News – Page 784 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

When a Kansas county wants people to plant milkweed but a city makes them rip it out

info2023-04-12T11:15:18-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Oliver Hernandez’s front yard hums with plenty of bugs for the 12-year-old and his friends to find. “It’s kind of fun just knowing that there are lots of caterpillars in the yard,” he said. About a third of the yard looks like a teeny swath of prairie, with wild indigo, bee balm and, until recently, a key plant for monarch butterflies: common milkweed. Last fall, the city of Overland Park told Oliver’s mother to rip the milkweed out of her pollinator garden. That bummed Oliver because it’s a plant where brightly striped yellow, black and white caterpillars would appear each summer, [...]

Wichita toy store owner asks City to change ordinance

info2023-04-12T09:18:40-05:00April 12th, 2023|

If you want to open a secondhand store in Wichita, some City of Wichita requirements might discourage you. For example, the City says some secondhand stores must fingerprint people who bring in used items. Derek Sorrells told the City Council that's a problem. He owns Let's Go Build, 2684 N. Greenwich, a store that buys, sells and trades Lego bricks. "I'm asking a mother who brings in $20 worth of Legos to submit her fingerprint," he said. "There were many odd looks. Many odd looks. And there were frankly people who walked out the door." Source: KSN-TV

Andover YMCA rebuild continues following tornado

info2023-04-12T09:16:13-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Almost a year following the Andover tornado, progress continues to rebuild the heavily damaged YMCA in the storm. The April 30, 202, the EF-3 moved through the east side of Andover, causing extensive damage to homes, an elementary school and the YMCA. Cars from the YMCA parking lot were thrown into the lobby, the roof was removed, and glass was shattered. YMCA employees that night reacted and got everyone to safety before the storm hit. Since the storm, work has been moving to rebuild the facility. The walls outside are being rebuilt with 6,375 new limestone blocks, and 22,600 square feet [...]

Property appraisal appeals increase by nearly 300 percent

info2023-04-12T09:13:47-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Backlash from Miami County residents upset about skyrocketing property appraisals led to a spike in appeals being filed this year with the county appraiser’s office. Property owners had until the end of March to file their informal appeal, and Miami County Appraiser Justin Eimers confirmed Monday, April 10, that his office received a total of 1,205 informal appeals this year compared to 303 in 2022, an increase of nearly 300 percent. “The appeals process gives property owners a chance to address questions and concerns to the County Appraiser’s Office,” Eimers said. “I see the appeals process as an opportunity for the [...]

Inflation rises just 0.1% in March and 5% from a year ago as Fed rate hikes take hold

info2023-04-12T09:04:04-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Inflation cooled in March as the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases showed more impact, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. The consumer price index, a widely followed measure of the costs for goods and services in the U.S. economy, rose 0.1% for the month against a Dow Jones estimate for 0.2%, and 5% from a year ago versus the estimate of 5.1%. Excluding food and energy, core CPI increased 0.4% and 5.6% on an annual basis, both as expected. Source: Economy

Treasury yields fall after inflation comes in cooler than forecast in March

info2023-04-12T09:01:25-05:00April 12th, 2023|

U.S. Treasurys were little changed on Wednesday ahead of the release of key March inflation figures that could impact future Federal Reserve policy moves, including its interest rate hiking campaign. As of 5:17 a.m. ET, the 10-year Treasury was trading at 3.439% after rising by less than 1 basis point. Meanwhile, the yield on the 2-year Treasury was down marginally at 4.054%. Yields and prices have an inverted relationship. One basis point is equivalent to 0.01%. Source: CNBC - Bonds

Finney County Historical Museum exhibit celebrates first Hispanic mayor

info2023-04-12T11:17:06-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Garden City reached a unique milestone 50 years ago, on April 11 of 1973, when the community’s first Hispanic mayor was elected, and the Finney County Historical Museum has just opened a new exhibit telling the story of Mayor D.C. Garcia. Entitled “Making a Difference,” the display is located in the museum’s Front Door Gallery, where exhibits change four to six times each year. It is comprised of nearly 10 large-format photographic images, as well as a small collection of artifacts loaned from the Garcia family and others. Source: Greater Garden City

Overland Park councilmember floats getting rid of city food sales tax

info2023-04-12T08:54:55-05:00April 12th, 2023|

Overland Park City Councilmember Faris Farassati is looking to reduce or potentially eliminate the city’s sales tax on food. He says doing so would provide much-needed relief to residents dealing with a rise in property taxes, with the average home appraisal value in Johnson County up by 12% from last year. But city officials say cutting the local sales tax on food would have practical ramifications on Overland Park’s budget and may not even be possible under state law. Another councilmember called the proposal patently “illegal.” Source: Prairie Village Post

Municipal Bond Trends for April 11, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-04-12T07:24:29-05:00April 12th, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.

Medicine Lodge is purchasing and re-opening local drive-in theater

info2023-04-11T17:13:58-05:00April 11th, 2023|

The City of Medicine Lodge is purchasing and re-opening our local drive-in theater. We are excited to use it as a community venue and event location, as well as a drive-in theater. As the sixth in Kansas and a publicly owned facility we plan to use this as a beacon for tourism as well as a unique and special destination for our community. Most communities operate public pools, many have golf courses, and I bet very, very few operate drive-in movie theaters. I am excited to see how this non-traditional service benefits our community and draws in visitors to our town. [...]