Municipal News & Jobs

Municipal News & Jobs2018-08-05T16:28:50-05:00

Kansas Municipal News

Municipal Bond Trends for May 27, 2025

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

Highway shutdown to create nearly 70-mile detour in central Kansas

Drivers in part of central Kansas will have to deal with a lengthy detour route this summer for a highway project that is set to last for months. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) released its plans to shut down part of K-177 Highway on KanDrive earlier this month. The closure runs from Council Grove south to Strong City in Morris and Chase Counties. KDOT workers will close K-177 between these two cities starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 16, according to KanDrive. The closure is projected to end on Friday, Nov. 14.
Source: KSN-TV

Grinnell residents overwhelmed by donations, share other ways to help

In the wake of the destruction, donations of all kinds, from food and water to clothes, have flooded into Grinnell after an EF-3 tornado passed through the town. While residents are grateful, physical donations are not always the best way to help. The Hometown Grocery Store has not been a grocery store since the tornado; it has been converted into a makeshift clothing bank. The generosity of people donating clothes, food and water has been overwhelming in both good and bad senses of the word.
Source: KSN-TV

Topeka residents get close-up of 3D printed homes

A local company is introducing 3D printed homes to help keep up with the high demand for affordable housing in Topeka and other parts of the state. Trident Homes hosted an open house at Stone & Story Real Estate on Wednesday, May 21. While browsing today, one visitor says she sees the appeal. “It’s been great to see scaled models of the homes,” said Ashley Beason. “I’m definitely looking for energy efficiency, affordability, also I love the design, they seem to bring in a lot of natural light.” Interested buyers can sit down with Trident to lay out their home’s vision. The company will take care of the rest.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Emporia City Commission considering new ERU fee structure to create dedicated revenue stream for stormwater improvements

The City of Emporia is currently considering a new fee that would be used to help with needed stormwater improvements across the community. During the Emporia City Commission regular study meeting Wednesday morning City Engineer Jim Ubert proposed an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) structure that would be tailored to Emporia as a “fair way to pay for future stormwater improvements.” According to Ubert the city has a significant backlog of said projects which totals roughly $18 million. He says the new structure would allow the city to fully address these issues over time rather than simply taking a “band-aid” approach, which it has had to do in recent years, given that there is no dedicated revenue stream for said projects. Ubert explained how the structure would work during an interview with KVOE News.
Source: d2430

A Kansas county and two cities move water fight to federal court as drought threatens their future

Drought-stricken governments in west-central Kansas have escalated their fight for water rights from state to federal court, which could impact how cities across the state handle future disputes. The cities of Hays and Russell, located in neighboring counties just off of Interstate 70 near the middle of the state, sued the nearby Edwards County in 2024 for blocking a planned water transfer. The cities do not have enough water to supply future residents. They concocted a plan beginning in 1995 with the purchase of the 7,000-acre R9 Ranch in Edwards County. The ranch contains 32 water rights the cities wanted to use for their public water supply. The cities say the county has been opposed to the project since before the property was purchased, but county officials have cited concerns over a large amount of water being transferred out of a prominent agricultural community.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Grow Clay County Awarded $500,000 Goldstein Foundation Challenge Grant for Life Center Project

On May 21st, Grow Clay County announced they received a $500,000 Goldstein Foundation Challenge Grant to support the building and expansion of the Clay Center Multi-Generational Life Center. Natalie Muruato, Grow Clay County Director, said they hope to start construction on the Life Center around August 1st. This generous Grant could greatly help in building the best facility possible for the community. The caveat to this Challenge Grant is that it is a matching challenge grant. With this, community support is needed more than ever to take full advantage of this opportunity by the anticipated construction date. Muruato said they will continue to fundraise.
Source: KCLY Radio

Wichita halts water plant testing over mechanical issues, causing further delays

Wichita city officials have directed contractors to stop testing the water at the new $574 million Wichita Water Works treatment plant amid what they called “performance mechanical issues.” The water plant is more than six months behind schedule and tens of millions of dollars over budget. TOP VIDEOS The video player is currently playing an ad. You can skip the ad in 5 sec with a mouse or keyboard The latest issues were discovered in the plant’s clarifiers — large tanks where unfinished water is churned and allowed to settle to separate solids and contaminants from the water before it is treated further. They are an essential part of the water treatment process needed to make sure the water is safe to drink.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

