Kansas Municipal News
City of Russell to vote on sales tax for water reserve fund
A push to secure water for the City of Russell is on the ballot this November. The City is voting on a three-quarter cent sales tax. It is teaming up with the City of Hays to pipe water in from Edwards County, but doing that will take a lot of money. The sales tax would bring in an estimated $400,000 each year. “All taxes are unfavorable in any way you look at it, but the sales tax is more equitable to everyone because not only to the people spending money in Russell but outside. The citizens won’t have it solely as their burden,” Russell Mayor Jim Cross said.
Source: KSN-TV
Gordon Parks celebration starts in Fort Scott
The 21st annual Gordon Parks celebration is officially underway in Fort Scott. The three-day event includes a jam-packed schedule on the Fort Scott Community College campus. We were there for Thursday’s “lunch and learn” event, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the film Solomon Northup’s Odyssey. Photojournalist Fred Watkins spoke about the film and gave insight into what it was like working with legendary photographer and Fort Scott native Gordon Parks during filming. Watkins also wanted to leave some advice for any of the younger generation who might be listening.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Kansas law enforcement wear pink badges in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Law enforcement across the Sunflower State are supporting breast cancer awareness month with their uniforms. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; state and local law enforcement are showing their support in their uniforms. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), Lyon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and Emporia Police Department (EPD) are wearing pink on their uniforms as a way to show their support for the cause.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Four KS communities selected for $600k clean energy grant
Four Kansas communities have been selected to receive part of $607,815 to invest in renewable energy as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program. Wichita State University (WSU), Holton, Leavenworth County and Paola were all selected to receive grant funds. They are part of a larger national program that distributed grant funds to 29 other states. “Rural Development is investing in rural Kansas to help expand power generation and improve efficiency.” Director Davis said. “These projects will ensure rural Kansans have access to reliable, affordable energy no matter where they live.”
Source: KSNT 27 News
Lawrence school district, law enforcement work to manage surge in gun threats, rumors
Desensitization to violence and social media usage among youth are contributing to an influx of alleged gun threats aimed at Lawrence schools, according to the school district and police. School shootings continue to afflict communities — the most recent to capture national attention occurring at a Georgia high school on Sept. 4 and resulted in four deaths. Laura McCabe, a spokesperson for the Lawrence Police Department, said the department is maintaining long-standing relationships with FBI task force partners, Lawrence Public Schools administrators, the National School Resource Officer Association, and additional agencies to keep students and staff safe.
Source: The Lawrence Times
NAC explores options to incentivize property owners
Pittsburg’s Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) met on Wednesday to explore options to possibly streamline the process of cleaning up neglected or abandoned properties. Many properties in the city are owned by people who do not live in the city, or even the state, and these areas are often neglected by the owner. Codes Enforcement officers send notifications and issue fines, but the owners either ignore the citations or are simply unable to be reached. NAC members are looking to explore ways to incentivize, rather than penalize, these property owners so they will maintain their properties. The legal process to rectify the problem can take years, in some cases, to address and any progress made is often more of a band-aid than a long-term solution.
Source: Morning Sun
Douglas County Commission approves plans for property tax rebate program for qualifying older people, veterans
The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday approved a pilot program aimed at providing property tax relief to older people with low incomes and veterans who are disabled. The Low-Income Senior and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Rebate Pilot Program is designed to assist eligible homeowners by offering a rebate on their property taxes. The maximum rebate amount is $300 per household or the county portion of the property tax, whichever is less.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for October 2, 2024
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.
Douglas County is going dark. Law enforcement will soon encrypt emergency radio traffic
Area law enforcement calls will no longer be broadcast on emergency radios — aka scanners — starting Tuesday, Oct. 15. The change means that for most law enforcement incidents within Lawrence city limits, there will be nowhere for the public to turn for immediate information. That includes media — reporters will not be able to access law enforcement’s radio traffic to cover incidents as they’re unfolding and help inform the public, either. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced the planned change Tuesday morning.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Panel to discuss proposed changes to Lawrence city government
A major change to the structure of Lawrence’s city government is on the upcoming general election ballot, and voters will have a chance to learn more about the potential impact. The discussion is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. If Lawrence voters approve, the proposal would introduce four district seats and two at-large seats on the Lawrence City Commission, along with a directly elected mayor. A panel will explore the pros and cons of the potential change, featuring former city commissioner Courtney Shipley and former candidate Dustin Stumblingbear, co-hosts of the podcast “Lawrence Asks Why.” The podcast explores the proposed change to the form of government in depth through interviews with several prominent Lawrence community members.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Governor Kelly Announces Applications to Open for $451.7M Internet Initiative
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that applications will open on Oct. 21 for the National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) Internet for All initiative. With the launch of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) will begin taking applications to deploy the $451.7 million allocated to bring high-speed internet to all Kansans. “My administration is dedicated to making Kansas a top 10 state for broadband by 2030,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our state continues to build on this critical infrastructure, connecting communities and innovators. This historic investment will have a long-lasting impact across Kansas and continue to support our education, health care, and workforce growth.” The application window will open after the 21-day project review period, allowing eligible applicants to apply for 403 project areas with 52,343 locations needing high-speed internet. Applications will be scored on their cost-effectiveness, consumer affordability, fair labor practices, technology, speed to deployment, and community engagement.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Wichita begins driver’s license reinstatement program
Wichita Municipal Court has started a new program to help residents get their driver’s licenses back after a suspension. The Wichita Area Restoration Program (WARP) will offer three services to help people who want to get their license back to a legal good standing. Residents can get help by visiting the WARP office at City Hall, 455 North Main. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
County commissioners agree on setbacks for solar developments
Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday agreed on a recommendation for setback requirements for solar developments the commission signed agreements with in late 2023. Commissioners approved a motion by Commissioner Clifton Beth to allow Chairman Jim Harris to meet with a representative of NextEra Energy Resources to renegotiate setbacks for existing contracts for solar developments in the southwest part of the county. The commission also agreed to allow Harris to discuss the county’s donation agreement with the company.
