Kansas Municipal News
Municipal Bond Trends for March 22, 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 March 21, 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.
Newton City Clerk Denise Duerksen has been named City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year
City Clerk Denise Duerksen has been named the 2024 Mildred Vance City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year for the State of Kansas. This award is presented each year to a City Clerk or Finance Officer who has made significant contributions to the State association, the profession and their community. Denise has worked for the City for almost 33 years and has served as city clerk since 2007.
Source: City of Newton
Municipal Bond Trends for March 20, 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 March 19, 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.
A painting on the side of Cozy Inn that prompted a lawsuit against the city of Salina will remain unfinished and the city won’t take action against it for the time being. The Salina City Commission voted to approve a stipulation in the Cozy Inn vs. City of Salina case during a special meeting Monday. … According to the stipulation, this “status quo” means that the city won’t take any enforcement action against Cozy Inn as long as the hamburger shop won’t take “further action to complete the sign” while the case is pending in the U.S. District Court.
Source: Salina Journal
Small-town renaissance: Rising leaders help two Kansas communities defy expectations
There’s a commonly held belief that small, rural Kansas communities are evaporating from the windswept plains, plagued by a dwindling, aging population, and haunted by pressures of a modern world. Don’t tell that to the residents of Chase, population 390 in Rice County, and Pawnee Rock, population 190 in Barton County. Long dismissed, even mocked, as wide spots along U.S. Highway 56, folks there are making their stand, spurred by an influx of new families. “We’re proud of where we are from,” said Chase Mayor Tom Kizzar. “There’s not much left, but we are going to go down swinging. We’re doing alright. We’re trying.”
Source: KAKE – News
Groundwater measurement results mixed in western Kansas
Preliminary groundwater level measurements compiled by the Kansas Geological Survey show mixed results for western and south-central Kansas in 2023, with some areas in the northwest and west-central part of the state experiencing increases for the first time in three or more years. “In the Ogallala portion of the High Plains aquifer, the aquifer had a chance to ‘reset’ in 2023, given some timely rains in the summer months,” Brownie Wilson, KGS water-data manager, said. Measurements in those areas reflect a rebound from lower-than-normal groundwater levels caused by the extreme drought conditions seen in 2022.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Leawood moves ahead with renovations at 2 major city parks
New shelters at Leawood City Park and playgrounds at Tomahawk Park got unanimous approval Monday from the Leawood City Council. The new fixtures will update structures that are decades old, said Chris Claxton, director of city parks, recreation and cultural arts.
Source: Johnson County Post
Prairie Village City Council gets first look at new city hall design
Prairie Village residents will soon be able to provide input on a new $30 million city hall project. The Prairie Village City Council on Monday got a first look at renderings for the new city hall, a project officials have been working on since 2022.
Source: Johnson County Post
New communication coming to all Ellsworth County first responders
Communication is improving for first responders in a central Kansas county. It’s all thanks to a $670,000 federal grant from Senator Jerry Moran’s office. Ellsworth County is using the money to buy 162 vehicle and handheld radios. The ones they have right now are close to 30 years old, and finding the parts to repair them is difficult.
Source: KSN-TV
Overland Park adopts its first official electric vehicle plan
Overland Park has started to solidify its electric vehicle plans, taking steps to possibly add more electrified vehicles to its own fleet and expand its public charging infrastructure. … The vote this week on the new plan falls short of formalizing any policy decisions — like whether or how much to charge drivers to use any public charging stations. Those discussions are expected to happen later. Instead, the 95-page plan is meant to help the city make plans “to implement a thoughtful strategy identifying needs and best practices” for EVs. Read the full adopted EV readiness plan here.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Municipal Bond Trends for March 18, 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.
