News – Page 32 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Abilene to Vote on 0.35% Sales Tax Increase for Recreation Upgrades in Special Election

info2025-01-31T09:16:07-06:00January 31st, 2025|

On Tuesday, February 4th the city of Abilene will hold a Special Election concerning a 0.35% sales tax increase to improve the dated recreational facilities in the city. The tax had previously been rejected by a narrow margin of 675 to 608 during the 2024 Primary election. Kellee Timbrook, Abilene Parks and Recreation Director, said this tax would help generate approximately $3.7 million over 10 years to help fund new multi-use sports fields and other recreation facilities including walking trails, adding pickleball courts and a splash pad in parks, and more. She spoke of the importance of these recreational improvements. Source: [...]

Ouster proceedings underway against McCune councilmember

info2025-01-31T09:15:15-06:00January 31st, 2025|

The McCune, Kansas city council voted to start ouster proceedings against one of its own during a January 14, 2025 meeting. In a document sent to Crawford County Attorney Reina Probert, Mayor Bobby Clark wrote councilmember Jason Han "willfully engaged in misconduct while in office" and "willfully neglected to perform any duty enjoined upon such person by law." Source: KOAM News

Appraisal office considering policy about tax abatement of damaged properties

info2025-01-31T09:13:05-06:00January 31st, 2025|

The Riley County appraisal office is considering changing its approach to granting tax abatements for properties destroyed in disasters. County staff members said Thursday at the Riley County Commission meeting that a state law about tax abatement for residences damaged in an earthquake, flood, tornado, fire or storm allows the county commission to decide whether it should give the owner an abatement. The county commission has no written policy on this, but has not been giving abatements, which officials said was because of concerns about fairness. Source: themercury.com

Municipal Bond Trends for January 29, 2025

Henry Schmidt2025-01-30T09:55:31-06:00January 30th, 2025|

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.

Some rural small businesses wouldn’t have to register with Douglas County under new proposal

info2025-01-29T12:08:07-06:00January 29th, 2025|

If the proposed change is approved, some smaller businesses that don’t have an outsized impact on their neighbors could operate without needing to register with the county or pay an annual fee. Source: LJWorld

Municipal Bond Trends for January 28, 2025

Henry Schmidt2025-01-29T10:05:32-06:00January 29th, 2025|

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.

Shawnee wants to make it easier for residents to take bulky items to landfill

info2025-01-29T09:51:56-06:00January 29th, 2025|

Shawnee is renaming its popular bulky item pickup program and changing the way it distributes vouchers to residents for one free drop-off at the landfill. The annual bulky item trash program — previously named Tidy Town — gives residents the chance to get rid of large junk items, including old furniture, appliances and mattresses. Throughout February, the city will be mailing out vouchers for its newly renamed Landfill Voucher program via its city newsletter, “All Things Hometown.” Source: Johnson County Post

‘Looking for a winning project’ — City envisions ‘generational’ development at Mission Gateway site

info2025-01-29T09:50:34-06:00January 29th, 2025|

The city of Mission wants a “winning project” for the long-troubled Mission Gateway site. During a work session last week, the Mission City Council discussed — the first of many discussions, according to city staff — what it wants to see become of the site off Johnson Drive and Roe Avenue. The city council agreed that a neighborhood-oriented mixed-use development is ideal for Mission Gateway, with specific ideas ranging from boutique hotels to a place to watch local sporting events. Source: Johnson County Post

Who was Deanna Rose? Overland Park marks 40 years since police officer’s death

info2025-01-29T09:49:46-06:00January 29th, 2025|

Community members, local leaders and Overland Park first responders gathered at the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead to honor the life and service of the fallen officer for whom the site is named. Officer Deanna Rose died 40 years ago this week at age 26 — the first Overland Park officer and the first female officer in Kansas to be killed in the line of duty. She was gravely injured trying to arrest a man for driving under the influence and died two days later. After her death, the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police gave her the Award for Valor. Source: [...]

Quarry near De Soto to expand mining work, over neighboring residents’ objections

info2025-01-29T09:48:22-06:00January 29th, 2025|

Owners of a rock quarry south of De Soto got approval to expand mining operations last week, over the objections of neighbors who said the blasting and dust are creeping too close to their homes. Officials of Martin Marietta, which owns the Sunflower Quarry, maintain they have been good neighbors and have taken pains to limit blasting and inform nearby residents about their operations in western Johnson County. On Thursday, they asked the Board of County Commissioners for permission to expand their mining area because of increased need for crushed rock in construction projects. Source: Johnson County Post