow off some steam, and we don’t have a place in [...]

Merriam clarifies definition of residency, household to set membership fees for new community center

info2019-05-15T09:53:08-05:00May 15th, 2019|

In preparation for establishing memberships for the new community center, Merriam city leaders have clarified definitions for residents and households within the city. The council on Monday expanded the number of ways residents can prove they live in or own taxable real estate in the city, and also changed how the city defines a household from “more than one person” to “two adults and up to four dependent children.” The city previously only accepted a valid driver’s license with photo identification as proof of residency in Merriam. Anna Slocum, director of parks and recreation, said the changes provide clarification for staff [...]

Planning commission OKs proposed mural designs for Downtown Overland Park; City council to vote next week

info2019-05-15T09:51:20-05:00May 15th, 2019|

The organizers behind a public art project that would add a series of vibrant murals and mosaic benches throughout Downtown Overland Park got a key approval from the city’s planning commission on Monday, sending the plan to the city council next week for final approval. On a 10-1 vote, the commission recommended granting a deviation from city code to allow the art to be installed. That recommendation will be taken up by the city council at its meeting Monday. Michael Flanagan was the lone commissioner to vote against recommending granting the deviation, citing concerns that the mural planned for a wall [...]

Topeka fire department shares plans to offer advanced life support

info2019-05-15T09:50:06-05:00May 15th, 2019|

The Topeka Fire Department shared information Tuesday with the Topeka City Council about its plans to transition beginning next year from providing basic life support to providing advanced life support as firefighters respond to emergency medical calls. The department can start that transformation without going outside its existing budget, said Richard Sigle, its emergency medical services chief. He noted that about 80 percent of the calls the fire department makes involve providing emergency medical services. The department currently provides basic life support. That requires firefighters to complete emergency medical technician training, which generally involves 12 credit hours of education, Sigle said. [...]

Salina considers several multi-million dollar projects

info2019-05-15T07:38:04-05:00May 15th, 2019|

Two Salina City commissioners expressed support for considering whether to increase taxes following a extensive presentation on the city’s finances Monday evening. Salina’s sales tax revenue is down 3.78 percent this year compared to 2018, and the commission is in the process of considering several multimillion dollar projects with a total price tag of $37.8 million. City Manager Mike Schrage said the commission could still take on some of the projects if they are willing to raise taxes. “I realize we have a long history of not raising the mill rate at all, or very incrementally,” he said. “But if you [...]

Newton, North Newton talking after emergency sewer usage

info2019-05-15T07:36:06-05:00May 15th, 2019|

North Newton was born as a city after a fight with Newton over sanitary sewer, and it seems like the sewage struggle has never really gone away. However, there is an opportunity now — according to Newton City Staff — to negotiate a way to create a new agreement, after North Newton found themselves in a desperate situation during last week’s flooding event. Hesston, apparently, shut down a pipeline between Hesston and North Newton. North Newton proceeded to pump into the Newton system. “We learned about this as they were doing it,” said Bob Myers, city manager for the city of [...]

Barton County Commissioners release budgeted funds for early childhood intervention program

info2019-05-15T07:27:43-05:00May 15th, 2019|

Barton County Commissioners Monday released $15,000 of budgeted funds that were allocated in the 2019 operating budget that were earmarked for Sunflower Diversified Service’s Early Childhood Intervention Program. Sunflower Executive Director Jon Prescott requested the funds be released for the program that he says is doing great work in the community as the program continues to grow as needs arise. Commissioner Jennifer Schartz says it’s not hard to include Sunflower in the county budget each year. Commissioner Jennifer Schartz says it’s not hard to include Sunflower in the county budget each year. The Early Childhood Intervention Program provides individualized services to [...]

Reno County Commission approves 75 percent tax abatement for business expansion

info2019-05-15T06:58:15-05:00May 15th, 2019|

The Reno County Commission voted Tuesday to grant a Medora-area manufacturer a partial tax abatement on a nearly $1 million expansion at its plant that will add new office space and a projected 10 new jobs. Ada Enterprises, doing business as Wifco Steel, had sought a 100 percent, 10-year abatement of property taxes for the planned $845,000 project. The deal approved by the commission – a 75 percent reduction for 10 years – was a compromise of its members, who were split on whether to grant the full request or declining property tax break. The company plans to build new stand-alone [...]

Salina, Saline County reach agreement on land annexation

info2019-05-15T06:56:25-05:00May 15th, 2019|

The Salina and Saline County commissions both have approved an agreement to resolve concerns related to Salina’s pending annexation of land for a future water treatment facility. The commissions demonstrated an ability to work together, despite an often strained relationship in the past. The dispute was resolved, without a lawsuit, in only two months. The county commission approved the agreement two weeks ago, and the city commission approved the agreement on Monday. Deputy County Administrator Hannah Stambaugh said she was glad the city and county could reach an agreement to allow the city to build the facility. “I am glad we [...]

Haysville approves agreement with KDHE on groundwater contamination cleanup

info2019-05-15T06:53:34-05:00May 15th, 2019|

The Haysville City Council has voted to approve an agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Via Fone, the owners of a laundromat at 412 W. Grand Avenue, as part of continued remediation efforts related to groundwater contamination due to dry cleaning chemicals. According to the City of Haysville, the agreement allows the city to purchase the property with funding provided by KDHE. The city reports that the existing building will be demolished and KDHE will then oversee excavating and removing the contaminated soil in the area and replacing it with clean dirt. (Read more: Top Stories [...]