Kansas Municipal News
Pratt Fire Chief retires after nearly half a century of service
“Thank you for your fearless service and dedication to serving our community for 48 years,” a Pratt dispatcher said over the radio. This was part of Pratt Fire Chief David Kramer’s final call Wednesday night as dispatch thanked him for nearly half a century of sacrifice for the town. Kramer hangs up his hat leaving behind a legacy that the community will never forget. “He is probably more, or just as a father figure as my own father. He is probably all these guys’ father figure as well,” said firefighter Justin Garrett. Garrett is taking over the department, but he says he has big shoes to fill. Kramer’s love for PFD started as a boy watching the man he looked up to the most, his father. “I was born in ’55, and he started with the department in ’54. So that’s why I’m saying I’ve been around the fire department literally all my life,” Kramer said, showing us old photos. “That’s kind of a funny one. That’s my dad right there. It’s kinda funny, a guy with the newspaper used to be on the fire department too, and he would a lot of times take pictures.” As soon as Kramer was old enough, he joined the department, which is made up mostly of volunteers, and served for 23 years before taking the reins as chief. Forty-eight years later, Kramer spent his last day with the people he will always call family, including the only person who has been with the department longer than him – Deputy Chief George Stevens. “David and I knew each other before we were on the fire department,” Stevens said. “It’s just been a, like I said, a fun ride. I respect him, and will do that to the day we are not on this earth anymore.” As much fun as the team had Wednesday, it’s no surprise it got a bit emotional at times. “I can’t say enough how much I appreciate, and thank you guys, for your dedicated service to this department. And also to me personally,” Kramer said to the group. But the hardest part was something he wasn’t expecting. After passing the torch to Garrett, he got one last call from dispatch. Climbing into Engine One for his final ride with tears of mixed emotions in his eyes, dispatch paid him tribute on behalf of the countless lives in the Pratt community impacted by his legendary career.
Source: KAKE – News
Events bring in visitors and their dollars
In a couple of weeks, USD 250 will host the Kansas 5A Regional Wrestling tournament. More than 200 wrestlers from 18 different 5A schools from across the East side of the State. The tournament begins on Friday, February 16, and will continue through the weekend. “It is a huge honor to be hosting this tournament in Pittsburg,” PHS Activities Director, Jeff Staley said. “It really is a reflection on the City of Pittsburg, our community and our school district that we were chosen to host here, it means other schools enjoy coming to our town and facilities.” Staley also pointed out that for some, this may be their first and possibly only time ever coming to Pittsburg, making it important to make a good impression. “The support in our community is phenomenal,” Staley said. “It is not only an undertaking on our facilities, it affects our whole community when we have a large event like this. We recognize and extremely appreciate how supportive the community of Pittsburg is when we have great opportunities like this for our students.” The event is such a big deal that USD 250 has cancelled classes throughout the entire district during the tournament so that it can focus on being a gracious and accommodating host to the competitors and fans. Pittsburg is no stranger to such large events. USD 250 and Pittsburg State have both played host to several large sporting events in the past. These events can create a buzz, but what is their economic impact on the community? Hosting any event will bolster cashflow for restaurants and gas stations and other businesses may also see an uptick in sales, but Chris Wilson, marketing & communications manager for Explore Crawford County, points out that with high school sporting events, there are some additional short-term and long-term benefits that can’t be overlooked. “When it comes to events with kids and especially high school students, these are potential students for Pittsburg State – potential renters, employees and customers short term, and investors, entrepreneurs and donors long term,” Wilson said. “For those visiting families, it’s an opportunity for them to see our community firsthand and see why we choose live here.” Although state and national events get more attention, Wilson said conference and regional sporting events, like the upcoming wrestling tourney, usually bring in more participants, especially for indoor and outdoor track & field competitions.
