News – Page 425 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Noise is one of biggest concerns with potential BESS

info2024-06-19T20:43:21-05:00June 19th, 2024|

The Halstead Planning and Zoning Commission returned to its discussion of battery energy storage systems (BESS) after missing the special and regular meetings scheduled in May due to severe weather conditions. The city is considering a request by Concurrent, a company out of Texas that is leasing land in Halstead’s industrial park, to consider amending the city’s zoning regulations to allow for BESS so they can streamline their process of installing one on the leased land. Source: Harvey County Now

Walton Township doing what it can to combat multiplying sinkholes

info2024-06-19T20:41:25-05:00June 19th, 2024|

It’s still growing. That’s what Walton Township Trustee Mike Spangler said about the sinkholes on Osage Road north of Northeast 72nd Road on Monday. Unfortunately, it’s sinkholes, plural, with one on each side of the road. And yes, both holes overlap with the road. The road has been temporarily closed for nearly two weeks, but people continue to drive between the holes. Source: Harvey County Now

Investigators find cause of Garden City house explosion

info2024-06-19T20:40:54-05:00June 19th, 2024|

A house explosion that injured a person in Garden City Saturday evening was caused by a natural gas leak, according to investigators. The State Fire Marshal and the Garden City Fire Department say the leak was ignited when the victim turned on the stove. They say the issue was isolated to the gas line inside the home. The investigation is continuing. Source: KSN-TV

Commerce Announces $390,000 in Emergency HEAL Grant Funding

info2024-06-19T20:40:33-05:00June 19th, 2024|

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced more than $390,000 in Emergency Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (E-HEAL) grants has been awarded to five recipients. More than $770,000 private local matching funds will be added to that total, to help bring rural downtown buildings back from likely demolition or collapse – and rehabilitate them back into productive use. The Emergency HEAL program provides resources to address sudden and urgent needs of communities with buildings that are at risk of imminent loss, that are causing damage to surrounding downtown buildings, and/or have significant damage due to fire, storms, wind, water, [...]

Kansas Main Street Selects Eight Rural Communities for New Housing Grant

info2024-06-19T20:40:12-05:00June 19th, 2024|

Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland today announced eight inaugural grant recipients of the Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) program. A total of eight projects in Designated Kansas Main Street communities are receiving $50,000 each to create a total of 35 new residential units in the upper floors of downtown buildings. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Municipal Bond Trends for June 17, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-06-18T11:10:19-05:00June 18th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. 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.

Merriam homeowners got surprise tax cut last year due to ‘clerical error.’ Will taxes go back up in 2025?

info2024-06-17T13:23:22-05:00June 17th, 2024|

Merriam residents are likely to see a sharp increase in their municipal tax rate next year. The city is considering an increase of 3.736 mills for its 2025 mill levy — or local tax — rate. That would bring the city’s municipal mill levy to 26.665 mills overall, according to early budget presentations from city staff. That relatively sharp increase comes after a “clerical error” on budget forms last year submitted to the county and state unintentionally slashed Merriam’s 2024 property tax rate by more than four mills, from 27.665 mills down to 22.929 mills the year before. Before that mistake, the Merriam City Council had [...]

Local task force has been fighting underage drinking and substance abuse

info2024-06-17T13:22:17-05:00June 17th, 2024|

While many in Marion County are unaware of the existence of the Marion County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (SAPC), the group has been hard at work. SAPC serves to support the prevention of underage drinking and substance misuse in Marion County. SAPC’s mission was first birthed in 2010 under the Families And Communities Together (FACT) organization and has since developed into a task force comprised of countywide members from 12 sectors, all working together to produce positive change in the Marion County community. SAPC diligently works within the five school districts of rural Marion County, partnering with the various law enforcement agencies, Prairie [...]

How the Fed Can Cut Rates This Summer Without Cutting Rates

info2024-06-17T13:21:07-05:00June 17th, 2024|

The Federal Reserve has more than one way to work its will on the economy. It could soon start using its more subtle tools to start nudging rates down. That still would have a real impact on businesses and households. The central bank most directly controls short-term rates by setting a target range for the federal-funds rate, the rate at which banks lend money to one another overnight. On Wednesday it left this target unchanged while saying that Fed policymakers on average expect to cut this rate range just once this year, down from an expectation of three times in March. But there are a plethora [...]

Humboldt brewery on tap

info2024-06-17T13:19:47-05:00June 17th, 2024|

On April 10, 2015, brothers Tony and Josh Works set a goal. A year from that date, they wanted to sit on the patio at the future Union Works Brewing Co. and enjoy a pint of craft beer. It took nearly a decade to turn that dream into a reality, but last Saturday, they sat on the patio and raised their glasses to celebrate the opening of the brewing company’s tap room. Over the past few years, the brewery quietly continued in the background as A Bolder Humboldt, a local economic development group, finished other projects. Residents and visitors learned to be patient [...]