Kansas Municipal News
Developer plans hotel, amphitheater
Plans to build a hotel north of Burlington also include a proposal for an amphitheater to seat up to 2,500, the Coffey County Republican reported. Developers hope to use STAR bonds to help fund building projects and they require a tourism draw, Coffey County commissioners learned earlier this week. A developer plans to build a 72- to 80-room hotel with other facilities such as restaurants or an RV park on a 9-acre tract. Another development would include Hoover’s Thriftway, Bomgaars and a 30-acre tract east of the hotel where the amphitheater will be constructed. The community improvement district would collect sales tax to pay for improvements.
Source: The Iola Register
Maize program has students growing food for lunch
Students at Maize schools are getting the opportunity to reap what they sow. A grant from the Department of Agriculture allowed them to buy 35 hydroponic gardens to be distributed in all 14 schools. Megan Barnard, the director of food service for Maize, says they looked for a way to get local, sustainable, fresh produce. Each garden is equivalent to a 40-square-foot farm. There are 18 different varieties, including kale, spinach, peppers, and tomatoes. “Using less water than if we were to purchase it from a farm grown in Arizona and California,” Barnard said. “So our footprint is a little bit less when we’re using it here at the school.” An educator is in charge of the garden, but students are responsible for the daily maintenance like testing the PH and trimming the roots. The students plant, maintain harvest, and eat what they produce. The students are trying and learning about crops unfamiliar to them, setting them up for the future. “Gives them exposure to some culinary aspects and agricultural aspects that they maybe wouldn’t have considered as a career,” Barnard said. “So as they get older in our high schools, they have the career and technical education path that they could now have some exposure and be interested in and take those classes and already have a leg up.” Barnard says educators are using the gardens to teach hands-on learning in science and agriculture, as well as skills like leadership and social-emotional learning.
Source: KSN-TV
Commerce Awards Nearly $1.5M in CDBG Grants for Housing and Commercial Projects
The Kansas Department of Commerce has announced that five Kansas cities will receive a share of $1,450,000 through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to assist with community development projects. CDBG, administered by the Department of Commerce, is a federal grant program that provides funding for projects that help low- to moderate-income neighborhoods prosper. “These grants provide critical support to Kansas communities and downtown areas for important projects that might not otherwise happen,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The CDBG program allows Commerce to partner with local communities and address specific housing and building issues standing in the way of progress.” The CDBG Housing program provides funding to support the rehabilitation of housing units and the demolition of blighted structures. Awarded cities completed the Housing Assessment Tool (HAT) and identified Housing Rehabilitation as a program area to address their needs.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Fed’s Powell emphasizes need for more evidence that inflation is easing before cutting rates
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Wednesday it will take a while for policymakers to evaluate the current state of inflation, keeping the timing of potential interest rate cuts uncertain. Speaking specifically about stronger than expected price pressures to start the year, the central bank leader said he and his fellow officials are in no rush to ease monetary policy. “On inflation, it is too soon to say whether the recent readings represent more than just a bump,” Powell said in prepared remarks ahead of a question-and-answer session at Stanford University. “We do not expect that it will be appropriate to lower our policy rate until we have greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably down toward 2 percent,” he added. “Given the strength of the economy and progress on inflation so far, we have time to let the incoming data guide our decisions on policy.” The remarks come a week after the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee again voted to hold benchmark short-term borrowing rates steady. In addition, the committee’s post meeting statement on March 20 included the “greater confidence” qualifier needed before cutting.
