News – Page 282 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

City commission favors 5% contingency to cover unexpected construction costs

info2024-09-12T10:00:10-05:00September 12th, 2024|

Manhattan city commissioners are looking at setting aside funds to cover unexpected costs for construction projects. The commission on Tuesday discussed adding a 5% contingency to all construction contracts to allow more efficiency in project management. The issue centers around change orders, which are amendments to the base contract between the city and an outside construction company. Currently, the city doesn’t have a set policy for how to address change orders, but the city commission typically has approved them if the total project cost exceeds $50,000. However, city engineer Brian Johnson said that process typically takes 4-6 weeks and can cause [...]

Peete asks public to ‘let us do our jobs’ following recent incidents

info2024-09-12T09:57:58-05:00September 12th, 2024|

Manhattan is a “safe community,” Riley County Police director Brian Peete said in a town hall addressing concerns about some recent events. Peete on Saturday spoke with members of the community to answer questions about a pair of incidents, including one that occurred Sept. 3 in which a woman said she was attacked near Aggieville as well as reports of a man walking around with firearms strapped to himself. “We want to make sure everyone takes care of each other,” Peete said. “This is a safe community, and I would walk anywhere in this county at any time of day. “With [...]

Riley County jail population sees no sign of decreasing soon

info2024-09-12T09:56:21-05:00September 12th, 2024|

The Riley County jail has had high population numbers in recent months, and officials who previously anticipated a decrease in incarcerations now say that hasn’t happened. Jail captain Mark French on Monday told Riley County commissioners there are 124 inmates in the jail. There are 29 female inmates in Riley County custody, but some have gone elsewhere because the jail facility is set up for a maximum of 18 female inmates. “We are not seeing the downturn that we were anticipating,” French said. French said the Washington County jail has taken on some of the incarcerated women in Riley County custody. [...]

Kansas election official says nearly 1,000 primary ballots tossed due to mail processing issues

info2024-09-12T09:55:13-05:00September 12th, 2024|

The Kansas secretary of state said in a letter to the U.S. postmaster general that approximately 1,000 August primary voters in Kansas were disenfranchised because ballots mailed before Election Day in August arrived in county offices more than three days after the deadline or without an essential postmark. Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican who serves as the state’s chief elections officer, told Postmaster General Louis DeJoy there was cause to be “extremely concerned” about “a troubling pattern that persists in the U.S. Postal Service’s processing and handling of ballots.” He send the same letter to the six members of [...]

Police officer reads to students, answers questions

info2024-09-12T09:53:46-05:00September 12th, 2024|

Police officers are associated with donuts, but not for the reason audience members might think, School Resource Officer Charles Jefferis told second-graders and their teachers on Friday morning at South Breeze Elementary School The reason is that in the 1930s, donut shops were the only places open all night, so police officers spent more time at night watching donut shops because they were more likely to be robbed. He said the robbers liked to do their work at night, so they picked donut shops. Police officers aren’t associated with donuts because they might like to eat them or gather at the [...]

Mission may add first-ever bike-ped study to its comprehensive plan

info2024-09-11T10:18:33-05:00September 11th, 2024|

The city of Mission is envisioning a more connected future. Next week, the Mission City Council will consider amending its comprehensive plan to include Mission Connections, the city’s first-ever citywide bike-pedestrian study that calls for adding or enhancing 15 different routes including the existing Rock Creek Trail. The city developed Mission Connections over the past year with the help of a Mid-America Regional Council Planning Sustainable Places grant. Here’s a look at the Mission Connections plan and the ways the city hopes to connect residents throughout the city and the region. Source: Johnson County Post

Lenexa joins the hype for the 2026 World Cup in Kansas City

info2024-09-11T10:17:35-05:00September 11th, 2024|

A new group comprised of businesses and organizations in Lenexa hopes to capitalize on the FIFA World Cup coming to Kansas City in 2026. Pitch Lenexa intends to show off Lenexa to tourists during the World Cup with a series of inclusive community events and activities at venues around the city, including Lenexa City Center. Its ultimate plans go beyond that event, said Mark McFarland, organizer of the group. “The goal of the group is to have a big celebration for the World Cup. But that’s just an interim goal,” he said. “Ultimately, the idea is for the group to stay [...]

Shawnee adding more license plate readers at ‘strategic locations’

info2024-09-11T10:16:05-05:00September 11th, 2024|

Shawnee is adding 11 more license plate readers around the city, courtesy of a federal grant. On Monday, the Shawnee City Council voted 5-1 to approve a nearly $70,000 purchase of License Plate Recognition equipment from the Merriam-based Electronic Technologies Inc. Councilmember Tony Gillette was in dissent. Councilmembers Kurt Knappen and Sierra Whitted were absent. The purchase is the result of an $83,000 federal grant under the COPS Technology and Equipment Program Invitational Solicitation for Fiscal Year 2023, which allows police departments to purchase equipment to assist in responding to and preventing crime, according to city documents. About $11,000 of the [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for September 10, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-09-11T09:44:29-05:00September 11th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Wichita officials looking at options for downtown parking

info2024-09-11T09:43:42-05:00September 11th, 2024|

Wichita City Council members received an update Tuesday on a plan for downtown parking that has generated opposition from citizens and business owners. Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson said the plan was developed because the city has struggled with balancing the costs of operations and maintenance with effective parking management. He said a 6,800-space system would need over $1.3 million in annual maintenance expenses, but the current parking fund balance would not be enough to provide ongoing repair and maintenance. Enhancements such as safety, security, cleanliness and beautification would add to the deficit. The City Council delayed implementation of the parking [...]