Kansas Municipal News
Funding approved to continue anti-violence program in Wichita
The Wichita City Council has voted to provide additional funding to a program aimed at reducing gun violence in the community. The violence interrupter program began in 2021 when the city engaged Chicago-based Cure Violence Global to develop a program. Working through Wichita State University and a local organization called Destination Innovation, the program identified two areas in Wichita to begin its efforts. The program was set up in the area of 21st Street North and I-135 and in the area of Harry and Oliver. It uses trained professionals, case management and neighborhood-based services.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Rose Hill school bond issue approved by voters
Voters in the Rose Hill school district in Sedgwick and Butler counties have approved a bond issue of almost $20 million for school improvements. The vote in Sedgwick County was 567 yes and 341 no, while Butler County voters approved the bond issue with 1,901 yes votes and 997 no votes. The proposed bond totals $19,995,000 and is designed to deliver essential upgrades without increasing the current 17 mills tax rate. The bond issue will fund secure entrances and storm shelters and other safety and security improvements. It will also provide for mechanical system upgrades and more classroom space.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Voters say no to library tax district expansion
Arkansas City Public Library officials vowed to carry on after voters rejected expanding the library’s taxing district by fewer than 400 votes on Tuesday. They might even try again. The question before the roughly 15,000 voters within the 470 school district boundaries was whether to expand the library’s taxing boundaries from the city limits to the school district, which would generate about $250,000 more in operating revenue for the library. Voters said no by 359 votes, or 53.3% to 46.6%, according to the unofficial tally posted by the Cowley County Clerk’s office. A similar proposal involving the Udall Public Library did pass, 540 votes to 369. Ark City library board chair Shawna Allison said the board and director Mendy Pfannenstiel will have to discuss what the plans are moving forward, including how programs and services will be affected since the City of Arkansas City has not provided full funding for the library the past two years. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
KCC is laying groundwork to make Home Rebates available in Kansas and wants your input
The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is moving closer to launching the Kansas Home Rebates Program to help Kansas households lower energy costs and improve the comfort of their homes. Under the program, established by the Inflation Reduction Act, Kansas is set to receive $105.6 million to lower energy costs for low to moderate income households. The KCC has partnered with HORNE, a nationally recognized professional services firm, to assist the agency with the program design, application development, and implementation process. As a part of the program planning process, the KCC is scheduling engagement sessions with stakeholders (Kansas utility companies, contractors, other State agencies, and the community) to ensure the Home Rebates program is tailored to meet the Sunflower state’s needs.
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Overland Park to limit heights of apartment buildings. See the new construction rules
The Overland Park City Council approved new standards that will limit the height of new apartment buildings in certain areas. The council voted Monday to amend development standards for multi-family housing that would streamline construction in some ways, while setting new restrictions in others. The changes are a step in a broader process in Overland Park to update standards and accommodate the city’s plans for future multi-family housing. City staff recommended the updates for various reasons, including to reflect the current state of construction projects and proposals coming to the city; stay in line with existing city practice; complement existing neighborhoods; and respond to community input, according to information presented at the meeting. The new rules include a five-story height limit on new apartment buildings in some areas and restrictions on how close apartments can be placed in proximity to lower-density neighborhoods. The council narrowly approved the new rules in a 7-5 vote, with Mayor Curt Skoog providing the necessary seventh vote.
Source: KC Star Local News
City of Wichita introduces new downtown parking plan option
In the final meeting to discuss paid parking in downtown, Old Town, and Delano, another option is now on the table for the City Council to consider. The City of Wichita introduced a new downtown parking plan option during a public meeting Thursday evening. During the meeting, Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson reviewed the four options outlined last week before introducing the new fifth option. Former Wichita Police Department officer John David Crane has first-hand experience patrolling parking. “I was in the traffic bureau of the Wichita Police Department for six of my 25 years,” he said. Despite several options for paid parking, Crane said he needs more information. “There’s a lot of questions that need to be answered,” he said.
Source: KSN-TV
Final Topeka police chief candidates interact with community during meet and greet
A pool that started with 18 applicants is now down to two candidates: Russell Klumpp and Chris Vallejo. Community members had the chance to interact with both of them at a meet and greet at Hotel Topeka on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Major Klumpp is a lifelong Topekan and has been with the Topeka Police Department (TPD) for nearly 30 years. 16 of those years have come at the command level. With an understanding of the Topeka community, he says community relations is always the top priority. And then there’s Chris Vallejo. Although he’s not from Topeka, or the Sunflower State for that matter, he has three decades of law enforcement experience under his belt. From training, to investigation, to patrol in Austin, Texas with a metropolitan area of over a million people and two million metro.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Voters reject sales tax; elect Brocker
On Election Day, Allen County picked a new county commissioner and voted down a half-cent sales tax that would have shifted the burden of funding EMS away from property taxes. A commissioner who proposed the sales tax said the county could try again.
