Municipal News & Jobs

City commissioners on Tuesday will decide whether to change their meeting policies concerning public comment. They will vote on a resolution which repeals existing policy and proposes changes to how residents may address the commission. Each speaker would still have three minutes per item, but the mayor or majority could modify the length of time per speaker. Agenda items would have no cap on total duration of public comment, except that open public comment is capped at 30 minutes. The mayor or majority retain the flexibility to cap total duration on any item, or to extend open public comment. Public comment would also be allowed on work session items, changed from the current default that the majority must vote to allow public comment on work session items.
Read more: News Radio KMAN

On March 31, for the third time in the month, government leaders from Sedgwick County and the city of Wichita heard from a crowded room of area residents with a fairly unified message regarding the development of data centers — no thanks. With no zoning regulations in place currently in Wichita or Sedgwick County regarding data centers, and development of such facilities gaining steam across the country, local government leaders started to look at the issue more closely at the start of the year.
Read more: www.derbyinformer.com

On Tuesday, March 31, Dodge City Community College (DC3) hosted area high school students for a Construction Day lunch at the Skinner Student Activity Center, offering a hands-on look at career opportunities in the building trades. The event, held in partnership with the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, was designed to connect students with real-world experiences in construction. Participants toured local job sites and learned more about DC3’s Building Construction Technology program, led by instructor Pat Shiew.
Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County has approved plans for a new downtown grocery store at the old Merc Co+op location in Kansas City, Kansas. During Thursday’s commissioner’s meeting, WyCo leaders voted to approve the letter of intent from Anthony Estrada, the owner of Santa Fe Grocers, to open a full-service grocery store near North 5th Street and Minnesota Avenue. On Monday, Estrada submitted the letter of intent before the Unified Government’s Economic Development and Finance committee. The proposed store at 5th and Minnesota in KCK would be called United Market, and would include a meat department, bakery, and produce section.
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV

The Fredonia Police Chief addressed community concerns on Friday regarding electric scooters on the road. According to Police Chief Tyler Decker, the department has received multiple complaints about the careless operation of the scooters. As a way to prevent future accidents, Chief Decker is encouraging those who have electric scooters to review city ordinances and have safety conversations with children who operate them.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

Cottonwood Falls’ City Council has a special meeting Monday evening. Board members are set to discuss an alignment effort between Cottonwood Falls, Strong City and Chase County related to several pet-related ordinances — specifically dog ordinances in general, as well as animals at large and exotic animals. State laws on pet matters will also be discussed. The meeting is at 5:30 pm at 220 1/2 Broadway in Cottonwood Falls.
Read more: KVOE

The Overland Park City Council is set to vote Monday night on an ordinance connected to a new housing pilot program, which includes changes to zoning and the development approval process. In the staff report found on the agenda for tonight’s meeting, the city summarizes the item by saying “Staff is proposing new Chapter 18.375 in the UDO, to create a pilot program for Portfolio Homes. To accompany the City’s new Portfolio Homes program, the proposed pilot zoning package encourages the development of Portfolio Homes by allowing projects on a limited basis. The pilot zoning package would promote development on infill lots to utilize existing infrastructure, create opportunity for cottage court layouts, streamline the approval process, and provide flexibility from existing development standards to support Portfolio Home development.” The Portfolio Homes program is designed to expand housing options beyond traditional single-family homes and large apartment developments.
Read more: KSHB News

Surplus and underused county property may become the next frontier in the effort to create more affordable housing in Johnson County. County commissioners last week approved a new policy that asks that wherever feasible, housing be included in the mix of possible uses for redevelopment of its underused properties. The policy emphasizes partnerships with other entities, public or private. The new policy, approved 6-1 with Commissioner Michael Ashcraft dissenting, does not commit the county to any projects, nor does it require housing to be prioritized ahead of other uses. Commissioners said the intent was to see if a housing element to development could be a way to expand affordable options and possibly generate revenue.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The Wichita City Council on Tuesday will consider signing off on the purchase of two robotic dogs for the police department The robots were originally approved through the city’s capital improvement plan. The council has the option to get one or both of the dogs. One would got to the SWAT team and the other to the bomb squad. The police chief says if the council only approves one dog, he knows where he wants it to go. Both dogs would cost the city over $630,000.
Read more: KSN-TV

A new Lawrence Affordable Housing Study finds that over half of renters and many homebuyers cannot afford current prices, as housing construction lags well below pre-pandemic levels.
Read more: LJWorld

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.

