Kansas Municipal News
Positive economic report singles out need for housing
According to the most recent economic snapshot from Pittsburg State’s Kelce College of Business, Crawford County’s gross domestic product grew by 8.8 percent between 2015 and 2024. That was greater than the rest of the state. The number of middle-income households also increased by 9 percent in Pittsburg and by 3 percent in the county, as a whole. Statewide, this increase was only 0.1 percent and 0.9 percent nationally. The Kelce report states that local households are on a strong financial foundation that will benefit when interest rates begin to decline. As the economic center of southeast Kansas, 65 percent of Pittsburg’s workforce are commuters, which is a very high proportion, according to the Bureau of the Census. The issue is housing. There are multiple housing projects on-going throughout the city, ranging from apartments to single-family homes at all price points. While the number of residences grows, it is slow and there is not enough to meet demand.
Source: Morning Sun
City of Lawrence clears Amtrak camp; former residents look for path forward
A parade of dump trucks carried away what remained of the camp where people were living behind the Amtrak station in East Lawrence throughout the day Wednesday, including memorials for camp residents who had died. The City of Lawrence Homeless Response Team gave Amtrak residents two months’ notice that the camp was closing. But, as many people in houses would likely not start moving months before they’re evicted, many of the camp residents wanted to stay there until the day they had to leave. Many camp residents had anticipated that the full cleanup of the camp would start at 8 a.m. Tuesday, which was the day the city had told them they’d have to leave. The city had cleared a major campsite previously on the closure date.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners vote to keep City Hall downtown
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday said it’s important to keep City Hall downtown before voting 3-2 against the purchase of a building near Sixth and Iowa to become the city’s new home. City staff members had asked the commission to approve the purchase of a building, at 2000 Bluffs Drive, that would require an estimated $11.7 million in remodeling on top of a $4.2 million purchase agreement. That’s $15.9 million total, which is almost $4 million more than the commission had budgeted, so a future budget amendment would be necessary. The current City Hall, at 6 E. Sixth St., was built in 1980. It’s about 35,500 square feet, which city staff members and consultants with local design studio Multistudio say is no longer enough space for staff. In addition, staff of Planning and Development Services and Lawrence Municipal Court currently work in space in the Riverfront building next door that is leased for $300,000 per year.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Short-term rentals required to get licensed by last month. At least 1 in 4 haven’t complied
At least one-quarter of short-term rentals in Wichita have yet to comply with new licensing regulations by the city, which went into effect last month. It could result in dozens of criminal charges being filed against non-compliant property owners, city officials say. The city passed new regulations last year for short-term rentals like AirBnBs and VRBOs, as the businesses grew more common throughout Wichita. The new code was meant to formalize the short-term rental market in Wichita because the city’s former zoning code technically made it illegal to rent out most residential properties for less than seven days. The new codes required short-term rentals to get licensed by the end of September. To do so, most property owners have to first change their property’s zoning code, a step neighbors can protest. But 126 of the approximately 470 short-term rental listings in Wichita don’t have a license or haven’t started the process to acquire one, city officials recently shared.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
City, county commissioners get a look at RiverFrontMHK plan
A large pedestrian and bicycle bridge is part of a plan for economic development around the Kansas River in Manhattan. Representatives of Anderson Knight Architects and the RiverFrontMHK committee on Thursday unveiled a development plan to officials from the Manhattan city, Riley County and Pottawatomie County commissions. The proposed RiverFrontMHK plan would connect downtown Manhattan to the Kansas River with a pedestrian and bicycle bridge to provide a direct link between downtown and new riverfront amenities.
Source: 1350 KMAN
USD 383 releases a new guideline for students for using AI
The Manhattan-Ogden school board discussed AI policies at its meeting Wednesday. The three-page document directs students to keep use of generated content appropriate for school, to check for information accuracy, and to consider privacy concerns and content copyright. The guide also advises students not to depend on AI generated content for assignments but to use it as a resource when it is appropriate.
Source: 1350 KMAN
USD 323 puts recreation district on November ballot
The Rock Creek Board of Education Monday night discussed a question that will be placed on the November ballot regarding the creation of a recreation department that would serve the Rock Creek area.
