Municipal News & Jobs

Federal data released Thursday shows government jobs saw the largest month-over-month sector growth at 73,000. That means government jobs accounted for about half of the 147,000 total nonfarm payroll growth in June. … State government payrolls grew by 47,000, while local governments added 33,000 jobs. The bulk of those new jobs on both levels were in education, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows.
Source: CNBC

Like many cities with dated infrastructure, Wyandotte County relies on what’s called a combined sewer system, which means that storm and sewage water use the same pipes but have different outputs. The two sources of water are separated by dams built into the pipe system.
Source: KC Star

Johnson County doesn’t have any natural lakes or large reservoirs. Every lake in our area is man-made—built to meet practical needs like drinking water, irrigation, and recreation. Our largest lake is just over 220 acres. Yet these small lakes tell big stories about the people, policies, and communities that shaped them.
Source: Johnson County Post

The city of Roeland Park, through its arts advisory committee, is hosting its first-ever outdoor art contest between now and August. Community members will also serve as judges, picking winners of first through fourth place by Aug. 1. Participating residents are encouraged to create a simple sculpture masterpiece that is big enough to see from their front yards.
Source: Johnson County Post

As City Manager, Wilkes led the city organization through immense community growth and dramatic change. During his tenure, Olathe has grown from less than 90,000 residents to over 150,000. He also saw Olathe transform from largely a bedroom community to one of Kansas’ economic engines with hundreds of new businesses opening and tens of thousands of jobs created.
Source: Olathe, KS

Lawrence had the second-lowest rate nationally of 49.1% while Manhattan was fifth-lowest at 50.9%, economist Anat Nusinovich wrote in an article posted on the NAR website.
Source: CJonline

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.

Starting this week, Mulvane residents in need of transportation are now able to call for a shuttle bus to take them to medical appointments, shopping and other daily errands. The Mulvane Senior Center and Mulvane Recreation Commission kicked off the Mulvane Community Area Transit (MCAT) program on June 30 and quickly got the wheels rolling to help residents.
Source: www.derbyinformer.com – RSS Results in news/area_news of type article

According to The Times-Sentinel, Haysville is now offering to cover a portion of the leases for growing businesses through a new matching grant program. The program is set up to cover the first six months of a lease (up to $1,200), with the landlord also offering the first month free.
Source: www.derbyinformer.com – RSS Results in news/area_news of type article

Work has begun at Sedgwick’s pocket park on a mural to highlight the town and bring residents together. Artist Austin Thieme began by sketching his design on the side of the police department building, at least as high as he could reach. His current scaffolding only allows him to reach the ‘W’ for now. Thieme, a 2025 Sedgwick High School graduate, painted his first mural last summer in the commons of the high school.
Source: Harvey County Now

This November, Prairie Village voters will be asked whether they want to do away with the city’s current form of government. The public vote, which the city has confirmed will occur this November, is the culmination of a years-long debate in Prairie Village, which began as a fight over zoning and housing and wound up in a legal battle over city governance. The question about the city’s form of government is also completely separate from the city’s current debate over a new municipal complex, which some residents have been insisting also be put on the ballot. In a statement Monday, the city confirmed that the question, “Shall the City of Prairie Village, Kansas, abandon the mayor-council form of government?” will appear on the November ballot.
Source: Johnson County Post

The Olathe City Council will discuss raising the tax rate visitors pay when staying at hotels or motels in order to match nearby jurisdictions. Known as transient guest tax, the dollars are generated by visitors paying to stay at hotels for 28 consecutive days or less. Guest taxes are often used by other local governments in Kansas to help generate revenue for local development and tourism opportunities.
Source: Local Kansas City Missouri & Kansas News |

Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags to be flown at half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities from sunrise to sunset on July 5, 2025, to honor Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede, who was killed in the line of duty on June 27. The order follows Executive Order #20-30.
Source: KCLY Radio

Something out of this world brought about 1,000 people – mostly Kansans but some Nebraskans and Missourians, based on license plates – to the state’s UFO capital last summer. It may sound a bit out there, but not only has this community of 236 souls staked its claim, it’s raised its deflector shields to ward off any competitors. Add a guy with a daring and wacky sense of looking at things, plus a museum board’s vision, and you’ve got a happening. The end result is that Geneseo, about 100 miles northwest of Wichita in Rice County, is trying to take a portion of the state’s motto – “to the stars” – to a whole new parsec. It doesn’t matter what kind of being you are; the local humans just ask that you show up.
Source: KLC Journal

City leaders and community members gathered Tuesday to break ground on a long-anticipated water treatment plant that will bring major changes to how Valley Center handles its water supply. Currently, the city sells raw water to Wichita, which treats it and sells it back. Once the new facility is complete, Valley Center will be able to treat its own water—providing up to 1.4 million gallons of clean drinking water per day.
Source: KSN-TV

After a lot of concern from people in the community, a new truck stop in Topeka is going to have to pump the brakes. At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, the governing body voted to send a request to rezone a west Topeka property back to the planning commission for more work. Maverik has more than 400 locations in 12 states, and wants to expand to Kansas. It’s looking to add a location off of I-70 on Fairlawn where the old Holidome was located.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Gary Scott retired from a long career serving as director of Parks and Rec to continue to serve the community in a different capacity – with lots of volunteering. “I think it’s because most people when they volunteer they get a lot back in return,” he said. Giving back to his community has always been important to him. When he worked with the Special Olympics, he saw the number of volunteers who made the event possible. Even though it was a paid job for him, it opened his eyes to how rewarding volunteer work was for everyone else.
Source: The Eudora 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.