News – Page 412 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Election commissioner certifies petition aiming to limit city of Topeka’s taxing authority

info2024-07-09T11:32:55-05:00July 9th, 2024|

Petition drive organizer Earl McIntosh needed 2,941 signatures from registered Topeka voters to require the mayor and city council to respond to his proposal to limit the city's taxing authority. ... The petition calls for the passage of an ordinance that would ban the city from bringing in more property tax revenue than the "revenue neutral" amount it brought in the previous year, unless voters approve such an increase in a ballot question election, McIntosh said. Source: CJonline

Municipal Bond Trends for July 8, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-07-09T09:33:19-05:00July 9th, 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.

Hospital seeks protective zoning

info2024-07-09T08:54:51-05:00July 9th, 2024|

St. Luke Hospital’s chief executive asked Marion City Council members Monday to use rezoning to discourage outside medical facilities from establishing competing facilities that might siphon off services the hospital depends on that to subsidize other services. Alex Haines said that when more profitable procedures are done elsewhere, the hospital must survive on income from services that make less profit. “I think it’s very important for both the hospital and the city,” Haines said. Source: Marion County RECORD

After 2 years of fighting, Johnson County city allows more apartments. But there’s limits

info2024-07-08T14:14:24-05:00July 8th, 2024|

After two years of arduous debate, packed with resident protests and political battles, the Prairie Village City Council this week finally amended zoning laws to allow for more housing — but only in commercial areas and with several limits. While the move still drew opposition, the approved changes are significantly scaled back from earlier ideas that sparked heated protests, a court fight and a contentious election. After a few hours of discussion and public comments, the council on Monday voted 12-1 to amend its zoning laws. And some city officials appear ready now to end and move on from the debate, [...]

Olathe plans to move post office to make way for downtown revitalization

info2024-07-08T14:13:10-05:00July 8th, 2024|

Olathe plans to relocate the downtown Post Office next year as part of the city’s efforts to revitalize the area. The city council announced the preliminary plans on June 25 at the first workshop for next year’s budget. The move is a collaborative effort with the United States Postal Service. Little is known about the project so far, but more information could be made available within the next three to five months once more refined conversations are had. According to City of Olathe Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Cody Kennedy, conversations have been “purely introductory” at this point. “I do know [...]

Lenexa wants to collect 1,000 pounds of used plastic bags to make into bench

info2024-07-08T14:11:53-05:00July 8th, 2024|

The city of Lenexa is looking to get a new public bench through unconventional means — by recycling more than 1,000 pounds of plastic bags. Taking a cue from neighboring cities like Merriam, the city has launched a year-long project where it ask residents to donate plastic bags at three locations in hopes of reaching the magic number of 1,000 pounds, enough to craft a bench. “This was just something that was a little different that could benefit the community and the environment,” Heather Howell, Lenexa’s human resources specialist and member of Lenexa’s We Care Committee, said .“People do have a [...]

Lenexa adopts new long-term plan to guide city through next 20 years

info2024-07-08T14:08:58-05:00July 8th, 2024|

After three years of planning, the Lenexa City Council on Tuesday approved a new comprehensive plan that lays the groundwork for the city through 2040 and beyond. At its meeting Tuesday night, the council gave the green light to a revised comprehensive plan, a document that serves as an aspirational roadmap for the next 20 years of development and land use in the city. The council passed the plan with a 5-2 vote. One of the big changes the new plan predicts is a shift away from big box retail spaces and offices to more housing and non-office business parks. “In [...]

Prairie Village weighs buying church property. Could it become part of new city hall?

info2024-07-08T14:06:39-05:00July 8th, 2024|

Prairie Village is considering purchasing a church property on Mission Road that could become part of a still-evolving plan to build a new city hall. At a special city council work session on Monday, discussion of the church appeared to inadvertently come up as councilmembers were hearing about a slightly revised site design layout for a new prospective $30 million city hall plan that the city has been discussing for more than a year. Whether purchasing the church property would mean the city uses that building or the land it sits on for a new city hall has yet to be [...]

Galesburg Fire Dept. awarded $5,000 grant through Nutella partnership

info2024-07-08T14:05:39-05:00July 8th, 2024|

The Galesburg Fire Department is receiving a grant from Nutella through a partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council. According to the fire department, the $5,000 grant is to help secure necessities the fire department needs including equipment, gear, training, recruitment, retention initiatives, community outreach, education efforts, or other necessities. The Galesburg Fire Department says the grant was awarded by Nutella through its "Stacks for Giving Back" program. The purpose of the program is to shine light on those who spread positivity in the community. The program is awarding a combined total of $25,000 to five fire departments in the U.S. [...]

City of Emporia mourns loss of Mayor Danny Giefer

info2024-07-08T14:04:31-05:00July 8th, 2024|

The City of Emporia is in mourning as it announced the death of longtime City Commissioner and Mayor Danny Giefer, who died at his home on July 6. Giefer and his wife moved to Emporia over 50 years ago in 1970. The city said in a news release it is better because of that decision. “Emporia is a better place, because in 1970 newlyweds Danny and Betty Giefer chose to move here to live and to rear their children. We are grateful they did,” the news release said. Giefer was sworn into the Emporia City Commission in 2013 because, the city [...]