Kansas Municipal News
Wichita Reels From Plane Crash. ‘I Talked to People on That Plane.’
Thursday morning, O’Reilly woke up to a text on his phone asking: “Did you see the news?” He hadn’t yet heard about the collision of a military helicopter with American Airlines Flight 5342, a Wichita to Washington, D.C., flight that was carrying many of the young skaters, their parents and coaches home. Officials said there were no survivors among the 67 people involved in the crash. Now, O’Reilly is among those in the place known as the “air capital of the world,” who are reeling from the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in more than two decades. The nonstop flight to Washington, a route begun last year, was also a point of pride for many locals. Source: WSJ.com : U.S. News
Fed holds rates steady, takes less confident view on inflation
The Federal Reserve held its key interest rate in check Wednesday, reversing a recent trend of easing policy as it examines what is likely to be a bumpy political and economic landscape ahead. In a widely anticipated move, the central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee left unchanged its overnight borrowing rate in a range between 4.25%-4.5%. The decision followed three straight cuts since September 2024 worth a full percentage point and marked the first Fed meeting since frequent Fed critic Donald Trump assumed the presidency last week and almost immediately made known his intentions that he wants the central bank to cut rates.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Interpretative panel at Prairie Village park to detail city’s ‘ugly history’ of redlining
An interpretive panel detailing Prairie Village’s early history of racist deed restrictions is on track for installation at Porter Park. But not after city leaders and members of the public last week tussled over some of the proposed panel’s details, including whether Porter Park was the best location for it and whether some components of a final panel should be modified. Ultimately, the Prairie Village City Council on Monday, Jan. 21, voted 7-2 to approve a $2,250 purchase for the interpretive panel.
Source: Johnson County Post
Johnson County saw a 25% drop in suicides. Mental health experts are cautiously optimistic
More people are calling Johnson County’s mental health crisis hotline when they are struggling, according to new data from the county. While that doesn’t always correlate directly with a decrease in suicides, county health experts said it can often be an indicator. The most recent data available, released last week, shows early signs of improvement. In 2023, 93 people died by suicide, down from 122 the year before. The number of people who died by suicide in the county had been climbing since 2020, said county epidemiologist Gabe Hawkins.
Source: Johnson County Post
See what 10 northeast JoCo leaders said about state of their cities in 2025
In 2024, cities in northeastern Johnson County gained new police chiefs, made headway on major developments and celebrated 75th birthdays. Last week, mayors and other civic representatives from 10 cities in Johnson County’s northeast corner shared updates with a crowd of more than 100 people at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center for the 2025 Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities address.
Source: Johnson County Post
How Clock Tower Landing, Overland Park farmers market area’s new name, nods to city’s history
Clock Tower Landing is the new official name for the prospective new downtown Overland Park farmers market pavilion and community gathering space around it. The name draws on Overland Park history and also nods to the iconic clock tower that looks over the city’s downtown. On Monday, the Overland Park City Council voted 12-0 to approve the new name. The Clock Tower Landing name will apply to an area generally between Santa Fe Drive and Marty Street covering the new pavilion once it’s built, as well as the existing Clock Tower Plaza and areas adjacent to it.
Source: Johnson County Post
Gardner voters to decide on renewing half-cent sales tax for city streets and trails
Gardner voters will be deciding next month whether to renew the city’s sales tax. The half-cent sales tax funds the city’s Pavement Management Program, which pays for improvements to collector and arterial streets, sidewalks, trails, curbs, gutters and other upgrades that would comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The mail-in ballot was distributed to all registered voters within city limits on Jan. 22.
Source: Johnson County Post
Report: Fort Riley exceeds $2 billion in economic impact on area
Fort Riley leaders recently released the 2024 economic impact summary. The report shows that the installation, home of the 1st Infantry Division, had a direct economic impact on the area of $2.047 billion in fiscal year 2024, which runs from Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024. That number includes payroll, contracts and services, construction, intergovernmental agreements, veteran spending and more. Total payroll for Fort Riley, one of the biggest employers in the region, was $1.312 billion. Source: 1350 KMAN
EMS investment, service return a huge deal for Sedgwick
Sedgwick residents will have to pay for most of their new EMS, but their dollars buy peace of mind and probably a few saved lives over coming years.
The city received help from the state, about $640,000 in way of a grant, to pay for a $2.4 million fire/EMS building. It’s all a part of the city’s revival of such a service. $2.4 million is an expense for a city the size of Newton. It’s a major expenditure for a town of 1,600. The good part is the cost should be manageable with some of Sedgwick’s bonded debt set to expire soon.
