Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs and Segregation – what’s next?

In 2022, the Johnson County Museum’s special exhibit “REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs and Segregation” took visitors on a deep dive into the history of redlining and how it both shaped and was shaped by Johnson County and the region. Visitors learned the history of systematic disinvestment of some neighborhoods and populations in favor of others, most often on the basis of race, and how the legacies of redlining policy continue to impact Kansas City and communities around the nation today.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Chingawassa Days to celebrate 25 years

Chingawassa Days is a 25-year, time-honored tradition in Marion and it is happening the first week of June. “Chinga started back in ’97 and was just an idea that someone wanted to do something for our community to bring the community together in a big way. And it just started, you know. I think they started with just like a picnic on Friday and they had a little local band and it’s kind of just a community gathering,” said committee chairman Clayton Garnica. He went on to say “Over the years, you add different community members on and it just sparked from there and has grown bigger and bigger. And basically, it is what it is today. Um, yeah. So ,it was just an idea really that someone, or a group, not necessarily one person just wanted to do something for the community to bring everybody together. And that’s, kind of just how it started.”
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Reno County may sell gas generated from landfill

Reno County is asking for proposals from companies to utilize the landfill gas that is generated from the Reno County Landfill. County commissioners approved the plan on Tuesday, the Hutchinson news reported. The county hopes this will be a win-win situation, with the landfill complying with state and federal requirements, an end-user benefiting from the landfill gas and the county benefiting from the revenue in sales. A request for proposals is due Sept. 1.
Source: The Iola Register

Perry Lake staff ready for 840,000 summer visitors

If there is such a thing as a normal year, Perry Lake Project Manager R.J. Harms believes this might be one as the Corps of Engineers prepares for 840,000 visitors at the lake this summer. “We had the high water in 2019 and that caused so much destruction. . . We are just now getting that behind us,” he said. “We had an extra 30 feet of water that year and it stayed with us a long time,” he said. The high-water year was followed by the pandemic and a whole lot of damage to repair and structures to replace. Needless to say, the manager is hoping for something near normalcy. Both of the marinas are under new ownership and there is a privately-operated restaurant on the lake, Harms said.
Source: JeffCountyNews

First plan of attack on Wichita park with thick brush and poison ivy: Goats

The city of Wichita plans to unleash up to 130 goats on a city park for two weeks to test whether they’re a long-term, eco-friendly way to clear thick brush and poison ivy without using heavy equipment or chemical spray. The goats are part of a multi-phase project aimed at cleaning up an area of Sim Park that connects the new city-backed River Trail Village patio home development to the city’s attractions along the river — Botanica, Old Cowtown, the Wichita Art Museum, the Mid-America All Indian Museum and the Keeper of the Plains. “We’re looking over at Riverside, right next to Sim Golf Course where we have a lot of vegetation and an area that has a lot of homeless encampments — or had some. They just removed them all,” Troy Houtman, director of parks and recreation, told the Wichita Park Board in April.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Rides, music, ‘most unusual’ fun: This Johnson County event means summer’s starting

Old Shawnee Days is often considered one of the area’s unofficial starts of summer. But it’s really so much more. “How can you not be excited about Old Shawnee Days? It is a great family-friendly event with a little something for everyone,” said Kate Kinkaid, media and publicity chairperson for the event. Old Shawnee Days will be held from Thursday through Sunday at Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St. The free event includes everything from a carnival to live music and food vendors to a parade.
Source: KC Star Local News

Lawrence releases wastewater into Kansas River following pump failure; stream advisory issued

The city released wastewater into the Kansas River Wednesday morning after heavy rain led to a pump failure in a wastewater pump station near Bowersock Dam, according to a social media post from the city. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a stream advisory for the Kansas River near Lawrence as a result, according to the post. “Early this morning, we advised KDHE about the need to directly send wastewater into the Kansas River due to a pump failure after a hard night of rain,” according to the post. “The pump failure resulted in wastewater that contains elevated bacteria levels being discharged into the Kansas River.”
Source: The Lawrence Times

Municipal Bond Trends for May 31, 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.

