Municipal News & Jobs

On Saturday, March 21st, Lindsborg, Kansas will celebrate its annual tradition, Lindsborg Våffeldagen. This translates to “waffle day” in English. Various forms of waffle tasting will be available. Visitors can have their photo taken with Lindsborg Waffle People.
Read more: KCLY Radio

The Kanopolis Drive-In theater, one of the few remaining outdoor movie theaters in the state, is testing out its brand-new equipment this weekend.
Read more: KSN-TV

The National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) will have its 2026 U.S. Nationals Horseshoe Pitching Tournament at Rice Park in Hutchinson from May 29 to 31.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The DRAGON (Downtown Revitalization and Growth of New Business) Grant program began in 2017, and prior to Wednesday evening had awarded $283,705.88 to 24 businesses and organizations, according to City Manager Ethan Reimer.
Read more: Harvey County Now

For years, a large field at College Boulevard and Ridgeview Road in western Olathe, and much of the surrounding area, has remained largely undeveloped. In five years, however, the 165-acre site will be home to the Kansas City Chiefs’ headquarters and training facility, as part of the team’s broader move to Kansas.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Starting this fall, Kansas will join at least 20 other states that ban student cellphones in K-12 classrooms statewide. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed into law a bipartisan bill that requires students to store their cellphones in a secure, inaccessible location until dismissal.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Harry Lee Jr. was sworn in as LaHarpe Wednesday, the city’s third mayor in a two-week stretch. He fills the
Read more: The Iola Register

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.

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