Municipal News & Jobs

The McPherson Fire Department gave the public a chance to see its two newest trucks on Thursday. The trucks — also called brush trucks or wildland attack units — give firefighters a faster, more agile vehicle that can more easily maneuver rough terrain compared with traditional fire engines, making them ideal for battling wildfires. They each hold 600 gallons of water. “It does improve efficiency,” Fire Chief Chad Mayberry said. “It allows us to stack the two trucks on the fire line potentially.”
Read more: KSN-TV

Help is on the way for rural Kansas communities in need of housing. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) announced nearly $14 million in funding for development across the state, targeted at medium-income households. The funding comes through two programs operated by the KHRC: the Moderate-Income Housing (MIH) program and the Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credits (KHITCs). According to the KHRC, the Kansas Legislature created the MIH in 2012 to serve those people who have high enough salaries to not be eligible for public housing but don’t earn adequate money to comfortably navigate the housing market.
Read more: KSN-TV

No official date was mentioned and there are still some things to finalize, but the main decision has been made. The Americus City Council voted 4-0 to discontinue the town’s police department Tuesday. Mirroring a conversation KVOE News had with City Council President Nicky Nuessen last week, City Council member Bill Harmon says the board did all it could — but it had to make a tough choice.
Read more: KVOE

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County has approved what could be a $450 million incentive package to help finance a new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are building a 65,000-seat, $3 billion domed stadium that is expected to be ready for the 2031 season. The stadium and an adjacent $325 million entertainment district are expected to take up about 235 acres near the Kansas Speedway. In Johnson County, the Olathe City Council approved another Chiefs-related development earlier this week. The team headquarters and training facility would take over a 165-acre development costing around $400 million, KCUR reported.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Reno County Commissioners were critical Wednesday, Feb. 11, of legislation introduced last week in Topeka that would limit local governments’ authority regarding land use and taxation. Commission Chairman Ron Hirst said it was important enough that he brought it up before business items on the commission’s meeting agenda, citing two specific bills: House Bill 2728 and House Bill 2745. H.B. 2728 was introduced Feb. 5 by District 97 Rep. Nick Hoheisel on behalf of the Consumer Energy Alliance, a lobbying group whose members include Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell USA. H.B. 2728 would forbid counties, cities, and townships from adopting moratoriums on any energy facility development—including electricity generation and battery storage—longer than 30 days without approval of the Kansas Corporation Commission, and such moratoriums would require additional approval from the KCC to extend beyond 120 days. It was referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications. No hearing was set as of Wednesday.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

How Hutchinson’s combined sales tax rate compares to other cities in the region will depend, in part, on whether voters approve a March 3 referendum for a 0.75% sales tax, although some nearby cities will have higher rates regardless of the election’s outcome. Hutchinson City Council set a March 3 special election on whether to institute a new 0.75% sales tax, which would increase the combined sales tax rate in the city from 8.25% to 9% on non-food items. If voters approve the referendum, the new 9% rate would still be lower than McPherson, whose tax rate is increasing from 9% to 9.5% on April 1, and Salina, whose combined sales tax rate is 9.25%. Looking further afield, it would also be lower than the rate in Manhattan, which is either 9.15% or 9.45%, depending on whether one is shopping in Riley or Pottawatomie County, respectively.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Four 11-year-old boys tugged at the heartstrings of Humboldt Council members Monday night in their request for a skate park.  “Right now, a lot of kids our age don’t have many places to go after school or on weekends,” Elisha Ivy read from a prepared statement. “Most of the time we end up stuck inside on phones, tablets or video games. A skate park would give us a safe place to be active, hang out with friends, and do something healthy instead of being on electronics all the time.” Standing with Elisha were Trev Johnston, Tripp Korte and Ryker Roach.  In their consultations with grown-ups, the boys figured a skate park would cost around $7,000 to $10,000.  When queried by new Council member John Lassman where they thought a skateboarding park should be located, Elisha’s father, Milton Ivy, said Cannon Park would be ideal, noting a “75-by-75 space that would be ample.” Council members appeared to wholeheartedly support the idea, saying that the Council’s recreation committee would study the proposal.  
Read more: The Iola Register

In her annual report to Iola City Council members Monday, economic development director Camille Lavon said her focuses include strengthening existing businesses and entrepreneurs. Hit the ground running? Camille Lavon arrived as economic development director for Iola and Allen County last summer, going at Usain Bolt-like speed. In the six months since, Lavon has garnered a greater appreciation for what the economic needs are in an increasingly tumultuous climate, particularly for southeast Kansas. She noted, in response to a question during Iola’s City Council meeting Monday, that Iola stacks up favorably with other communities across the region in terms of economic viability.
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.