Source: 1350 KMAN
City split on giving tax breaks for downtown retail, residential project
Manhattan city commissioners are split on allowing a developer to use more than $2 million in tax breaks and assistance to turn the downtown Commerce Bank building into retail and residential space. Officials from Hutton Development on Tuesday requested a 10-year property tax abatement, a sales tax exemption on construction materials and for the city to pay for half the cost of improvements to Poyntz Avenue as they seek to buy the building at 727 Poyntz Ave., tear it down and construct a new one with retail space on the ground floor and residential space above. Commissioners John Matta and Jayme Minton favored fulfilling the request, while commissioners Peter Oppelt and Karen McCulloh had concerns about it.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Kansas TIF district audit reveals delayed returns, higher crime rates
Some of Kansas’ largest cities are struggling to gain full returns on tax increment financing districts meant to help bolster development activity and property values, a recent state audit found. TIF districts, as they are called, are intended to fund real estate projects that otherwise wouldn’t exist. The idea is that the development will increase property values in the designated district, resulting in higher property tax collections that are used to pay off the bonds that financed the project. State auditors surveyed six TIF districts from Kansas’ largest cities and found that half did not recover their costs in a timely manner. Most experienced construction delays and recorded increased crime rates after development finished. At least one city calculated its TIF collection incorrectly. Auditors presented their findings to legislators at an Oct. 7 committee hearing. Most of the districts surveyed saw benefits, but whether those benefits were worth the investment is subjective, the audit found.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Tensions flare as commissioners consider unified approach to economic development
In a marathon session Wednesday, the Emporia City Commission grappled with the complex task of reimagining the city’s economic development strategy. The meeting centered on implementing recommendations from a recent VisionFirst Advisors report, particularly the creation of an umbrella organization to oversee various economic development entities. The plan, presented by VisionFirst President and CEO Gray Swoope in September, recommends consolidating several key organizations under a single umbrella structure. This would include the Regional Development Association, Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Main Street, and Visit Emporia.
Source: Emporia Gazette
City commission approves agreements with Freeman for ER, hospital
Freeman Health Systems plans to bring health care services to Fort Scott and Bourbon County moved a step forward after action Tuesday night by the Fort Scott City Commission.
Source: Fort Scott Tribune
Ortiz delivers State of City address
Manny Ortiz, Garden City Mayor, and Matt Allen, City Manager of Garden City, answered that question during the annual State of the City address at the Oct. 16 Chamber Breakfast hosted by the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce at the Clarion Inn. Ortiz said the focus on key priorities have shaped Garden City’s growth in 2024. The priorities include developing strong relationships with community and beyond, updating and maintaining public infrastructure and facilities, encouraging private development and creating new public spaces to improve the quality of life. “These goals have driven every position, every project and every initiative we’ve taken on in the past few years,” he said. Infrastructure projects were a big part of 2024, Ortiz said. Road projects are a critical aspect of the city’s infrastructure, he said. This year the city completed mill and overlay projects on Fulton Street and Mary Street. “These improvements are part of a broader street inventory and evaluation project that has provided us with an eight-year maintenance plan to guide future efforts,” he said.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Grant funding parking, music, and beautification for Sedgwick
Sedgwick’s downtown will be getting an upgrade, thanks to a major state grant it recently received. The Kansas Department of Transportation announced this week that it awarded Sedgwick a $215,384.80 Transportation Alternative Grant. The award was part of $31.5 million in grants given out statewide, aimed at helping to make Kansas communities safer, more walkable, and bike-friendly. The program requires a 20 percent local match for the project cost. Sedgwick’s grant, for starters, would improve the block on Commercial Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets.
Source: Harvey County Now
Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick counties declared a drought emergency
Harvey County was declared as a drought emergency with Sedgwick and Reno counties under a recent proclamation made by Governor Laura Kelly. “Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects,” Kelly said. “With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.” Parts of Harvey County, have been susceptible to wildfires in the past, especially the Sand Hills area near Burrton. In November of 2020, 5,000 acres burned near Burrton. In March 2022, 820 acres burned as part of a larger fire in Reno County that claimed 12,000 acres. Another fire in 2016 burned 1,200 acres northwest of Burrton. One in 2006 burned 8,800 acres. The release stated the declaration was recommended by Connie Owen, director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. “Although recent rainfall provided widespread drought relief, this relief was short-term, with many areas experiencing below-average rainfall for several months,” the release stated. “Forecasts indicate that drought will persist and expand across most of the state through October and into the winter.”
