Municipal News & Jobs

The utility will seek approval for a new natural gas plant, a solar farm, and a battery storage facility. CEO David Campbell stated that Kansas is a “premier destination” for data centers, driving significant load growth.
Read more: CJonline

Mayor Spencer Duncan said the city’s current flood plan is far more advanced than in 1903 and 1951 because of those learning experiences and a comprehensive approach that integrates levees, creek maintenance, pump stations, neighborhood drainage, wastewater systems and long-term capital planning.
Read more: CJonline

Administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, SEED grants are available to communities in 78 eligible counties, with populations of 5,000 or fewer. Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded in the following categories:

Childcare and Senior Programming– Projects that support or enhance services, such as building improvements, educational materials, supplies and equipment

Community Vibrancy– Projects that re-energize and beautify rural communities through public art, signage and placemaking initiatives

Food Retail– Projects that increase access to food through new, expanded or renovated retail spaces

Libraries– Projects that expand access to information and community resources through reading materials, technology upgrades, furnishings and facility improvements

Eligible applicants include local government, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce and other community-based organizations in towns that have not received a SEED grant in the past year. A 10% local match is required, and all funded projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving grant funds. Grants will be distributed in two installments: half at the time of award and the remainder once the project has reached at least 50% completion.
Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce

The company announced Thursday that it will reduce its default data retention window from 30 to seven days, cutting the amount of time data will sit in Flock’s systems. Agencies can still change the retention period in coordination with state or local policy.
Read more: KSN-TV

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.

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.

City officials in Topeka are getting involved in an ongoing lawsuit between a local Indian tribe and the state lottery. The Topeka City Council voted in favor of intervening in an ongoing lawsuit between Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the state of Kansas on Aug. 11. The governing body passed a resolution to step into the lawsuit “to protect the City’s interests” as the nation is allegedly trying to expand the boundaries of its reservation. Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in early July this year. The nation alleged that the Kansas Lottery is violating its sovereignty by selling lottery tickets and operating lottery machines at around two dozen locations within reservation territory.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

The Topeka City Council voted to amend the language used in a one-year moratorium for data centers to restrict utility connections for these types of projects. The new amended language includes the restriction of utility connections inside and outside of city limits for data centers. City officials said this is necessary to prevent administrative exceptions that would allow staff to extend utility services outside of city limits to serve as a data center.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Kansas Tourism has announced that applications for the Attraction Development Grants program will open August 17. The program is designed to provide funding support for the development of new tourism attractions or the enhancement of existing attractions that encourage travel to and throughout Kansas. A total of $1 million will be granted during this round. The deadline for applications is October 16, 2026. 
Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce

Not many country folks want to become city folks. At least, that’s what Pottawatomie County leaders learned in 2019 when they asked residents of the Green Valley area whether they wanted to incorporate and create an independent town. At that time, 70% of residents said they didn’t want to form a new city, and 70% said they didn’t want Manhattan to annex Green Valley, either. But the area directly east of Manhattan, roughly the southern part of Blue Township, continues to grow. The population of Blue Township has risen from 4,926 in 2020 to an estimated 5,541 in 2026, an increase of nearly 12%. That has brought with it changes in commercial development and traffic.
Read more: News Radio KMAN

The Garden City Commission approved an amendment to the City Codes and the creation of new sections to the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding micro data facilities at its regular meeting on Aug.4. Aleecya Charles, Garden City Assistant Neighborhood and Development Services Director, said both items come after a recent influx of data facilities on both large and small scales. Because of the influx of development of these types of facilities nationwide, the city proposed an amendment to its Zoning Regulations that will set parameters for any new development regarding Micro Data Facilities, Charles said.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

Despite the age-old noise restraints for the Hesston Public Library, an increase in activity led to the refurbishment of a room. The community is invited to the ribbon-cutting for the new computer lab at HPL on Monday, Aug. 17, with a 4:30 p.m. cut time. Staff moved four computers into the area, as there are seven total machines available for public use. “I’d say the biggest reason we started brainstorming the idea of a computer lab was the increase in library use, especially during the summer and after school,” Abigail Skiles, library director, said. “This led to an increase in noise and activity, and we decided providing a dedicated computer lab space would help separate some of the noisy activity from library users wanting to work or study. So far, it is doing a great job.”
Read more: Harvey County Now