USD 428 Education Foundation supports classroom innovation with mini-grants

The Great Bend USD 428 Education Foundation wrapped up the school year by announcing winners of mini-grants to enhance learning opportunities. In 2023, teachers from across the district received $23,488.75 in mini-grants, funding innovative ideas and exciting enrichment opportunities. Foundation members expressed thanks to the individuals and corporate supporters make the grants possible.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Commissioners give tax exemption to Scorpius in Hesston

Harvey County Commissioners voted Tuesday morning to grant a tax exemption for Scorpius Industries, LLC (Scorpius), a small engineering design and fabrication business in Hesston that specializes in custom-designed parts and assemblies. After outgrowing its current facility, Scorpius plans to build a new facility outside of Hesston at 8501 N. West Road. The county commission previously approved Conditional Use Permit 23-01 for the construction of the facility at this location. In its letter requesting a 10-year abatement, Scorpius owner Shane Denson said that capital investment for the project would be $875,000. They expect to create seven new jobs over the next five years.
Source: Harvey County Now

Attack of the miller moths in Harvey County en route to the Rockies

Like any other moth, miller moths are attracted to light. However, they also seem to be attracted to one other thing: bugging residents of central Kansas. Miller moths are the adult form of the army cutworm larvae that destroyed so many lawns in the summer of 2020. “The full army worms two or three years ago were a big problem […] those can cause huge damage,” Jason French, a manager at Stutzman’s Greenhouse, said. “The miller moth itself in the home gardening industry doesn’t cause much issue, though it’s a pest.”
Source: Harvey County Now

Wichita Riverfest a few days away, tents already setup in Downtown

Wichita Riverfest is three days away. If you’ve noticed, part of the road by Main and Douglas is already blocked off and there are tents set up. “This is the biggest party Wichita throws every year,” said Jen Remsberg, Director of Marketing and Communications for Riverfest. Wichita’s yearly party is just a few days away. People are gearing up and excited to see RiverFest 2023. “I’m always excited to see what’s going on, the food, the people, just good vibes,” said Wichita resident Tiayla Maholmes. “There’s so many different activities. There are something for everyone. We love the concerts, the food, and all of the people-watching that you do,” said Cindy Marion, a Wichita resident.
Source: KAKE – News

Municipal Bond Trends for May 30, 2023

Only 1 Kansas county ranks as being in persistent poverty in nationwide study

A recent study by the U.S. Census Bureau (USCB) identified 341 counties across the country, including one in Kansas, as places where people are living at higher poverty rates. The USCB study identified places where people are living in persistent poverty. These are counties where poverty rates are maintained at levels of 20% or more for the past 30 years. Among the 341 counties named in the study, Riley County was selected as the only one from Kansas as being a place where persistent poverty exists. According to the USCB study, people living in places of higher poverty experience more severe systemic problems than those living in lower-poverty areas. This can consist of limited access to medical services, healthy and affordable food, quality education and civic engagement opportunities. Julie Gibbs, director of the Riley County Health Department (RCHD), wrote in an email that USCB data points to a 17.6% poverty rate in the county, placing them in second for the highest poverty rate in the state behind Crawford County. Gibbs said this trend is nothing new and can be tied to the large Kansas State University student population living in Manhattan, some of which attend classes while living in crumbling apartments. “The university has a large number of undergrad students (15,046 in 2021) and most complete their classes in person,” Gibbs wrote. “The students account for about 20% of the 72,000 people who reside in Riley County, and many of them do not work full time or have regular, reportable income.”
Source: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County firefighter drone can now drop a lifejacket to water rescue victims

A new drone with Sedgwick County firefighters is being called a game-changer. “I love it. Making a difference in people’s lives is something that you truly cannot explain. You just have to do it,” said Captain Maroon Faissal with the Sedgwick County Fire Department. The new drone has enough battery power and flight time to take a lifejacket and drop it where it’s needed in water rescues. This weekend the county was putting the new drone through its paces. And it was a success. “So this drone is the latest and greatest,” said Faissal. “So one of the options this drone has it will let us drop a life jacket to someone that is drowning. It’s got a camera on it that will direct the diving team to help a drowning victim. Give that victim a chance.” Faissal says the entire drone setup cost right at 30,000. Roughly half of that is the camera system which includes thermal and infrared sensors and the ability to show video to the drone operator.
Source: KSN-TV

New JoCo programs aims to offer more mental health care to people with Down syndrome

There are more than 2,000 people with Down syndrome in Kansas City, but many struggle to access mental health care. According to the National Down Syndrome Society, at least half of people with Down syndrome will encounter a major mental health concern in their lifetime — commonly anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Down Syndrome Innovations, a local group providing support and services to people with the condition, saw a gap between need and available services after a deep dive into their client base.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Mandatory cat licenses in Wichita? The animal control board just recommended it

