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Topeka to use ‘Built for Zero’ model to help end homelessness

2024-08-14T11:30:39-05:00August 14th, 2024|

The Capital city is looking at an additional approach to combat homelessness. It’s called the Built For Zero model and it was discussed at city council Tuesday, Aug. 13. Brought to the state by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), this model looks to end homelessness rather than manage it. With a four-phase approach, the City is taking its equity access shelter program, which was based off the the built for zero model and turning it into full built for zero model. “One of our first steps is looking at our data, creating a by name list, really [...]

Judge could force City of Topeka to let residents decide on property tax increase

2024-08-14T11:29:23-05:00August 14th, 2024|

A Topeka man is suing the city, claiming it ignored what he calls a lawful petition. The petition’s creator Earl McIntosh wants Topeka taxpayers, not the city council, to decide whether property taxes increase. After the council took no action on his petition last month, he’s filed a lawsuit demanding they take it to a vote. He’s served the city with a mandamus lawsuit. He’s accusing city leaders of failing to perform their law-mandated duty. “The citizens of Topeka have decided to file this lawsuit,” McIntosh said. “To ask a judge to force the city to vote or let the people [...]

Topeka seeks input on pedestrian plan, city walkability

2024-08-14T11:25:53-05:00August 14th, 2024|

The City of Topeka will be collecting input from the public for its 2016 Pedestrian Plan; a project to improve the city’s walkability. The city will be updating the 2016 Pedestrian Plan with the goal of creating safe walkways between schools, parks, shopping districts, workplaces and other popular destinations. Topeka was awarded $25 million in grant funds as part of Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) under Pathways for Progress. As part of the project, the City of Topeka will build around 50 miles of new or improved sidewalks in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “This plan [...]

KDOT Cost Share program opens, $6m available to communities

2024-08-14T11:25:06-05:00August 14th, 2024|

The Kansas Department of Transportation is opening up its cost-share program that has provided over $146 million to communities since it started in 2019. On Monday, KDOT announced its 10th round of the Cost Share Program has opened. The program gives financial assistance for construction projects that improve safety and help rural and urban areas improve their transport systems. KDOT will provide funds to projects that improve roads, railways, airports, bicycle & pedestrian and public transit. The budget for this round of grants is $6 million with a maximum of $1 million allowed per project. “KDOT’s Cost Share Program improves transportation, [...]

Iola discusses temporary business licensing ordinance

2024-08-14T11:23:34-05:00August 14th, 2024|

Iola City Council members are one step closer to revising the city’s temporary business licensing ordinance. Council member Joelle Shallah presented the council with recommendations for the Transient/Temporary Business ordinance that had previously been discussed at the April 8 council meeting. At that time, a special committee was formed to discuss recommended changes to the ordinance. “The reason I feel it needs to be addressed is because of the shift in opportunities for small businesses,” said Shallah. “As most of us know, we are seeing more and more mobile businesses. I would love to see us being open and progressive.” Shallah [...]

Parents petition to ban cell phones in Lawrence schools

2024-08-14T11:17:32-05:00August 14th, 2024|

More than 100 parents of students in the Lawrence school district have signed a petition in support of a districtwide ban of cell phones in classrooms. Justin Blumenstiel, a parent of a Free State High School student, told the school board Monday that he and fellow petitioners support teachers who have called for a stricter, more cohesive cell phone policy. “I know that the school board is considering these matters very strongly, and I really recommend urgency on these matters,” Blumenstiel said. More than 80 Lawrence educators signed a petition at the end of the past school year proposing students’ phones [...]

A Sedgwick County vote on solar regulations could kill $200M project

2024-08-14T11:15:03-05:00August 14th, 2024|

Sedgwick County Commissioners will vote Wednesday on alternative regulations proposed for commercial and utility-based solar projects. The regulations, if approved, could end a proposed Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center, a 750-acre solar project between Colwich and Maize by Chicago-based renewable energy company Invenergy. More specifically, the proposed regulations would prohibit projects in urban areas of influence — urban land where utility-based solar projects are not permitted — and require projects to be no more than 1,280 acres. "If the county enacts this particular ban, our Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center project will lose the opportunity to submit a Conditional Use Permit [...]

City Council to have more talks on a plan for paid parking downtown

2024-08-14T11:11:44-05:00August 14th, 2024|

In a marathon, ten-hour meeting Tuesday, Wichita City Council members heard an update and review of a plan to convert to paid parking downtown, as they held their second hearing on the city’s budget for 2025. Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson said the plan to go to a paid system is part of a parking and multimodal plan that was adopted by the Council in 2023. He said the city’s parking fund can cover basic operations but it’s not providing enough to cover needed maintenance and repair of parking garages and facilities. A parking fee is expected to generate over $3 [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for August 13, 2024

2024-08-14T09:48:05-05:00August 14th, 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.

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