News – Page 65 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Voters say no to library tax district expansion

info2024-11-08T09:38:04-06:00November 8th, 2024|

Arkansas City Public Library officials vowed to carry on after voters rejected expanding the library’s taxing district by fewer than 400 votes on Tuesday. They might even try again. The question before the roughly 15,000 voters within the 470 school district boundaries was whether to expand the library’s taxing boundaries from the city limits to the school district, which would generate about $250,000 more in operating revenue for the library. Voters said no by 359 votes, or 53.3% to 46.6%, according to the unofficial tally posted by the Cowley County Clerk’s office. A similar proposal involving the Udall Public Library did [...]

KCC is laying groundwork to make Home Rebates available in Kansas and wants your input

info2024-11-08T09:36:36-06:00November 8th, 2024|

The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is moving closer to launching the Kansas Home Rebates Program to help Kansas households lower energy costs and improve the comfort of their homes. Under the program, established by the Inflation Reduction Act, Kansas is set to receive $105.6 million to lower energy costs for low to moderate income households. The KCC has partnered with HORNE, a nationally recognized professional services firm, to assist the agency with the program design, application development, and implementation process. As a part of the program planning process, the KCC is scheduling engagement sessions with stakeholders (Kansas utility companies, contractors, other [...]

Overland Park to limit heights of apartment buildings. See the new construction rules

info2024-11-08T09:34:38-06:00November 8th, 2024|

The Overland Park City Council approved new standards that will limit the height of new apartment buildings in certain areas. The council voted Monday to amend development standards for multi-family housing that would streamline construction in some ways, while setting new restrictions in others. The changes are a step in a broader process in Overland Park to update standards and accommodate the city’s plans for future multi-family housing. City staff recommended the updates for various reasons, including to reflect the current state of construction projects and proposals coming to the city; stay in line with existing city practice; complement existing neighborhoods; [...]

City of Wichita introduces new downtown parking plan option

info2024-11-08T09:33:08-06:00November 8th, 2024|

In the final meeting to discuss paid parking in downtown, Old Town, and Delano, another option is now on the table for the City Council to consider. The City of Wichita introduced a new downtown parking plan option during a public meeting Thursday evening. During the meeting, Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson reviewed the four options outlined last week before introducing the new fifth option. Former Wichita Police Department officer John David Crane has first-hand experience patrolling parking. “I was in the traffic bureau of the Wichita Police Department for six of my 25 years,” he said. Despite several options for [...]

Final Topeka police chief candidates interact with community during meet and greet

info2024-11-08T09:29:38-06:00November 8th, 2024|

A pool that started with 18 applicants is now down to two candidates: Russell Klumpp and Chris Vallejo. Community members had the chance to interact with both of them at a meet and greet at Hotel Topeka on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Major Klumpp is a lifelong Topekan and has been with the Topeka Police Department (TPD) for nearly 30 years. 16 of those years have come at the command level. With an understanding of the Topeka community, he says community relations is always the top priority. And then there’s Chris Vallejo. Although he’s not from Topeka, or the Sunflower State for [...]

Voters reject sales tax; elect Brocker

info2024-11-08T09:26:38-06:00November 8th, 2024|

On Election Day, Allen County picked a new county commissioner and voted down a half-cent sales tax that would have shifted the burden of funding EMS away from property taxes. A commissioner who proposed the sales tax said the county could try again. Source: The Iola Register

Provisional Ballots Could Change Marshall County Sales Tax Vote | Unofficial Marshall County Election Results

info2024-11-08T09:25:42-06:00November 8th, 2024|

In a race too close to call, extension of a half-cent sales tax in Marshall County, toward operations at Community Memorial Healthcare trails on election night by just eight votes, 2,325 no, and 2,317 yes. There are 164 provisional ballots to be counted, and mail in ballots postmarked today could also affect the eventual outcome. As it stands with all 30 precincts reporting in Marshall County, the hospital sales tax trails by eight votes with 4,642 counted. It will likely come down to a canvas of ballots by county commissioners to decide the final total. Source: The Sunflower State Radio Network

Sales tax renewed; benefits to Great Bend going forward

info2024-11-08T07:58:32-06:00November 8th, 2024|

With more than 70% of the vote Tuesday in favor of the initiative, Great Bend citizens decided to renew the half-cent sales tax that assists with capital improvements, economic development and property tax reduction. There were 3,371 "yes" votes to renew the tax compared to 1,418 "no" votes. Source: Great Bend Post

Russell passes sales tax to help fund R9 water project

info2024-11-08T07:56:43-06:00November 8th, 2024|

Russell residents on Tuesday approved a 3/4-cent city sales tax that will support water infrastructure, including expenses related to the R9 Ranch water project. The ballot measure passed with 1,196 yes votes to 651 no votes—64.75% to 35.25%. Source: Hays Post

Douglas County commissioners approve measures to maximize the impact of unspent ARPA funds

info2024-11-08T07:55:24-06:00November 8th, 2024|

Douglas County commissioners learned on Wednesday that only around 72% of the federal funding they distributed through the American Rescue Plan Act has been utilized, and they approved measures to maximize the money’s impact before the end-of-the-year deadline to spend it. In July 2022, the county awarded $23,747,378 in ARPA funding — which is emergency funding to help state and local governments respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic — to support 51 projects for internal and external partners. Source: LJWorld