Source: Harvey County Now
Governor Kelly Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Victims of D.C. Plane Crash
Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags across Kansas to be flown at half-staff until sundown on Thursday, February 6, 2025, to honor those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C., last night. “Today, Kansas mourns a tragedy. I am devastated by the event that unfolded last night and extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ loved ones,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thank you to the more than 300 brave first responders in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area who were on the scene immediately. This is a sad day for our state and our nation.”
Source: KCLY Radio
Abilene to Vote on 0.35% Sales Tax Increase for Recreation Upgrades in Special Election
On Tuesday, February 4th the city of Abilene will hold a Special Election concerning a 0.35% sales tax increase to improve the dated recreational facilities in the city. The tax had previously been rejected by a narrow margin of 675 to 608 during the 2024 Primary election. Kellee Timbrook, Abilene Parks and Recreation Director, said this tax would help generate approximately $3.7 million over 10 years to help fund new multi-use sports fields and other recreation facilities including walking trails, adding pickleball courts and a splash pad in parks, and more. She spoke of the importance of these recreational improvements.
Source: KCLY Radio
Ouster proceedings underway against McCune councilmember
The McCune, Kansas city council voted to start ouster proceedings against one of its own during a January 14, 2025 meeting. In a document sent to Crawford County Attorney Reina Probert, Mayor Bobby Clark wrote councilmember Jason Han “willfully engaged in misconduct while in office” and “willfully neglected to perform any duty enjoined upon such person by law.”
Source: KOAM News
Appraisal office considering policy about tax abatement of damaged properties
The Riley County appraisal office is considering changing its approach to granting tax abatements for properties destroyed in disasters. County staff members said Thursday at the Riley County Commission meeting that a state law about tax abatement for residences damaged in an earthquake, flood, tornado, fire or storm allows the county commission to decide whether it should give the owner an abatement. The county commission has no written policy on this, but has not been giving abatements, which officials said was because of concerns about fairness.
Source: themercury.com
Municipal Bond Trends for January 29, 2025
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.
Some rural small businesses wouldn’t have to register with Douglas County under new proposal
If the proposed change is approved, some smaller businesses that don’t have an outsized impact on their neighbors could operate without needing to register with the county or pay an annual fee.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for January 28, 2025
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.
Shawnee wants to make it easier for residents to take bulky items to landfill
Shawnee is renaming its popular bulky item pickup program and changing the way it distributes vouchers to residents for one free drop-off at the landfill. The annual bulky item trash program — previously named Tidy Town — gives residents the chance to get rid of large junk items, including old furniture, appliances and mattresses. Throughout February, the city will be mailing out vouchers for its newly renamed Landfill Voucher program via its city newsletter, “All Things Hometown.”
Source: Johnson County Post
‘Looking for a winning project’ — City envisions ‘generational’ development at Mission Gateway site
The city of Mission wants a “winning project” for the long-troubled Mission Gateway site. During a work session last week, the Mission City Council discussed — the first of many discussions, according to city staff — what it wants to see become of the site off Johnson Drive and Roe Avenue. The city council agreed that a neighborhood-oriented mixed-use development is ideal for Mission Gateway, with specific ideas ranging from boutique hotels to a place to watch local sporting events. Source: Johnson County Post
Who was Deanna Rose? Overland Park marks 40 years since police officer’s death
Community members, local leaders and Overland Park first responders gathered at the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead to honor the life and service of the fallen officer for whom the site is named. Officer Deanna Rose died 40 years ago this week at age 26 — the first Overland Park officer and the first female officer in Kansas to be killed in the line of duty. She was gravely injured trying to arrest a man for driving under the influence and died two days later. After her death, the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police gave her the Award for Valor.
Source: Johnson County Post
Quarry near De Soto to expand mining work, over neighboring residents’ objections
Owners of a rock quarry south of De Soto got approval to expand mining operations last week, over the objections of neighbors who said the blasting and dust are creeping too close to their homes. Officials of Martin Marietta, which owns the Sunflower Quarry, maintain they have been good neighbors and have taken pains to limit blasting and inform nearby residents about their operations in western Johnson County. On Thursday, they asked the Board of County Commissioners for permission to expand their mining area because of increased need for crushed rock in construction projects.
Source: Johnson County Post