News – Page 54 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

On new e-bikes, Lawrence police officers approach their work from a different perspective

info2024-12-15T07:48:33-06:00December 15th, 2024|

Because the bikes aren’t what people typically associate with police presence, Officer Steven Alvord said they often go unnoticed by motorists, which makes for a very different dynamic when officers are on patrol.... the bikes, he said, are “stealthy.” And that means motorists might commit traffic infractions, like running a stop sign, right in front of a bicycle officer without even thinking about it. Source: LJWorld

Municipal Bond Trends for December 12, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-12-13T12:02:01-06:00December 13th, 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.

Kansas broadband internet disparities persist despite huge investments

info2024-12-13T10:38:56-06:00December 13th, 2024|

KHI developed an interactive digital divide dashboard to provide an overview of computer ownership and broadband availability in each of the state’s 105 counties. ... The challenge of responding to the state’s technological divide has been more difficult in rural communities due to insufficient infrastructure that elevated the cost of adding high-speed internet service. Source: The Lawrence Times

Topeka, Shawnee County leaders vote for downtown innovation center

info2024-12-13T09:20:18-06:00December 13th, 2024|

Some Topeka and Shawnee County leaders are in favor of an innovation center coming to the downtown area. The Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) between Topeka and Shawnee County met Wednesday and approved Innovation Center 2.0. It’s a catalytic project to help meet the needs of the area’s growing innovation ecosystem. The center is a “bold step forward in developing downtown Topeka’s ASTRA Innovation District”, according to a news release from GO Topeka. The innovation center is being planned to be located at 220 SE 6th Street. Source: KSNT 27 News

New police chief gets situated with Topeka

info2024-12-13T09:19:15-06:00December 13th, 2024|

Before we know it, the capital city will officially have its new Police Chief in Chris Vallejo. Vallejo doesn’t officially start until Jan. 20 2025, but he’s currently in the capital city looking to get situated before starting his role. After being named one of the final four candidates to be the next chief, Vallejo, who is coming from Austin, TX, ultimately beat out TPD major Russ Klump for the job. While Vallejo said he understands policing, he said he wants to better understand policing in Topeka. So, for the first couple months he plans on “observing, listening and learning”. Source: [...]

Private wells in Kansas: Safe location and maintenance guidelines

info2024-12-13T09:18:21-06:00December 13th, 2024|

Water supply to rural residences and agricultural operations without rural or public water systems is usually obtained from a private well or surface water supply. In Kansas, more than 73,000 individuals rely on private wells for a water supply. When public and rural water systems that use well water are added to the private well numbers, 34.6% of the Kansas population relies on groundwater for their water supply. Municipal and rural water systems must maintain water quality standards specified by local, state, or federal requirements; however, owners of private wells are responsible for the water quality of their wells. Permanent contamination [...]

Heartland Flyer extension costs estimated at $311 million

info2024-12-13T09:17:09-06:00December 13th, 2024|

On Wednesday, the Kansas Department of Transportation provided an update based on a recent feasibility study evaluating a passenger rail extension from Oklahoma City to Newton. “Right now, since we’re trying to facilitate the first connection to the Southwest Chief,” Mark Alvarez, rail project coordinator for KDOT, said. “Perhaps in the future, it’s something that can be explored.” The current timeline would mean an early morning hour layover for passengers in Newton if they transfer between Heartland Flyer and Southwest Chief trains. Local proponents of the project had hoped for evening service, which would have boosted Newton’s downtown. According to the [...]

County commission discusses sales tax for hospital

info2024-12-13T09:15:37-06:00December 13th, 2024|

The Jackson County Commissioners said Monday that they would support Holton Community Hospital administrators and the board of directors if they wanted to pursue a special sales tax for the hospital. During Monday’s commission meeting, Carrie Lutz, HCH CEO, and Marilyn Watkins, a member of the HCH board of directors, learned that the commissioners were not planning to pursue an additional sales tax for the county to help offset property taxes. A special public meeting was held earlier this fall to discuss the possibility of increasing the county’s current sales tax rate to help offset a mill rate increase. Source: Holton [...]

Prairie Village poised to renew home grant programs with tweaks to who is eligible

info2024-12-13T09:14:42-06:00December 13th, 2024|

A few more Prairie Village homeowners could become eligible for the city’s property tax rebate and home improvement grant programs under changes the council is considering enacting for 2025. The set of three resident rebate programs in Prairie Village are up for renewal for next year. The Prairie Village City Council last week during a council committee of the whole session forwarded the renewal motions with some proposed changes to the full city council for final approval. The three programs include a property tax rebate program aimed at lower-income households, as well as two separate programs aimed at incentivizing homeowners to [...]

2 fire districts in southern Johnson County want to join forces — Here’s why

info2024-12-13T09:13:47-06:00December 13th, 2024|

The two fire districts serving the southern half of Johnson County may be consolidated in 2026 — a move county commissioners and fire district representatives say will make financial planning more efficient in the county’s fastest-growing area. In a joint meeting Tuesday, the commission, which oversees Fire District 2, met with the governing board of Fire District 1 and approved a resolution to combine their functions. It comes with a 60-day protest period and final action by the county commission in the second quarter of 2025. Source: Johnson County Post