Source: Finance
Employees drawn to Rural Kansas Apprenticeship Program
Three newly-hired apprentices at two companies say the chance to earn money while they learn more about their jobs was one of the main reasons they considered positions created through Kansas Farm Bureau’s (KFB) award-winning Rural Kansas Apprenticeship Program (RKAP). South Bend Industrial Hemp used the program to hire Joseph Rogers and Kaidence Sanchez as hemp processing facility operators at the Great Bend-based company. “I think it’s really cool the apprenticeship comes with some educational opportunities,” Rogers says. Sanchez says he’s never seen anything like the apprenticeship program and believes “it’s an exciting way to learn more and earn more money.” Camron Hicks is the second apprentice hired through RKAP at Moundridge-based Mid-Kansas Cooperative (MKC). He’s training as an operations specialist at MKC’s Canton location. Hicks says he wants to travel throughout Kansas and learn more about grain elevators, and he sees a real career path through his apprenticeship.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Wichita.gov would become ‘official city newspaper’ under council proposal
City Hall’s own website, Wichita.gov would be recognized as the “official city newspaper” under a proposed charter ordinance the City Council will vote on Tuesday. Doing so would allow the city to terminate its contract for publishing copies of new ordinances and notices of other official actions in The Eagle, including notices about imposing taxes, creating benefit districts and amending the zoning code. The publication of legal notices in a designated newspaper is required by state law. In supporting documents, the city cites a July 2023 nonbinding legal opinion by Attorney General Kris Kobach declaring that second-class cities — those with between 2,000 and 15,000 residents — can circumvent the third-party publication requirement. City staff asserts that the same should hold true for any city that invokes home rule on the issue. (…) Update, April 2: The City Council delayed a vote on the proposed charter ordinance until June 4 to allow district advisory boards to review the proposal. The June 4 meeting will be held at 6 p.m. inside the council chambers at City Hall.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Cold War exhibit coming to Abilene
A new temporary exhibit is now on display at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene. The exhibit, “Cold War: Soviets, Spies and Secrets,” displays pieces from the Cold War, which was an integral era of history. The information, activities, and artifacts highlight the Cold War era from spies that infiltrated governments to the stockpiling of nuclear weapons. The exhibit is on loan from the Nixon Presidential Foundation and Library and will be available to view through March 2025.
Source: Derby Informer | News
New $10 million library opens in Newton
A $10 million library in Newton is complete and opens to the public Monday at 10 a.m. The 30,000-square-foot facility is southeast of the old library. On Dec. 27, 2022, the Newton City Commission voted to accept a bid for the construction of the new library, and the ground was broken in early 2023. The new facility includes a children’s library with a learn-play-grow area, early literacy computers, and a family restroom and nursing room. The new teen area has a game zone and book collection. There are also six study rooms and a digital access lab for individuals and small groups to collaborate, work, study, and create. There is a covered outdoor seating area leading into Military Park. The layout of the park and additional parking will allow events such as outdoor movie nights, concerts, block parties, and farmer’s markets. It is accessible, one level and offers a drive-through window. Services such as public computers, faxing, newspapers, books, media and more are more efficient and appealing. The City of Newton committed $4.5 million to the project, and Newton Public Library committed $2.7 million. The community contributed about $3.3 million.
Source: KSN-TV
Governor Kelly Announces KMW to Invest $105M in Sterling, Create 251 New Jobs in Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that KMW, a precision manufacturer of agricultural front loaders, backhoes, and other attachments, will invest $105 million to construct a new North American headquarters and state-of-the-art production facility in Sterling. The venture will create 251 new jobs, resulting in a local workforce of 485. “There’s no doubt – this investment will grow our economy and create more opportunities for Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our efforts to make Kansas one of the most pro-business states in the country is paying off for workers everywhere, including our rural communities.” KMW selected Sterling in Rice County after a rigorous competition among Midwestern states. In addition to the headquarters, moving to the 151-acre site on the north side of Sterling will allow KMW to continue growing its manufacturing capabilities. “The partnership forged between Agrostroj Pelhrimov, KMW, the City of Sterling, Rice County, and the State of Kansas sets an exemplary precedent,” KMW Ltd. North American Operations CEO Wayne Buchberger said. “This expansion aligns seamlessly with our commitment to agricultural and other products manufacturing, and we’re excited to continue our growth right here in the city of Sterling – the city where we were founded in 1965 and have grown ever since.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas is one step away from harsher penalties for those who kill law enforcement animals
Kansas could soon have harsher penalties for anyone who kills a police animal after lawmakers voted Tuesday on a bill that was introduced after a wanted man ran from police and hid in a storm drain where he then strangled Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputy Bane. Bane, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois, died at the scene of the Nov. 16 police standoff in southeast Wichita. The state House approved HB 2583 115-6 on Tuesday. It is now up to Gov. Laura Kelly to sign or veto the bill. The current punishment for killing or harming a police dog ranges from 30 days or up to a year in prison and a fine between $500 to $5,000. If the measure passes, a first-time offender who disables or kills a police horse or dog, an arson dog, game warden’s dog or a search-and-rescue dog could see a prison sentence of 38-43 months; it’s between 55-61 months if the animal is killed while the suspect is trying to elude police. Additionally, they would face a minimum of a $10,000 fine and possible restitution.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Fed officials still expects rate cuts this year, but not anytime soon
Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester said Tuesday she still expects interest rate cuts this year, but ruled out the next policy meeting in May. Mester also indicated that the long-run path is higher than policymakers had previously thought. The central bank official noted progress made on inflation while the economy has continued to grow. Should that continue, rate cuts are likely, though she didn’t offer any guidance on timing or extent. “I continue to think that the most likely scenario is that inflation will continue on its downward trajectory to 2 percent over time. But I need to see more data to raise my confidence,” Mester said in prepared remarks for a speech in Cleveland. Additional inflation readings will provide clues as to whether some higher-than-expected data points this year either were temporary blips or a sign that the progress on inflation “is stalling out,” she added. “I do not expect I will have enough information by the time of the FOMC’s next meeting to make that determination,” Mester said.
