Municipal News & Jobs

County Appraiser Zack Edwards met with county commissioners during Tuesday morning’s regular meeting to discuss the appraisal process and current data on property values in the county. According to Edwards, as of January 1, current 2026 property values countywide are up by an average of 5 percent. Residential properties, according to the 2026 market study posted on the county website, states, “the overall 2025 residential real estate market was upward trending, several residential values may reflect an increase of approximately four to seven percent from the previous year” while commercial properties “may reflect an increase of approximately two to seven percent.” Vacant lots and agricultural land values stayed relatively steady, with a slight one percent increase in grasslands. The study also stated that, “Values on specific properties may change more due to alterations in the property itself, correction of descriptive information, recent sale of the property, or adjustment based on sales of similar properties.”
Read more: – Morning Sun

Illegal dumping is beginning to plague the Arma area with reports of fly-tipping occurring at the Arma City Pool and other areas around town. “Two weeks ago, I know that Richard (Kerley, council member) reported to me, and I don’t know about anybody else, saw a truck pull up during your council meeting dumping trash into our container,” said Arma City Clerk Bette Lessen. “I can also report that Piper Richardson, your pool manager, a couple of weeks ago, let me know that there were two containers down by the swimming pool. “Both of them were plumb full. They shouldn’t have been. Again, I had a conversation with GFL, and they were supposed to be locked up for the season. But that’s not what happened. They were not locked. So your town residents were using that as a free place to throw trash.” Councilman Gary Pommier and Lessen then talked about the use of cameras at the various locations of illegal dumping.
Read more: – Morning Sun

Allen County Commissioners are looking at the potential of again submitting a half percent sales tax to support ambulance service in the county. A while back, voters turned down a sales tax proposal, and Commissioners felt that they didn’t do a good enough job in educating voters on what was proposed.  Commissioner Jerry Daniels suggested looking at hiring an outside firm to assist in educating voters on what that tax would do, given successes other counties have had in passing similar sales taxes. Daniels cited Neosho and Wilson counties as possible resources on how to get a sales tax passed. Commissioner David Lee said such a tax could generate around $1.2 million a year, and with the opening of Lehigh Portland State Park, this will bring additional out-of-county shoppers to Allen County. Economic Development Director Camille Lavon was asked to look into possibilities for this. The Commission is looking at possibly having this question on the November general election ballot.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

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.

Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) recently announced the launch of the Kansas Data Trust, a new statewide, university-based initiative designed to bring data together from multiple sources to better understand issues, understand impact and strengthen evidence…
Read more: www.derbyinformer.com

The City of Great Bend Public Utilities Department has issued a precautionary nitrate drinking water warning following a recent sample result. This immediate public notice is required by Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The sample was collected from a well that was not in active service at the time of sampling. This well has not been used for public consumption since early June 2025 and is only operated periodically for required regulatory sampling and monthly chlorine monitoring. At this time, the city’s drinking water system continues to operate normally using other active wells with no disruption to water service. Additional sampling will be conducted in accordance with regulatory requirements. The city will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates to the public as soon as new results are available.
Read more: Great Bend Tribune

The city is “doggone excited” for a new space for pet owners. In a letter on behalf of the city, City Clerk Lisa Frederick described a vision for “the ultimate playground for pups—a place where tails wag, humans mingle, and the only thing more contagious than joy is the occasional slobbery lick.” She told the city council in its regular meeting on Thursday, March 12, that local businesses have responded to the city’s request for donations with $1,600 already, including $1,000 from Halstead Bank. Large corporate pet suppliers also received the letter, she said, and donations are expected to be forthcoming from Home Depot and Purina, among others.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Halstead Fire/EMS dedicated its new fire truck Saturday (March 14) morning with an open house, including snacks, a speech by Fire/EMS Chief Director Anderson Lowe, and a visit from local dignitaries, including Halstead Mayor Gary Faelber, Sedgwick City Administrator Kyle Nordick, and Kansas State Senator Stephen Owens. Also, the new fire truck, number 21, was on display, as were an ambulance and the rescue truck. Lowe said the new truck had a 1,000-gallon water tank and a 1,500-gallon-per-minute pump. Lowe thanked the city leaders for making it possible to get the new truck, the men and women who serve the fire and EMS, and the citizens of Halstead.
Read more: Harvey County Now

There’s a board at the Walton Cemetery identifying everyone who’s taken up eternal residence there That’s about 775. Some are grouped in families, and some are still alive but have purchased plots. The Walton Lions Club has made the cemetery its project for the last 20 to 25 years, Walton Lions Club President Dean Davis said. When they first went out there, they worked on headstones and setting them level. They’re still doing that.
Read more: Harvey County Now

There was a new lawman in town at Johnson County’s Monticello Township, following an election on March 22, 1858. He was James Butler Hickok, who was elected one of four constables in the township. It was the first of several law enforcement jobs he was to hold during his lifetime. He also was a scout, a sharpshooter, a professional gambler and eventually known as “Wild Bill” Hickok, legendary lawman of the Old West. At age 20, Hickok upheld law and order in Monticello, a small town with a stagecoach stop, a few stores and saloons, and the countryside of Monticello Township. A year later, he was gone, becoming a freight wagon driver, and later working at a station of the Pony Express.
Read more: Johnson County Kansas

