News – Page 665 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Generous donors help finance (and name) new Pratt pool

info2023-07-28T07:40:14-05:00July 27th, 2023|

It was hand shakes, rounds of applause and smiles all around when the blue tarp dropped and the names of Gary and Jean Cromer were revealed as the generous donors who helped finance (and name) the new swimming pool on July 22 in Pratt. The Cromer’s donated $6M to ensure summer water fun and enjoyment for the citizens, especially youth, of Pratt for years to come. Their generosity was celebrated Saturday, and while many in attendance were anxious to get into the water, perhaps none were as eager as young Eli Lee, who had been at the pool complex since 9:30 a.m., [...]

City of Lawrence considering changing how parking tickets are handled

info2023-07-28T07:40:10-05:00July 27th, 2023|

Currently, Lawrence Municipal Court may issue arrest warrants for unpaid parking tickets. That could change as the City of Lawrence is considering moving to a new process to handle parking violations. The city is also considering other options for habitual violators, including demobilization of vehicles. Under the proposed changes, people would no longer be required to show up to court to appeal citations or for notices to appear, according to the city’s website about the project. Source: The Lawrence Times

Municipal Bond Trends for July 26, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-07-27T07:35:34-05:00July 27th, 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.

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $7.9M in Community Development Grants

info2023-07-26T12:01:24-05:00July 26th, 2023|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that 24 communities in rural counties throughout the state will receive a share of nearly $7.9 million in federal grants to assist with community development projects. ... The $7,897,922 will be matched with local funding, allowing more than $16.9 million to be available. The CDBG funds are one of the Department of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s smaller, predominantly rural communities. To view the complete list of awardees, click here. For assistance applying for, or administering, grants, contact Rose Mary Saunders or Crystal Hinnen.

Seaboard Foods proposes two hog farms in Ford County

info2023-07-26T09:42:32-05:00July 26th, 2023|

Seaboard Foods pitched a plan to the Ford County Commissioners at its July 17 meeting to purchase land northeast of Bucklin to raise as many as 2,500 hogs. Commissioners Ken Snook and Shawn Tasset were present. Both sites would have two buildings hogs. Seaboard representative Jennifer Charno Nelson said the corporation was interested in developing a total of four buildings on two sites in that southeast corner of the county. Snook said he was concerned with the odor and a fact Nelson shared that each hog would need to consume five gallons of water every day. “We have a problem with water here, before my life [...]

NFMA releases best practices for EPA’s SRF program

info2023-07-26T09:40:24-05:00July 26th, 2023|

The National Federation of Municipal Analysts has released best practices on Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, its first on the subject, which provides a roadmap for state and local governments as these investments become more essential to improving the infrastructure and quality of life around the country. "SRFs were selected because they have truly become a critical financing vehicle for improving the quality of our nation's water infrastructure and public health," said Angela Kukoda, disclosure committee chair at NFMA. Both the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, created in 1987 and 1996, [...]

Wichita providing free bus rides during week’s high temps

info2023-07-26T11:49:36-05:00July 26th, 2023|

Beginning Wednesday, July 26, residents can ride Wichita Transit for free until the end of the day on Saturday, July 29. The already free Q-Line bus runs Monday through Saturday from 6:15 a.m. until 11 p.m. with stops at several air conditioned places downtown including the Advanced Learning Library and City Museums. In addition to free bus rides, the Neighborhood Resource Centers throughout Wichita have water and air conditioning for those who need it. Residents are encouraged to stay inside as much as possible, hydrate regularly and ensure pets also have access to shelter and water. Source: KAKE - News

Prairie Village City Council will explore building new City Hall, aims to limit cost to $30M

info2023-07-26T09:36:58-05:00July 26th, 2023|

The City Council voted unanimously to advance exploration of building a new home — for itself. A discussion that started in 2020 with a feasibility study to explore improvements to City Hall has entered a new chapter. On July 17, the council unanimously directed city staff to explore building a new City Hall with a cost ceiling of $30 million. A few weeks earlier, the council's finance committee reviewed three concepts: a basic renovation of the existing building, with an estimated cost of $11.95 million; a heavy renovation, with an estimated cost of $21.77 million; and a two-story, new construction option, with an [...]

Lincoln County recruiting new residents to the area

info2023-07-26T11:52:18-05:00July 26th, 2023|

Lincoln County has utilized the Make My Move program to recruit people to the county. "Over the past year or so, we've really been talking a lot about 'How do we recruit new people into the community?' I feel like traditional economic development has been, you recruit a business, the business creates jobs, and the jobs is what pulls people into the community," Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation Kelly Gourley said. "Now in this day and age, when workforce is so tight, it's hard to kind of recruit a business in when you don't necessarily have the workforce." [...]

Business that opened in Wichita was notified its presence is against city code, but that code may now change

info2023-07-26T11:53:39-05:00July 26th, 2023|

Thanh Do strategically chose Old Town last year when he was opening Afterlife Tattooz. “It’s in the middle of everywhere,” he said. “You’ve got to be centralized.” Only after opening in part of the former First Gear space at 111 N. Mosley did he learn from the city that he’s operating in violation of the unified zoning code. There’s a special overlay district on top of the standard zoning district that does not allow tattoo parlors or piercing studios in the area. “They’ve been giving us notice to get out,” Do said. He said the city has given him extensions, though, [...]