News – Page 2451 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Phillips Co. commissioner: State funding change means ‘safer local roads and bridges’

info2018-06-14T07:54:56-05:00June 14th, 2018|

Governor Jeff Colyer today announced that the Kansas Department of Transportation is increasing the exchange rate for local public agencies seeking to fund local projects with state funds through the Federal Fund Exchange Program, returning the exchange rate to $.90 in state funds made available for every $1.00 in federal funds awarded a local agency, upon that agency’s request. Max Dibble, Phillips County Commissioner and Kansas Association of Counties President, said, “Restoration of the $.90/$1.00 ratio in the federal funds exchange program will allow counties to further stretch our transportation dollars. This means safer local roads and bridges for our citizens, [...]

KDOT money coming

info2018-06-14T07:52:43-05:00June 14th, 2018|

The cities of Winfield and Arkansas City will qualify for more road work dollars after Gov. Jeff Colyer announced Monday that the Kansas Department of Transportation is returning to its previous formula of 90 cents on the dollar for the Federal Fund Exchange Program. The program allows public agencies to sell all or part of their federal funds for state transportation dollars to fund local road work projects. The state funds provide greater flexibility of use and allow agencies to fund larger projects that may not have been possible with federal funding. The 90 cents for every dollar exchange rate was [...]

Leavenworth County Commission approves stormwater fees

info2018-06-14T07:51:50-05:00June 14th, 2018|

Leavenworth city commissioners have officially approved new fees to help pay for maintenance to the city’s stormwater system. During a meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved an ordinance establishing a stormwater management program and an ordinance that creates the fees to pay for the program. The new fees are listed in an amended schedule of fees for the city. Owners of single residential properties will be charged an annual fee of $84 as part of the stormwater management program. Fees for commercial properties range from $162 to $3,125 per year depending on the size of buildings. Fees for industrial properties range from $337 [...]

New numbers will likely mean reductions to Lawrence city manager’s recommended budget

info2018-06-14T07:38:29-05:00June 14th, 2018|

Even as City Manager Tom Markus presented his recommended budget to the Lawrence City Commission Tuesday, he advised that some of the numbers will change — potentially calling for reductions to what is proposed if the property tax rate is to remain flat. Markus said updated numbers will be presented to the commission on July 10, and the city will need direction on what’s acceptable and what changes commissioners would like to make. He said that, while he hoped some numbers would move in the right direction between now and then, the overall changes to revenue and expenses could make the [...]

Holcomb City Council approves ordinance raising legal age to purchase cigarettes

info2018-06-14T07:37:20-05:00June 14th, 2018|

The T-21, or No. 417, ordinance, raises the legal age to purchase and possess cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and tobacco products to 21. On May 10, LiveWell Finney County Health Coalition Grant Coordinator Donna Gerstner and three Holcomb students presented the ordinance to the council, sharing personal anecdotes of how tobacco had affected their families and schools and urging members to raise the age. As the ordinance passes, Holcomb joins Garden City as the only communities in western Kansas to pass the ordinance. As of last month, 20 other localities in the state had accepted the ordinance. (Read more: News - The [...]

Fed raises rates; officials boost outlook to four hikes in 2018

info2018-06-14T07:34:20-05:00June 14th, 2018|

Federal Reserve officials raised interest rates for the second time this year and upgraded their forecast to four total increases in 2018, as unemployment falls and inflation overshoots their target faster than previously projected. The so-called “ dot plot” released Wednesday showed eight Fed policy makers expected four or more quarter-point rate increases for the full year, compared with seven officials during the previous forecast round in March. The number viewing three or fewer hikes as appropriate fell to seven from eight. The median estimate implied three increases in 2019 to put the rate above the level where officials see policy [...]

Phase II of Aggieville Infrastructure Analysis

info2018-06-13T11:04:12-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Phase I of an Aggieville Infrastructure Analysis occurred over the fall and winter of 2017 examining parking, water and sewer infrastructure, and providing future growth scenarios for the district. Phase II of the analysis will look at further development of Aggieville’s public infrastructure, including streetscape, sidewalks, Triangle Park, lighting, traffic flow, on-street parking, and preliminary design of the parking garage at the northwest corner of N. Manhattan Avenue and Laramie Street. Public participation and involvement will be an important part of the process. Business owners, citizens, students, and K-State administrators will have an opportunity to participate and provide feedback to help [...]

Chanute approves agreement to fund Main Street

info2018-06-13T11:03:30-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Chanute commissioners heard a presentation on the Main Street Chanute program from one of its board members and continued discussion before approving funding for the program at Monday evening’s commission meeting. The commission voted Monday to approve its agreement to fund $32,000 in four quarterly payments. The city made one payment and commissioners asked in December for a work session to discuss the program, which was never scheduled. Main Street board member Dan Mildfelt said withholding funding was a rebuke during his request the funds be restored. In a prepared statement, he talked about the history of the program, the opposition [...]

Kansas counties file federal racketeering case against opioid companies

info2018-06-13T11:02:13-05:00June 13th, 2018|

Two Kansas counties and two Missouri counties this week joined a growing tide of legal challenges to the opioid epidemic by accusing pharmaceutical companies of racketeering. Montgomery and Bourbon counties in Kansas and Lafayette and Worth counties in Missouri filed suits in federal court against more than a dozen manufacturers and distributors, alleging nine of them are in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Bourbon County said in its suit that it is acting "to abate the public nuisance caused by rampant and uncontrolled opioid use and addiction, and to recoup taxpayer monies that have been spent [...]

Reno County Commissioners make no decision regarding beer sales on Sunday

info2018-06-13T11:01:16-05:00June 13th, 2018|

The Reno County Commission made no decision Tuesday concerning a request from O’Brien’s Marina at Cheney Lake to sell cereal malt beverages on Sunday. None of the commissioners had an issue with this particular business selling beer on Sunday, but County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan noted that any resolution would apply countywide to any business located in the unincorporated areas of the county. The commissioners looked at a resolution that already passed in Kingman County. It allows the sale of 3.2 beer. The commission will bring the issue back next week. O’Sullivan will have a draft resolution ready. (Read more: Hutch Post)