News – Page 608 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Governor Kelly Releases Kansas Broadband Digital Equity Plan for Public Comment

info2023-10-04T13:33:01-05:00October 3rd, 2023|

Governor Laura Kelly announced the Kansas Digital Equity (DE) Plan for high-speed internet connectivity is available for public review and comment. While the recently announced Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Five-Year Action Plan outlines the state’s plan to provide access to high-speed internet, the Digital Equity Plan focuses on specifically connecting users. The DE Plan outlines digital skills training, affordable service plans, and the availability of broadband-ready devices as top priorities. Additionally, the plan emphasizes technology’s positive effect on various areas of everyday life, such as health care, education, and civic engagement. “Digital equity empowers Kansans with the tools they [...]

Sedgwick voters to mull sales tax extension

info2023-10-04T13:33:32-05:00October 3rd, 2023|

City of Sedgwick voters will soon be asked whether to indefinitely extend a half-cent sales tax. The question will play a role in if a sizable amount of the city is paved. In 2019, 64 percent of voters in the City of Sedgwick approved the addition of a half a percent of sales tax on purchases within the city to help pay for road and infrastructure maintenance. In the same election, the city voted down adding on additional sales tax to pay for park improvements. Source: Harvey County Now

New art coming to Newton

info2023-10-03T10:21:15-05:00October 3rd, 2023|

The Newton Murals Project recently added two new murals as part of its mission to add color to Newton. The Newton Murals and Arts project has completed 12 murals in Newton so far, and the latest includes an addition to the back of the Meadowlark Mural in the Old Mill Plaza parking lot at 301 N Main Street. The other is a mural at the R. Michael Rhoades wetlands park next to the Newton Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Meadowlark mural is an ongoing project. Most recently, it added a three-dimensional element using “junk art” to display a “space bug.” In November, [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for October 2, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-10-03T08:38:39-05:00October 3rd, 2023|

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.

Attorney for Kansas Press Association has similar view to recent AG opinion, but association is concerned about lost revenues and transparency

info2023-10-02T16:38:49-05:00October 2nd, 2023|

Attorney General Kris Kobach issued a legal opinion declaring cities in Kansas had the right to exempt themselves from state law requiring official city business notices to be printed by a designated newspaper. Kobach’s nonbinding analysis said cities could adopt ordinances that allowed them to inform the public by posting information on budget hearings, zoning proposals and other issues to a city-owned website rather than buy newspaper advertisements. ... Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, said the attorney general’s interpretation of nonuniformity in state law mirrored the perspective of a lawyer representing KPA. On Friday, Bradbury said elected [...]

Hixson winds up long tenure in Mulvane

info2023-10-02T14:43:09-05:00October 2nd, 2023|

When Kent Hixson accepted the job of Mulvane's city administrator in 1994, little did he know that his service would stretch almost three decades. "Back then, I would have laughed at the idea of staying 29 years," he said. "I wanted to stay long enough so our two sons could get through high school." But after about 10 years in Mulvane, he realized how good he had it – and he was having a great time as well. As he asked: "Why go someplace else?” But that run is coming to an end as Hixson is retiring, with Oct. 6 as [...]

Valley Center Fall Festival draws a crowd

info2023-10-02T14:41:20-05:00October 2nd, 2023|

The game is over, but this year's Valley Center Fall Festival may have set a new high score. With the theme "Let the Games Begin," the annual festival drew hundreds of people to Main Street for a two-day community celebration Sept. 22 and 23. Officials with the Valley Center Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event, said the chamber is gathering data on the potential number of attendees. Source: AV News

Liberal creates public affairs position, hires Moree

info2023-10-02T14:38:55-05:00October 2nd, 2023|

Keeley Moree was a fixture for several years at Southwest Medical Center and recently, she took on a new position as the City of Liberal Director of Public Affairs. Moree said she is a part of Liberal through and through. “I grew up in Liberal, went to school, and ultimately came back. I went to Kansas State University, I'd taken classes through Seward County Community College and I'm a Liberal High School graduate, so Liberal is definitely my home,” Moree said. “When I returned from college, I got the opportunity to work at Southwest Medical Center for about 10 years and very [...]

Fully staffed, new Great Bend police station gives staff room to grow

info2023-10-02T14:36:58-05:00October 2nd, 2023|

Great Bend city officials met with the contractor and architect last week going over an interior punch list of the newly constructed Justice Center at the intersection of 12th Street and Baker Avenue. New furniture is expected to arrive this week as the Oct. 20 open house date gets closer. The 20,100 square-foot facility nearly triples the size of the current police station on Williams, and Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns said the building will give the police department room to grow in the future. Source: GB Post

The economic impact of two major facilities closing in Southeast Kansas

info2023-10-02T14:30:11-05:00October 2nd, 2023|

Two major facilities, providing jobs to the community of Baxter Springs for decades, have closed. So how does that impact employees and the city's economy? "We're talking about 100, maybe a little more. And that's pretty significant for the population of the City of Baxter Springs," said Amy Kauffman, Cherokee Co. Economic Development Executive Director. 100 employees, perhaps with families - perhaps bringing the only income home. This comes following the closures of two major plants - National Safety Apparel - also still known by its former name - King Louie. And YRC Freight, or "Yellow Freight." They both announced closures at the end of July and [...]