The Wichita Animal Control Advisory Board recently recommended a plan to overhaul pet licensing, including requiring cat owners to license their animals. All dogs five months and older must be licensed with the city. Wichita pet owners might soon be required to license their cats as well as their dogs with the city every year. Mandatory licensing and microchipping are part of a 14-point plan recommended by the Animal Control Advisory Board earlier this month. “If we can get you to microchip your cat, we can not only get it back to you but we can know that it’s been vaccinated,” board President Mike Marlett said. “It’s just safer for your cat. It’s safer for everyone else.” The issue of cat licensing in Wichita “has been controversial for a long, long time,” as City Manager Robert Layton put it. City leaders rejected cat licensing proposals in 1977 and 1982. In interviews with The Eagle, Wichita cat owners expressed a wide range of opinions on the issue.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Lack of officers hampering Wichita police department’s efforts

Wichita’s police force is about 66 officers short of its authorized strength of 468 officers, according to Police Chief Joe Sullivan. The police department faces a “retention crisis,” some analysts have said, which has complicated the department’s relationship with the community and ability to mend an internal culture criticized in a consultant’s report earlier this year. Workforce shortages put officers in the position, Sullivan said, of constantly answering emergency calls, which limits more positive interactions with the public and adversely affects the officers’ own mental health. “When you’re in a department that’s not fully staffed, and you’re responding to more emergencies than you normally would, and it’s constant one after another with no break, and you’re being asked to work overtime to fill in for those vacant positions, you’re experiencing more trauma, and you’re beginning to experience exhaustion and eventually burnout,” he said. “So that’s something that we’re keenly aware of, and we are working as quickly as we can to put together an officer wellness program.”
Source: KLC Journal

Overland Park ‘build-to-rent’ subdivision offers alternative to buying a home

A subsidiary of Mission Peak Capital is finishing the initial homes of the first subdivision in the metro area consisting of all-new single-family rental homes. Renting a home in the Overland Park subdivision offers a more affordable alternative amid a still tight housing market and higher interest rates, the developer says. … The houses will have a mix of three and four bedrooms. Rent averages about $2,400 a month. The development offers an affordable alternative to buying a similar-sized home in today’s market, said P.J. Ventola, managing director of development at Mission Peak, whose subsidiary, Peak Homes, is working on The Homes at Wolf Creek. “We are less expensive than it costs to buy the same home (with) today’s interest rates,” Ventola said. “It is designed to be with like-minded people who are renting by choice.”
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Andover YMCA reopens water park

People got to slide down the slide, hang out in a pool and float along the lazy river today in Andover, because the YMCA water park is back open, just a year after a tornado ripped through the city. “I’m happy about it because we used to have to drive far to go to other parks. Now we can drive closer,” exclaimed 10-year-old Elijah Jamerson. The water park has some new features, such as a splash pad and climbing areas. “I’m glad it’s open,” said Amber Lowen of Rose Hill. “We love the Andover Y. We come here every summer.” The YMCA says the park’s first two weeks of operation are for members only.
Source: KAKE – News

Halstead considers updating their code enforcement process

The Halstead City Council considered a proposal by City Manager Ethan Reimer at their latest meeting to change the way the city addresses code enforcement issues. The city does not have a code enforcement personnel, so for an issue to be addressed, a citizen must submit a complaint, which administrative staff or the city manager will investigate. … Reimer said that since the police department already proactively patrols the city, has summons power to municipal court, and enforces other codes such as animal control regulations, the city staff would like to see the police department handle other code violation issues, such as tall grass and weeds or other nuisance issues in the city.
Source: Harvey County Now

New additions brighten downtown Sedgwick

Downtown Sedgwick recently got a little color and class with the addition of flowers and flower buckets and the Hometown Hero banners now displayed along Commercial Street. Sedgwick City Administrator Kyle Nordick said the banners will be displayed until Veterans Day, which is in November. “I want to again publicly thank the American Legion here in town for splitting the cost of our Hometown Hero banners,” Nordick said.
Source: Harvey County Now

Rural Kansans wait to see how long prescriptions by telehealth last after the pandemic

