Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Selection process to bring historical horse racing facility to Sedgwick County begins Tuesday

The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission will begin the selection process to bring a historical horse racing facility to Sedgwick County on Tuesday. The Mayor of Park City says that it’s been a 16-year-long battle to bring a facility like this to the area. in 2007, the Wichita Greyhound Park closed shortly after Sedgwick County voters said “no” to slot machines. Now with the possibility of the park being given new life, the Mayor says the City Council is hoping that will happen but says both proposals could mean significant opportunities for the city and south-central Kansas.
Source: KSN-TV

Lawrence city managers draft 2024 budget includes $2M new homeless programs department

… the City of Lawrence is planning to create a department specifically focused on unhoused people. The Lawrence city manager’s proposed budget for 2024 includes creation of a Homeless Programs Department with a budget of $2 million. The draft budget anticipates about $471.3 million in total expenditures in 2024. “Affordable housing and homelessness were the top identified issues facing our community during the strategic planning process,” City Manager Craig Owens wrote in his 2024 budget memo to the commission. City commissioners will review the draft budget Tuesday during their regular meeting at City Hall. The budget discussion will be a work session, so the commissioners will provide feedback and hear public comment but will not take any binding votes on the budget. There are more than 200 people experiencing homelessness in Lawrence currently, according to the city’s estimates, which city and county staff members have consistently said is likely much lower than the true number. The city is not a service provider. Instead, the city provides emergency and sanctuary shelter, giving providers such as Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) access to the population.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Hillsboro makes plans to honor former city leaders

Honoring two former city leaders who have recently died was a topic of discussion at the Hillsboro City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 27. City Administrator Matt Stiles said, “In the last few months, we have had some pretty big losses for community leaders—Delores Dalke and Larry Paine. Delores spent decades on the council and as mayor. Larry Paine was here for over 13 years and moved a lot of things forward for the city.” Stiles went on to say that he and Mayor Lou Thurston have discussed both leaders’ service and possible ways to honor their impact on the community. “The mayor talked to the families and the ideas kind of bubbled up that maybe we could dedicate some of the projects that they worked on to them. Delores was a really big driving force for getting the swimming pool done. It required a sales tax vote, and it took a lot of effort and a big heavy lift to get anything like that done,” said Stiles. “We would propose maybe looking at naming the pool The Delores Dalke Family Aquatic Center. It would be kind of an appropriate thing. I think her sons would like that based on the conversations the mayor’s had with them.” Stiles said that they also spoke with Paine’s family about naming the splash park after Paine as he was instrumental in getting the splash park and community plaza going as well. One suggestion was the Larry Paine Memorial Splash Pad.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Topeka’s city leaders may toughen rules against retaliatory eviction

A proposal Topeka’s mayor and city council will consider Tuesday would add “the hammer” to city rules regarding retaliatory evictions, says Councilwoman Karen Hiller. The measure would allow for landlords to be fined and/or jailed for committing acts of retaliation against tenants in good standing who are acting within their legal rights. “We’ve got to protect those folks,” Topeka City Councilman Spencer Duncan said at a June 21 meeting of the council’s public health and safety committee.
Source: CJonline

Auditors assert state law violated on spending of aid for at-risk students

The Kansas Legislature’s auditors produced the second report in four years highlighting violations of state law in distribution by public school districts of millions of dollars in state funding earmarked for students at risk of failing academically. The latest audit concentrated on $406 million appropriated during the 2021-2022 academic year to improve achievement of students who qualified for the federal free-lunch program. The Kansas State Department of Education had provided districts a list of 272 at-risk program options. The new report said none of 40 programs selected at random for review by auditors met statutory criteria. Many programs lacked evidence of success in delivery of academic support useful to struggling students, the audit said.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Derby moving forward on wastewater plant upgrades

As the city of Derby continues to make progress on larger-scale plans to improve the water and wastewater needs of the community, a common issue has come up – long lead times in purchase of construction equipment for projects. With phase one of Derby’s wastewater treatment plant improvements nearing completion, staff and council took action at the June 27 meeting to help keep that process moving, approving multiple equipment purchases for planned future upgrades at the plant. The project is currently scheduled to be bid in late 2023. However, with lead times up to a year (some longer), City Engineer Alex Lane proposed moving up the purchase of some items – like screening equipment and electrical gear.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Officials work to deliver weather warnings to Spanish-speaking population in southwest Kansas

