Kansas Municipal News
Garden City reviews State Theater proposals
Proposals for the State Theater were reviewed at the Garden City Commission’s regular meeting Tuesday. At its Feb. 7 meeting the commission authorized the release of a request for proposals regarding future use of the State Theater building. A total of three proposals were received on April 26. One from Mark Pamplin, one from the Finney County Preservation Alliance in collaboration with Garden City High School and the final one from the Tumbleweed Festival. Pamplin proposed remodeling the building into a “into a state-of-the-art, 500-seat live entertainment venue” with a second floor to be use for rehearsal, storage and office space. The theater would be done as a theater-in-the-round with an adjustable theater, the ability to turn into a traditional theater by removing a section of seating.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Mural project progressing in Winfield
The design for the Winfield’s 150th Celebration mural has been finalized, and we are working hard to “make our mark” on the side of Home Lumber & Supply at 12th Avenue and Main Street. We are grateful for all the wonderful input we received from the community and are excited to present this featured artwork to the city. As we thought about all the “building blocks of Winfield,” we considered some of the iconic buildings and institutions, businesses, organizations, events and celebrations throughout the years that made an impact on Winfield.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Manhattan to review annual report on local streets
Manhattan City Commissioners will hold a work session this evening at City Hall. The meeting will include an annual update on the pavement management of arterial, collector and local streets. Public Works Director Rob Ott will present the report, taking a look back at the last five years, with a summary of Safe Routes to School Program projects as well as future planned projects that are obligated, projects in design and anticipated projects through 2026. Public Works will be looking for direction from city staff and commissioners on a strategy and potential timeline for what happens once the sales tax for the pavement preservation program and Safe Routes to School program.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Derby city manager earns credentialed designation
Derby City Manager Kiel Mangus recently received the credentialed manager designation from the International City/County Management Association. He is one of 1,400 local government management professionals worldwide currently credentialed through the ICMA program. To receive the prestigious ICMA credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; have earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field; and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Two Economic Development Projects Moving Forward: Pork Processing Plant, Sports Complex
A meat processing plant is back in the works for Bourbon County. “I have been working to bring about the meat processing plant, a pork processing plant,” Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells said in an interview. Billy Madison is the owner of the business, S.H. Pork Processing. “This plant will provide farmers with an outlet for their pork processing,” Madison said. “And provide 15-30 new jobs.” This is an artists rendition of the S.H. Processing Plant that Madison will build. Submitted.
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Macksville Library launches Kids in the Kitchen program
Just one month ago, the new programming area at the Macksville City Library was an empty room, in dire need of furnishings and appliances. Now, thanks to the 2022 $5,000 Children’s Health Grant from the South Central Community Foundation, we have tables, chairs, a refrigerator, microwave, and so much more, making this a usable and welcoming space for patrons young and old. Plus, funds from this grant enabled us to purchase cookbooks, spatulas and healthy ingredients to host three special Kids in the Kitchen programs with local elementary classes.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
What the health department does
Marion County health department director Krista Schneider kicked off a meeting Saturday at Florence Carriage Manor by asking attendees what services came to mind when they thought about the health department. The No. 1 answer was vaccinations. Health department staff members administered 2,696 vaccines from April 3, 2022, through April 2 of this year, Schneider said.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Jackson County commissioners, planners discuss solar regulations
The Jackson County Commission and the Jackson County Planning Commission met Monday afternoon to review open meetings and records guidelines, as well as discuss the process for developing a special use permit for commercial solar energy projects. … County Counselor Lee Hendricks also reported that he and county commissioners plan to spend the next few months developing the “framework” for a special use permit for commercial possible solar projects. Hendricks and the county commissioners are looking at solar regulations currently in place in Kingman County, as well as other counties, including Johnson and Douglas.
Source: Holton Recorder
Voters to decide USD 336 at-large position question
On a 6-0 vote at its meeting here Monday evening, the Holton school board voted by resolution to change the method of school board election for the district, making all the school board positions at-large and not tied to any geographic area in the school district, as is currently the case. A plan of change setting forth in detail the present method of election and voting plan and the proposed change in the method of election have been prepared and are now on file in the office of the clerk of the board of education, it was reported. The proposed change would become effective if district voters approve it at the upcoming November election, it was reported.