The pandemic allowed people to receive prescriptions for mental health and opioid addiction through telemedicine. Now Kansas clinicians want those flexibilities to be permanent. At the Citizens Health hospital in Colby, pandemic-driven rule changes let doctors prescribe chronic pain and mental health medications over virtual appointments. That gave hundreds of patients in northwest Kansas access to life-changing drugs. “Everybody struggles with access to mental health care,” Jenny Niblock, a nurse practitioner at the medical center, said. “Rural Kansas struggles even worse.” Before the pandemic, the only way to get a prescription for a federally regulated drug was through an in-person doctor’s visit.
Source: Garden City Telegram

Lenexa updates it fence code

Planning to install a new fence, wall or retaining wall at home? The City of Lenexa recently updated its code related to these types of projects. Under the new code, fences along the side street on corner lots may be installed 15 feet from the property line as long as they are 4 feet tall and open-style (50% or less opaque). If a fence is taller than 4 feet or is privacy-style, it cannot be installed in front of the required setback. When a fence is located within 3 feet of or directly on top of a retaining wall, the height of the fence plus the height of the retaining wall shall not exceed 10 feet. Retaining wall tiers are limited to 10 feet per tier. Additionally, there must be at least three feet of horizontal space between tiers of a tiered wall.
Source: City of Lenexa

Debt ceiling deal spares state and local pandemic aid

The White House and Republicans reached a deal over the holiday weekend that will avoid the nation’s first breach of its debt limit and leave untouched leftover pandemic aid allocated to cities and states. A House vote on the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 is set for Wednesday to move the bill ahead of a U.S. default as soon as June 5. The House Rules Committee is set to take up the legislation Tuesday afternoon. “The agreement prevents the worst possible crisis: a default for the first time in our nation’s history,” President Joe Biden said Sunday night at a White House press conference. It “takes the threat of a catastrophic default off the table.” The 99-page bill would cap discretionary spending for six years — but with a sequester mechanism in place only for the first two years — as well as rescind enforcement funding for the Internal Revenue Service and streamline energy infrastructure project permitting.
Source: The Bond Buyer

Municipal Bond Trends for May 26, 2023

Panasonic project brings focus to Johnson County’s rural roads

The massive project to build a new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition plant in De Soto has re-ignited interest in the future of western Johnson County’s rural road system as officials consider a new set of planning guidelines for the area. The county planning commission unanimously recommended changes in its comprehensive rural plan Tuesday that remove land annexed by De Soto from its planning jurisdiction. Now that it is in De Soto, the city will set its own guidelines. The remaining unincorporated land will be in a “rural policy area,” meaning it will be planned as agricultural, with a rural character, limited development and a low density of one residence per 10 acres.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Michelin announces $100 million investment in Junction City

Tire manufacturer Michelin announced it will be investing over $100 million into Junction City to increase production of tracks for agricultural equipment. Over the next five years, around 200 new jobs will be added to increase the output of Camso agricultural rubber tracks, according to a press release from Michelin. Camso is a brand under the Michelin Group that specializes in off-road tires, tracks and systems…. In March, Michelin announced it would invest more than $20 million to expand its facilities in Emporia, Kansas as part of its investments in North American production, according to the press release. Michelin currently employs about 175 people at their facility in Junction City. The new investment will add around 200 jobs between 2023 and 2026.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Hillsboro mourns the death of former mayor

The Hillsboro community recently mourned the loss of former Mayor Delores Dalke and many showed up to pay their respects at the heavily attended funeral at Ebenfeld Mennonite Church last week. Dalke died on May 12, at the age of 82, on what would have been her 61^st Wedding Anniversary to her deceased husband John Foster Dalke. She served Hillsboro as the oldest and only female mayor for 27 years before leaving the position in January of 2018. Between her role as mayor and her service on many boards and commissions, Dalke contributed much to making Hillsboro what it is today. Son Matt, who spoke at her funeral, believed that his mother was an extremely special person. He said, “She always made sure that she went out of her way to help others. She was a mom to all of her children’s friends. She believed in developing relationships and strived to help those in need. So many have reached out to me since my mom became ill to tell me how she helped them with financial assistance and/or emotional support or when they were in dire straits. Many of these people I have never met, but Mom made a huge difference in their lives and they are forever grateful. I feel that is a true testament to the person she was.”
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Effecting change at the neighborhood level in Pittsburg