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.

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.

With the proposed 0.75% sales tax increase on the March 3 ballot, City of Hutchinson officials outlined all the cost-saving and efficiency measures they have taken to maintain the city’s current levels of service at Tuesday night’s Hutchinson City Council meeting. Below is the list of cost-saving and efficiency measures taken by the city.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

When asked what she is most proud of when it comes to the Hutchinson School District, Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson quickly pointed to the faculty and staff. “Educators are a unique lot. They’re a great lot, thank goodness for them,” Johnson said. “You just don’t stop being a teacher at 4 o’clock, you know, when you leave for the end of the day. So, so many of our teachers support in other ways in the community.” Teachers throughout the district volunteer at community organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, and are actively involved in supporting students and their families outside the classroom, she said. “They’re not just here to teach and get a paycheck,” she said. “They’re here because they care.” Not only do the district’s teachers care about students, they care about their professional development as well, she said. “Of the 422 certified staff and staff and administrators, 261, so 62% have a master’s degree or higher,” she said. That combined passion for educational excellence and taking care of students is reflected in the district’s increasing graduation rates and drop in absenteeism since 2022 when the district implemented its latest strategic plan, she noted.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Jessica Thompson isn’t often prone to hyperbole. But she can’t help but gush when talking about a housing rehabilitation initiative, made possible through a $1.4 million grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka. “We’re just really excited about it,” said Thompson, chief strategy and development officer for Thrive Allen County. “This is going to change a lot of lives, for the better.” With the grant, Thrive plans to assist at least 50 Allen County homeowners with critical repairs to their houses. The program is targeted for those who fall within the low-to-moderate income brackets. Special considerations will be given to disabled, elderly and veterans, or those with weatherization issues.
Read more: The Iola Register

An Iola city councilman says the city should consider adding columbariums at Highland Cemetery, as a low-cost option for families to hold loved ones’ cremated remains. Columbariums can be considered as a low-cost alternative for loved ones who turn to cremation instead of traditional burials for funeral services. Dying can be expensive. And it’s often unexpected. “A lot of people don’t plan for that situation,” Iola City Councilman Mark Peters noted at the Council’s Jan. 20 meeting. Faced with assorted funeral costs for a traditional funeral, many opt for a less expensive option — cremation.
Read more: The Iola Register

The Garden City Commission approved a preventative maintenance treatment for some asphalt roads in the city at its regular meeting on Tuesday. The treatment, an asphalt street rejuvenation product known as Reclamite, made by Proseal Inc., was approved for a total of $72,642.32 and will treat approximately 3.11 miles of road in the Chappel Heights neighborhood as well as Susan Street, Park View Drive, Jenna Lane, and sections of Warrior Street, Cole Circle, and Amy Street. Tyler Patterson, Public Works Operation Manager, said in August of 2023 the Professional Engineering Consultants, the city’s engineering firm, conducted a Street Evaluation & Rating Study, along with recommendations on ongoing street maintenance practices and found Proseal and their products Reclamite, which they are the sole-source provider of.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

Reporting sexual assault can be difficult because of the trauma involved. To help survivors, the Riley County Police Department now offers “Seek Then Speak,” an online tool that provides a safe, private way to explore options and start the reporting process. The tool works on a smartphone and connects users to resources, medical exams, and support services. The “Seek” section helps survivors gather information and consider their options, while “Speak” guides them in documenting evidence for a police report at their own pace. Users can share as much or as little as they want, and the program creates a PDF that can be saved or sent to law enforcement. Other victim service partners in Riley County have endorsed the tool, and RCPD is the second law enforcement agency in Kansas to make it available.
Read more: KCLY Radio

The City of Sedgwick broke ground on its new fire and EMS station on Friday. City officials say the project was roughly 10 years in the making. Fire and EMS Chief Zane Hansen, for the City of Sedgwick, said the new building will provide essential support to the city’s emergency services. He estimates the current station was built in the 1970s, adding that due to its age, it cannot adequately support all of the department’s needs. “Some of the equipment barely fits by inches, and so we’re building a facility that’s going to be able to grow with us into the future,” Hansen said.
Read more: KSN-TV

A developer is sharing new details about a $50 million “luxury” apartment complex coming to Topeka’s downtown area. We got in touch with David Wingerson, a developer with Flaherty & Collins Properties, to learn more about what Topeka locals should expect from “The Hutch,” a new 192-room apartment complex with a price tag of $50 million. The four-story complex is set to be constructed in the city’s downtown area between Southwest Van Buren Street and Southwest Jackson Street along with between Southwest Sixth Street and Southwest Seventh Street.
Read more: KSNT 27 News