News

New reports show economic development transparency gaps

2025-01-06T09:44:30-06:00January 6th, 2025|

State auditors reported the Kansas Department of Commerce wasn’t fully complying with a five-year-old law mandating maintenance of a public database tracking more than 100 economic development incentive programs. The transparency database was conceived by the Kansas Legislature to offer a means of reviewing how hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives were handed out by state officials to city, county and businesses recipients. The statute authorizing the accessible, searchable and printable database limited the required disclosures to incentive awards valued at more than $50,000 per year. The Legislature’s auditing agency concluded the commerce department’s database didn’t include all economic development [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 3, 2025

2025-01-06T08:58:24-06:00January 6th, 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.

A proposed rule would require future solar projects in Douglas County to test groundwater for zinc, but some say there’s no need for it

2025-01-05T09:42:52-06:00January 5th, 2025|

Solar panels have to be supported by piers, and these piers are coated in zinc to resist corrosion and extend their lifespan. ... the proposed change to Douglas County’s zoning and land use regulations would require wells to be dug upstream and downstream of future solar projects, and samples would be taken to see if zinc contamination existed downstream. Source: LJWorld

City of Lawrence introduces ‘Mini Grants’ to help artists

2025-01-03T08:49:08-06:00January 3rd, 2025|

The City of Lawrence is now taking applications for the 2025 Community Arts Grant Program, and the city will add another option of “mini grants” for artists as well. ... The program is overseen by the Cultural Arts Commission, and the grants are funded through the city’s transient guest tax, which is paid by hotel guests. Last year, the program funded just under $72,000 in grants to 11 applicants. Source: LJWorld

In the sign of duty

2025-01-02T15:29:22-06:00January 2nd, 2025|

It doesn't happen often, but a rare skill that Valley Center police Sgt. Glen Davidson grew up learning sometimes comes in handy. Davidson's ability to speak sign language has become another tool in his tool belt to help residents in Valley Center. Source: Ark Valley News

Breit promoted to Hays City Clerk

2024-12-28T11:06:40-06:00December 28th, 2024|

City Manager Toby Dougherty announced the promotion of Jami Breit as the new Hays City Clerk. ... Mrs. Breit was previously the Deputy City Clerk for the City of Hays and has worked in the City Clerk office since 2012. She fills the position left vacant by the recent retirement of Brenda Kitchen, who served 44.5 years for the city. Source: Hays Daily News

Based on Hays’ successful ordinance, Ellis Police Chief supports golf cart legalization

2024-12-28T11:05:48-06:00December 28th, 2024|

"Hays has gone to that ... and they haven’t had any reported issues,” Police Chief Smith said. He stated that as long as the Council handled the matter responsibly and required the same safety features as are currently required with utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) and that sober drivers followed the rules of the road, he did not anticipate any problems with legalizing golf carts on the streets. Source: Hays Daily News

Municipal Bond Trends for December 26, 2024

2024-12-27T09:48:20-06:00December 27th, 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.

Statewide food sales tax falls to 0% on Jan. 1

2024-12-26T21:11:13-06:00December 26th, 2024|

Grocery bills will get a bit cheaper Jan. 1, once the state sales tax on groceries tics down from 2% to 0%. The tax cut is the third installment of a gradual elimination of the state's sales tax on groceries that was 6.5% before the Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly approved the tax cut in 2022. Source: CJonline

Go to Top