Kansas Municipal News
Schools implement open enrollment as legislators eye bolder policies
Every Kansas school district must implement by the end of the year some form of an open enrollment policy, which allows students to attend public schools outside of their geographical boundaries. Open enrollment was part of House Bill 2567 from the 2022 legislative session. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed the law, which also fully funded K-12 schools, despite objections from some Democrats on open enrollment. Many school districts across the state are just now finalizing their open enrollment policies after learning what they’re legally allowed to do. “There have been organization that have been able to push some information out to help our school boards identify what they need, and what they have to put in place in terms of policy and what those variations can look like,” said G.A. Buie, executive director of United School Administrators of Kansas.
Source: CJonline
Bel Aire’s city manager retires after 17 years as suburb awaits Integra expansion
After 17 years in the role, Bel Aire city manager Ty Lasher has announced he will retire on March 29 — a move that comes while the Wichita-based manufacturer Integra Technologies is poised to build a new $1.8-billion semiconductor facility in Bel Aire. Lasher, who said he began discussion about his retirement in 2021, will be replaced by Ted Henry, Bel Aire’s assistant city manager for the last 3 years. “Bel Aire is in a great place with a bright future,” Lasher, a native of McLouth, said in an emailed statement. “I felt it was time to step aside and allow someone with new energy and ideas to lead the community into the future.” Since starting his career in 1988, Lasher has worked in government in Jefferson County, Hutchinson and Cheney before taking on the city administrator role in Bel Aire in 2007. Over the years, Lasher has served as a mentor to many master’s of public administration students from Wichita State University. “With the labor market tightening, finding professionals who want to work in local government is becoming more challenging,” he wrote. “Competition for private sector jobs with higher wages, more flexibility and less complaints makes hiring and retaining staff difficult. Those who are dedicated to public service are special people and individuals who I deeply respect.” During his tenure, Bel Aire has seen the development of Sunflower Commerce Park, an 800-acre business and industrial park, and 10 housing subdivisions in various phases of development.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Commerce Awards 2023 SEED Grants to 13 Kansas Communities
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the newest award recipients for the Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program. In total, 13 recipients will receive nearly $275,000 to invest in small communities across the state. “Our state’s smallest communities are finding new and effective ways to become more economically viable and productive,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The quality-of-life investments being made through this program will generate economic development success and prosperity for Kansans now and in the future.” Awardees are located in communities with a population of 5,000 or less, as required by state statute (KS Stat 9-2324 (2021)). They are also required to provide a minimum 10-percent match as well as complete the projects within 12 months. Projects must be focused on economic development and revitalization efforts through one of the following quality-of-life categories: (1) Childcare and senior programming – projects that support or enhance these services, such as building improvements, educational materials, supplies and equipment. (2) Community vibrancy – projects that refresh, re-energize and unlock the attractiveness of rural communities, such as art installations, murals and signage. (3) Food retail – projects that support access to food retail establishments, including development, renovation and/or expansion. (4) Libraries – projects that support providing free and open access to a broad range of materials and services, including reading materials, technology, furniture and building improvements. Funding for the SEED program, which is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is provided through the Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) Development and Expansion Fund. The TEFFI Act was enacted in 2021 through bipartisan legislation to promote economic development throughout the state.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Mulvane’s Hixson ends career spanning four decades
When Kent Hixson accepted the job of Mulvane’s city administrator in 1994, little did he know that his service would stretch almost three decades. “Back then, I would have laughed at the idea of staying 29 years,” he said. “I wanted to stay long enough so our two sons could get through high school.” Hixson officially retired from his work with the city in October of 2023. His last city council meeting – after attending hundreds through his years of service – was Oct. 2. “It’s bittersweet,” Hixson said, “but it’s my time to move on and I’m looking forward to the next chapter.” At the time, Hixson retired as the current longest-tenured city administrator in Kansas. He said part of that stability was due to working with great city councils and council members. Overseeing the daily operations of Mulvane and the city’s department heads on a routine basis, one of the accomplishments Hixson said he was fondest of was building the new library. “I’m a big fan of libraries and we have a beautiful one,” he said of the building, which opened in 2016. Additionally, Hixson took pride in the pathway established that connects Mulvane and Derby – and the work put in between both cities and Sedgwick County to make that happen. Hixson saw the Kansas Star Casino become an “excellent” neighbor during his tenure and noted Mulvane was lucky enough to grow over his 29 years with the city while still maintaining a tight-knit feel – with a historic downtown playing a part in that. “We wouldn’t see this growth if we were out in western Kansas,” Hixson said. “We’re the typical bedroom community and glad to be that.”