Source: Morning Sun
Endowment could help fund future courthouse repairs
When Miami County voters last fall chose not to support a proposed quarter-cent sales tax to renovate and expand the Miami County Courthouse, Paola attorney Sandy Hartley started thinking about another way to preserve the historic building. The courthouse, which was built in 1898 and designed by renowned architect George Washburn, has special significance to Hartley. Thanks to her senior law school project 50 years ago, the courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Hartley also knows how well an endowment can work in a community that supports it. The courthouse, which was built in 1898 and designed by renowned architect George Washburn, has special significance to Hartley. Thanks to her senior law school project 50 years ago, the courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Hartley also knows how well an endowment can work in a community that supports it. “Your endorsement will mean a lot to our endeavor,” Hartley said. Miami County Administrator Shane Krull asked about the early-year projections for the endowment, and Hartley said it likely would not provide a funding solution for the courthouse within the first few years but instead provide more of a long-term solution. Krull and the commissioners acknowledged the benefits of a long-term endowment, but Krull also said the county will likely need to seek other options in the interim to tackle needed renovations at the courthouse that could cost between $10 and $13 million, according to an architect’s estimate.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Chetopa City Council seeks new home for city library
The Chetopa City Council in January closed the city’s library at 312 Maple because of the deteriorating condition of the building and the repairs that are needed. The city is also looking for alternative locations for the library until a permanent home can be found. Angela Forquer, the city librarian, posted on Facebook that the building was built in 1942 and was converted into the library in the early 1970s. She enumerated the problems with the building: Estimates to fix the plumbing, electrical and HVAC were over $150,000, but attempts to get contractors to travel to Chetopa to bid on it have been unsuccessful; The building has two layers of drop ceiling which is starting to fall because of a leaking roof. The ceiling is also full of mold; The windows and doors are no longer seal and are not energy efficient; Termites are in the ground, foundation and in several spots on the interior walls. The only way to inspect and treat them would be to drill holes in the floors and tear down walls, costing more money; Water pipes under the foundation broke several years ago. The building has functional plumbing but there are still issues with it; The exterior of the building is cracking and shifting, which is causing the interior walls to crack and fall apart. It is a structural issue that creates a safety issue that will be costly to fix. Forquer wrote that the decision to close the library was not ideal, but everyone’s safety had to be considered. She wrote that since the cost is so high, the library needs another building.
Source: Parsons Sun
KDOT grants funding Active Transportation alternatives
The Kansas agency best known for its highways, the Kansas Department of Transportation, is trying to help communities across the state improve other ways to get around. KDOT is starting the application process for its Transportation Alternatives Projects, which funds projects focused on pedestrian, bicycle, and other non-car modes of transportation, as well as Safe Routes to School projects. “You have these small communities, and they don’t have a big budget, but they’ve made it a priority. The community has told the leaders that they want their kids to be able to walk and bike to school,” KDOT Active Transportation Manager Jenny Kramer said. Many of the projects get less than $1 million, which isn’t much compared to what other infrastructure projects cost. But, Kramer says it’s what’s needed to either help build these projects or help small communities get plans designed that can be funded later. That can be especially helpful in rural communities trying to make sure students can get to school consistently and safely. “We fund them to be able to create a plan on where are the best routes, and then to figure out what’s needed on those routes,” Kramer said. “Are there sidewalks, gaps needed, accessibility, making sure it’s accessible for those who have mobility disabilities?” Communities can register for informational webinars being held on Monday, Feb. 5, at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, at 2:30 p.m., and Friday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. The first concept forms are due March 1 with awards announced in the summer.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas bill ending municipal regulation of plastic bags, containers raises constitutional issue
University of Kansas scientist Nancy Muma said the average person inadvertently accumulated in the body a credit-card sized amount of plastic each week by breathing air and consuming water. Muma, who earned a doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology, said this involuntary consumption of bisphenols, phthalates and perfluoroalkyls created a wave of endocrine disruptions that altered hormones and reproductive systems in humans. Children and developing fetuses were especially vulnerable to these toxins, but the damage could emerge at all stages of life in the form of heart disease, obesity and cancer, she said. “The good news is that you can help solve this costly and life-threatening problem by voting against House Bill 2446 and supporting regulations to reduce the use of these toxic single-use plastics,” Muma said. She made the plea to members of the Senate Federal and State Affairs