Kansas Reflector National Weather Service meteorologists and media professionals in southwest Kansas are working to reach more underserved populations by offering bilingual weather information. NWS-Dodge City meteorologist-in-charge Lindon Steadman said his office is creating and distributing materials, such as safety posters, that are printed in both Spanish and English.
Source: Garden City Telegram

WPD proposing new regulations on Wichita party buses

Rakestraw is talking about party buses, and he says they are a problem in Wichita. “Over the last several years, we’ve had several incidents involving party buses, mainly with the younger crowd that get on there. There’s really no regulation of them. It goes out over social media that there’s, you know, that they’ve got the party bus, and people show up there. There’s no oversight over those,” he said. Rakestraw says it’s a problem he sees trending in a concerning direction.
Source: KAKE – News

Hutchinson police cracking down on unsanctioned fights

The Hutchinson Police Department (HPD) is cracking down on kids and teens involved in a fight club group that police say has evolved into jumping people and capturing it on video. HPD says the fights are set up in public and private locations, and in a Facebook post, screenshotted an Instagram account that appears to be setting them up. Some fights are scheduled, but there have been some that are not. In some cases, police say kids are getting beaten, which is being recorded and then passed around.
Source: KSN-TV

Battling blight: Wichita plans to spend more to deal with unsightly unsafe properties

Wichitans have had it with overgrown weeds, garbage-laden yards and dilapidated houses. Code enforcement scored the lowest — 24% approval — of all city services included in Wichita’s 2022 resident survey. The proposed 2024-2025 city budget aims to boost enforcement efforts, with an additional $112,000 for nuisance abatement next year and an extra $100,000 for the demolition of structures deemed dangerous and unsafe. “We are seeing an increase in nuisance conditions and blight in some areas,” said Chris Labrum, director of the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, which is responsible for inspections, notifying property owners of violations and bidding out work to contractors when owners fail to make fixes on their own.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Chanute celebrates 150th

An estimated 600 people Saturday came out to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Chanute’s founding in downtown Chanute. “I think that it was a success,” said Jane Brophy, executive director of the Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism. Mayor Jacob LaRue agreed, stating he was excited about the turnout. “I think it was just a phenomenal, great day,” LaRue said. He enjoyed the community coming together to celebrate Chanute and each other. “I think it was a nice break from the mundane,” he added.
Source: The Chanute Tribune

Columbus hosts its annual Freedom Fest event

Columbus, Kansas [hosted] its annual Freedom Fest, organized by the Columbus Fire Rescue department. The festivities are taking place at Columbus City Park and will be filled with fun activities for people of all ages to enjoy. The day kicks off with a morning 5K run/walk and a Kid’s 1-mile fun run, sponsored by CUHS Softball and the Rec Commission, with all proceeds going to Titan Softball. At 5 PM, the main event, Freedom Fest, begins. The Columbus Fire Department will be serving delicious burgers and hot dogs from the Lions Shack, while the American Legion will be providing adult beverages.
Source: KOAM News

Fredonia hosts its first-ever Independence Celebration

Local residents [hosted] the first-ever Independence Celebration in Fredonia, Kansas. Organizers Shallon and Tyler Decker say their event aims to raise money for non-profit organizations and local first responders. The theme is “Honoring Our Hometown Heroes,” and the main event is a BBQ cook-off between the Fredonia Police Department, Fredonia EMS, and Wilson County Sheriff’s Department. Meal tickets will be sold, and the proceeds will be divided equally among the departments. The celebration will also include free bingo, kid activities, a cornhole tournament, and a firework display.
Source: KOAM News

Municipal Bond Trends for July 7, 2023

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.

