News – Page 2367 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

🎥 New City of Hays employee pay plan would offer ‘more paid time off or more money’

info2018-09-10T06:26:38-05:00September 10th, 2018|

A proposed new pay plan and job classification program for city of Hays employees was reviewed by city commissioners Thursday night. Starting with the first payroll of 2019, the pay plan would provide two percent steps to all employees each year on their anniversary month, explained Erin Giebler, Director of Human Resources. “Prior to 2019, the city did not provide consistent or predictable pay increases from year to year,” Giebler told commissioners. To make the pay plan affordable, a volunteer committee of 15 employees made changes to the benefits offered, including lower Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals and capping the longevity [...]

Gardner plans mobile ‘parklet’ downtown

info2018-09-07T07:30:24-05:00September 7th, 2018|

Gardner is seeking public feedback on the design of a proposed mini park, or “parklet,” to be built by the end of October along a downtown sidewalk. Citizens are asked to complete an online survey by 5 p.m. Sept. 12. The city says Gardner is among 129 communities nationwide to receive an AARP Community Challenge grant to create vibrant public spaces for people of all ages. Gardner will use the money to create the mobile parklet through a sidewalk extension that repurposes vehicle space as a spot for people to rest or socialize in the shade. The city will able to [...]

People in Wichita upset about large, new power-line poles

info2018-09-07T07:29:32-05:00September 7th, 2018|

Westar Energy is replacing old power lines with new ones in a northeast Wichita neighborhood, and they come with poles as tall as 105 feet. If they're going in your yard, Westar says it has already spoken with you. You can find them from 17th street to the Mossman and Hillside area. They're also being replaced from around 9th and Volutsia to the Wichita State University campus. Westar says the old polls are from the 1950s and need replaced, but some people in the community aren't happy about it. "I think it’s a disgrace I have to see this every morning [...]

Deal forming to extend Ark City outdoor trail

info2018-09-07T07:27:44-05:00September 7th, 2018|

Westar Energy wants to build a new power line across property owned by Arkansas City and the city wants to expand its hike-bike trail. Both parties hope to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement. The City Commission listened to a report from City Manager Nick Hernandez during its regular meeting Tuesday that included preliminary talks about the deal. Hernandez said Westar plans to rework its Paris Park substation. As part of that project, the company also wants to run a high-transmission line from the substation to KanPak and then on to ADM Milling, at 1200 S. Mill Road. “We own all of [...]

Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2018-11: Retired school district employees receiving KPERS may serve as board members

info2018-09-07T07:42:38-05:00September 7th, 2018|

Neither state statute nor the common law doctrine of incompatibility of offices precludes a retiree from serving as a member of the school board for the school district from which the retiree retired. Because benefits received by a retiree of a unified school district from the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System or the school district’s early retirement program are earned during the retiree’s employment with the school district and are not compensation for work or duties performed as a board member, K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 72-1137 does not preclude a retiree from receiving the benefits during the time the retiree is serving [...]

Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2018-12: Townships derive their powers from the legislature. A township may not exercise a power not granted by the legislature.

info2018-09-07T07:43:17-05:00September 7th, 2018|

As the township officers for Silver Lake Township, you ask our opinion on a matter related to the powers of townships. Specifically, you ask whether a township may solicit and receive donations. For the reasons discussed below, we conclude the answer to your question is “no.” The legislature granted townships the power to: sue and be sued; purchase and hold real and personal property; sell, convey and dispose of real and personal property; and “make all contracts that may be necessary and convenient.” The legislature has not granted townships the power to accept gifts and donations generally. (Read more: Kansas Attorney [...]

Sister city mayor, wife from Wagga Wagga wrap up visit in Leavenworth

info2018-09-07T06:44:23-05:00September 7th, 2018|

The mayor of Wagga Wagga, Australia, says the people of Leavenworth have big hearts and deep, compassionate souls. “The heart and soul of this city is the people,” Greg Conkey said. Conkey and his wife, Jenny, were wrapping up a visit to Leavenworth on Wednesday. Wagga Wagga is one of Leavenworth’s sister cities. Jenny Conkey said she also will remember the people of Leavenworth. Greg Conkey is the third Wagga Wagga mayor to visit Leavenworth since the two cities became affiliated in 1962. The Conkeys have been visiting Leavenworth along with representatives of the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest competition. Greg Conkey [...]

City of Leavenworth files amended petition in lawsuit against Leavenworth County

info2018-09-07T06:42:14-05:00September 7th, 2018|

The city of Leavenworth has filed an amended petition, laying out what city officials are seeking in a lawsuit against the Leavenworth County Commission. At issue in the lawsuit are county plans for improvements at the intersection of 20th Street and Eisenhower Road. The amended petition, which was filed Friday in Leavenworth County District Court, argues an agreement between the county and cities of Leavenworth and Lansing requires the county to pay for left turn lanes and traffic signals at the intersection. A trial in the lawsuit is scheduled for Oct. 23. (Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Firefighters union challenges proposed cut of engine from city budget; Fire Marshal: “We can’t put a station on every corner.”

info2018-09-07T06:40:07-05:00September 7th, 2018|

The City of Wichita responds to a post on Facebook from the firefighters union, claiming a fire truck about to be cut from the budget was key to rescuing a man from a burning home. That 65-year-old man was taken to the hospital in very critical condition, He later died, but would not have made it out had it not been for the availability of Engine No. 6, the union says. . The union posted a statement on Facebook following the man's rescue from the home. The post addresses the city's budget cuts, including getting rid of Engine 6. Fire Marshal [...]

After OP farmers’ market dust settled, upgrades and a name change get council support

info2018-09-07T06:33:03-05:00September 7th, 2018|

This summer’s public forums on the future of Santa Fe Commons Park in downtown Overland Park generated one clear message from residents: Don’t move the Farmers’ Market to the park. But the question remained, how could the city upgrade the space that is downtown’s central park and make it a more vibrant destination for residents, families and visitors? On Wednesday night, the council’s community development committee voted unanimously for a plan that keeps the market where it is, at 7950 Marty St., but provides a new performance space, playground and enhanced green space within the park at 8045 Santa Fe Drive. [...]