The North Newton City Council decided against renewing an ordinance regarding a traffic infraction substitute for certain marijuana offenses. This was during its regular monthly Monday night meeting at the North Newton City Building. Instead, they decided to allow the expired ordinance to remain expired and directed staff to talk about the matter more. “I’ll follow up with whatever we find,” City Administrator Brad Harris said. He said that, in 2024, the city adopted an ordinance that amended that version of the public offense code to create a traffic infraction process for some marijuana offenses relating to small possession.
Read more: Harvey County Now

A 17-unit affordable housing project in downtown Overland Park aimed at people who have intellectual and mental health challenges got a boost Thursday in the form of gap funding approved by the Johnson County Commission. The commission agreed to extend a zero-percent interest line of credit to the Friends of (Johnson County Developmental Supports) so that construction costs can be met while the non-profit continues to raise money and waits on grant money to be released. The $2.5 million loan was requested because of the impacts of inflation on the construction costs and the sometimes slow release of grant money after it has been approved.
Read more: Johnson County Post

For Sara Swanson, the lead behavioral specialist at Lenexa-based dog training company Sit Now Stay, leashing dogs is a must. When she was a child, a dog overpowered its owner and attacked her dog. So her advice for clients regarding off-leash dog walking is simple: Don’t. “It’s one of those things where, even if we put a lot of effort in, just for the safety of our own dogs, ourselves and those around us, it’s best to keep them leashed in a public area,” Swanson said. In Johnson County, by and large, cities require pet owners to keep dogs leashed in public spaces, save for designated off-leash dog parks.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The Clay Center Zoo is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Willie, its Asian water monitor, with a “gotcha day” celebration event Sunday, August 16 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The zoo will host a Sundae Social Meet and Greet and visitors will have the opportunity to meet Willie, take photos and talk with zoo staff about the animals and the facility. Free ice cream donated by Simply Scoops will be available while supplies last. The zoo expressed appreciation for the community’s continued support and encouraged residents to bring family and friends to the celebration.
Read more: KCLY Radio

A broken soda machine in a small Kansas town sparked an idea that would transform the frozen beverage industry and become a staple at movie theaters and convenience stores worldwide. An ICEE is a frozen carbonated beverage with a distinctive slushy consistency — part drink, part frozen treat. Today, it’s a global phenomenon, but it all started with an accident in 1958. In 1958, Omar Knedlik owned a Dairy Queen in Coffeyville when his soda machine malfunctioned. Rather than wait for repairs, Knedlik began freezing glass bottles to keep drinks cold. When customers opened the bottles, something unexpected occurred. “When he did, the drink would freeze almost instantaneously. And it kind of created this foamy consistency — and customers loved it,” said Wyatt Starnes, director of tourism for the Coffeyville Area Chamber of Commerce. Recognizing the potential in this happy accident, Knedlik partnered with local engineers to convert an old soft serve machine into the first ICEE machine. He patented the invention in 1960, launching what would become a global phenomenon.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

A small Kansas town has agreed to pay $850,000 to a former reporter at its weekly newspaper to end her federal lawsuit over a police raid of the paper’s offices in 2023 that ignited a national furor over press freedom.
Read more: KSN-TV

The U.S. Department of Justice is pouring nearly $290 million into communities across the country to boost public safety, and nine places in Kansas are getting a piece of the pie. The major funding boost comes from the federal government’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. Since 2005, the program has helped state and local police departments buy gear, upgrade technology, and train officers. “This funding strengthens our state, local, and tribal partners’ ability to address violent crime,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. said in a news release.
Read more: KSN-TV

A western Kansas community is being urged to be vigilant after a mountain lion was spotted near a popular park. The City of Liberal said Monday that a mountain lion was seen near Arkalon Park, about 10 miles northeast of the city. The city said that wildlife officials have been notified. It encouraged visitors to stay aware of their surroundings and to keep children and pets close by.
Read more: KSN-TV