Jay had a choice to make last week: Extend his hospital stay so he could get medical treatment, or go to court for unpaid fines after he was caught sleeping in a public park bathroom. All he had needed was a place to rest. Jay, a homeless man who asked to go only by his first name to maintain his privacy, skipped medical treatment and went to court. In much of Johnson County, it’s increasingly hard for people like Jay to find a place to rest. Case in point: In Gardner, sleeping outside can now get you a ticket. Last month, the Gardner City Council voted 4-1 to approve a new ordinance banning unlawful camping on public property — a definition that includes sleeping in parks, on benches, or even in a car. Councilmember Kelly Johnson cast the lone dissenting vote. City leaders note that the goal isn’t punishment. Instead, they say, it’s intervention.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The affordable housing issue in Sedgwick County extends beyond Wichita into its suburbs, such as Derby.  To address affordable housing in Derby, zoning changes have been requested to allow duplex construction in the city.  However, some citizens of Derby have not been happy, prompting Derby’s council to ultimately reject a large duplex project last fall. The plans haven’t been brought back up again since. According to notes from Documenter Sharon Ailsilenger, two citizens took the lead in speaking out against the construction of the duplexes during a meeting of the Derby City Council last fall.  Before the meeting, a 63-page agenda report on the development was sent to residents of the 55th and Woodlawn neighborhood, where the duplexes are set to be constructed.  The citizens, Audrey Goff and Trena Hodges, both live in the neighborhood.  During the time they spoke, they each brought up different concerns about the development. 
Read more: KLC Journal

As plans for a new Chiefs domed stadium, headquarters, and practice facility move forward, some key local voices may be involved in running those facilities. Tuesday night, the Kansas House of Representatives approved a bill to create the Kansas Sports Authority to operate those facilities. The Chiefs plan to build their stadium and entertainment complex in Kansas City, Kansas and their headquarters and practice facility in Olathe. An amendment approved as part of the bill would include the mayors of both KCK and Olathe as voting members on the 11-member sports authority board. “We are glad the legislature is being considerate of our local community. We appreciate the representation,” said Unified Government Mayor/CEO Christal Watson in a statement Wednesday.
“I think it’s only appropriate that the mayors, the leaders of the community have a say,” said Tom Burroughs, a former Kansas state lawmaker and Wyandotte County Commissioner who’s been involved in the Chiefs move to Kansas.
Read more: KMBC

A Kansas County has temporarily halted commercial projects that have become a hot-button issue for many communities. On Tuesday, the Saline County Commission voted 4-0 to place a moratorium on the construction of data center, nuclear power and hydrogen-based energy facilities in unincorporated areas of the county. The moratorium is set to last for three years, but commissioners have the option to shorten or lengthen it. The goal is to give county planning staff time to come up with regulations for the facilities in question. Some commissioners said they also wanted to delay action on any facilities until after the next election so candidates can make it a campaign issue and voters can decide.
Read more: KSN-TV

The bill that creates the entity that would own the Kansas City Chiefs stadium in the Sunflower State passed out of the State House Tuesday night. Lawmakers added the Mayors of Olathe and KCK as likely voting members to the board. This is what KCK Mayor Christal Watson, along with Unified Government of Wyandotte County Administrator David Johnston, wanted. Both went to Topeka on Tuesday, March 10, to talk about this. The House Commerce Committee rejected Wyandotte County’s ask Thursday, March 12, but the full House ended up adding Wyandotte County’s CEO on Tuesday, March 17th. “We have value,” Watson said on Wednesday after the vote in the house. “They saw that we have value, and that’s what’s most important.”
Read more: KSN-TV

Marion County commissioners approved a resolution Monday banning commercial wind energy conversion systems in multiple townships in the county’s unincorporated areas. Commissioner Mike Beneke cast the lone dissenting vote. The resolution prohibits commercial and utility-scale wind projects, including turbines, substations, and related infrastructure, in 15 identified townships. The ban applies to new applications and construction but does not restrict small-scale wind systems for personal use.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Goessel residents warned not to let infants and pregnant women drink nitrate-laced tap water is waiting a repeat test before its water supply is cleared. A test last week indicated nitrate levels 10% above a federal standard, resulting in a warning not to give tap water to infants younger than 6 months or pregnant women or to use it to make infant formula. The sample measured nitrate at 11 milligrams per liter, according to the notice the city distributed. The notice said the city expected to notify residents within 30 days of retesting.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

The Lenexa Police Department reported its animal control officers are seeing more raccoons in the area exhibiting signs of canine distemper. The viral disease typically affects animals like raccoons, foxes and skunks, and it could cause them to come across as disoriented, lethargic or abnormally tame, per a social media post from Lenexa police. LPD said residents should never feed wildlife as it increases contact between animals and can contribute to the disease spreading. If you find a raccoon that looks sick or is acting unusual, contact the dispatch center at 913-477-7301. Residents are also encouraged to check their pets vaccination records and make sure those are current.
Read more: KSHB

Property taxes in Johnson County have been a major topic of concern for many residents, especially retirees worried about being priced out of their homes. But the assessed value is only half of the story. The other half is the mill levy, the rate at which your property is taxed. Jane Zaccardi, a retired Johnson County resident, said the increases have been difficult to manage. “Being a retired person and essentially [on] a fixed income, that kind of jump is not sustainable,” Zaccardi said.
Read more: KSHB

Mayor Christal Watson launched her first “Christal Clear Conversations” town hall Tuesday afternoon, kicking off a community engagement series aimed at increasing transparency and collaborative problem solving between the Unified Government and Wyandotte County residents. The event was held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the KCK Town House Tenant Association, located at 1021 N. Seventh St. in Kansas City, Kansas. Most attendees were residents with questions and issues about senior services, transportation and safety. Watson and her staff shared resources and took questions, and several residents offered their own solutions.
Read more: KSHB