considering legislation passed by the House in March 2023, but sidelined by the Senate until Tuesday. The bill would allow the state to block city or county governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances or resolutions that “restricts, taxes, prohibits or otherwise regulates the use, disposition or sale of auxiliary containers.” In simple terms, the bill aggressively promoted by the Kansas Chamber would forbid municipal bans on plastic straws and the thin, cheap plastic shopping bags often given consumers by retail stores and carryout restaurants. The prohibition would broadly define auxiliary containers as cups, packages and bottles made of cloth, paper, plastic, foamed plastic, cardboard, aluminum, glass or a recycled material. Eric Stafford, who represents the Kansas Chamber at the Capitol, said the pending bill was similar to legislation vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly in 2022. The issue was brought to the forefront in 2024 because businesses in the state needed “a clear and predictable regulatory framework by which to operate” and legislators rather than elected city and county government officials were in the best position to shape that regulatory landscape, Stafford said. “We have seen a growing trend across the country by local governments to ban plastic products because of their perceived damage to the economy, but we don’t have to look any further than our own state, as Lawrence became the first city to ban plastic bags effective March 1,” Stafford said.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Bond passes with 88% support
Voters in the USD 410 school district took to the polls on Tuesday, Jan. 23 where they voted on the general obligation bond issue in an amount not to exceed $13,350,000. The results will not be final until after the official canvass on Wednesday, Jan. 31, but the preliminary results were 464 yes and 59 no. “We are absolutely thrilled with the overwhelming support of the bond issue. 88% of voters supported the bond with a yes vote. That level of support is unheard of,” said Superintendent Clint Corby. There was a surprisingly large turnout despite cold, dreary weather on Jan. 23. For the Hillsboro poll site, 455 ballots were voted out of 2,368 registered voters with eight provisional ballots for a 19.55% overall turnout. For the Tampa poll site, 18 ballots were voted out of 209 registered voters with no provisional ballots for an 8.61% overall turnout. 24 ballots (11.48%) were done in advance by mail and 30 (14.35%) were done early in-person. The final numbers were 527 ballots voted and eight provisional ballots out of 2,577 registered voters for an overall turnout of 20.76%. “I have said it before and I will say it again. USD 410 is great because our community is great,” said Corby. The bond projects focus on student safety, infrastructure and facility enhancements. For safety, the main project is a tornado shelter that will function as additional classroom space. Secure entrances in the elementary and middle high schools are also on the agenda, along with fire alarm system replacements, and elevator repairs and improvements. There are several projects planned for infrastructure enhancements including HVAC, broiler and chiller replacement, exterior brick repairs and restoration, furniture and carpeting repairs and replacement, roof replacement and guttering, plumbing improvements, painting, concrete repairs, door repairs and improvements and window replacements. For facility enhancements, there will be auditorium upgrades, gym HVAC and painting, a greenhouse and kindergarten and 1st grade playground projects.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
Municipal Bond Trends for February 1, 2024
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.
Municipal Bond Trends for January 31, 2024
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.
Water main breaks spiking
Topeka water mains are breaking significantly more often than they used to. Over the past 10 years, the city averaged 46 water main breaks per month. But in 2023, the city saw a total of 777 water main breaks, which averages out to 64.75 per month.
Source: CJonline
Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, sets the stage for cuts
The Federal Reserve announced it will leave interest rates unchanged Wednesday, setting the stage for rate cuts to come — and paving the way for relief from the combination of higher rates and inflation that have hit consumers particularly hard. Although Fed officials indicated as many as three cuts coming this year, the pace that they trim interest rates is going to be much slower than the pace at which they hiked, according to Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. “Interest rates took the elevator going up; they are going to take the stairs coming down,” he said.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
2024 January Kansas Employment Forecast Released
Kansas has rebounded strongly, surpassing the national and the Plains region averages in each quarter of 2023. The state’s growth peaked at 9.4% in Q3 of 2023, significantly higher than the national average of 4.8% and the Plains region of 5.1% in the same quarter. The underlying contribution to the growth within the state over the previous year was agriculture, which was from a combination of prices and drought insurance. Manufacturing regained its strength in the second and third quarters of the year, as agriculture waned slightly. Both industry drivers have fueled additional growth within construction, retail, and government, which picked up in the second quarter. Kansas’s real GDP trajectory indicates an economy that has overcome challenges over the previous decade and is now expanding rapidly. Although it will not likely maintain the top-growing economy in the United States over the next few quarters, it should maintain a more robust economy than its peer states.