Source: Finance
City of Lawrence seeks input to develop brick streets and sidewalks policy
The City of Lawrence wants community feedback as staff members look to develop a policy on maintenance, restoration and preservation of brick streets and sidewalks. City staff members and members of the Multimodal Transportation Commission’s Brick Streets and Sidewalks subcommittee will hold an open house this week to discuss community values, according to a news release from the city. The policy will also consider standards for reconstruction of brick streets and sidewalks, according to the release. “The Brick Streets + Sidewalks policy should reflect the community’s values and priorities, as well as have attainable and practical implementation strategies for the City of Lawrence,” according to the project website. “The Transportation Planning division will lead the public engagement process and staff a subcommittee of community stakeholders.” Formulating a policy has been an ongoing effort since 2013, according to the website, but “The delay in adopting a formal policy is likely in part due to shifting City priorities and staff turnover,” according to the website. “The 2024 budget process identified the priority to develop a comprehensive Brick Streets and Sidewalk Policy.” “Although the history on the subject provides good context for past community feedback, a full public process will be facilitated through the drafting of this policy,” the website states.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for April 3, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.
Moving to these Kansas counties could come with financial incentives
If you’re looking to move and haven’t considered Kansas, a state program aimed at attracting new residents to more rural areas could be worth investigating. Ninety-five of Kansas’ 105 counties are designated “rural opportunity zones,” which means anyone who moves there could receive student loan repayment assistance or might qualify for a tax credit to cover 100% of their state income taxes. In some cases, a new resident could qualify for both incentives. The Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) program was introduced in 2012. It has grown from 50 counties 12 years ago to the 95 counties that offer the financial incentives today, with a main goal of bringing more residents to rural areas that have experienced the greatest population losses.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Judge rejects ‘infamous’ commenter’s assertion that Lawrence’s rules are unconstitutionally vague
Lawrence’s “most infamous” commenter has failed to demonstrate that the City Commission’s rules about comments at public meetings are unconstitutionally vague or that the city engaged in unlawful viewpoint and content discrimination against him. Federal Judge Julie Robinson in an order this week, using Justin Spiehs’ self-identification as “the most infamous and outspoken public speaker,” dismissed those claims from Spiehs’ lawsuit against the city and two of its former mayors, but she has allowed other claims to move forward, including Spiehs’ contention that the city retaliated against him and denied him equal protection.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for April 2, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.
Municipal Bond Trends for April 1, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.
Commerce Celebrates National Community Development Week
The Kansas Department of Commerce is joining other organizations and communities across the state in commemorating National Community Development Week. The annual event, which this year is April 1-5, shines a spotlight on the transformative impact of community development initiatives and collaborative efforts that drive positive local change. National Community Development Week serves as a platform to recognize the invaluable contributions of local leaders, organizations and residents who work tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for all members of their communities. From affordable housing projects to infrastructure improvements, these endeavors represent the collective commitment to building a brighter, more inclusive future for Kansas. For more information about National Community Development Week events and initiatives, click here.
Rural ambulance plan in limbo
At issue is a regulatory requirement that ambulances operate with two medically credentialed attendants, which poses challenges for rural services. “This is a bill that allows ambulances, particularly in rural areas, to move with only one EMT and one certified driver,” Rep. Fred Gardner, R-Garnett, said of Senate Bill 384. “Current regulation requires two EMTs….” … Industry officials said that language appeared to eliminate the two-person requirement entirely, which could leave patients unattended in the back of an ambulance.
Source: Hutch News
Topeka & Shawnee County library to focus on connections, people and joy
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library enjoys a reputation for excellence, including having been named “2016 Library of the Year” by a respected library journal. But library leaders hope to serve customers even better, and that’s reflected in their recently released five-year strategic plan. That plan calls for the library to offer more chances to learn, explore and connect, said Marie Pyko, the library’s CEO.
Source: CJonline