Source: Derby Informer | Area
New shared Fire/EMS facility breaks ground
Ground has officially broken on the Garden City Fire Department and Finney County EMS Station 3. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday for the facility to be located on the northwest corner of the Schulman Avenue and Jennie Barker Road intersection. Deb Oyler, Garden City Mayor, said the facility is the final project using the 2017 sales tax proceeds that voters of Finney County supported. “Today is not just a celebration of this new joint facility, but it’s a testament to the power of community support and collaboration,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to celebrate the partnerships between Garden City and the county, and we want to thank you all for taking this time to join us in celebrating this milestone.” Allen Shelton, former Garden City Fire Chief, said while this project was a part of the 2017 sales tax initiative, he’s been working on this for 27 years. It started as a project in 1996 between him and Bob Holloran, the former City Manager of Garden City, to build a third fire station on the east side of the city. “At that time, we were having a lot of fires in the mobile home parks on this side of the community, and we knew that we needed to have a fire station that was closer to improve our response time,” he said.
Source: Garden City Telegram
County Commission establishes committee focusing on LEC remodel
A Law Enforcement Center Remodel Committee was established by the Finney County Commission at their regular meeting Monday. Gerry Schultz, County commissioner, said the purpose for the committee’s creation is to assist in the planning and construction phase of the LEC’s remodel and to assist in communication with the effected parties including the city of Garden City, Garden City Police Department, Finney County and the Sheriff’s Office, and to ensure participation by the County commission in important decisions relating to the planning and construction. Commissioner Duane Drees will serve as the chair of the committee which will be composed of Finney County Administrator Robert Reece, Assistant County Administrator and Finance Director Jenny Hamil, Finney County Sheriff Mike Warren, a county citizen designee of the Sheriff, Garden City Manager Matt Allen and Garden City Police Department Captain E.J. Ochs. Schultz said the committee wasn’t created due to a lack of confidence or ability to complete the project but “rather to improve communication and collaboration.” Drees said to him the project is “a very multi-million-dollar project” and it behooves the county to have representation and communication with all parties.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Hesston Fire/EMS transitioning to 24-hour service
Hesston Fire/EMS will undergo a major overhaul, and residents will see an improvement in service, thanks to a county grant as well as investment from the City of Hesston. That’s according to Hesston Fire/EMS Chief Russ Buller. He said the city council, following a Tuesday work session, gave the go-ahead for a plan that would allow two full-time staff members from the county. The additions would allow Hesston to staff its service for 24 hours per day, five days a week with full-time staff. Part-time staff, previously paid for call response, would be paid minimum wage for on-call hours. Previously, full-time staff worked from 8 a.m. to midnight on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and worked regular business hours Tuesday and Thursday. Gaps were filled by volunteers, technically part-time employees who would be on call and paid per response. “I really want to send the message that this is such an amazing step forward for us, not only from the standpoint that we’re able to put more full-time people into the system to serve the community but it’s going to speed our response time and make our department that much stronger and sustainable,” Buller said. The county grant allocation to Hesston for $140,000 was primarily directed to increase the amount of emergency medical technicians able to respond at various local departments. These employees will also be cross-trained to serve as firefighters, Buller said, also helping the department’s response to emergencies. Hesston Fire/EMS would increase its number to six full-time employees.
Source: Harvey County Now
Wyandotte County residents disagree about whether to dissolve the Unified Government
In October, the mayors of the three largest cities in Wyandotte County floated the idea of dissolving the Unified Government as an option to address debt and service issues. But not everyone thinks those structural changes are the right approach. The possibility of dissolving the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, is now on the table but it’s not clear whether that would be an effective strategy. In October, the mayors of Bonner Springs, Edwardsville and Kansas City, Kansas floated the idea of splitting up the Unified Government, and announced they wanted to hear from residents about how to best address debt and service issues in the county, among other issues. Edwardsville Mayor Carolyn Caiharr ran listening sessions on the issue last month. She said some residents support the idea of dissolving the Unified Government entirely. “If it (deconsolidation) was an easy solution, I think a lot of people would be all for it, just because of how disenfranchised folks are right now in Wyandotte County,” Caiharr told KCUR’s Up To Date. “But there is the reality also of what it would take.” Other solutions, such as amending the Unified Government’s charter, are also being considered. But some residents don’t believe that any of those options would work.
