News – Page 837 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas school administrators question bill adding school board members to district payroll

info2023-02-21T07:31:51-06:00February 16th, 2023|

The hypothetical cost of implementing a Kansas House bill enabling local school districts to pay elected board members $20 per hour for a commitment of less than two hours a week would cost taxpayers $2.8 million annually. Adopting the change would break a 50-year precedent in Kansas law that made local school board members volunteers without a salary... Jim Karleskint, a former state legislator and Holton school superintendent ... did raise with the committee a series of concerns. “In many school districts,” he said, “the superintendent is selected as the chief negotiator for the board. In years of limited fiscal resources, [...]

City commission discusses state incentives for additional housing in Salina

info2023-02-16T14:26:44-06:00February 16th, 2023|

With the need for housing in the community not going away anytime soon, Salina continues to look for opportunities to make it easier for developers to build in the area. During its meeting Monday, the Salina City Commission discussed and ultimately decided to lend support for incentives for three housing developments in the community. Lauren Driscoll, the city's director of community and development services, presented the commission with multiple resolutions to consider on the topic. "As you're aware, we've been very much engaged in dealing how to provide more housing in Salina related to future employees (coming from) corporate expansion of [...]

Prairie Village looks to remake city hall and police HQ

info2023-02-16T14:17:48-06:00February 16th, 2023|

Prairie Village is looking to either renovate or completely rebuild its city hall and also remodel the city’s police department headquarters next door. City staff presented three preliminary project options at a special city council session on Saturday that came with projected price tags for work on both buildings ranging from $29 million to $42 million. This comes as the city is also gauging public opinion on a new community center on the site of the aging Paul Henson YMCA, which sits directly south of the current city hall and police building. Source: Prairie Village Post

Leawood’s new history book in the works for 75th anniversary

info2023-02-16T14:17:23-06:00February 16th, 2023|

In celebration of Leawood’s 75th anniversary, the city is publishing a new history book later this year. The roughly 100-page book — loosely titled “Leawood — The Journey Continues” — will chronicle the city’s history from 1997 to 2022 from a variety of perspectives, from economic development to arts and public outreach. City staff is slating for a fall publication, after which time the book will be available for purchase. Source: Prairie Village Post

House bill would repeal 50-year ban on compensating members of local school boards

info2023-02-16T14:16:58-06:00February 16th, 2023|

The hypothetical cost of implementing a Kansas House bill enabling local school districts to pay elected board members $20 per hour for a commitment of less than two hours a week would cost taxpayers $2.8 million annually. Adopting the change would break a 50-year precedent in Kansas law that made local school board members volunteers without a salary, but the idea seemed to make sense to Rep. Kristey Williams, chair of the House K-12 Budget Committee. She said during a Tuesday hearing the legislation could serve as a token of appreciation for board members and affirm the value placed on work [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for February 15, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-02-16T09:11:18-06:00February 16th, 2023|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.

Lyon County may use private entity for shelter services

info2023-02-16T07:57:07-06:00February 16th, 2023|

Lyon County may be close to an agreement with a private entity for animal control services, Sheriff Jeff Cope told city and county commissioners Wednesday afternoon during a joint luncheon. Cope said he was not yet able to disclose who the private entity was, but said he expected a contract to come through to the Lyon County Commission in the coming week. "We would be able to address the quarantine issues for animal bites, vicious animals, court orders and things like that," Cope said. Source: Emporia Gazette

Uniontown: Improving Community Spaces Grant Available

info2023-02-16T07:59:03-06:00February 16th, 2023|

“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is gearing up for a placemaking project in Uniontown,” President and CEO Jody Hoener said. They are seeking Uniontown resident’s input for a grant to improve the small town of almost 300 people in Bourbon County. “We have a survey for community members to fill out,” Hoener said. ... “We have already been working on Creative Placemaking projects in Fort Scott: the 3rd Street Park Improvements and the Downtown Arch projects,” Rachel Carpenter, Director of the The Center for Economic Growth at HBCAT, said. ... “Some examples would be: park improvements, murals in an [...]

Zoning hurdles could face solar project

info2023-02-16T00:33:50-06:00February 16th, 2023|

With many dangling details remaining, issues surrounding a planned solar farm in central Barton County were the topic of a County Commission study session Wednesday morning. All county officials know for sure is that developer Acciona Energy USA will soon seek zoning permits for the project and hope to be well into construction within six months. Source: Great Bend Tribune

Hesston offers new communication method

info2023-02-16T00:32:40-06:00February 16th, 2023|

The city of Hesston has added a new way to reach residents with information they could find helpful with an app that texts information to those who sign up. City clerk Jason Thrasher said city employees were researching a way to alert residents of timely issues when he came across Text.My.Gov a couple of months ago. Those who sign up for the free app get a text notifying them about anything going out in their neighborhood. “Anything people need to be aware of, this gives us a way to push things out,” Thrasher said. Source: Harvey County Now