News – Page 477 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita City Council amends drought response plan ordinance

info2024-06-23T15:20:27-05:00June 23rd, 2024|

The Wichita City Council narrowly passed an amendment to the drought response plan ordinance. It passed 4-3. The ordinance lets the city manager take multiple factors into consideration when determining the drought stage. Right now, it is based on the 12-month average water level at Cheney Reservoir. The amendment widens the criteria to include weather trends and water demands. Before Tuesday, water restrictions would kick in when water levels were below 70% at Cheney Lake. At the start of last month, our 12-month average was right at 70.1%. After Tuesday's vote, the city manager decides whether to implement Stage 2 drought restrictions, [...]

Free public parking? You’ll see a lot fewer spots in downtown Wichita next year

info2024-06-23T15:19:29-05:00June 23rd, 2024|

The vast majority of free public parking in downtown Wichita will soon be replaced with metered stalls and other pay-to-park options. Even public parking structures that have traditionally been free, including the Old Town garage, will charge customers beginning on Jan. 1, 2025. The city is also introducing higher meter rates and a fleet of private parking enforcers responsible for ticketing violators. It’s the realization of a plan to turn Wichita’s downtown parking system into a self-sustaining operation that can support its own repairs and upkeep through user fees while encouraging quicker turnover in parking spaces near high-traffic businesses and restaurants. [...]

Topeka band continues 18-year tradition summer shows

info2024-06-23T15:18:40-05:00June 23rd, 2024|

Orchestrated in perfect harmony, the Topeka Community Band has their second performance of the season. The Community Band has been a summer tradition in the Capitol City since 1996, and still continues to pull in a crowd. The old-fashion fun is directed by retired army bandmaster Stephen Patterson. KSNT 27 News spoke to Patterson who explains on what inspires him to continue every summer. "The crowd, always the crowd. The love for the music we play and the band members show up and have a great time as well." If you missed your opportunity this month, don't worry, The band will be performing in [...]

Safe Haven Baby Box initiative launched by Salina Fire Department

info2024-06-23T15:08:59-05:00June 23rd, 2024|

The Salina Fire Department is launching an initiative to bring a Safe Haven Baby Box to the community. This initiative, which has been spearheaded by Mayor Bill Longbine with the support of the Salina City Commission, city manager Mike Schrage and the SFD was announced by fire chief Tony Sneidar Wednesday. ... Founded by Monica Kelsey in 2015, Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc. provides devices for safe newborn surrender, installed in fire stations or hospitals with alarms for immediate emergency response. Sneidar said the box will also be fully compliant with the Kansas Safe Haven Law. Source: Salina Journal

Burlingame looks to make some city-wide upgrades

info2024-06-23T15:03:54-05:00June 23rd, 2024|

Tuesday, June 18, Burlingame released a strategic plan to revitalize the city. The city of around 950 people plans to revamp their downtown, while recruiting new businesses and homeowners to the area. ... Burlingame also hopes to renovate its downtown street, which the city says is the widest brick road in the United States. The plan is scheduled to be completed by 2027. Source: KSNT 27 News

Zaragoza vs. Johnson County (Tort Claims Act)

info2024-06-23T14:25:41-05:00June 23rd, 2024|

1. The recreational use exception to the Kansas Tort Claims Act, K.S.A. 75-6101 et seq., is not limited to outdoor areas or to areas intended for physical activity. 2. The recreational use exception to the Kansas Tort Claims Act depends on the character of the property in question and not the activity performed at any given time; the plain wording of the statute only requires that the property be intended or permitted to be used for recreational purposes, not that the injury occur as the result of recreational activity. 3. Immunity under K.S.A. 75-6104(o) extends to a parking lot integral to [...]

License reading cameras catch a crook

info2024-06-24T08:15:57-05:00June 23rd, 2024|

A stolen truck out of Wichita showed up on Great Bend’s license plate reader cameras last Tuesday, June 11... On Thursday, police tracked the truck down and then were able to track down a camper that was in La Crosse. ... “So, the license plate cameras work very well.” Source: Great Bend Tribune

Municipal Bond Trends for June 20, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-06-21T10:19:40-05:00June 21st, 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.

Municipal Bond Trends for June 18, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-06-20T09:02:20-05:00June 20th, 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.

Kansas lawmakers approve massive incentives to attract the Chiefs, Royals

info2024-06-19T20:44:50-05:00June 19th, 2024|

After hours of heated deliberations, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to create special tax incentives for major sports teams to build stadiums in Kansas. The bill will go to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk. While the governor previously said she wasn’t trying to recruit the Chiefs, she praised the plan in a statement, calling it a bipartisan initiative to drive economic growth. Source: Johnson County Post