Yates Center Police Department help raise money for autism awareness
Yates Center Chief of Police, Michael Strode is at the forefront of a new initiative to raise money for autism awareness. After discussions with his officers Chief Strode says they decided they wanted to find a way to help students in their school district. “The couple of teachers that I’ve talked with are ecstatic. They love the fact that we are willing to get involved and help. Of course, we have a very wonderful working relationship with our school anyway. [] being a small town of a little less than 1300 people, we all already know each other and work well with each other,” said Strode. The department is selling challenge coins. These coins that also can be described as medallions are designed in the same shape as the departments seal. On one side of the coin the seal is shown clearly. On the other a heart made of puzzle pieces with the words, It’s ok the be Different, surrounding it. These coins are being sold for $10 each. Strode says the proceeds will then go to the Organization of Parents and teachers who will then decide the best way to spend the money to help students with special needs. Strode says that this is not the first time the department has done something like this to raise money for an organization.
Source: KOAM News
Marysville City Council Selects New City Manager
Marysville city council met in special session last Thursday, and following executive session unanimously approved a motion to extend an offer to Joshua Haverkamp for the post of City Administrator, with a contract to be negotiated. Mayor Todd Frye indicated no update at the regular meeting Monday evening. Haverkamp was among three finalists interviewed for the position, and is currently with the Kansas City, Missouri city manager’s office. He is a graduate of Kansas State, with a major in political science and a master’s in public administration.
Source: Sunflower State Radio Network
Groundwater levels dropping in Kansas
The Kansas Geological Survey is reporting lower groundwater levels across the state.
The Survey, based at the University of Kansas, said while small increases were reported last year in western and northwest parts of the state, most other areas are tracking declines in water levels. There is an ongoing drop in levels of the southwest portion of the mighty Ogallala aquifer, which continues to shrink following back to back declines totaling almost five feet in 2022 and 2021. Authorities are also tracking ongoing declines of the Equus Beds, which serves Wichita and Hutchinson; and the Great Bend Prairie aquifer, which provides water for Pratt, Stafford and parts of neighboring counties.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Wichita planning group releases plan for electric vehicles
The Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) has released a plan to support electric vehicle use in the area.
The Electric Vehicle Network Plan is described as a strategic roadmap designed to facilitate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles throughout the Wichita area. It outlines EV ownership, expands charging infrastructure, and promotes sustainable transportation practices. By establishing a robust network of charging stations, WAMPO aims to eliminate range anxiety and make EV ownership accessible to all residents. The plan is open for public comment through April 11th, and there are two ways for Wichita area residents to provide input.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
City of Garden Plain to host city flag, logo contest
The City of Garden Plain announced they will be hosting a city flag and logo design contest for the community. A selection committee will review all entries and choose the winning design that will be presented to the Garden Plain City Council for official adoption on or before May 1, 2024. The winner will be recognized at a City Council meeting and will receive a $250 cash prize.
Source: KAKE – News
Clearwater Police announces death of officer in early morning car crash
The Clearwater Police Department and the City of Clearwater announced the death of a city police officer in a car crash.
In a post on the city’s Facebook page, Police Chief Kirk Ives and Mayor Burt Ussery said Officer Scott Hollingsworth died early Saturday morning while returning home from his shift. Hollingsworth had been with the department since March 2023.
In part, the post reads, ‘on behalf of our entire community, we offer our prayers, love and condolences to Scott’s wife, Hadley, daughter, Claire, parents, Greg and Nataly, and siblings, Jordan and Sydney during this time of unbelievable loss.’
Source: KAKE – News
Supreme Court sets rules on when public officials can block social media users
The Supreme Court on Friday laid out a new test for determining when actions taken by government employees on social media — such as posting messages, deleting comments or blocking users — constitute official business verses personal conduct.
The distinction has become critical as millions of local, state and federal government workers increasingly use social media to communicate with the public, often on “mixed use” accounts that also include purely private, non-official content.
“When a government official posts about job-related topics on social media, it can be difficult to tell whether the speech is official or private,” wrote Justice Amy Coney Barrett in a unanimous opinion in the case Lindke v. Freed. “We hold that such speech is attributable to the state only if the official (1) possessed actual authority to speak on the state’s behalf, and (2) purported to exercise that authority when he spoke on social media.”
In short, Barrett explained, the distinction turns on “substance, not labels.”
Source: KAKE – News