Source: Holton Recorder
Train exhibit at Johnson County Museum now open
Johnson County Museum’s new exhibit on trains opened last Saturday, May 13. TRAINS: Transportation and the Transformation of Johnson County showcases the impact of railroads in Johnson County. The exhibit details how trains have transformed the county’s landscape, people and economy – from the early days of the Kansas Pacific Railway to the modern-day BNSF Railway. Through interactive displays, historical artifacts, and engaging visuals, visitors can learn about the county’s long history with the railroad and how it continues to shape the county today.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |
Wilson community voting on future of Central Plains School District
The future of a central Kansas school district is now in the hands of the voters. It was earlier this year that the Central Plains School District decided to close the Wilson 7-12 grade school due to a lack of funding. Now some voters in the district say the best step forward is to disband the district entirely. Enough petition signatures were gathered to put the disorganization of USD 112 up for a vote during the August 1st primary election. Superintendent Bill Lowry says if it passes, state law says other surrounding districts would take the land of the district if voters decide to disorganize. “We have about 10 school districts that border us,” Lowry said. “So, there would be about 10 school districts eligible to be assigned by the board of education.”
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita Public Schools open Future Ready Center to grow technical education opportunities
If you ask Martin Gutierrez about why he started taking technical education classes while at North High, he found it interesting and easy to understand. “It’s more of a tactile part of learning, you kind of get to have a lot more hands-on,” he told KAKE Friday. Gutierrez is one of several Wichita public school students that have been taking classes at the district’s new “Future Ready Center” while it was being finished. Friday, the district held its ceremonial opening of the former grocery store turned educational complex. WPS Superintendent Dr. Alicia Thompson says the school board has had the building for a while and had been working on a plan to best utilize it.
Source: KAKE – News
Southeast Kansas police departments catches unusual escapee
The Parsons Police Department roped an unusual escapee on Thursday (May 18). According to a release, the department was notified about a “possible traffic hazard.” The hazard? A calf that escaped from the local livestock market. Sergeant Waylon Kepley and Officer Joshua Lindsey responded. Fortunately, Sgt. Kepley grew up on a farm and helped raise cattle, so he knew that the animal could be unpredictable. The officers found the calf near Parcom on North 16th Street, eight blocks from the livestock market.
Source: KOAM News
City of Wichita gets rush of lifeguard applicants ahead of pool season
Pool season begins on May 29. At the start of May, the City of Wichita said it was nearly 40 lifeguards short of what is needed to keep all the pools open this summer. A lot of interest in the lifeguard openings sparked over the last couple of weeks. The city is hosting training sessions for over 50 applicants to get certified this pool season. “It’s absolutely fantastic that we have this number of people that are wanting to become lifeguards. Really it comes down to keeping our community safe and helping our partners within the community,” said Joe Marten, City of Wichita aquatics supervisor.
Source: KSN-TV
Is panhandling legal in Topeka?
People looking for financial help can be seen dotting roads and intersections in the Capital City, but is this a legal activity? The question of panhandlers in Topeka came up three years ago during a City Council session where members voted on whether or not to pass a new ordinance to ban panhandling. While not a total ban, it prevents panhandlers from congregating at certain places in Topeka. Panhandling is described as “a form of solicitation or begging derived from the impression created by someone holding out his hand to beg or using a container to collect money,” according to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
Source: KSNT 27 News
Community-Police Oversight Work Group discusses hopes, concerns at first meeting
To the relief of its members, the Community-Police Oversight Work Group met for the first time Monday. Members shared their hopes, concerns and needs to move the process forward. The work group is intended to review the Lawrence Police Department’s current complaint process and make recommendations for the Community Police Review Board’s oversight of the complaint process. (Read more on the background at this link.) The group’s work was originally supposed to conclude in November, but the process has been delayed.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district will sell land to Tenants to Homeowners, start process to sell East Heights
The Lawrence school board on Monday voted to sell surplus property to Tenants to Homeowners as well as begin the process to sell East Heights and transfer the student programs held there to one of the elementary schools that will soon close. As part of the board’s consent agenda for Monday — a list of items that are considered routine and approved with one vote unless a board member or the superintendent pulls an item for further discussion — the board unanimously approved the sale of the property the district owns at 2600 W. 25th St., just north of the athletic fields at Holcom Park.
Source: The Lawrence Times
City committee recommends consolidating or changing most of 18 advisory boards
A city committee has reviewed the city’s advisory boards and recommends consolidating 13 boards down to five, nixing another and making the police review board the “Safe and Secure Board.” Over the last five months, the Board and Commissions Structure Committee was tasked with limiting the number of boards to 10, not counting those required by state statutes. The committee has discussed the city’s strategic plan, and the scopes and charges of all its boards and commissions, according to a Friday news release from the city. “As a result of this work, each relevant board and commission has been sorted into the outcome or commitment area to which it is most closely aligns,” according to the release.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for May 22, 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.
Fed Chair Powell says rates may not have to rise as much as expected to curb inflation
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Friday that stresses in the banking sector could mean that interest rates won’t have to be as high to control inflation. Speaking at a monetary conference in Washington, D.C., the central bank leader noted that Fed initiatives used to deal with problems at mid-sized banks have mostly halted worst-case scenarios from transpiring. But he noted that the problems at Silicon Valley Bank and others could still reverberate through the economy. “The financial stability tools helped to calm conditions in the banking sector. Developments there, on the other hand, are contributing to tighter credit conditions and are likely to weigh on economic growth, hiring and inflation,” he said as part of a panel on monetary policy. “So as a result, our policy rate may not need to rise as much as it would have otherwise to achieve our goals,” he added. “Of course, the extent of that is highly uncertain.”
Source: CNBC
What’s going on with food sales tax, explained
Where are the food sales tax savings? … In the last five months, the state passed legislation decreasing food sales tax down to four percent. However, that decrease isn’t always reflected on the bill. And depending on the grocery store, some bills show two different sales taxes applied to different parts of the purchase. … A law went into effect in January to stair step down the state’s food sales tax rate from 6.5 percent to zero percent by 2025. Currently, the sales tax rate is at 4 percent. While the law applies to food, the devil’s in the details on what the state defines as food. The state law lists food and food ingredients as exempt. The law defines food as items meant for “Ingestion or chewing by humans and are consumed for their taste or nutritional value.” That definition extends to things like fruit, flour and uncooked meat as well as items like dietary supplements. But, that definition has limits, you can buy plenty of food that’s not sales tax exempt.
Source: Harvey County Now
Kansas governor approves shift of tax dollars to private schools, but rejects cuts for small districts
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a controversial school funding bill Thursday that lets more families use state tax dollars to pay for private or home schools. But Kelly vetoed portions of the bill that could hurt some rural school districts. That line-item veto could set up a court fight between Kelly and the Kansas Legislature over the governor’s powers to tweak a funding bill crammed with policy changes. The state constitution grants Kelly the power to veto individual items of appropriations bills, but lawmakers in recent years have separated the education budget into a bill that includes both spending and policy.
Source: KCUR News
After fire and smoke incidents, electric bus is an anomaly, Wichita city officials say
City officials are calling an electric bus that caught fire early Wednesday morning an anomaly. The incident was reported around 1:30 a.m. at the Wichita transit maintenance building at 777 E. Waterman. Maintenance staff and security noticed a lithium-ion battery powered bus had caught fire. The bus is powered by 10 lithium-ion batteries. Eight are mounted on the roof and two sit in the rear of the bus. The fire apparently originated from a single battery placed on the top, said Michael Tann, director of transit for the city.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Incentives, infrastructure: Here’s what drew an $80M plastics plant to Maize
An 80-acre site within Maize Industrial Park “checked all the boxes” for a North Carolina-based manufacturer looking to build its eighth plastics plant in the Midwest, said Brad Muller, a spokesperson representing the company. Announced last week, the $80-million project from Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co. will be built near 119th Street West and 53rd North in Maize. The company says it plans to create 50 new jobs over the next three years. Muller said Maize had a number of draws for the manufacturer, which produces cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings, predominately for wholesale plumbing distributors. “Maize is fast growing, it’s pro-business, a well-educated workforce,” he said. “We’re conservative financially, culturally, politically conservative, and so we wanted someplace that kind of reflected our values and someplace where we can draw a workforce that’s going to appreciate those family values.”
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Zoning changes help Barton County rural businesses
In an effort to both make it easier to start a business in rural areas of Barton County and to protect the county’s interests, the County Commission Wednesday morning approved amendments to the zoning regulations and map. “We’re trying to catch situations where we’re protecting the county, we’re protecting landowners that live near these businesses, and also just making it as easy as we can to set up these businesses in the county,” said Environmental Manager Judy Goreham, who oversees zoning matters.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Incentives offered to Great Bend water customers
As a way to encourage Great Bend city water customers to return the lead and copper pipe questionnaires, the city will offer a $25 credit on the utility bills for those who respond by the Aug. 31 deadline. The surveys are part of a local pipe inventory mandated by federal and state agencies. Those who miss the deadline are not eligible. The survey is on the city’s website and will also be mailed to all 6,700 active account holders, said Public Works Director Jason Cauley. It is also being promoted on the city’s social media sites.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Local tourism makes big impact in Great Bend
One youth softball tournament can bring in over $500,000 into the community. That is just one of the impacts tourism has on the local economy, said Great Bend Community Coordinator and Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes said, speaking to the City Council Monday night. “Last week was National Tourism week,” she said. “I just want to go over a couple facts, because as a board member for the (Kansas Tourism Office) it is part of our job to share what Kansas tourism does with our councils and boards.”
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Sedgwick ups the ante in battle over empty buildings
The owners of abandoned buildings could soon face fines up to $500, thanks to an ordinance passed Wednesday evening during Sedgwick’s city council meeting. City Administrator Kyle Nordick suggested an annual registration fee of $25 for residential and $100 for commercial vacant buildings to try to combat the blight that empty spaces create in the community. He said they discourage economic development and decrease appreciation of other property values.
Source: Harvey County Now
Summer kickoff to draw crowd in Halstead
With attendance forecast at anywhere from 400 to 500 people, the Kansas Learning Center for Health’s free Summer Kick-Off is expected to be bigger than ever this year. Held on Wednesday, May 31, from 4 to 7 p.m., the event is described by Elizabeth Hingst, assistant director, as a mix of a block party and a resource fair. “The entire town is invited, and it’s a one-stop shop for all things summer,” Hingst said. “You can sign up for family pool passes and swim lessons, the library will have their signup for the summer reading program […] my kids ended up with goody bags packed full of crafts that I used all summer long, last year.”
Source: Harvey County Now
Municipal Bond Trends for May 18, 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.
Shawnee County says Kansas law prevents tax deal with Heartland Park
Kansas law bans Shawnee County from complying with a request by the owner of Heartland Motorsports Park that the two sides cut a deal to resolve a years-long property tax battle, commissioners said Thursday. They quoted a Kansas law that says the county cannot “release, discharge, remit or commute” past tax liability if the valuations involved have not been appealed or challenged by the taxpayer. In a signed statement put out Thursday, Commissioners Kevin Cook, Aaron Mays and Bill Riphahn said they are sympathetic to the situation facing Chris Payne but that he hasn’t availed himself of the options available. Payne hasn’t appealed or protested the valuations for the Heartland Park property for the tax years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 or 2023, meaning the county can’t change those valuations, the statement said.
Source: CJonline
Topeka and Lawrence leaders to further develop ‘good locker room mojo’ with ‘City Swap’
Topeka and Lawrence will look at each other with fresh eyes to understand how the cities can work together. On Friday morning, the Greater Topeka Partnership and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce announced the 2023 Topeka-Lawrence “City Swap” event. The effort is aimed to bring together business leaders, community stakeholders and elected officials to tour each city. The two-day event will be Oct. 12 in Topeka and Oct. 13 in Lawrence and will feature speakers, networking and opportunities to learn about the exciting developments in each community.
Source: CJonline
How a childcare desert drives families away from Saline
In Saline County, like much of the nation, childcare availability is diminishing for families. [Kathi] Barton doesn’t like turning people away, but she’s only licensed for so many children. “With a waiting list a mile long, we get people who call in tears, crying that they can’t find anybody,” Kathi Barton said. “They just don’t know what to do.” As of early 2023, there are an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 fewer available childcare spaces than needed in Saline County, according to data from Childcare Aware, a statewide resource and referral agency. Meanwhile, local childcare centers and at-home providers alike are operating at capacity. While at home providers face their own unique challenges, care facilities are having trouble hiring staff due to poverty level wages, among other issues.
Source: Salina Journal
Saline County’s new jail is five months away from being complete
Progress continues at a steady pace at the new Saline County Jail, and with five months to go before it’s expected to be complete, the county continues its recruiting efforts to staff it. County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes shared a project update this week, with an appeal to the public for ongoing recruiting efforts. Much of recent discussions among county officials about the new jail facility has been about the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to fully staff certain parts of the building. The department has been shorthanded at its current facility on 10th Street, and plans for the new facility included additional programming for inmates.
Source: Salina Journal
Schwan’s celebrates completion of Salina pizza plant expansion
The largest frozen pizza plant in the world is now officially open after the Schwan’s Company celebrated the completion of a major expansion to its Salina facility Friday. Schwan’s Company CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios said he often lives a fast-paced life, but when he woke up Friday morning he knew, because of the years-long process that brought the company to this moment, that it was a special day to take things slow. “(I wanted) to enjoy every little minute of this accomplishment,” Smyrnios said. In the works since at least 2019, Smyrnios said this accomplishment was a proud moment for everyone who instrumental in making the 400,000-square-foot expansion a reality.
Source: Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for May 19, 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.
Towanda Installs Historical Timeline
A group of volunteers in Towanda are telling the story of the town by installing a historical timeline inside the town’s Historical Society. While the historical society usually hosts goat yoga, spring tea and other fun events, they’ve been working hard on a big addition to the building. The timeline will outline Towanda’s history from the beginning. Before Towanda was incorporated, it was the last stop before New Mexico, making it quite popular for travelers.
Source: Andover American
Sears store in Johnson County is closing, the last in Kansas City — and the region
The Sears store in Johnson County, the last in the Kansas City area, will soon close. The location, at 6327 W. 119th St., is now covered with signs announcing its final sale. Sears Home & Life opened in 2019 as part of the company’s efforts to focus on appliances and home goods at a fraction of the size of its traditional store models. The Overland Park location is also the only remaining Sears store in the state of Kansas. None are left in Missouri. Sears, at one time a popular department store with hundreds of locations across the country, filed for bankruptcy in October 2018 amid dropping sales and mass closings.
Source: Joco 913 News
Lithium ion batteries catch City of Wichita electric bus on fire
Wichita Fire Battalion Chief Lane Pearman says, “these types of fires involving electric type vehicles they are fairly difficult, because of that chain reaction that causes those batteries to continuously heat up to the point to where they actually ignite and the there’s only two ways that fire’s going to go out. It either consumes everything it’s going to consume, or we provide enough water to reduce the temperature of those batteries below that critical temperature threshold.”
Source: KAKE – News
Rural Kansans wait to see how long prescriptions by telehealth last after the pandemic
At the Citizens Health hospital in Colby, Kansas, 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,” said Jenny Niblock, a nurse practitioner at the medical center. “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. When the federal government declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national public health emergency, it let clinicians prescribe drugs remotely to reduce in-person appointments and avoid further spreading the virus.
Source: KAKE – News
How the Flint Hills Trail became the state’s longest ride
Whether it’s cycling the Scottish Highlands or the legendary wine country of France, Roz Newmark and John Roberson have pedaled famed trails throughout the world, including those in America. “Cycle touring is what we do,” says Newmark, of Salt Lake City. “We’ll travel about anywhere to cycle the best trails.” In October, just off Walnut Street in Council Grove, Newmark and Roberson began a bicycling adventure they think is good enough to bring cyclists from afar.
Source: KLC Journal
Once-in-a-lifetime adventure takes Nebraska man on grand tour of all Kansas towns
Few can claim to have visited every corner of the Sunflower State but this Nebraska man is making it his personal mission. Meet Seth Varner. At 23-years-old, he’s probably visited more of Kansas and learned more of its history than people who have lived in the state their entire lives. He’s challenging himself to visit every single incorporated town in Kansas, both large and small, and bring them into the public view through his social media and publishing company: Wandermore.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Municipal Bond Trends for May 17, 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.
Wichita’s fireworks laws just got an overhaul. Here’s what will be legal, illegal this year
The City Council approved changes to Wichita’s fireworks laws by a 6-0 vote. Council member Jeff Blubaugh was absent from the meeting. The law will take effect in stages. This year, it’s legal to shoot off aerial fireworks from July 1-4 and increased fines for violations are being implemented. For 2023, it’s still illegal to sell aerial fireworks within city limits.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Lenexa’s future Old Town activity center takes shape
The recreation facilities in Lenexa’s Old Town are on track to get a major overhaul by the end of next year. The plan, presented to the Lenexa City Council this week, calls for a combination of the Lenexa Community Center and Lenexa Senior Center functions, the demolition of the Senior Center and the addition of more outdoor recreation space.
Source: Prairie Village Post