Source: The Iola Register
Provisional Ballots Could Change Marshall County Sales Tax Vote | Unofficial Marshall County Election Results
In a race too close to call, extension of a half-cent sales tax in Marshall County, toward operations at Community Memorial Healthcare trails on election night by just eight votes, 2,325 no, and 2,317 yes. There are 164 provisional ballots to be counted, and mail in ballots postmarked today could also affect the eventual outcome. As it stands with all 30 precincts reporting in Marshall County, the hospital sales tax trails by eight votes with 4,642 counted. It will likely come down to a canvas of ballots by county commissioners to decide the final total.
Source: The Sunflower State Radio Network
Sales tax renewed; benefits to Great Bend going forward
With more than 70% of the vote Tuesday in favor of the initiative, Great Bend citizens decided to renew the half-cent sales tax that assists with capital improvements, economic development and property tax reduction. There were 3,371 “yes” votes to renew the tax compared to 1,418 “no” votes.
Source: Great Bend Post
Russell passes sales tax to help fund R9 water project
Russell residents on Tuesday approved a 3/4-cent city sales tax that will support water infrastructure, including expenses related to the R9 Ranch water project. The ballot measure passed with 1,196 yes votes to 651 no votes—64.75% to 35.25%.
Source: Hays Post
Douglas County commissioners approve measures to maximize the impact of unspent ARPA funds
Douglas County commissioners learned on Wednesday that only around 72% of the federal funding they distributed through the American Rescue Plan Act has been utilized, and they approved measures to maximize the money’s impact before the end-of-the-year deadline to spend it. In July 2022, the county awarded $23,747,378 in ARPA funding — which is emergency funding to help state and local governments respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic — to support 51 projects for internal and external partners.
Source: LJWorld
Lawrence City Commission set to vote on sweeping Land Development Code next week
Lawrence city commissioners at their meeting Tuesday will consider adopting a new Land Development Code for the city, which would govern how developments in the city are built, from lot sizes to parking requirements. The project to update the city’s code, which has not been updated since 2006, started in 2022 and aims to establish a simpler and more consistent set of development procedures and help the city better achieve goals in its Plan 2040 strategic plan — including building more density in housing and affordable housing.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for November 6, 2024
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.
Falling Rates, Rising Tax Risk Give Some Shine to Muni Bonds
Municipal bond issuance in the U.S. is heating up as local governments ramp up borrowing and investors gobble up the low-risk securities. … local governments have needed to borrow more as the massive federal stimulus received during the pandemic wears off. Issuances also are increasing in size, as the cost of projects become more expensive due to rising prices for materials, labor and services. Meanwhile, as the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, yield-seeking investors have more reason to park their cash in munis.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets
Ballot questions pass in Barton and Pawnee Counties
Voters in Great Bend, Ellinwood, and Pawnee County all had special election questions on their ballots Tuesday and all three passed. Great Bend’s half-cent sales tax will continue, Ellinwood USD 355’s bond issue was approved, and in Pawnee County, establishments will be able to sell liquor by the drink without a minimum food sales requirement.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Lawrence voters approve expanding affordable housing sales tax, providing more funding for homelessness services in city
Lawrence voters on Tuesday approved a referendum that will double the city’s affordable housing sales tax to help provide more funding for services to help people experiencing homelessness. A total of 20,923 voters, or 53.32%, voted “yes” on the ballot initiative to raise the affordable housing sales tax from 0.05% to 0.10%, according to the unofficial results from the Douglas County elections office; 18,314, or 46.68%, voted against the increase.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for November 5, 2024
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.
Lawrence voters reject proposal that would have altered structure of city government and added a direct mayoral race
Lawrence voters on Tuesday narrowly rejected a referendum that would have altered the city’s structure of government, voting down a proposal that would have included a direct mayoral election and additional commissioners in the city, with some voted on by districts and others serving at large. A total of 18,815 Lawrence voters, or 50.86%, chose “no” on the referendum, according to the unofficial vote totals from the Douglas County elections office with 100% of precincts reporting, while 18,178 voted “yes”, or 49.14%. That means the city government will keep its current format, with five city commissioners who choose one of their own members to serve as mayor each year.
Source: LJWorld
Finned friends find home in Halstead City Hall
Halstead City Hall has a new face to greet the public in the form of a betta fish. Deputy Clerk Bre Connell started introducing the fish to the office several months ago after loving the ones she had at home. Connell first brought “Swim Shady” from her home to the office.
Source: Harvey County Now