News – Page 625 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

With limited housing options, city-owned houses draw interest in Wichita

info2023-10-06T12:49:18-05:00October 6th, 2023|

At a time when affordable housing is scarce, the city of Wichita hopes that the sale of homes once used for public housing will provide more options for prospective homeowners. Over the past week, the city offered open houses for the first 13 homes it is selling after receiving permission from the federal government. The city announced in 2022 that it would split up its 352 single-family public housing units into several groups and sell them. The units come at a time when buyers face a tight market. A report by the Wichita State Center for Real Estate found that sales [...]

Prairie Village’s housing recommendations have split the city

info2023-10-06T12:49:27-05:00October 6th, 2023|

When it comes to housing in Johnson County, all eyes are currently on Prairie Village. The Kansas City suburb — one of the most affluent in the county — is at a crossroads about what role city government should play in addressing a lack of attainable housing stock in the city. Over a period of months, Prairie Village went from scratching the surface of what it could realistically accomplish to being caught in a fierce debate about who belongs and what types of housing make sense for the landlocked city with very little undeveloped land remaining. Last summer, after the county [...]

Overland Park sets $15 minimum wage for city workers. How does it compare in the metro?

info2023-10-06T10:44:56-05:00October 6th, 2023|

Last week, Overland Park raised its minimum wage for city employees to $15 per hour — a move that city officials touted as a way to remain competitive and retain city workers. The city government is currently hiring for 71 open positions, according to its jobs page. Most of the jobs impacted will be in the city’s parks department, although some other positions will see their pay increase as well. Overland Park is the latest city in the metro to adopt a minimum wage for its government employees that’s higher than the statewide minimum. Kansas City and Kansas City, Kansas, also [...]

Cato Days; a fall tradition

info2023-10-06T10:50:35-05:00October 6th, 2023|

The hint of fall in the air and clear, blue October skies are a reminder that it’s almost time for an area historical event that has become an annual autumn tradition in the area. The 2023 edition of Cato Days will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, in Cato, Kan. As always, admission is free. Presented by the Cato Historical Preservation Association, Cato Days is designed to preserve and promote the tiny community’s pioneer history. This year’s Cato Days program starts with registration at 9 a.m. followed at 9:30 by old-time hymns performed by Ralph [...]

Overland Park looks to change fair housing rules — What does that mean?

info2023-10-06T12:50:00-05:00October 6th, 2023|

Overland Park will repeal its current fair housing codes and take steps to reaffirm its ongoing commitment to supporting fair housing. On Wednesday, the Overland Park City Council Community Development Committee voted 5-0 to recommend approval of three measures attached to the fair housing affirmation. Taking these actions doesn’t mean the city has stopped supporting fair housing in Overland Park, but that it is putting all of the enforcement responsibilities back on the federal government, said Overland Park’s Grant Program Manager Ruanda McFerren. The action will also dissolve the Overland Park Fair Housing Committee, which hasn’t met in years. Source: Shawnee [...]

‘Gravel Kansas’ cycling group puts Marshall County on map

info2023-10-06T10:56:55-05:00October 6th, 2023|

Marshall County is now on the map of Gravel Kansas, a new cycling initiative dedicated to crafting unforgettable gravel cycling routes across picturesque Kansas landscapes. The map was the brainchild of LeLan Dains, Emporia tourism director, cycling enthusiast and founding chair of Gravel Kansas, who thought the public should have a guide to Kansas’ most scenic cycling routes. In Marshall County, so far three routes have been designated and posted to the map, which can be found online at gravelks.com. Source: Marysville Advocate

Riley County jail overpopulation leads to nursing needs

info2023-10-06T10:58:49-05:00October 6th, 2023|

The county clerk said Thursday Riley County Corrections needs another nurse because of overpopulation. During the Riley County Commission meeting, county clerk Rich Vargo said a corrections officer will soon come in to request money for a second nurse. As previously reported, the jail averaged 124 inmates in August, which is the highest it’s ever been. Vargo said the facility is now holding around 140 inmates. Kathryn Focke, county commission chair, asked if it was possible to partner with Kansas State University to have a student nurse work the second needed position. The commissioners discussed that the county would pay for [...]

Mulvane pledges support for DPD gun range

info2023-10-06T11:00:12-05:00October 6th, 2023|

The cities of Mulvane and Haysville recently agreed to contribute $15,000 each toward a concrete project to help improve the Derby Police Department gun range operated jointly (since 2012) by all three municipalities. Over the past year, there have been ongoing discussions between city and police leadership about improvements needed at the joint gun range – one such being additional concrete to create a better training environment. The concrete would also help with operations during inclement conditions. Derby PD has also noted plans to make improvements to other portions of the range (compressor, warning system, etc.). Source: Derby Informer

Led by a cool-down in online shopping, Lawrence sales tax collections on pace to be about $3M below budget

info2023-10-06T07:50:22-05:00October 6th, 2023|

The latest sales tax numbers show the city of Lawrence is on pace to have a more than $3 million budget shortfall in sales tax collections this year, in part due to local online shoppers becoming less spend-happy. ... During the pandemic, citywide collections of those taxes — called a use tax — soared by nearly 28% and 25% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. This year, the use tax dollars are on pace to grow by less than 1%, a sign that shoppers haven’t abandoned online shopping, but seemingly are no longer treating it like the national pastime. If the trend [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for October 4, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-10-05T09:04:48-05:00October 5th, 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.