News – Page 875 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

City of Topeka looks to add 2 new historic places connected to African-American culture

info2023-01-04T21:25:42-06:00January 4th, 2023|

A new survey from the City of Topeka will focus on African-American culture in the capital city. Gretchen Spiker, a spokesperson for the City of Topeka, said that the Topeka Landmarks Commission will be partnering up with the City of Topeka's Planning Division this month to begin surveying the city's historical African-American locations. The project will focus on the documentation of buildings, districts, sites and structures with significance to the development and history of African-American life and culture in the capital city. Source: KSNT 27 News

Becker retires from Burrton PD after 14 years

info2023-01-04T11:27:55-06:00January 4th, 2023|

For Burrton Police Chief David Becker, retirement means travel, family, and lighthouses. Becker retired after serving fourteen years as the city’s police chief, working his final shift on Dec. 23. Originally Becker planned to wait until turning 65 to retire, but after a massive heart attack a few years ago, he decided to retire early. Becker is 62. “Me and my wife talked it over and we decided to go ahead and enjoy it, we decided to go ahead and enjoy our time together,” Becker said. Source: Harvey County Now

Newton’s future library took plenty of community involvement

info2023-01-04T11:27:22-06:00January 4th, 2023|

Cari Cusick, library director, said the library is expected to be constructed in 2023 and completed in early 2024. “It’s almost surreal that it’s finally, finally happening,” she said. “A decade of work preceded it. It’s pretty amazing to see this.” ... The building will be 25,000 square feet and set on the east side of Military Park. It will feature children’s, teen and adult areas, updated seating areas and an indoor/outdoor seating area to connect the library to Military Park. There will be a drive-through window for book drop-off, as well as service during business hours. It will also feature [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 3, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-01-04T09:23:23-06:00January 4th, 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.

New year, lower food tax in Kansas. Here’s what the cut means for your grocery bill

info2023-01-03T22:21:01-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

Kansans looking to save a bit more money in the new year are in luck. The first phase of the state’s move to eliminate taxes on food went into effect on Jan. 1, reducing the state’s food tax to 4% instead of 6.5%. The state food tax rate will continue to go down year after year until 2025, when it will reach zero. The Kansas Legislature passed this plan in April. Source: KC Star Local News

Department of Commerce announces Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) 2.0 Grant Application

info2023-01-04T11:15:02-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced $50 million will fund a second round of projects under the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) grant program. BASE 2.0 will continue addressing infrastructure and economic development needs that were delayed or slowed due to COVID-19 in an effort to expand the state’s base of businesses and residents. The additional funds were designated by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee and approved by the State Finance Council in December. Previous applicants that were not funded in round one will be considered for BASE 2.0 and do not need to reapply unless [...]

Save Century II petition ruled to be proper, but invalid

info2023-01-03T22:02:27-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

A state appeals court has ruled that a citizen petition to save the Century II Convention Center was proper and complete, but it was administrative in nature and therefore invalid. The group Save Century II circulated the petitions to prevent the City Council from taking action to demolish Century II or the former downtown library building nearby. The Kansas Court of Appeals ruled that the taxpayers of Wichita did not have the fiscal skills or knowledge to oversee public buildings, but the petition had an impact by pushing the City Council to create a policy for a non-binding advisory vote before [...]

Lower food sales tax rate in effect, but issues noted statewide with changeover

info2023-01-03T21:55:14-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

You should have noticed a slightly lower food bill at grocery stores across Kansas this week. As part of legislative action last year, the state sales tax on food went from 6.5 percent to 4 percent Sunday. By itself, that reduction could save people $2.50 in taxes on $100 worth of groceries. The tax will drop to 2 percent on Jan. 1, 2024, before being totally eliminated at the start of 2025. Residents need to check their receipts because some retailers have struggled to make the changeover earlier this week. Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

New program hopes to grow homeownership in rural Kansas

info2023-01-03T21:52:28-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

A new program hopes to make it easier for people to purchase a home in rural communities in Kansas. The Home Loan Guarantee for Rural Kansas is a new initiative from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. The program is designed to help existing and prospective homeowners in rural counties finance home loans for land and building purchases, renovations, or new construction costs. The goal of the program is to close the "appraisal gap." That is the gap where the costs of new construction or renovation far exceed the appraised value of the property, even after the work is completed. Source: KSN-TV

Johnson County increasingly at odds with rural Kansas in statehouse

info2023-01-04T11:18:04-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

Republican Ed Roitz lives in central Overland Park, right in the middle of that state’s most populous, suburban county. He ran to represent his affluent Johnson County neighbors in the Kansas House this fall, focusing on the tried-and-true conservative policy of cutting taxes. But when he met voters on their doorsteps, he came face-to-face with a changing electorate. One voter, for instance, told him she likes paying taxes. Source: Prairie Village Post