Source: Fort Scott Tribune
Historical Society’s Cemetery Walking Tours return next week
The Finney County Historical Society and Museum’s Historic Walking Tours of Valley View Cemetery have returned. The tours are back after not being held in 2023. Steve Quakenbush, Executive Director of the Finney County Historical Society and Museum, said they weren’t held last year due to an employee health situation that made it impossible to do the tours. “We would have done them otherwise,” he said. “It wasn’t that we had planned to stop doing them, we just had a health situation that just didn’t allow us to guide and run the tours. So, we’re back.” Two tours will be held per night from Oct. 10-12, with one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. During the tours, attendees can learn about Garden City and Finney County history through reenactments of notable residents by volunteers and through the guidance of Johnetta Hebrlee, Finney County Museum Education Coordinator, and event organizer.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Regulation changes could help child care shortage
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently made over 30 updates to the regulations for childcare. Tammy Deppershmidt is a childcare licensing provider for the Reno County Health Department, which is in charge of licensing for Harvey County, as well. Deppershmidt said, in her opinion, the changes were necessary. “The licensing law was outdated for child care,” Deppershmidt said. “It was time to get it up to date with new stuff.” Deppershmidt said the state department reached out to providers for feedback on what changes needed to be made. “The process was started to make it public and to have input,” Deppershmidt said. The regulations changed how many children a childcare provider could take in at each age and updated the age range for infants. Previously, any child under 18 months was considered an infant. Now the department dropped the age to 12 months. Deppershmidt said this change is especially beneficial. “The biggest need is infants,” Deppershmidt said. “This opens up more spots for infants to go.”
Source: Harvey County Now
Frederick takes over as new Bentley city clerk
From the thriving, fast-paced, big city life of San Diego then Boise, new Bentley City Clerk Lisa Frederick had no idea the small town Kansas lifestyle was going to come calling. But it did, and the new face in the Bentley City Office has embraced the slower pace. “I am a project manager by trade, which is high stress, quick response, patience to manage many trades, budgets, timelines,” she said. “When this position opened, I thought, ‘Wow, maybe that is something I would be able to do and just down the street from my home. Who could ask for more?’ I was at the point in my career that I was ready to leave the stressful position of project management and really try something new. I wanted to be a part of our community, so I thought this would be a great way to serve the people and be a part of this fantastic town.” Frederick wasn’t exactly a stranger to Kansas. She and her husband had followed their son to Kansas from Idaho to be closer to their three granddaughters. The couple had been living with their son for about a year to make sure Kansas was where they wanted to be and to find what they thought could be the perfect location.
Source: Harvey County Now
County unveils tentative new comprehensive plan
After four years of work, the Harvey County Planning and Zoning Department has revealed a new comprehensive plan. “It’s the big picture of what direction the county wants to go,” said Karen Rothe, director of the planning and zoning department. The county is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse. Rothe said this is an opportunity for members of the public to give more feedback before the plan is finalized. “This is a chance for people to speak up and say, ‘I saw this was a goal in here, and I don’t agree with it,’” Rothe said. Rothe said if a majority of people expressed dislike for part of the plan, the board would go back and do more research before passing it. If the board decides to approve the plan, it will move on to the county commission for final approval. The county uses the plans as an outline for the next 20 years.
Source: Harvey County Now
This JoCo city OKs $340K purchase for new police cameras
The Merriam Police Department is getting new body and patrol car cameras. Last week, the Merriam City Council unanimously approved a $340,000 purchase for new body cameras and fleet cameras from Arizona-based camera and taser company Axon. This comes about five years after the last purchase of new cameras for the police department from a company that was recently bought out. Chief Darren McLaughlin previously told the Post that Merriam first deployed body cameras to police officers in 2009.
Source: Johnson County Post
3,300 Olathe students are chronically absent. What does that mean?
Olathe Public Schools is seeing a rise in chronic absenteeism among students, school district officials and staff warn. “We know one of the things that leads to success is kids being in school,” Superintendent Brent Yeager said in early September at a school board meeting when discussing the issue. On Monday, the topic was the primary focus of the Olathe school district’s fall Site Council meeting. Hundreds of parents and guardians from site councils from across the school system gathered for the meeting at Olathe South High School. After a presentation about chronic absenteeism, the attendees then divided up into breakout discussions related to the topic but with specific focuses on age groups, barriers to attendance and potential community solutions. Source: Johnson County Post
Overland Park one of best U.S. cities for people with disabilities, ranking says
Overland Park is one of the best cities in the U.S. for people who have disabilities, according to a recent WalletHub study. The 2024 ranking places Overland Park in the Top 20, with the city placing 12th overall, behind St. Louis (4th) and Scottsdale, Arizona (1st), but ahead of places like Philadelphia (13th), Kansas City, Missouri (25th), and Denver (20th). “I am proud that WalletHub recognized Overland Park as a best city for people with disabilities,” Mayor Curt Skoog said in a written statement sent via text. He also noted that the things that “make Overland Park a great place for people with disabilities extend to all residents.”
Source: Johnson County Post