Source: KCUR
Panasonic still moving forward with Kansas factory after pulling plans for Oklahoma plant
A global company has once again decided against building an electric vehicle battery plant near Tulsa despite lawmakers offering a $698 million incentive package and funding millions of dollars in site improvements at the company’s request. A Panasonic spokesperson said Friday that the company will not build a multibillion-dollar battery plant at Pryor’s MidAmerica Industrial Park. “In April 2023, we entered into an agreement with the state of Oklahoma to explore building a factory in the state, with the understanding that we would make a decision about whether or not to move forward at the end of that exploratory process,” Panasonic spokesperson Alison Klooster said in an email. “After careful deliberations, we have made the decision not to move forward with developing the site.” Klooster did not say why the company is no longer considering Pryor. Decisions about where to build new facilities are complex and based on a wide range of factors, she said. Oklahoma officials have been trying to lure Panasonic to the state since at least 2022. Panasonic announced plans last year to locate a new, $4 billion-dollar electric vehicle plant in Kansas, but the company then explored the possibility of building a second plant in Pryor that could have resulted in 3,500 new jobs. State lawmakers put together a $698 million incentive package for the company in an attempt to close the deal. After Panasonic requested $245 million in site work at the MidAmerica Industrial Park, lawmakers appropriated $145 million this year for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to fund facility upgrades and infrastructure and safety improvements at the park. “The Legislature provided that which was requested by the executive branch to win the commitment of Project Ocean,” House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said in a statement, referencing the codename given to the proposed Panasonic project.
Source: KCUR News
City of Wichita planting over 1K trees to tackle heat islands
The City of Wichita will be planting over 1,000 trees to tackle heat islands across Wichita. District 6 Council Member Maggie Ballard held a public meeting on Wednesday afternoon at Emporia Park to discuss how the lack of an extensive tree canopy contributes to the area being identified as a heat island by NASA. After extensive outreach and public input, the Wichita City Council approved a tree policy for the city on Tuesday. “Our goal for the tree policy is to lessen the effect of heat islands across our community,” said Ballard. “Implementing a tree policy isn’t just about creating a nice green backdrop for our city, although that’s a bonus. It’s about setting up our community for a better, healthier future. By planting more trees, we’re not just making the city look prettier. We’re also fighting climate change and making sure we all breathe a bit easier.” City of Wichita Arborist Gary Farris says from East Central Avenue and North Broadway Street, up to East 21st Street North and North Grove Street is the most significant heat island, or with the least tree canopy out of the 17 in the city. “We chose this area to plant over 1,000 trees, I believe it’s 1,382 trees in that area. To help increase the tree canopy overall,” said Farris. Farris is also encouraging homeowners in the area to plant trees. The City of Wichita is partnering with Seeders, Inc. to not only plant the trees but care for them for the next two years. “The EPA has identified tree planting as the most cost-effective way to mitigate heat islands, and so that’s what we’re trying to do here,” said Farris.
Source: KSN-TV
Mission OKs inclusive play equipment purchase for Water Works Park
Water Works Park in Mission is getting new play equipment. The Mission City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a nearly $350,000 purchase of inclusive play equipment for Water Works Park. Water Works Park is located off of 53rd Street and Woodson Drive, directly south of Rushton Elementary. The green and blue play equipment includes swing sets, slides and mounds. Penn Almoney, the parks and recreation director, told the city council on Dec. 20 that the new playground allows access from any angle. It also provides ways for children who are unable to communicate to tap a picture and communicate with other children or adults, Almoney said. This is going to be the second inclusive playground equipment set in Mission, with the first set headed to Mohawk Park. “We’re pretty excited that we are raising the bar here in Mission,” Almoney said. Councilmember Debbie Kring noted that she sat on a committee years ago dedicated to finding a way to bring inclusive play to Mission, and even though it took a while, “it worked out.” Earlier this year, the city approved a number of upgrades to the park. The list of improvements includes a trail expansion, restrooms, a shelter and lighting. Mission plans to install the new playground equipment in summer 2024, according to city documents.
Source: Prairie Village Post
On the windswept plains of southwest Kansas, loneliness and isolation confirm policy failures
I’m saying goodbye to another set of friends who are leaving Dodge City and moving on to greener pastures outside of Kansas, writes Alejandro Rangel-Lopez. While this feeling first felt like a slight breeze, it now reflects the howling winds of the prairies as I struggle to hold on, like a tumbleweed in a barbed wire fence. In 2021, I graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree, a community organizing job in my hometown and a dream of empowering young southwest Kansans with the tools to build communities we can be proud to call home. Two years later, I’m saying goodbye to another set of friends who are leaving Dodge City and moving on to greener pastures out of Kansas, and I find myself reflecting on this dream as I continue to struggle to find my place on these desolate, open plains. When I first left my hometown of Dodge City after graduating from high school, I knew that I wanted to come back to where my family was and foster the idea that, as the youngest region in a state bursting with diversity, we deserve a say in the policies that affect our day-to-day lives and demand a better future for our children. I spent my time at college learning from both peers and professors the skills and information I’d need to help me in this endeavor. From taking classes about the politics of Latin America, to getting involved with campus organizations, to representing my fellow students as a student senator, I thought that I was setting myself up for great success as soon as I graduated. I didn’t foresee, however, how much the absence of those support systems would affect me and my ability to do the work necessary to build toward change. I took for granted how easy it was to see friends, meet new people with similar interests and do those things that make you look forward to the next day. Though I don’t miss the all-nighters I pulled to turn in papers and other projects on time, I can’t help but to feel as if I’m missing a part of myself. Or rather, missing out on opportunities to share moments with others. While this feeling first felt like a slight breeze, it now reflects the howling winds of the prairies as I struggle to hold on, like a tumbleweed in a barbed wire fence.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Johnson County’s only winter homeless shelter is already at capacity
The first of December marked the beginning of the ninth winter of operations for Project 1020, Johnson County’s only low-barrier-to-entry homeless shelter. “If I had 75 beds, they would all be filled and I’d still need more,” McEver said. “We’re easily seeing that many people here every night.” McEver said the 30 beds Project 1020 is currently allowed by the city of Lenexa are simply not enough to meet the growing demand they are facing each day. The shelter operates out of the Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church at 9400 Pflumm Rd. She keeps extensive data and analyzes it for trends and hard truths, she said. One increase that keeps sticking out and weighing heavily on her is the increase in women looking for a place to sleep. “The demand is surging, and we have seen an increase in our female occupants going from 27% last year to 38% this year,” McEver said. “There’s more new faces than ever.” Last week, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the purchase of a Lenexa hotel to be converted into the county’s first and only year-round shelter and service center for those experiencing homelessness, a move that to local advocates could change the course of how homelessness is addressed in Johnson County. The lack of space isn’t a new phenomenon. When the Post spoke with Project 1020 last spring, their April 1 deadline to close until December was rapidly approaching. Jim Schmidt and the other volunteers were busy getting the facility cleaned and ready to shutter for the next eight months. McEver was already discussing how inadequate the 30 beds were, and lamented that the space couldn’t be kept available year round to those in need. There had also been some positive things to report from last winter. The showers they had installed were working out very well, and they no longer had to transport people off site to get cleaned up.
Source: KCUR News
Municipal Bond Trends for December 21, 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.
Municipal Bond Trends for December 20, 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.
Salina offers incentive to SkyWest Airlines to change its flight times
Local leaders in Salina have put $900,000 at stake to incentivize the airline serving the city to change times for non-stop flights to and from Denver. … “The ideal departure for Denver would be not (the current) 11 o’clock in the morning, it’s that 6:45 (a.m.),” [Tim Rogers, executive director of the authority] said. This would mean the flight from Salina would arrive in Denver around 7 a.m. MST/MDT, allowing travelers to catch more flights out of Denver with United Airlines, which SkyWest contracts with for its Salina flights.
Source: Salina Journal
Wichita finalizes plans to offer targeted property tax relief to certain vulnerable residents in a one-year pilot program
The program builds off of existing tax credits at the state level to reimburse low-income seniors, disabled veterans and their surviving spouses, and low-income residents with underage dependents, for a portion of their 2023 property taxes. Four in five Sedgwick County homeowners saw their property values increase in 2023, with the overall tax valuation in Wichita increasing by 9.3%, according to the county clerk. “This is the largest targeted tax relief for people who need tax relief that we’ve done in at least a generation,” Mayor Brandon Whipple said Tuesday before the City Council gave its final approval. The pilot program is designed to provide up to $660,000 in refunds on a first-come first-served basis through Nov. 30, 2024 or until funds run out.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2023-13: Postelection Audit of Votes Cast
Synopsis: Election officials conducting postelection audits must review the official paper ballots identified in K.S.A. 25-2912 rather than printed ballot images. Cited herein: K.S.A. 25-2912; 25-3009; 77-420; K.A.R. 7-47-1.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
Governor Kelly Announces More than $8M for Safer Roads
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that 19 communities across the state will receive $8.3 million for projects that improve safety on local roadways. This is the third round of Kansas grant recipients through the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program for 2023. … Combined with the first two rounds of SS4A announcements made earlier this year, to date, 38 Kansas communities have submitted successful applications. The combined total is nearly $14.8 million in federal funds, $3 million in state contributions, and $743,00 in local match contributions. … Additional information regarding the Kansas SS4A Match Pilot Program can be found online at https://www.ksdot.gov/ss4a/programinformation.asp. Below is an overview of the December 2023 awarded projects in Kansas from the SS4A program:
| Lead Applicant | Federal Funding | Local Match
|
KDOT Contribution | Total Project Cost |
| City of Emporia | $240,000 | $15,000 | $45,000 | $300,000 |
| City of Eudora | $100,000 | $6,250 | $18,750 | $125,000 |
| City of Independence | $1,284,000 | $— | $321,000 | $1,605,000 |
| City of Junction City | $160,000 | $ 20,000 | $20,000 | $200,000 |
| City of Leawood | $452,000 | $56,500 | $56,500 | $565,000 |
| City of Mission | $160,000 | $10,000 | $30,000 | $200,000 |
| City of Overland Park | $500,000 | $ 62,500 | $62,500 | $625,000 |
| City of Paola | $120,000 | $ 7,500 | $22,500 | $150,000 |
| City of Prairie Village | $80,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $100,000 |
| City of Spring Hill | $200,000 | $12,500 | $37,500 | $250,000 |
| Finney County | $240,000 | $15,000 | $45,000 | $300,000 |
| Geary County | $160,000 | $10,000 | $30,000 | $200,000 |
| Gray County | $800,000 | $— | $200,000 | $1,000,000 |
| McPherson County | $560,000 | $— | $140,000 | $700,000 |
| North Central Regional Planning Commission | $1,520,000 | $— | $380,000 | $1,900,000 |
| Unincorporated Johnson County | $240,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $300,000 |
| Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization | $940,000 | $58,750 | $176,250 | $1,175,000 |
| Mid-America Regional Council | $400,000 | $70,750 | $ 29,250 | $500,000 |
| St. Joseph Area Transportation Study Organization | $160,000 | $37,600 | $2,400 | $200,000 |
| TOTAL | $8,316,000 | $422,350 | $1,676,650 | $10,395,000 |
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
Park City Planning Commission approves zone change for Ruffin casino
Another step in Phil Ruffin’s highly-anticipated Golden Circle Casino in Park City tonight as the Planning Commission approved a zoning change to allow the development as planned. Construction crews are already hard at work for the future historical horse racing casino and hotel at 77th and Hydraulic. The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission approved a license for the casino in July, allowing it to operate 1,000 machines inside county lines. Monday, the Park City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the next step in making the casino a reality – changing the zoning on the property to allow for the expansion. “It’s a fairly massive project on the renovation and construction of the existing structure,” said Park City Zoning Administrator Russ Evvy. “Without sounding like a cheerleader, I think it’s a very exciting reuse of that particular property.” Monday’s meeting was a public hearing, but there was no public comment or input on this change. The commission says it was more of a formality to align the property zoning with decisions that have already been made.
Source: KAKE – News