The Vote Yes Yes for Wichita Kids committee hosted a USD 259 bond campaign kickoff rally Saturday at Wave Wichita in downtown. It is in support of a two-question $615 million bond issue that will be on the Nov. 3 general election. The bonds will fund projects like new heating and air conditioning systems, preservation improvements and rebuilding several schools.
Read more: KSN-TV

HaysMed, NMC Health in Newton, Clara Barton in Hoisington and the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned have teamed up with three other rural Kansas hospitals to form what’s known as a clinically integrated network in an effort to increase care and lower costs. But they’re not jumping in blind. Instead, they’re following a plan that’s succeeded in other states shepherded by Cibolo Rural Health Networks.
Read more: KSN-TV

Hillsboro fire chief Ben Steketee will retire Monday after what he candidly describes as a 25 year second chance career. In 2021, after three years as a star volunteer firefighter, he was elevated by then-Mayor Dolores Dahlke to take the paid helm of the department. But he felt obligated to unload a troubling fact on her: “There’s probably something about me you don’t know — I’m a convicted felon,” Steketee told her. “It’s not for arson, is it?” asked the mayor, as incredulous as anyone would be who knew the cheerful, reliable first responder.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

A new proposal for an arts and entertainment complex in Gardner is pushing big plans for a 335-acre space on the north side of I-35 at 175th Street. Velocity Arts is a mixed-use plan comprised of many pieces, including a 15,000-seat indoor concert venue, a school focused on media production, apartments, a shopping area with restaurants and a grocery store and a hotel with a spa. Also in the plan is a performing arts center containing a mainstage theater as well as a black box theater for community use. The busy interchange at I-35 has been on the Kansas Department of Transportation’s radar, potentially for a $25 million overhaul. Part of the idea of having the school in this complex is to provide real-world learning opportunities for the students via the various entertainment venues.
Read more: Johnson County Post

With their backs against the wall, Humboldt Council members voted Monday evening to pursue costly renovations to their wastewater treatment plant.  “We’ve kicked the can down the road for 10 years. I wish we had 10 more, but we don’t,” said Cole Herder, city administrator, adding a decision must be made before the end of the month as to how to proceed in order to make the deadline for the next cycle of federal and state funding.  The least expensive options were in the $3 million to $4 million range. Constructing a new plant within the facility’s current footprint would be about $6.5 million. 
Read more: The Iola Register

The Allen County Sheriff’s Department announced it will no longer subscribe to get information from automated license plate reader cameras set up major highways throughout the county. While Maness recognizes arguments about civil liberties, his primary reason for ending the subscription was the cost involved. Mounted along major highways entering and leaving the county, the small automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras blend into utility poles and roadside infrastructure. Many are operated by Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company that provides automated license plate reader systems to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The cameras photograph license plates and vehicle characteristics, creating a searchable database investigators can use to locate vehicles connected to criminal investigations, missing persons cases and public safety alerts. For some, the cameras represent another valuable investigative tool. For others, they raise questions about privacy, government surveillance and who ultimately controls the vast amounts of data they collect.
Read more: The Iola Register

Following some concerning findings in the latest audit, new Lawrence City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry said he wants each city department to take a close look at processes, and there will be tough choices to make. “When you create a system of of order, you get you get an outcome of order,” he said. Al-Ghafry, who just attended his first commission meeting last week, is still getting his bearings. But in previous work as a project manager, he said he knew every detail of projects — budgets, expenditures, where the project manager is, and so forth. He said it’s imperative to do that.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

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.

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.

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.

To handle higher effluent flow from the new Hilmar Cheese plant—totaling 1.5 million gallons daily—the South Wastewater Recycling Facility plans to expand its irrigation system and supply additional water to Nicholson Ventures for crops.
Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe

A proposed 500‑megawatt solar farm called Jeffrey Solar is dividing Jackson County residents, with some landowners embracing the financial stability of leasing acreage while others fear environmental damage and loss of rural character. The debate reflects a broader tension between economic development and preserving the county’s agricultural identity.
Read more: CJonline

After nearly 30 years of service to the Lenexa community, City Manager Beccy Yocham has announced her intent to retire. She will continue serving as city manager until her successor is selected and begins work.
Read more: City of Lenexa

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.