City of Lawrence seeks feedback on plans to charge fees to use rec centers

The City of Lawrence is asking the community for feedback on plans to implement memberships and fees to use recreational facilities. The Parks, Recreation and Culture department is proposing the fees as a way to offset its $1.8 million portion of the city’s projected budget shortfall of more than $6 million. The department has considered similar plans in recent years but did not move forward after community pushback. This year, however, the Lawrence City Commission has voiced some support for rec center fees early in the budget process.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Legislature curtails relocation incentive for rural Kansas after years of expansion

Over the years, a special state incentive created to entice people to move to rural Kansas has been continually expanded. The incentive – a combination of income tax breaks and student loan repayments  – was created in 2011 by the Legislature at the behest of former Gov. Sam Brownback. At the time, it only applied to 50 counties with populations that had fallen by at least 10% over the previous decade. In 2013 and 2014, the Legislature designated 27 more counties as rural opportunity zones. Then, in 2021, the Legislature made any county with a population of less than 40,000 a rural opportunity zone, making 95 out of the state’s 105 counties eligible for the incentive.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

Beloit Selected For Brownfield Grant From The Environmental Protection Agency

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the allocation of $267 million in Brownfields Grants across the United States, with nearly $4 million specifically designated for communities in Kansas. This funding aims to transform contaminated properties into productive spaces, fostering economic growth and improving public health. “The $267 million in Brownfield Grants will transform contaminated properties into valuable spaces for businesses and housing, creating new opportunities that strengthen local economies and directly benefit American families,” stated EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Source: The Sunflower State Radio Network

Rose Hill airport receives over $57k for aviation projects

Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday $14.5 million for 47 aviation projects across the state through the Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP), which provides funding for planning, construction, and rehabilitation of public-use general aviation airports. “The Kansas aerospace industry is an essential part of our state’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Keeping our aviation infrastructure in optimal condition is a large part of that economic growth and job creation, allowing local businesses and communities to prosper.”
Source: Butler County Times-Gazette

Newton City Commission dodges water emergency, thanks to weather

Thankfully, the rains sprang down during the recent bout of monsoon season, or things could have become dicey for the City of Newton. Newton was about to be in a water emergency, as the groundwater levels had fallen to nearly 10 feet below normal seasonal level. Director of Public Works Ed Bonham said the recent rains had pushed the levels up a foot, but they need to keep an eye out.
Source: Harvey County Now

Halstead approves DRAGON grants

The Halstead City Council approved a new round of grant applications totaling $20,000 at the most recent city council meeting. The city provides grants to new and existing businesses in the downtown area who are looking to repair or update their businesses. There were two applicants for this round of applications: Making Memories China Rental and Metal Transformations.
Source: Harvey County Now

Wichita city departments hiring, job fair set for June 3

Job-seekers interested in public service careers can connect directly with City of Wichita departments during an upcoming career fair on Tuesday, June 3. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd St. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from various departments, including CityArts, Fire, IT, Law, Police, and others.
Source: KSN-TV

Haysville schools seeks bus drivers, sets job fair

Facing a need for more school bus drivers, Haysville Public Schools is hosting a two-day recruitment event this week to help fill key transportation roles for the upcoming school year. The event, titled “Be the Next Driver” will be held in the east parking lot of Campus High School, 2100 W. 55th Street S., on Wednesday, May 28, from 8 a.m. to noon and Thursday, May 29, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Source: KSN-TV

Ark City sets ribbon cutting for new welcome signs

Arkansas City is rolling out new welcome signs. A ribbon cutting on June 5 will celebrate the completion of four new “Welcome to Arkansas City” signs—each featuring the city’s new logo, a design rooted in local history, water, and community pride. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the south entrance off U.S. Highway 77 on 61st Road, where the first sign was installed. Additional signs have been placed at the city’s north and east approaches, with the new branding also featured on the West Madison Bridge.
Source: KSN-TV

Go to Top