Its all about children and teens in Lenexa. Heres what to know about picnic market

Lenexa Public Market and City Hall will focus on the younger crowd with the return of two popular events this month: the Kid Makers Market and the Teddy Bear Picnic. Both events will be held on Saturday. The Kid Makers Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lenexa City Hall, 17101 W. 87th St. Parkway. It is expected to feature more than 40 vendors selling artwork, baked goods and food, bath and body products, crochet, jewelry and accessories. “At its heart, the Lenexa Public Market is focused on creating a space where the community can gather, spend time, create and enjoy the community they live in,” said Tessa Adcock, Lenexa Public Market manager.
Source: Joco 913 News

Derby Police Chief brings decorated career to a close

During his college days, even working as a fence salesman, Derby Police Chief Robert Lee wasn’t on the fence about a career as a police officer – he wasn’t even anywhere near it. Lee admitted he wasn’t considering that type of work in any capacity until a chance sales call changed his trajectory. While Lee was selling a fence to former Wichita Police Department Lt. Charlie Franklin, he got the recruiting spiel. Then, a few months later Franklin reached about by phone to hook Lee even more and he was sold. “The more I learned about, the more I thought about … ‘my goodness, what a great job that would be and what a way to make a difference in people’s lives.’ That’s what drew me to it,” Lee said.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Finney County discusses redistricting for precincts districts

Finney County Commissioners discussed redistricting at its regular meeting Monday. Dori Munyan, Finney County clerk and election officer, said the Finney County Election office is going to initiate a redistricting project to “consolidate and clean up our voting districts or precincts.” The redistricting will be based on the 2020 Census data to hopefully reduce the number of precincts in the county, of which there are 71. Munyan said when she took office in 2018 Finney County had 28 precincts, but after some administrative clean up in 2018 they ended up with 41 precincts, but after the legislative redistricting it increased to 71.
Source: Garden City Telegram

State officials explain possible ramifications of USD 112 vote to dissolve

Two representatives from the Kansas State Department of Education met with patrons of USD 112 Central Plains on June 27 to answer questions about the upcoming Aug. 1 vote. The vote will give patrons of the district the option to disorganize with a “yes” vote or remain the same with a “no” vote. “I’m not here to convince you how to vote,” said Scott Gordon, general counsel for KSDE. “I want you to know what will happen afterward. “You may have heard rumors or information from people who say they’re on the inside. They don’t know what they’re talking about. Nobody knows what they’re talking about.”
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Larned council tackles water issues

Water issues dominated agenda discussion at the Larned City Council’s meeting Monday. In the first item of new business, the council approved the establishment of a Water Rights Task Force followed up with the purchase of a new rotary fan press filtration unit for the city’s wastewater plant. City Manager Brad Eilts told the council that the statutory window was closing on the city’s ability to secure water rights for the community based on peak usage. For the past four decades, the city has operated under an unsecured water right to consume 601.2 million gallons annually. By state statute, a community has 40 years to acquire and perfect a water right amount. For Larned, that period of time expired in 2019, at which time the City of Larned applied for and received a five-year extension.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Wichita hopes to get homeless veteran population to functional zero by 2024

The City of Wichita is partnering with United Way of the Plains, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Sedgwick County to effectively end veteran homelessness in Wichita by the end of next year. “Homelessness is a complex social issue,” says United Way of the Plains president Pete Najera. “And it will take a collective community response to bring it to functional zero.”
The City of Wichita’s Housing and Community Services department will play a crucial role in achieving the goal. Director Sally Stang said that the department plans to work with landlords on finding a way to provide the roughly 32 veterans a place to stay. “We’re gonna have to prove that we’ve got a system in play that as new veterans enter into homelessness, it’s brief and non recurring, and that we have systems in place to quickly move them into housing,” Stang said.
Source: KAKE – News

WPD looking at changes to code after being called out to City Nightz multiple times in last year

Since June of 2022, the Wichita Police Department says it has responded to 13 different incidents at City Nightz including the shooting there over the weekend that injured 11 people.
Of those 13 incidents, six were either simple battery, aggravated battery or aggravated assault. Wichita Police Chief Joseph Sullivan told KAKE on Monday he is working with the city’s law department to see what sort of new ordinances could be put into place for the department to better deal with businesses who are repeat offenders. “Give me more bite, if you will, so that I can take stronger action and more immediate action when we have incidents or a series of incidents that emanate from the same club,” said Chief Sullivan.
Source: KAKE – News