Source: WSU CEDBR
Recycled ambulance saves fire department money
By reusing the old box, the Newton Fire Department saved nearly $100,000 when replacing its ambulance. The department had its old ambulance box remounted onto a new vehicle. According to logistics division chief, Joe Martin, this recycling practice is common among departments. “Remounts have come a long way,” Martin said. “It’s becoming an industry norm as budgets don’t keep up with inflation.” Martin said the department was particularly excited by the addition of a power load system to the ambulance. The power load system manually lifts and lowers the stretcher so they don’t have to pick up everyone being loaded into the ambulance. The devices are installed in all the first-out ambulances, according to Martin. The vehicles typically run on seven-year cycles, and Martin said the old vehicle had engine problems, making the department due for a new vehicle. The ambulance has a new design, and Martin said the department was able to save money by using vinyl graphics rather than painting the vehicles. Martin said he knows some departments recycle boxes three or four times, but Newton plans to only reuse them once before replacing them with all-new ambulances to avoid boxes getting too old. Martin added that the department planned to use this remounting method on all its ambulances.
Source: Harvey County Now
USD 440 Steering committee completes bond information meetings
USD-440 and the district’s steering committee completed its third and final bond information meeting last week at Bentley Primary School, holding one in each of the three schools. After receiving feedback from the community, the steering committee will have one more meeting to shore up their plan that they initially introduced to the school board in January. With a month to consider the committee’s recommendations, the board will discuss and possibly make a decision on whether to proceed during their Feb. 12 meeting. Steering committee chair Alex Williams said that, to date, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. He said the biggest input he’s received is the support for the proposed renovations with the industrial arts and metals facilities. He said that the proposed addition for seventh and eighth grade classrooms connecting to the high school would mean the students would still participate in activities such as sports and music in the middle school facilities. He said that students are already making the trek between the two schools for classes, and the addition would shorten the walk.
Source: Harvey County Now
See an extra 1% charge on your receipt in Overland Crossing? Here’s why.
If you’ve been shopping recently in the Overland Crossing Shopping Center and noticed an extra charge applied to your receipt near the sales tax, that’s a private fee. The fee — that appears on a Whole Foods Market receipt in the center as “OVRLAND GIF” — is a private general improvement fee, or GIF, of 1% on each purchase. Dave Claflin from Legacy Development said the GIF functions similarly to a Community Improvement District or a Tax Increment Financing District, in that the revenue generated by the extra fee pays for improvements within a set area. These private financing arrangements are sometimes called a public improvement fee, and have been used elsewhere in the U.S. In this case, the GIF is paying back improvements Legacy Development did on the Overland Crossing Shopping Center as part of the district’s redevelopment effort, including parking lot improvements, new parking lot islands and new walkways. Claflin said the fee could also be used to help pay for improvements to the shopping center in the future, like HVAC replacements or more parking lot replacements. “That stuff’s an ongoing concern for all shopping centers,” he said. “But especially bigger ticket things that you typically run into when you’re really renovating a center like we did, that’s when you really need it.” Whole Foods Market is one of more than half a dozen stores in the Overland Crossing shopping center that has a 1% charge on all purchased items. Photo credit Kaylie McLaughlin.
Unlike with a CID or a TIF, the city has no authority over the administration of a GIF. Instead, a third party is collecting the fee revenue and administering its distribution to pay back bondholders, Claflin said. “It basically just takes that idea of the TIF and takes the city out of the equation and relieves them of the responsibility of administering it and puts it in the third party’s hands,” he said. City officials stress though that the GIF isn’t a tax.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
KwiKom asks for county buy-in with broadband
County co-investment in a broadband grant application process was central to Tuesday’s commissioners meeting. KwiKom Communications of Iola is currently seeking the county’s assistance in a $2 million broadband project that will bring internet to the area between Iola and Humboldt, as well as near the airport. “It’s a $1 million Kansas Broadband Acceleration grant, but a $2 million project,” noted John Terry, KwiKom Director of Government Affairs and Business. “The state will be putting $1 million towards this project and KwiKom will be investing $1 million.” Terry clarified that any county contribution will offset Kwikom’s share of the project. Initiated in 2020, the Kansas Broadband Acceleration Grant Program aims to allocate $85 million over a decade to narrow the digital divide within the state. The program plays a crucial role in Kansas’ strategy to eliminate statewide broadband gaps. It focuses on directing funds to regions that are unlikely to have access to broadband service without financial support from the state or federal government. There are approximately 150 service points included in KwiKom’s proposed project. One of the components of the grant is community co-investment. “I’m here to have that conversation and find out if the county can co-invest,” said Terry. At the estimated total project cost of $2 million, each service point would be $13,300. “Obviously, without grant funding, that’s not an attractive build,” added Terry.