Source: Harvey County Now
Stump design chosen as North Newton flag winner
Blayne Stump of North Newton is the winner of the North Newton city flag contest with his sunflower design. The five finalists and winner were announced during the regular Monday night meeting of the North Newton City Council. Representatives from Conrade Insurance were there to hand Stump a $500 check. “Pretty crazy,” Stump said about winning. “I didn’t expect to win. I was excited to make a submission. I spent a lot of time making different designs.” The other four finalists were Byron Ediger, Elise McGinnis, Glen Ediger and Oscar Gonzalez. “I had a lot of fun designing this,” Stump said. “I spent a lot of time drawing out different designs on sticky notes and scratch paper. Finally, I enlisted the help of Oscar Gonzalez to digitalize my ideas and try out different color palletes. I am grateful for his help and to contribute an idea for the community. I only hope that all residents of North Newton can enjoy this flag and be proud as I am to live in such a beautiful community.” In making his design, Stump was inspired by the State of Kansas and the historical development of the prairie.
Source: Harvey County Now
Opposition to sales tax hike noted at public hearing
Local business owners expressed their opposition to increasing the county’s current sales tax rate during a special Jackson County Commission meeting last week. At the revenue neutral rate hearing for the county budget in August, some taxpayers asked about the possibility of increasing the sales tax in the county to offset a mill rate increase. About 50 people attended a special evening meeting on Sept. 30 to share their input on increasing the current sales tax in the county. The meeting lasted an hour and 45 minutes. Jackson County currently has a 1.4 percent sales tax rate, which includes a special .4 percent sales tax for road and bridge improvements and for each of the county’s cities. The state of Kansas has a 6.5 percent sales tax rate. In addition to county and state sales tax, the city of Holton has a .75 percent sales tax and the city of Mayetta has a 1.5 percent sales tax rate.
Source: Holton Recorder
Olathe OKs $350M in incentives for latest phase of Coca-Cola bottling plant
Olathe has signed off on $350 million in incentives for the next phase of the Heartland Coca-Cola bottling plant campus on the city’s southern edge. Earlier this week, the Olathe City Council unanimously voted to issue the industrial revenue bonds, which are also tied to a 10-year, 55% property tax abatement, to the development near 167th Street and Hedge Lane.
Source: Johnson County Post
Olathe paves way for bigger animal shelter to replace ‘woefully outdated’ one
Olathe has picked a home for its replacement animal shelter and animal control facility. On Tuesday, the Olathe City Council took two votes to start the process of acquiring property near Santa Fe Street and Ridgeview Road. Both actions passed 8-1, with Councilmember Kevin Gilmore in dissent. He did not publicly explain his “no” votes.
Source: Johnson County Post
Hays, Russell sue Edwards County over efforts to block water transfer project
Two western Kansas towns are accusing a neighboring county of interfering with their efforts to pipe in water for their residents to battle frequent drought and contamination. The cities of Hays and Russell last week filed a lawsuit against Edwards County over zoning regulations they argue target their plan to draw groundwater from the R9 Ranch in Edwards County to supplement their municipal water supplies. Hays and Russell’s lawsuit says their current supplies are “highly susceptible to drought and contamination” and calls their plan to pipe water from the ranch one of “existential importance.” According to the lawsuit, Edwards County has opposed the R9 Ranch project from the outset.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Edwardsville needs new city buildings. Why officials say added tax won’t burden residents
About 10 years ago, the city of Edwardsville bought its police station for $1. Meant as a temporary solution, the station has seen investments over the years well beyond that face value. Now, the building — more accurately a series of trailers bolted together, standing on cinder blocks about 200 feet from City Hall — is one of three major pieces of public infrastructure that Edwardsville officials hope to rebuild. And they’re asking residents to establish a 1% local sales tax to pay for it. “It’s not an initiative of want. The bottom line here is that the conditions within these facilities are deplorable. They’re intolerable to our employees, and at some point we have to do something,” Edwardsville City Manager Mark Mathies said.
Source: KC Star Local News