Chalk the Town colors Hutchinson with positivity

The City of Hutchison, Downtown Hutchison and Kara Vaughn hosted their second day of the 2023 Chalk the Town Event at Carey Park Sunday. The event was inspired by Vaughn’s viral TikTok video. The video gained over 30 million views when Vaughn’s landlord told her to remove her chalk art. In response, Downtown Hutchinson and the City of Hutchinson teamed up with Vaughn to host the two-day event. Participants were able to take part in demonstrations and prize drawings, as well as a scavenger hunt to find chalk creations around the park. Despite her situation, Vaughn says she is excited to bring a positive event like Chalk the Town to the community. “It means so much to me just to see how much the community could come together last minute to pull something off that is really important and just to spread a positive message, and I’m super excited,” Vaughn said.

Source: KSN-TV

Mission to consider updating tax abatement policy

The Mission City Council is set to consider an updated tax abatement policy later this month. This comes after two developers for separate apartment projects, 58 Nall and Milhaus, asked the city for tax abatements in the last year…. The policy was drafted following a May 31 city council work session and presented to the finance and administration committee on July 5. … developers who are approved for a tax abatement in Mission would pay 55% of their property taxes to the city. Developers must meet eight criteria in order to qualify for the 45% tax abatement, including a minimum capital investment of $3 million and proven economic benefit to the community. The policy states a 75% tax abatement is the maximum for any project for 10 years, “except in extraordinary circumstances,” according to city documents.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Kansas audit of election security exposes strengths weaknesses of voting systems

The auditing division of the Kansas Legislature reported Thursday election officials in more than a dozen counties studied maintained adequate overall security practices and management of election computers but raised questions about the security of ballots and vote tabulation machines. The objective of the review was to provide a partial picture of Kansas’ election security by comparing practices in Kansas against a set of policies recommended by federal election regulators. “Our results showed Kansas counties have many practices for ensuring the accuracy and security of elections,” the report delivered to House and Senate members said. “They’re also missing or have weak practices in several important areas. That means security isn’t as good as it could or should be.”
Source: The Lawrence Times

Municipal Bond Trends for July 6, 2023

Desire for Interest on Deposits Is Bad for Main Street Banks

When the Fed started raising interest rates to fight inflation, the conventional wisdom was that it would be a boon for Main Street banks. They were expected to increase the rates they charged on loans faster than those paid to depositors, pocketing the difference. Instead, the opposite is happening. The Fed’s hikes and the failures of a trio of midsize banks are prompting once-loyal customers to pull their money out of checking accounts that pay no interest. Banks are paying much higher rates on the deposits they are retaining, which is eclipsing the benefit of charging more on loans. They also are hoarding cash and tapping high-cost loans in response to the recent failures.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets

Anyone missing a pet in the Wichita area? This one is hard to miss Kansas police say

Andover police Lt. Joe Hardy got one of the strangest calls he’s had in his decades in law enforcement Wednesday. “I got a call that somebody had a giant, 10-foot-plus python in their yard,” he said. “I was thinking it would not be a python. So I went out there and I was like, ‘Wow, for once the reporting party is actually totally correct.’” The 10-foot report was conservative. An animal handler who was then called guessed it was more like 15 feet. Andover allows only snakes under 6 feet. Hardy thinks the yellow and white snake is a Burmese python, which is native to southeast Asia. It’s believed the python is someone’s pet. … The woman who called 911 was getting ready to walk her dog when she saw the python balled up next to her carport, Hardy said.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Fed sees more rate hikes ahead but at a slower pace meeting minutes show

Almost all Federal Reserve officials at their June meeting indicated further policy tightening is likely, if at a slower pace than the rapid-fire rate increases that had characterized monetary policy since early 2022, according to minutes released Wednesday. Policymakers decided against a rate increase amid concerns over economic growth, even though most members think further hikes are on the way. Citing the lagged impact of policy and other concerns, they saw room to skip the June meeting after enacting 10 straight rate increases. Officials felt that “leaving the target range unchanged at this meeting would allow them more time to assess the economy’s progress toward the Committee’s goals of maximum employment and price stability.”
Source: CNBC – Bonds

A tourism hub in Eudora? City proposes a $40M to $50M entertainment district with a 5,000-seat venue

As Panasonic’s battery plant prepares to supercharge job growth along Kansas Highway 10, Eudora has a plan to electrify the area’s tourism scene, too: a 5,000-seat entertainment venue and a slew of new retail and dining options. The proposed development, which would be just south of K-10 and could cost between $40 million and $50 million, is still early in the planning stages, Mayor Tim Reazin told the Journal-World — so early that it doesn’t even have a name yet. But he and other Eudora leaders have high hopes for this entertainment district project — they envision the entertainment venue hosting a variety of concerts and sporting events, and they say it could generate $5 million in annual revenue and attract half a million visitors a year.
Source: LJWorld

Lawrence’s Historic Resources Code will soon get its first update since being adopted in 1988

The chapter of Lawrence’s city code responsible for creating the local register of historic places and establishing the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission will soon get its first update in more than three decades, and city planning staff hopes those changes will make the code clearer and more streamlined. The Conservation of Historic Resources Code was first adopted nearly 35 years ago in late 1988, and the Historic Resources Commission is now seeking further public feedback before making any changes official. Historic Resources Administrator Lynne Braddock Zollner spoke with the Journal-World Wednesday and detailed a few of them.
Source: LJWorld

KANcycle bike sharing expands into Lindsborg, supporting community health and recreation

Lindsborg locals and visitors alike now have a new way to cruise around Little Sweden USA. A bike-sharing program through OCCK Transportation known as KANcycle officially launched in the small town this week. Lindsborg city leaders met for a ribbon-cutting and a celebratory “thank you” to partners who helped expand the program across rural Kansas. KANcycle got its start in June 2019, and now boasts 80 bikes and 16 stations located in Belleville, Beloit, Concordia, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Mankato, Minneapolis, Salina, and now, Lindsborg. The ride-share program aims to provide convenient, affordable access to bicycles as an easy, fun, healthy and eco-friendly means of transportation and recreation.
Source: Salina Journal

Kansas taxes $874M over estimates

Kansas taxpayers paid more to tax collectors than expected over the past 12 months, and politicians are eyeing tax cuts next year after failing to agree on how to provide tax relief this year. Taxpayers paid roughly $10.2 billion in taxes to Kansas state government in the past fiscal year, with tax receipts to the State General Fund beating original projections by $874 million, according to newly released data from the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Source: CJonline

One sport impacted all parks. Heres why flexibility is key to Lenexas master plan

The need to update how people in Lenexa enjoy nature, get exercise and pursue leisure activities can be summed up in one word: pickleball. “The last time we did a master plan was 2012. The word pickleball wasn’t even in the plan,” said Logan Wagler, the city of Lenexa’s director of parks and recreation. Now the wildly popular paddle sport is among the items being discussed as Lenexa updates its parks and recreation master plan. It’s a year-long process that will identify a 10-year vision for program offerings, general capital improvements, facility management, park amenities, and future parks and trails locations. And while developing the plan is important, it needs to be flexible.
Source: Joco 913 News

Shorter lines? Sedgwick County to open new satellite office for tag and tax customers

Sedgwick County is opening a new tag and tax office in Park City that will serve customers two days a month by appointment. The new office, located inside the Park City Administration Building at 1941 E. 61st St. North, will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. on the second and third Wednesday of each month. … “I’m happy to be able to offer this added convenience to residents in the Park City area,” county Treasurer Brandi Baily said in a news release.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Marion County blocks making cryptocurrency

County commissioners voted Monday to prohibit noisy data centers for development of cryptocurrency. Although nobody has submitted an application to build a facility, the resolution officially withdraws applications from consideration until the planning and zoning board develops regulations. Operations require great amounts of electricity, and computer cooling fans create noise, commissioner Dave Crofoot said. He said the amount of electricity required could cause shortages for the rest of the county.
Source: Marion County RECORD

New Great Bend city administrator takes seat at meeting

Recently hired new Great Bend City Administrator Brandon Anderson took his seat in the City Council Chamber for the first time Monday night. “We’ll start off and welcome Brandon here,” said Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns, who has been filling in as interim city administrator. “We’re very happy he’s here, and we’re looking forward to the many things that he’s going to be able to help us accomplish.” Anderson, who was hired in May, officially began his duties in Great Bend on June 30. … A Caney, Kansas, native, Anderson is a 1995 Kansas State University graduate who has served as the city manager in Levelland, Texas, since 2006. Levelland is a town of 12,652 residents west of Lubbock.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Municipal Bond Trends for July 5, 2023

USD 457 Board updates district discipline policy

The USD 457 Board of Education approved separating the operation of the Garden City High School girls’ and boys’ wrestling programs at its regularly scheduled meeting on June 22. The separation aligns the district at all levels as the as the programs are already separated at the middle school level. Also at the meeting, the board approved updates to the district’s Discipline Policy, which was last updated in 1998. There will be separate policies for grade levels PK-second grade, third to sixth grade, and seventh to 12th grade. Each policy includes five levels of discipline.
Source: Garden City Telegram

New way-finding signs coming to GB

To help folks find their way around town, the Great Bend City Council Monday night gave its nod to the installation of new city way-finding signs. The bid went to Mark’s Custom Signs of Great Bend for $44,950 for 15 markers. “One of the city’s Strategic Plan goals was to replace all the way-finding signs in town so that they look cohesive with our welcome signs and create inviting directional signage to the points of interest and city locations,” said Christina Hayes, Convention and Visitors Bureau director and community coordinator.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Less than a year after starting Wichitas parkrun draws tourists as well as locals

In January, an Australian couple took time out of their three-week vacation at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, to fly to Wichita for a weekend so they could participate in the Exploration Place parkrun. At the end of June, a Chicago-area couple drove from Illinois to run in the weekly event that takes participants on a 3.1-mile route along the Arkansas River. Both couples said they likely wouldn’t have traveled to Wichita if not for the lure of completing one of the newest parkruns in the U.S. A parkrun is a free, weekly 5K that is open to walkers, runners, volunteers, spectators and even leashed dogs accompanied by their owners. The concept started in 2004 in west London when a small group of runners wanted to provide a free-for-all timed event to encourage inclusiveness and wellbeing. Their lofty goal was to create a healthier, happier planet by encouraging people to get involved on a regular basis, either as a volunteer or a participant.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Johnson County creates new diversity sustainability boards

Two new citizen advisory boards on diversity and sustainability were voted into existence by the Johnson County Commission last Thursday after extended discussion, particularly on the implications of a diversity group. The advisory groups – called coalitions – can each have up to 15 members appointed by Chairman Mike Kelly and subject to approval by the full commission. The diversity coalition also had supporters amongst the public speakers. Justice Horn, chair of the Kansas City LGBTQ Commission, said the idea was “long overdue for folks across this community to feel like they have a place in Johnson County.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

Derby Fire Department holds annual open house event

This year marks the fifth annual open house event in which the Derby community showed up to see fire trucks and learn about firework safety. “Derby’s a great place and we just knew it was going to be a great experience for them,” Said Brittany Henning. “And didn’t want to miss anything.” Brittany and Patrick Henning are originally from Maize but traveled with their kids to Derby to see the parade and open house this morning. They have become more fire aware recently and have made sure to prepare for emergencies. “We looked into it a while ago, bought a few things for safety for our house and things like that,” Henning said. “And I think this (event) really makes people go ‘oh wow that really is an issue’.”
Source: KAKE – News

New federal funding will help Kansas build out broadband infrastructure

Nearly half a billion dollars worth of federal funding is going to build Kansas’ broadband infrastructure. For Jacquelyne Leffler, the last three years have been a whirlwind for her ranch up in Americus Kansas, near Emporia. She started directly selling her beef online in 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. “No one could find beef on the grocery store shelves, and I thought I’m gonna really capitalize on this and I sold to over 1500 people that year and did 170 head of cattle,” said Leffler. She says sales numbers have stayed at that level since 2020 but notes one thing that hasn’t been able to keep up is her internet service. She does 90% of her sales online as well as track data when farming.
Source: KAKE – News