Municipal News & Jobs

THC-infused beverages like those being sold at several locations were among items seized as illegal in Kansas Bureau of Investigation raids statewide executing search warrants at vape shops and CBD dispensaries. “Some THC-infused beverages were seized during these search warrants, but this was not a major focus of the investigations,” Melissa Underwood, communications director for KBI, said. KBI began the investigation Oct. 1 in hopes of seizing marijuana plants, THC vape cartridges, and other items containing suspected illegal concentrations of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. In some instances, weapons and currency were also seized, Underwood said.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Dustin Raney’s application for a short-term rental at Marion County Lake received some pushback Monday from Marion County Commissioners. Clarke Dirks was the most vocal, saying too many questions needed answers. The commission voted 4-0 to delay action on the proposal. It had been approved by the county Planning and Zoning Commission.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Since the announcement of the recently retired City Administrator Doug Allen, the city commissioners have been searching for someone to fill the role. In a special meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 8, the commissioners agreed on a contract and hired Nick Rizzio, who currently resides in Arkansas City, Kan. The commissioners agree that Rizzio’s experience and background make him a good fit for Sabetha.
Read more: The Sabetha Herald

With encouragement from city government, the Chamber is trying to attract the Bill Gates-owned company TerraPower. TerraPower announced on Sept. 23 that they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Evergy and the Kansas Department of Commerce to build a facility within Evergy’s service area in the state.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

There was a good reason why Renwick Superintendent Tim Hayden had a big smile on his face when being interviewed about this year’s enrollment: its up. And not just a few students, but 71. Last school year, the district had 1,990 students; this year, it has 2,061. “We’re at a fortunate pace,” Hayden said to the USD 267 Board of Education Monday evening. “We’re growing, and ’that’s helpful for your district.” Full-time equivalent, which is a key factor in state funding, also grew.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Black Squirrel Fall Fest returns to Broadway Saturday — the city’s annual salute to its mascot. Designated Black Squirrel City in 1972, Marysville will mark the day from 3 to 11 p.m. with afternoon attractions that build into an after-dark lineup. All of the activities will take place on Broadway, between Sixth Street and 10th streets. The day starts from 3 to 5 p.m. with old-fashioned games and Big Wheels on Broadway. Some games like bingo, balloon pop, ring toss, lollipop pull and beanbag ladder toss will come with prizes.
Read more: www.marysvilleonline.net

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.

Topeka and Shawnee County have paid out over $1.4 million in the past two years to settle various claims and lawsuits. A Washburn University faculty member who is a former city official suggests the rise in lawsuits could stem from issues like insufficient training or a permissive management culture.
Read more: 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.

City workers in Arkansas City removed several trees on Summit Street last week and plan to cut down the remaining trees in the downtown area. City spokesperson Shana Adkisson said Monday that tree roots have damaged curbs and sidewalks, blocked drainage and have interfered with underground water and electrical lines. The city is removing the trees to prevent further damage after struggling with maintenance issues and receiving complaints from several business owners.
Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Friday that he continues to support lowering interest rates but said the central bank needs to be careful amid conflicting economic signals. “I’m still in the belief we need to cut rates, but we need to kind of be cautious about it,” Waller said during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” On one hand, he said, the U.S. labor market appears to be losing jobs, potentially signaling a broader economic slowdown. On the other, gross domestic product growth remains strong and there remain concerns over inflation, which is still running considerably higher than the Fed’s 2% goal.
Read more: CNBC

McPherson County voters will see a proposal on the November 4 ballot for a ½ cent (0.5%) county-wide sales tax dedicated to funding Emergency Medical Services (EMS). If approved, the tax would begin April 1, 2026. The measure seeks to shift EMS funding from property taxes to a dedicated sales tax, creating the opportunity for county and city officials to reduce property taxes beginning in 2027. Currently, EMS is funded primarily through property tax revenues, which places heavy reliance on local property owners. Under the proposed change, anyone making taxable purchases in McPherson County—including visitors and non-residents—would share the cost, broadening the funding base.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

A new tourism project is moving forward in the Kansas City area. A development agreement was approved on Monday by the Bonner Springs City Council for the Destination KCK Resort at 118th Street and State Avenue. \The city and the developers, EMAP-KC, have been working for months to finalize a development agreement which moves the long-awaited project forward. The project includes Mattel Adventure Park, which will feature Hot Wheel roller coasters, a Barbie rooftop restaurant bar, Thomas & Friends attraction and more.
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City

Bel Aire and other cities routinely allow developers to choose the engineer they want to work with on their projects. However, MKEC is one of the contractors Bel Aire is suing over the failed Woodlawn road reconstruction project.
Read more: Ark Valley News

Friends of First Responders Day kicked off in Overland Park on Saturday afternoon. The event gives children with disabilities and their families the opportunity to connect with fire and police personnel in a friendly environment. “It gives us a chance to meet them in a situation where adrenaline isn’t pumping and they’re not in dire need of our services,” said Lieutenant Pat Saysoff. “And they get to experience being a firefighter or police officer for the day.” Kids got to ride in the ladder bucket, operate fire hoses and ride in fire trucks too. They were able to see how police officers take fingerprinting evidence, and how the OPPD bomb squad operates.
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City

The Overland Park Police Department announced Friday the launch of a new community-focused program. The police department said the goal of the program is to improve interactions between first responders and community members with developmental disabilities, mental health needs or other similar concerns. It aims to improve communications between first responders and the community by providing practical resources to help officers, firefighters and medical personnel quickly identify and respond appropriately to community members who may require a different approach during an interaction.
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City

History enthusiasts gathered at Valley View Cemetery twice nightly on Oct. 9, 10 and 11 for the Finney County Historical Society’s annual Cemetery Walking Tours. The event takes participants through the cemetery on a guided tour by Johnetta Holmes-Hebrlee, Education Coordinator for the Finney County Historical Society and Museum, meeting characters from Garden City and Finney County’s past, at or near their gravesites. Steve Quakenbush, Executive Director of the Finney County Historical Society and Museum, said the event it about celebrating history and helping people learn about history.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

A sales tax question asking voters if they wish to enforce a half-cent sales tax will be on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. The proposed sales tax is aimed at financing the construction of a new Finney County Jail and a major renovation to the Finney County Law Enforcement Center. Gary Meagher, Interim Finney County Administrator, said the LEC has been plagued by costly issues due to its design with the jail on the third floor and the building’s age.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

An ethics hotline that has been available to Johnson County employees, vendors and contractors since 2012 has recently become open to the general public, and will be subject to future improvements to bring it in line with best practices. The reporting platform quietly became visible on the county website July 16, via a link on the maroon field at the bottom of the county website homepage. Clicking on “Ethics Hotline” leads to an outside webpage where anonymous complaints of possible ethical wrongdoing can be made. The site is run by Navex, a company that specializes in ethics and compliance management. The site offers a way to report electronically or by phone.
Read more: Johnson County Post