Source: The Iola Register
New exhibit showcases 1951 JoCo time capsule. Here’s what was found inside.
The Johnson County Museum will display the contents of a time capsule discovered in the cornerstone of the 1952 Johnson County Courthouse through May. The new exhibit is called “Inside the Box: A 1951 Time Capsule.” The capsule, a 10.5-inch-by-13-inch copper box at the center of the exhibit, was all but forgotten to history until crews found it while demolishing the old courthouse in downtown Olathe after the new courthouse opened across the street. “A lot actually was stuffed into that box, and it gives a really good picture of the immense change that the county was going through in the post-war era,” said Andrew Gustafson, curator of interpretation and the project leader on the capsule exhibit. The bulk of the items enclosed in the capsule were paper records, like maps, directory books and dozens of letters from elected officials as well as letters from 14 cities in Johnson County. Also included were nearly 50 photographs — including some from the ceremony of dedication for the cornerstone that contained the capsule — and an 18-minute audio tape. Plus, a reel of microfilm museum officials initially believed was unsalvageable was ultimately successfully digitized by a conservator.
Source: Johnson County Post
Barton house moving down the road
Bobbi and Guy Barton of Halstead are planning on moving, but they’re doing it a little differently than most people. Instead of just moving out of a house, they’re having the house moved, since they had another one built on their property and live there now. The home where they used to reside in rural Halstead is devoid of people now. “We can’t have two houses on the property,” Bobbi said, adding they wanted someone to move it, versus having to tear it down. Because of Harvey County code, they’re not allowed two houses on one property, Bobbi said. The white house, which is the one someone purchased and is moving, was built in 1900. The Bartons moved there in March 2006, Guy said. “Two years ago, we started building this house,” Bobbi said, meaning the newest home they have. “We knew at the time we would rather have someone take this house,” she added about the older one. It’s 1,700 square feet and has good bones. “We figured we would have to advertise the house to sell it,” Bobbi said, adding that, out of the blue, a farmer named Eddie Weber called and said he wanted to take a look at it. He did and said, “I’ll take it.” “So no advertising needed, thankfully,” Bobbi said. Weber plans to move the house in the spring, when he’ll have it put on his property in rural Halstead. The reason they decided to build was because Bobbi had some injuries.
Source: Harvey County Now
Library offers non-traditional items to community
Reading books and using computers are just some of the reasons people are piling into the Wichita Advanced Learning Library. Behind its doors, podcasts are being made, medical equipment is being checked out, as well as other items like hot spots and telescopes. “We decided that we wanted to listen to what community members want through surveys and customer feedback and that’s how we started building our library of things,” said Communication Specialist Sean Jones. Introducing non-traditional items began back in 2021. Jones said the library is considered an urban library and part of a network called the Urban Libraries Counsel. He said they work with their counterparts at these library systems and share ideas and information about what is going on in the different communities. Jones said this is a way of keeping the community coming in. Because Sedgwick County is at medium risk for radon, the first item outside of books they had available for checkout was a radon detector and it was flying off the shelf. The AV studio has become popular for more than just recording music or creating podcasts, people use the room to work on graphic design projects using the Adobe Creative Suite offered. Technology Trainer Janelle Mercer said, “If you’re needing help with an iPhone and iPad or maybe you want to learn how to check out our e-books, we can help you with that or if you want to learn to use something like our AV studio or even our chrome books.” Jeanne Mitchell, a regular at the library, said, “You can start as a toddler and learn to read and then you can create and as an old person, senior, now I just have a great time.” Also introduced are passport application services at some of the other library branches.
Source: KAKE – News
City of Marion asking McAnarney to serve as interim city manager
The city of Marion is looking for a new city manager, and it has reached out to former Emporia city leader Mark McAnarney to fill the role on an interim basis. Marion is looking for a city manager after the resignation of Brogan Jones on Nov. 15, as reported by the Marion County Record. McAnarney served the city of Emporia for over 30 years, first as assistant city manager starting in 1989 and then as city manager in 2013. He retired in late 2021. McAnarney has not said whether he plans to take the Marion post. He served as Neodesha’s interim city manager between October and earlier this month.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio