Kansas Municipal News
Commissioners vote to approve solar panel agreements
Bourbon County Commissioners on Thursday approved measures concerning the hot-button issue of solar projects in the county, although the votes were not unanimous. During the meeting, the commission discussed and later approved by a 2-1 vote a resolution rescinding the moratorium implemented in April on future solar projects, and termination of agreements with Hinton Creek Solar LLC, as well as a development agreement, road agreements and decommissioning agreements with Doral, NextEra and Advance Power for future solar projects.
Source: Fort Scott Tribune
Wichita’s emergency winter shelter will operate around the clock. Here’s when and where
The city of Wichita is moving forward with plans to open its emergency winter shelter in the former Park Elementary building around Thanksgiving. The shelter will be part of the planned multi-agency center for homeless services at Park. The City Council is poised to approve two contracts for the center Tuesday: one for more than $6.3 million of renovations to the building, and another to allow HumanKind to operate the emergency shelter this winter.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Municipal Bond Trends for October 31, 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.
Judge rules lawsuit against Olathe cop for fatal shooting can go ahead
A lawsuit against an Olathe police officer who shot and killed a man in a mental health crisis on New Year’s Eve in 2022, as well as the city of Olathe, can move forward. In a ruling published this week, Judge Julie Robinson of the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas, denied parts of the officer’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, ruling that the officer is not eligible for qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that permits some government officials — like police officers — to avoid personal liability in some instances. The judge also declined to dismiss the city as a defendant in the lawsuit. However, the judge did dismiss one of the claims as they pertained to the officer in his official capacity.
Source: Johnson County Post
Prank 911 call leads to lockdown at Overland Park elementary school
Police officials say a prank 911 call prompted a lockdown at an Overland Park elementary school earlier this week. Overland Park officers responded to Sunrise Point Elementary School, 15800 Roe Ave., at 9:23 a.m. Tuesday after a Veterans Affairs Crisis Line received a threat. Sunrise Point school is part of the Blue Valley School District. Officer John Lacy, a spokesperson for Overland Park Police, said the crisis line reported that an armed subject was threatening to kill children at the school.
Source: Johnson County Post
Elsmore residents want housing, infrastructure
A Community Conversation allowed Elsmore residents to talk about their priorities and challenges. They talked about the need for short-term rental housing with an RV park or small rentals for hunters or those visiting the lake. They also want help with drainage and ditches. Infrastructure and housing top the list of priorities for Elsmore residents. The small community held a Community Conversation Oct. 22 to discuss what they enjoy about their town, as well as what areas need improvement. Allen County Commissioners received an update on the conversation Tuesday morning from Thrive Director of Community Engagement Marcia Davis. She noted that the conversation had 10 residents in attendance, as well as Commissioner David Lee and Road and Bridge Director Jeremy Hopkins.
Source: The Iola Register
Law enforcement use of county airport runway sparks discussion
Managing editor Sheriff’s deputy training at the airport was a topic of discussion at Monday’s Board of County Commission meeting. Both commissioner Raleigh Ordoyne and Road and Bridge supervisor Jimmy Workman observed several sheriff’s deputies’ patrol vehicles with flashing lights at the airport last week.
Source: Backroads News
School bond up for vote to improve handful of KCK schools
In August of this year, the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education approved a $180 million bond issue for voters to take up in November. It would allow for three new schools to be built, along with facility upgrades and improvements. One of the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools in need of major renovations is Central Middle School.
Source: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports
Goessel City Council approves chicken ordinance
The Goessel city council met on Oct. 21 and approved Ordinance #311, concerning the number of hens that are allowed. Specifically, the ordinance states: “The maximum number of female chickens allowable under this provision shall not exceed ten (10).” Roosters are not allowed. Speaking of animals, the council also discussed the matter of 15 dog owners who do not have tags and collars for their dogs.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
5 WyCo projects that could add $1B in entertainment development
Coming development in Wyandotte County will cement the area as a local destination for tourism. More than $1 billion worth of entertainment-based developments are planned, from a beach-themed hotel to surreal art exhibits. Here’s a look at five real estate projects taking center stage.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
KCK bond aims to rebuild schools, keep taxes steady. Will voters support second try?
On the Nov. 5 ballot for residents living within the boundaries of the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools district is a capital plan that would rebuild two middle schools, consolidate two elementary schools as one and put an addition on the Sumner Academy of Arts and Science. It is a step district leaders say will enhance student opportunity in the district, one of the largest in the state, where some students learn in new buildings while others get by in crumbling facilities. The ask comes six months after voters widely rejected a more expansive effort that came with a $420 million price tag — more than twice the amount of the current proposal — and would have increased property tax bills for district residents. During a single-issue special election in May, that initiative failed by a margin of 58% to 42%, with less than 9% of voters casting a ballot. The vote is also happening at a time when local government leaders face heightened scrutiny and pressure over property tax bills. In Wyandotte County, both the Unified Government Board of Commission and the Kansas City, Kansas Community College, placed caps on property tax collections this year, bucking the advice of top staffers and triggering budget cuts.
Source: KC Star Local News
Wichita denied tax credits for affordable housing near new homeless shelter
The city of Wichita said it didn’t receive millions of dollars in tax credits that it would’ve used to build 175 affordable housing units for people moving out of homelessness. The funding challenge may force Wichita to significantly reduce the number of affordable units it can build adjacent to an emergency homeless shelter the city is in the process of constructing. The shelter – known as a multiagency center, or MAC – is located at the former Park Elementary school at Main and 9th Street. It will be staffed with a multitude of social services agencies. The city had plans to build 50 affordable housing units on-site – specifically, permanent supportive housing units that include case management – and 125 affordable housing units a few blocks away, said Sally Stang, the city’s housing and community services director. Without tax credits, the 125 affordable housing units are “not at all” a possibility, Stang said.
Source: KLC Journal
Voters to decide whether to add sales tax for EMS services
The days are dwindling to when Allen County voters go to the polls Tuesday to voice their opinion on a proposed half-cent sales tax. County Commissioners devised the proposal. The proposed tax will generate approximately $1.2 million that will be designated to Allen County emergency medical services (EMS). The county currently pays a $2 million annual contract (August 2024 to July 2025) for EMS services out of its Ambulance Fund. According to commissioners, the additional revenue from the sales tax will lower property taxes, though they have not committed by how much. Source: The Iola Register
Black Squirrel Fall Festival to include parade, costume contest
The 52nd annual Black Squirrel Fall Festival is set to take over downtown Marysville on Saturday, kicking off at 10 a.m. on Broadway. A day of old-fashioned fun, games and community spirit awaits, regardless of weather. The event, which replaces the former Black Squirrel Night, will offer a variety of family-friendly activities, including classic games on the Koester Block and at the historic Koester House Museum & Gardens. Some highlights include pumpkin bowling, a doughnut-eating contest, and an interactive “Unwrap the Mummy” challenge.
Source: The Marysville Advocate
City Park Opens a New Playground
On November 4th this year, the new playground in City Park will officially open. It has slides both tall and shorter in size, climb up ramps, monkey bars, rotating hanging bars, a padded ground and has some shade from the nearby trees.
Source: The Ottawa Herald
KU researchers build interactive atlas that gathers Kansas wind energy regulations, information for all 105 counties
The Kansas Energy Transition Atlas is an interactive, online site that allows people to find wind regulations in one place, learn more about wind policy in their neighboring counties, build their own maps and find detailed information including wind turbine blade length, how many transmission lines are in each county and much more.
Source: University of Kansas
Municipal Bond Trends for October 30, 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.
Road work is a fact of life in Lawrence. Here’s how the city and business leaders are helping small businesses get through it
With another huge construction project on the horizon for Ninth Street, Michael Leos, the communication and community engagement specialist for the Municipal Services and Operations department in Lawrence, said the city is aiming to improve communication with businesses about construction updates to help provide a heads up during what can be a tough time for businesses.
Source: LJWorld
Solar lawsuit moves back to local court
A lawsuit regarding a large solar project is heading back to Douglas County District Court, but now there are questions about whether the county may act on the controversial development before new county commissioners are seated in January. A federal judge on Monday ruled that a lawsuit filed by area businesses and neighbors protesting the Kansas Sky Energy Center should be heard in Douglas County District Court rather than federal court.
Source: LJWorld
Another Johnson County city is cracking down on short-term rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs
The Prairie Village City Council voted Monday to ban short-term rentals in the city. The new rules, which require a 30-day minimum stay, go into effect Nov. 1, 2025. The change comes after months of discussion and public feedback landed on a ban. Prairie Village joins communities across the Kansas City metro in placing restrictions or outright bans on short-term rentals. The ban will impact listings on sites like Airbnb, which allows people to rent out private residences for short periods of time, similar to a hotel.
Source: KC Star Local News