Becky Willard asked the county commissioners to expand the current moratorium in effect to include three new items: private energy campuses, hyperscale AI data centers, and a solar project near McCune. A private energy campus is a piece of infrastructure designed to support the high-energy usage of data centers. Kansas House Bill HB 2664 would allow tech companies to build such a complex independent of the existing power grid, sometimes combining wind, solar, natural gas and nuclear power. Supporters of the bill argue that by letting tech companies bypass government bureaucracy, Kansas can more easily attract high-tech industry and massive capital investment. The problem is who pays for the existing power grid. Maintaining the grid does not get cheaper if fewer people are on it. If big tech is allowed to build their own grids, the remaining customers have to pick up the slack in lost revenue used to maintain the grid, while at the same time, the private campuses remain hooked into the public grid for emergencies.
Read more: Morning Sun

A $225,000 grant is bringing high-tech tools like laser engravers and 3D printers to libraries across Southeast Kansas. A grant awarded to the Southeast Kansas Library System (SEKLS) is expanding access to advanced technology across the region, including a laser engraving machine currently available at the Iola Public Library. The funding comes through the Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans (DOCK) program, a statewide initiative aimed at improving digital literacy and skills training, particularly in economically distressed areas. The program is funded by nearly $5 million in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Read more: The Iola Register

Allen County is exploring a Neighborhood Revitalization Program to spur property improvements through tax rebates. Allen County commissioners began shaping the framework of the county’s own potential Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) this week, reviewing draft options and discussing how the program could encourage property improvements across the county. An NRP is a local economic development tool designed to encourage property improvements by offering temporary property tax rebates on the increased value created by those improvements. Under an NRP, property owners who make qualifying upgrades — such as building additions, renovations, or new structures — can receive a partial refund of the additional property taxes they pay as a result of those improvements. The goal is to stimulate investment, improve property conditions, and enhance the overall tax base over time.
Read more: The Iola Register

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, in a wide-ranging talk at Harvard University, said Monday that he sees inflation expectations as grounded despite rising energy prices and no signs yet of a widespread crisis in private credit. As his term leading the central bank nears an end, Powell avoided questions about the longer-term direction of interest rates or inclinations his designated successor has espoused. In the near term, he said the proper move is to look beyond the short-term gyrations of the energy market and focus on the Fed’s goals of stable prices and low unemployment.
Read more: CNBC Bonds

As Riley County officials map out the budget framework for a new county administrator position, questions swirl over how to account for such reorganization in the 2027 budget cycle. Budget and finance officer Brittany Phillips on Monday asked commissioners for direction on who should develop the operational budget as staff prepare early projections for the budget calendar. “If I can at least draft something to a department that’s of a similar size, then that can give us something to kind of work with through the budget process, instead of just throwing … ‘Here’s $200,000 for your three Cs, figure it out,’” she said.
Read more: News Radio KMAN

One year in, the cell phone policy in USD 383 schools is driving improved classroom engagement and behavior, district officials said Wednesday, though a new Kansas law may soon require stricter enforcement and create new challenges. Officials gave a report reflecting on the policy’s first year during the Manhattan-Ogden school board meeting Wednesday at Lincoln Education Center. The policy requires students keep devices in bags, pockets or special pouches, though they can use them during passing periods and at lunch. More than 92% of educators reported improved student engagement under the policy, while about 94% said classroom climate has improved, according to teacher survey data.
Read more: News Radio KMAN

A new notification system is being adopted by Saline County. Salina 911 in conjunction with Saline County Emergency Management, the Salina Fire and Police Departments and Saline County Sheriff’s Office have partnered with Regroup for a new mass emergency notification system to keep the community informed and prepared during critical events. The system provides real time alerts based on your location. Alerts can be sent either by phone, email or text.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

Sedgwick County Emergency Communications recently launched its Fire Dispatch Priority System (FDPS) to further support the processing of fire-related calls. FDPS is a structured tool that will enhance existing operations by guiding 911 call takers through key questions to efficiently gather critical information. It also supports the delivery of pre-arrival instructions when appropriate, such as how to safely exit a building, and allows fire departments to align response configurations with the most accurate and up-to-date information available.
Read more: www.derbyinformer.com

Legislators want the state of Kansas to pay local law students a stipend if they promise to practice in a rural part of the state upon graduation. They also want to repay the student loans of working rural attorneys. It’s all part of an effort to address a persistent rural attorney shortage. House Bill 2595, or the “attorney training for rural Kansas act,” creates two programs meant to attract and retain practicing attorneys in the state’s rural areas. More than 40% of the population lives in a rural part of the state but only 20% of the state’s attorneys practice there. “By helping new lawyers build sustainable careers in rural communities, this legislation expands access to justice today and lays the groundwork for stronger communities in the years ahead,” said Gregory Schwartz, president of the Kansas Bar Association, in a Wednesday news release.
Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe

City officials have provided an update on the sinkhole that first appeared in Emporia on Monday. Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking said the sinkhole near the intersection of Commercial Street and 10th Avenue was caused by a collapsed 44-inch stormwater line. According to Cocking, the line was more than 100 years old and made of nonreinforced concrete. Over decades, the weight of the soil above the line contributed to its collapse. The sinkhole was first discovered Sunday morning by an Emporia police officer. City crews quickly responded and closed off the section of Commercial Street surrounding the sinkhole indefinitely until it is deemed safe.
Read more: www.emporiagazette.com

The Olathe Police Department has launched a new program that deploys drones as first responders. “Drones as First Responders” (DFR) is an initiative designed to strengthen community safety through innovative technology, the police department shared. “By providing real-time intelligence and video to officers, DFR will improve operational efficiency and support both citizen and officer safety,” the department said in a news release. DFR drones will be deployed in specific situations to give responding officers a live view of the scene. They may also be used in hazardous environments, where sending people in immediately could increase risk.
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV

Five parks in Garden City have a new installation – playground communication boards which allow children to communicate their needs, ideas, and feelings by pointing to or selecting symbols. Ticia Herd, Garden City Parks and Recreation Director, said the boards were installed between two and three weeks ago, around the middle to end of February at Bob Halloran Park, Deane Wiley Park, Finnup Scout Park, A. Harold Long Park and Finnup Park. Dixie Teeter, a Speech Language Pathologist with the Kansas State Department and member of the group Southwest Kansas Konnect, Include, Support Summit (SWK-KISS), said idea for the communication boards came from SWK-KISS co-founders Caitlin Sotelo, a Special Education teacher, and Jana Brown, a School Social Worker.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

Along with bond construction at the schools, Halstead residents will also be dealing with sidewalk and road construction for the next couple of months. Last week, Halstead city officials met with Lochner, an infrastructure services provider, to discuss pre-construction issues related to the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) improvements project. Construction is set to begin this week, according to Halstead City Manager Ethan Reimer.
Read more: Harvey County Now

To address anticipated growth in the southwestern portion of the county associated with the redevelopment of the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant into the Astra Enterprise Park, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners adopted updates to the Comprehensive Arterial Road Network Plan (CARNP) on Thursday. The plan outlines recommendations for future transportation needs and access management on arterial roads in the southern and western portion of the county. The plan does not make final determinations on any road improvements but identifies policies to manage access and plan for adequate traffic capacity on arterial roads.
Read more: Johnson County Kansas

If you’ve been watching the Prairie Village market closely, you’ve probably noticed something that is a bit harder to quantify at first glance. The move-up market, particularly between $600,000 and $1,000,000, feels tight. Not new, not surprising, but more noticeable right now. The data supports that feeling. Over the past four to five years, the median closed price in Prairie Village has climbed from roughly $400,000 in 2022 to about $519,000 today. That is steady, healthy growth. At the same time, the median price of active listings has moved much more aggressively, now sitting well above $900,000 and even reaching $1.25 million in March. That spread between where homes are selling and where many homes are listed highlights a real pressure point in the market.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Soon, Merriam residents and business owners will get the chance to weigh in on the city’s much-discussed plans to transform its downtown. The Merriam City Council on March 9 took a step forward in its effort to shape the future of the downtown area, unanimously approving a $292,000 contract with Overland Park-based Shockey Consulting to create a downtown master plan. Over the years, Merriam has significantly invested in reshaping its downtown through a decades-long collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to shield the area from the flooding from nearby Turkey Creek. The city has also completed studies, such as its 2040 comprehensive plan and a Merriam Drive connected corridor plan with neighboring cities, that examine the possibilities for the downtown area. Shockey plans to build off those past efforts, according to city documents. Still, some downtown business owners remain concerned about the city’s plans along Merriam Drive, particularly with any flood mitigation steps that could result in razing buildings and displacing businesses. The ongoing purchase of downtown properties and plans to remake Merriam Drive itself have also drawn criticism from business owners in the area.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The Senate and House narrowly passed a bill giving 10% of registered voters in a taxing area the ability to stop some property tax increases, a move one senator called “tyranny of the minority.” Both chambers debated House Bill 2745 Friday. It passed the Senate 22-18 and the House 63-59. It now advances to Gov. Laura Kelly.  Another proposal attempting to change the Kansas Constitution to limit property tax increases was shot down by the House but referred to a conference committee for more discussion. Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603, which needed support from two-thirds of both chambers, failed in the House 59-63. The resolution, which would have been on the August ballot for voters to decide, limits the assessed valuation of residential, commercial, and agricultural  property from jumping more than 9% in any one year. 
Read more: Kansas Reflector

A new documentary from Kansas State University is highlighting food insecurity in southwest Kansas. “Sharing the Harvest,” produced through the Hungry Heartland Project and Engaged Stories Lab, focuses on efforts in Garden City to improve access to food. The film features local organizations working to support families in need, including Emmaus House, La Comunidad church’s mobile food pantry, and the Kansas Food Bank. The project was led by faculty members Tom Hallaq and Valerie Padilla Carroll, with support from student interns funded by the Chapman Center for Rural Studies. “This project represents the power of interdisciplinary storytelling,” Hallaq said in the release. “By combining media expertise with social analysis, our students have captured the resilience of the Garden City community while highlighting the critical need for expanded food access.”
Read more: KCLY Radio

The World Cup comes to Kansas City this summer, and many fans will want to stay up late watching and partying. Kansas is close to approving longer hours for serving alcohol during the event, after Missouri passed its own law, so bars and restaurants don’t lose business across the state line. Kansas law allows bars to serve alcohol from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily, but that could be changing this summer. A bill approved by lawmakers and headed to the governor’s desk would extend alcohol service to 23-hours a day during the World Cup, as a way to compete with Missouri. Zach Boblitt reports for the Kansas News Service from Lawrence.
Read more: KCUR News

The City of Wichita operates 39 boards. There is a proposal coming from the City Manager’s office to reduce or consolidate several of them. The plan was presented on Feb. 24 during the City Council Workshop by Zamaria Ball, the city’s Management Fellow. For the last six months, Ball has been studying the boards and developed a five-part justification matrix to decide whether a board should be consolidated, remain in place, or disbanded. The criteria included inactivity, vacancy duration, scope drift, overlapping missions, and access and transparency. Some, such as the Library Board, the various District Advisory Boards, or Access Advisory Board are state-mandated, “essential to core government functions,” or arose due to a legal settlement. Others, such as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board or Sustainability Integration Board, arose due to public interest or upon the city’s receipt of a federal grant. These are not necessarily “operationally necessary” according to the Wichita Board and Commissions Review Draft Report and subject to evaluation.  
Read more: KLC Journal

The requisite large urn of coffee and boxes of glazed doughnuts sat on the back table as men and women, many clad in fluorescent orange and green, gathered in the Great Bend Columbus Club on a Tuesday morning in February. The occasion was Barton County’s annual township meeting, and officers from many of the county’s 24 townships were on hand. There were updates from county officials on roads, floodplains, 911 and noxious weeds, and sales pitches from vendors selling road graders and culverts. One of those reports was a broken-record ask from County Clerk Bev Schmeidler, who repeatedly makes the pleads for candidates for township offices.
Read more: KLC Journal

Derby Public Library is forgiving overdue book fees — no questions asked — for one month. In April, the library is hosting Amnesty Month, allowing borrowers to return overdue books regardless of how long it’s been. Patrons must visit the library in person and speak to a staff member to have their fees waived. Previously incurred fines can also be waived.
Read more: KSN-TV

Wichita and Sedgwick County leaders continued talks on shared projects at their first joint meeting of the year Tuesday. Out of the five agenda items at the meeting, a discussion on potentially combining city and county fire services garnered hefty discussion. Supporters of this consolidation say it could mean public dollars are paying for one department’s response to emergencies rather than two, without sacrificing response times. They say local governments must adjust their services to meet the region’s growing infrastructure and rising population. Sedgwick County Commissioner Ryan Baty says increased alignment between the two fire departments could help raise efficiency without sacrificing response times.
Read more: KSN-TV

Leaders with the nuclear innovation company TerraPower continue to look at potential plant sites in Kansas. TerraPower has not announced a site in Kansas yet, but company leaders were in Johnson County Tuesday night to discuss where the project stands and what it would mean for growing energy demands. “We’re not ready to announce any sites. Multiple communities in Kansas have kind of raised their hand and said they’re willing to host a Natrium power plant,” said TerraPower CEO Chris Levesque. In December, FOX4 reported that De Soto was one of the many communities across the state that expressed interest in the facility.
Read more: KSN-TV

The City of Topeka is welcoming two new faces in top leadership positions Friday. The City of Topeka announced on March 27 that Jason Tryon and Patricia Biggs will be taking up two major leadership roles within the city’s staff. Tryon will serve as the new director of Public Works, while Biggs will take up the position as chief information officer. Tryon and Biggs replace prior Chief Information Officer Randi Stahl and Public Works Director Steven Groen. The City of Topeka announced their departures from the city’s staff in November last year. Biggs and Tryon were selected as interim fill-ins following the departures of Groen and Stahl.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

A series of grants is helping Lincolnville Fire Department upgrade equipment, improve firefighter safety, and strengthen emergency response across Marion County. In the past year, Lincolnville secured five grants totaling $39,093, fire chief Lester Kaiser said. The money came from a Kansas Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant, Atmos Energy, South Bow Energy, Tri County Telephone, and MFA Oil.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Those who are going to Colwich for the first time in a while will now be greeted by a limestone monument to the town. On March 19, the City of Colwich unveiled its new sign east of Memorial Park. According to the City of Colwich, this is an idea that’s been four years in the making, with the biggest push coming over the last three years.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Douglas County-area law enforcement and first responders have joined a Blue Envelope program to help them better serve people who may respond to emergencies differently from the way officers are expecting. “Not everyone responds the same in dealing with emergent and often stressful circumstances,” according to a Wednesday news from the Lawrence Police Department. “A variety of medical and mental health conditions can also cause people to act in ways that concern first responders and increase tension.” Blue envelopes hold important documentation such as a driver’s license, proof of insurance and registration in one place, but they also explain medical conditions for the community member and the officer. “The envelope gives officers notice that the person might need a little more time, might avoid eye contact, act in ways that appear strange, or could be overwhelmed by lights and noise,” according to the release. Bailey Salsbury, a school resource officer with LPD, learned about the program and worked to coordinate the effort, according to the release. LPD, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, and the KU, Baldwin City and Eudora police departments are all participating.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

A bill on the brink of becoming law in Kansas would incentivize local cooperation with federal immigration authorities and make it a crime to come within 25 feet of a first responder — including an ICE agent — after being ordered to back up. The bill that lawmakers sent to Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk last week would remove the requirement that sheriff’s offices obtain county commission approval before entering into agreements with ICE. That provision was bundled with another piece of legislation that First Amendment advocates warn would give law enforcement officers broad, subjective power to arrest people whom they deem to be distracting them from carrying out their duties. ICE agents themselves would not be allowed to arrest people simply for approaching them under the proposed statute. Only state and local law enforcement officers could enforce the buffer zone. But the legislation is careful to identify federal officers of any agency as first responders — a definition that would be a first in Kansas law.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

A little more than a year after a $450 million bond issue narrowly failed at the polls, Wichita Public Schools said Tuesday that administrators were informally recommending the school board schedule a November bond vote. The district announced a series of community feedback sessions to better assess what parents and residents want to see improved in Wichita schools. The push to revive a bond issue – which the board will consider at its June meeting – comes as officials say a long list of facility needs continues to create problems for the district. Ahead of the 2025 vote, the district cited $1.2 billion in deferred maintenance, and earlier this month the Chester Lewis Academic Learning Center was shuttered before its planned closing date because of structural damage.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

Along Andover Road, the Andover Historical Museum holds a treasure trove of history. “I don’t think there’s a lot of people that even know how deep our roots are,” said Tricia Lee, president of the museum. “I’ve been finding lots of stuff in the 1800s, like boxing was a big thing here.” The museum has been around for decades, and the new board wants to start a new chapter. “Rebuild it and make this an official museum with real exhibits in it,” Lee said. Over the last year, volunteers have gone through each piece inside.
Read more: KSN-TV

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.

On Friday evening, the Kansas Legislature passed S Sub HB 2745 that allows voters (through a protest petition signed by 10% of voters) to effectively veto a budget with property taxes increased beyond the CPI (inflation index), or 3%, whichever is lower.

If not vetoed by the Governor, a number of financial risks could arise for local governments, including …

• Cumulative Revenue Erosion: Because the 3% cap acts as a bottleneck during years of high inflation (it was 8.0% in 2022), property tax revenue could quickly fall behind actual costs, creating a permanent ever-growing revenue gap.
• Loss of the “Gold Standard” in Municipal Bonding: The bill restricts the ability of local governments to issue unlimited tax general obligation (ULTGO) bonds backed by the issuer’s authority to levy property taxes as necessary in order to ensure repayment of principal and interest due in-full and on-time.
• Bond Rating Downgrades: The bill could trigger downgrades of municipal bond ratings, making it harder for cities and counties to secure affordable financing for infrastructure and other critical projects.
• Higher Debt Service Costs: The loss of ULTGO authority would result in higher interest rates on future borrowing, increasing long-term debt service costs and placing additional strain on already limited local budgets.
• Difficulty Selling Debt: With the loss of ULTGO authority, selling debt at reasonable interest rates may become difficult, if not impossible (especially for small and medium sized cities) leading to increased borrowing costs and limited access to capital markets.
• Existing Debt: Existing obligations that depend on planned future tax revenue could require cuts to essential services, such as police, fire, or public works.
• Mid-Stream Project Terminations: Projects that are currently underway but not yet fully bonded could be forced to stop, resulting in “half-completed” infrastructure and wasted investments if future funds dry up.
• Canceled Planned Projects: Any planned projects may have to be canceled if bond funding can no longer be secured, stalling community development and improvements.
• Returned Grants: Grants already awarded to local governments might need to be returned if they require a local funding match that is no longer feasible.
• Loss of Economic Development and Housing Opportunities: Without access to financing, cities may be unable to support or attract new businesses and housing development, undermining job creation, housing availability, and local economic growth.

If the Governor does veto this bill, the Legislature still could attempt an override or additional legislation for the remainder of the 2026 session.

To discuss specific projects or concerns, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor.