News – Page 2303 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Cities Count: Preparing for the 2020 Census

info2018-11-05T07:39:20-06:00November 5th, 2018|

"Municipal governments have an important relationship with the census — both as consumers of the invaluable data it gathers and as partners in ensuring the complete and accurate count of our cities." The National League of Cities (NLC) supports the Census Bureau’s mission to “serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy.” We also understand the many ways in which Census Bureau data impact a city. These resources have been assembled to provide local leaders with objective information about and resources to prepare for the upcoming 2020 Census. (Read more: NLC)

KDHE launches public awareness campaign regarding well water

info2018-11-05T07:37:44-06:00November 5th, 2018|

Approximately 7 percent of Kansans get their water from privately-owned wells. Recently, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) unveiled a public awareness campaign to recommend that private well water users have their wells tested for at least two contaminates, every one to three years. The contaminants include Total Coliform Bacteria and Nitrate. “It’s important for residents to understand that the Environmental Protection Agency sets regulations for treating and monitoring community water systems, but these regulations don’t apply to privately-owned wells,” said KDHE Environment Director Leo Henning. “Residents are responsible for monitoring their own wells, so we want them to [...]

Neosho County hears how electricity is marketed by wind generation

info2018-11-05T07:36:30-06:00November 5th, 2018|

Neosho County Commissioners Friday morning heard a presentation on how electricity is marketed as part of ongoing discussion of the Neosho Ridge wind generation project. They also continued to hear from opponents of the proposal by Apex Clean Energy to build 100 to 130 wind-powered electrical generators in the southwest area of the county. The Apex Business Development Director Melissa Peterson gave a presentation on how the proposed electricity would be marketed. Generators in Kansas and the area from Texas to South Dakota are part of the Southwest Power Pool grid system, a non-profit organization that balances load, demand and prices. [...]

Retaining sales tax will fund Chanute Regional Development Authority, city properties

info2018-11-05T07:34:51-06:00November 5th, 2018|

Chanute’s economic development over the past three years has been visible, with the growth of Orizon Aerostructures, Love’s Country Store and Travel Plaza and Tractor Supply. With that kind of return, supporters hope Chanute will increase its investment. City voters will decide Tuesday whether to extend a ¼-cent sales tax that previously supported construction of the Maring Aquatic Center. The renewed sales tax would fund the Chanute Regional Development Authority and also improve city properties. (Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Ford County Administrator addresses recent national spotlight

info2018-11-05T08:31:38-06:00November 5th, 2018|

The Ford County Board of County Commissioners, elected officials and appointed staff would like to thank the Ford County community for the amazing amount of support during what has become a highly stressful election season that includes a closely competitive gubernatorial race presenting a unique set of challenges. One of those challenges is a recent court filing requesting a temporary restraining order forcing Ford County Clerk Debbie Cox to open an additional polling location. This past Thursday night, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas denied that request. With that decision, the County Clerk is allowed to continue working [...]

Resident presents head of small animal carcass to Butler County Commission; seeks help from health inspector

info2018-11-05T07:19:58-06:00November 5th, 2018|

Business as usual can mean unusual business for Butler County Commissioners. A Butler County resident requested an audience with the Commissioners near the end of Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting and brought “Mr. Bones” with him. ’Mr. Bones” was the head of a carcass, possibly a cat, that the resident brought to illustrate his need for their assistance. He appeared before the board to ask for a County Health Inspector of County Fire Marshal to inspect the property where he currently resides, Hank Trailer Park. He claimed the property is a haven for drug users and that he had been [...]

Bourbon County works out details in ambulance service

info2018-11-05T07:14:26-06:00November 5th, 2018|

As Bourbon County Commissioners work to organize a new ambulance service to operate after Mercy Hospital closes its doors Dec. 31, they have encountered issues. Commissioners addressed some of those issues Thursday afternoon, when they met for a special meeting to discuss an ambulance service in the city and county. The county has the responsibility to provide ambulance service. On Oct. 23, county officials said they will partner with the city of Fort Scott to operate an ambulance service. Commissioners and county officials discussed some billing concerns, as well as going through the proper procedures for reimbursements and to operate the [...]

Should Bourbon County approve “liquor by the drink”?

info2018-11-05T08:30:28-06:00November 5th, 2018|

On Tuesday, voters will be asked to decide whether Bourbon County’s law regarding food sales in alcohol establishments should be required. The question for Bourbon County reads, “Shall the sale of alcohol liquor by the individual drink in Bourbon County, Kansas, be allowed in public places without a requirement that any portion of their gross sales be from the sale of food?” Currently, 30 percent of gross sales must be from the sale of food in drinking establishments. Members of Interdenominational Ministries of Bourbon County say the law should not be changed. “My biggest concern is all the hotels in town [...]

Not so fast: City of Topeka, former Heartland Park owners back in court after decision overturned

info2018-11-05T06:40:12-06:00November 5th, 2018|

The city of Topeka lost a skirmish in a long-fought battle with the former owner of Heartland Park after the Kansas Court of Appeals on Friday overturned a district court decision. Jayhawk Racing and Heartland Park Raceway LLC sued the city in 2016 for breach of contract, asking the courts for $4 million in damages and to find that the city failed to live up to promises it made in a memorandum of understanding to buy the racetrack. That case has wound throughout the court system, with Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson finding in 2016 that a city couldn’t contract [...]

Lawrence ethics policy up for debate; restrictions on hiring relatives also to be discussed

info2018-11-05T06:38:13-06:00November 5th, 2018|

Lawrence city commissioners will soon consider various updates to the city’s ethics policy, which has not been updated in nearly 30 years. At its meeting Tuesday, the commission will consider adopting a revised ethics policy for city employees, elected officials and appointed officials. City Manager Tom Markus is proposing the updates to the policy, which was originally created in 1991. Markus said the proposed changes aren’t the result of a recent incident, but that such policies simply need to be reviewed and updated every so often. He said the update creates transparency and dialogue, and also serves as a public message [...]