In my last article I talked about how the growth in Pittsburg will lead to significant changes and it is important to look for ways to participate in defining Pittsburg’s future. There are many ways to engage through city advisory boards, committees, or initiatives, but one of the most direct ways to impact where you live is in your own neighborhood. I’m sure there are aspects of your block that you would like to see improved – maybe there is an empty house that is in disrepair, street signs that need replaced, or maybe you’d like to have a neighborhood cleanup or block party. Whatever you’d like to see, they are more likely to happen if the people in the neighborhood work together.
Source: Morning Sun by Jay Byers / Deputy City Manager

Local Governments Escape Ruling that Could Have Upended Property Tax Laws

A Minnesota county violated the Fifth Amendment when it sold and kept the excess proceeds from an elderly woman’s home, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a unanimous decision. “A taxpayer who loses her $40,000 house to the state to fulfill a $15,000 tax debt has made a far greater contribution to the public fisc than she owed,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion. “The taxpayer must render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but no more.” The case, Tyler v. Hennepin County, centered on how much autonomy state governments have regarding property that is seized lawfully from owners who are delinquent on their taxes. The Fifth Amendment specifies that governments cannot take private property without justly compensating its owner. So the question was whether Hennepin County improperly took the profits it made from selling the woman’s house. In Roberts’ decision, the court blocked states from allowing counties to keep surplus funds from the homes they sell after residents fail to pay property taxes.
Source: Route Fifty – All Content

‘Somebody Somewhere’ finds big heart in the ‘Little Apple’ of Kansas

“Somebody Somewhere” is an emotional comedy on HBO and streaming on MAX that takes place in Manhattan, Kansas. It follows Sam, played by Kansas native Bridget Everett, as she returns home in search of herself. Along the way she meets chipper and compassionate Joel, played by Jeff Hiller. Hiller’s acting career spans almost 20 years — many of his roles have been bit parts. He says his success on this show comes from years of playing “someone that we all know.” “I love being able to play a character, honestly, that has a last name,” Hiller said.
Source: KCUR News

Spring Hill police ask for votes to help pay for K-9 Loki’s kidney surgery

The Spring Hill Police Department is asking you to cast a vote to help to support its K-9 officer. K-9 Loki, a Belgian Malinois/Shepherd mix, joined the Spring Hill department in 2021 after being donated by the Olathe Police Department. Loki was initially purchased by Olathe police from a kennel in Pennsylvania, but a medical scan showed Loki had an underdeveloped kidney that would need to be removed. When Olathe police notified the kennel of Loki’s condition, they were told a replacement dog would be given to the department free of charge, but if Loki was returned, he would be euthanized. To prevent Loki from being put down, Spring Hill police adopted him as a replacement for K-9 Niko, who was set to retire later that year.
Source: KSN-TV

Municipal Bond Trends for May 25, 2023

Municipal Bond Trends for May 24, 2023

Communities Across Kansas Receive Nearly $3.2M CDBG Grant Funding

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced 10 communities received almost $3.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Grant awards were made in three categories: Water and Sewer, Commercial Rehabilitation, and Housing. The three programs, which provide crucial funding for community development projects in Kansas, received a total of $3,193,740. “CDBG grants are tailored to assist in funding broader needs of communities across our great state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These programs play a vital role in the health and well-being of cities and counties throughout Kansas.”

The Water and Sewer Program is designed to support communities by upgrading and expanding their water and sewer infrastructure. The following cities and counties have been awarded Water and Sewer grants for a total of $2,299,990:

Belle Plaine; $476,760; removing nitrates from potable water sources
Herndon; $152,583; repairing lagoons
Miami County; $305,126; building a lift station to pump sewage
Osage City; $470,801; rehabilitating sewer mains and manholes
Palco; $417,960; constructing a new water treatment plant
Wakefield; $476,760; constructing additional lagoons

The Commercial Rehabilitation program provides funding to assist private property owners in the rehabilitation of blighted structures in downtown commercial districts. The following cities have been awarded Commercial Rehabilitation grants for a total of $593,750:

Atchison; $250,000; repairing a historic property downtown
Independence; $250,000; rehabilitating a historic downtown building
Meriden; $93,750; rehabilitating a local bar and restaurant

Finally, the CDBG Housing program provides funding to support the rehabilitation of housing units and the demolition of blighted structures in communities across the state. One city received a Housing grant award this round:

Holyrood; $300,000; rehabilitating eight homes and demolishing three

Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Kansas farmers brace for worst wheat crop production in 60 years as drought cuts yield

With wheat fields about a month from harvest, Kansas farmers are bracing for what is projected to be the worst wheat crop in 60 years or more. “Wheat farmers have been living this every day,” said Marsha Boswell, a spokesperson for the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. “They’ve seen the effects of the drought since the crop was planted last fall. They’ve seen fields that didn’t emerge until the last couple weeks. “What’s even more heartbreaking than that is the few fields that looked good a couple weeks ago are going downhill in areas that have missed out on recent rains. I think most farmers are just wanting to forget this year’s crop and move on to next year.”
Source: Salina Journal

Kansas rethinks workforce needs: Efforts emphasize good-paying jobs without degree requirements

As Kansas businesses struggle to find workers to fill open positions and a series of megaprojects promise to create thousands of more jobs, state and local officials are promoting non-university options to students. ‘A lot of work is going on around the cosmosphere of not only recruiting businesses, but also ensuring that those businesses have talent and then twice-fold keeping our our talent here in Kansas and recruiting talent to and back to Kansas,’ said assistant secretary of commerce Mike Beene. Beene, who oversees the state’s workforce services and is a former teacher, praised the state’s education system — from K-12 to community and technical colleges to universities — but not the state’s ability to keep the talent instead of exporting it. He hopes high school career and technical programs and similar efforts at community colleges and tech schools will reverse that trend.
Source: CJonline

Haysville declared Purple Heart City

Earlier this month, Haysville joined Derby as the second city in Sedgwick County to earn the Purple Heart City designation. During the May 8 Haysville City Council meeting, Mayor Russ Kessler signed a proclamation making the distinction official, while a ceremony was held May 15 unveiling the signage and banners that will be displayed throughout Haysville announcing its Purple Heart City status.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Flame of Hope to pass through Emporia, Lyon County

Emporia Police Department officers and Lyon County Sheriff’s Office deputies will carry the Special Olympics Kansas Flame of Hope through Emporia and Lyon County next week. Officers will collect the torch on May 31 at the intersection of U.S. Highway 75 and Old U.S. Hwy. 50, and bring it into Emporia. Runners will set off at 9:00 a.m. June 1 after a brief ceremony in front of Emporia State University, 1 Kellogg Cir. In total, this leg of the torch run will travel 105 miles as part of an overall 1,600-mile journey for the Flame of Hope across Kansas as part of the ceremonial 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Kansas.
Source: Emporia Gazette

City of Larned receives $1.1 million for new fire engines

The City of Larned on Monday received over $1 million for upgrades to the Larned Fire Department. The City of Larned says the funds will go towards replacing two outdated fire engines, as well as a mobile emergency communications center. The mobile emergency communications center is a dedicated vehicle that can be driven to a location to serve as a command post, which the city says will “allow the city to continue to serve its citizens during times of crisis.”
Source: KSN-TV

Osawatomie seeks national park designation

The city of Osawatomie now has the official support of the Miami County Commission on its quest to gain a national park designation. Miami County commissioners, during their May 10 meeting, approved a resolution supporting the city’s request to establish the John Brown National Historic Park Site. The commissioners also agreed to give $22,000 to the city to assist in purchasing property for parking surrounding the John Brown Ghost Cabin at the Adair Homestead about two miles west of John Brown Memorial Park. The Ghost Cabin commemorates the exact location where John Brown called home during his Kansas abolitionist activities in the Bleeding Kansas years of 1855-56.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com

After lean pandemic years, Overland Park is drawing visitors again

Businesses connected to Overland Park tourism have begun to bounce back from some tough pandemic years, thanks in part to money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, said Warren Wilkinson, president and CEO of Visit Overland Park. Wilkinson presented an improving picture of the city’s hospitality industry to the city council’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee last week. In particular, he pointed out that federal pandemic relief funds through the American Rescue Plan that the city spent on advertising in 2021 and 2022 resulted in hotel performance that approaches or in some cases exceeds 2019.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Municipal Bond Trends for May 23, 2023

MSRB Report Analyzes Buying Behavior in Muni Bond Primary and Secondary Markets

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board has just published a new report on trading patterns in the primary and secondary markets for municipal bonds, which reveals notable differences in the buying behavior of individual and institutional investors in each of these markets. The authors found that individual investors generally buy bonds in the secondary market and have limited participation in the primary market, whereas institutional investors dominate the primary market. They concluded that while individual investors may have valid reasons not to access the primary market, they would likely benefit from more balanced participation between the primary and secondary markets.
Read the press release.
Read the report.