Kansas Municipal News
Municipal Bond Trends for August 28, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Overland Park names its new police chief, the first woman to lead the department
Overland Park has named Doreen Jokerst, leader of the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department, as its next police chief. She will be the first woman to run the department. Jokerst, who has served for six years as the assistant vice chancellor for public safety and chief of police overseeing the Boulder campus, will replace former Overland Park police chief Frank Donchez, who resigned last year.
Source: Joco 913 News
Allen County preps for election on sales tax
Voters will decide whether to approve a half-cent sales tax to fund EMS services. The question will be added to the November ballot.
Source: The Iola Register
Townsfolk: Gas is pretty great
Even when pressed, the townsfolk of Gas found little to complain about nor was their wishlist long. They are there because they like small-town, countryesque living where the amenities of a larger city are just a short drive away. At least that was the takeaway from the half-dozen at Tuesday night’s Community Conversation hosted by Thrive Allen County.
Source: The Iola Register
Reno County residents digging deeper into water wells due to ongoing drought
The ongoing drought is continuing to affect homeowners. Some in Reno County are now having to dig deeper into their water wells. The properties here rely on groundwater for drinking water and to water trees, but in recent years, conditions have gotten drier and drier, forcing homeowners to drill deeper for water.
Source: KSN-TV
Southwest Kansas set to fuel the future of flight
The State of Kansas is taking a leap to be on the cutting edge of sustainable fuels with a new biofuel plant in southwest Kansas. Officials gathered for a groundbreaking at the SAFFiRE plant in Liberal Wednesday morning. … The plant will use the corn stalks and husks left over from harvest and turn them into ethanol. The ethanol will then be turned into sustainable aviation fuel, which has an 83% lower carbon footprint than conventional jet fuel.
Source: KSN-TV
Could farmland tract in Olathe help fill ‘missing middle’ housing gap? Developers think so
Olathe Commons, a mixed residential rental project boasting “missing middle” housing, is moving forward. On Monday, the Olathe Planning Commission recommended approving a rezoning and a preliminary site development plan for the project in an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Jim Terrones was absent from the meeting. The development, which will have both townhomes and more compact cottage-court-style single-family homes for rent, is proposed on a 23-acre piece of farmland southwest of 119th Street and Greenwood Street near the Olathe Pointe Shopping Center. “It’s nice to see a housing project like this kind of come in and meet the middle,” Commissioner Taylor Breen said. Olathe Commons plans 250+ dwelling units: In all, 274 dwelling units are planned with an average density of nine units per acre. That includes 60 cottage-court-style single-family homes and 214 units spread across 27 two-story townhome buildings. The development will also have a clubhouse, pool, open space and a dog park. Some infrastructure improvements are required in the area. All of the housing units will be rentals with maintenance provided. PeakMade Real Estate, based in Atlanta, plans to own and manage the property. Stephen Furr, vice president of the company’s built-to-rent development division, said that “attainable housing is really the focus” of the Olathe Commons plan. “This is really trying to fill that void,” he told the planning commission, noting that the development will offer something between apartment rentals and homeownership. What is “missing middle” housing? “Missing middle” housing is typically more affordable and often geared towards renters and first-time homebuyers who cannot afford to buy larger single-family homes and or rent more expensive apartments. Definitions of “missing middle” housing often include smaller starter homes, row houses, owner-occupied townhomes, duplexes and triplexes, among other housing options. This specific type of housing stock is lacking in many communities, including in Johnson County, despite there being demand for it. Many cities across Johnson County are looking at ways to fill the gap with varying degrees of success. For example, Overland Park has looked at making it easier to build “missing middle” type housing with a permit-ready housing pilot program. At the same time, discussions about how to expand housing options — and potentially change local zoning codes to do so — have roiled other communities, most notably Prairie Village. In the case of the proposed Olathe Commons project, Wayne Janner, planning commission chair, said he’d support the project, but he felt like the development missed an opportunity to offer more attainable homeownership. “Having the missing middle, it sounds appealing, but attainable housing is about people entering into homeownership,” said Janner, who is a real estate agent. “A way to get people into homeownership is a value to our community more than more rental products.” Next steps: This latest rezoning and site plan for the Olathe Commons project now heads to the Olathe City Council for consideration next. It is scheduled for the Sept. 17 council meeting. Later, the developer will need to submit a final site development plan for the project, which will have to include some modifications from the proposed plan as is, according to the staff report.
Source: Johnson County Post
Words from the Wizard: How Dodge City sizzled its way to my heart
I came to Dodge City when I was Big City bound. I stopped to visit for just a couple of weeks. Five years later, I’m still here, and I’m hooked – meat plants and all! I still remember when I was waiting for my transport at the smallest airport I had ever seen. I went back inside and reported to the nice girl at the counter that there was a strong smell outside and I thought “something might have died nearby.” I noticed the familiar “this guy is way out of his route” on her eyes, but she kindly said: Oh yes, we get a lot of that around here. When I suggested she should call to have it cleaned up, the man next to her cracked a smile the size of the Joker’s. I didn’t get it. I fell in love with Boot Hill’s quirky exhibits and even quirkier staff. Then I saw it transform into a national class Museum! The Dodge City Rodeo? I’m a regular, cheering on cowboys and cowgirls (while praying my car doesn’t get trampled.) Who needs a beach body when you can have a meat-plant-induced appetite? The High Plains sunsets are breathtaking, and the hiking trails are wonderful – just watch out for the occasional cow pie. Dodge City’s small-town charm is contagious (even when the wind blows a certain way.) I’ve met some… interesting characters (you know who you are!), and we’ve shared laughs, stories, and a few (dozen) cowboy jokes. Just ask Steve Deno! Our economy is growing (and so is my waistline!) New businesses, innovative initiatives – Dodge City’s on the move! So many restaurants and eateries you won’t ever go hungry and if you like Mexican food, you have a lot to choose from! Our schools? Very nice, thank you, they do have one heck of a team! Healthcare? Let me put it this way: They didn’t let me die me when I accidentally inhaled too much… atmosphere! We simply have nothing to envy bigger cities. My verdict Dodge City, Stole My Heart (and hijacked my sense of smell) Five years in, and I’m still here. Longest two weeks of my life! Dodge City, you’ve shown me that home is where the heart is – and my heart is full of… meat… and cup cakes!
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe
Walton continuing to evaluate sinkhole problem
After multiple sinkholes opened up on Osage Road, the Walton Township has been doing what it can to find out how to move forward with fixing the problem. Mike Spangler, the Walton Township trustee, said he’s working with a Wichita contractor to find out how deep the sinkhole is. Spangler said they completed a core drill a couple weeks ago that drilled down 30 feet into the Earth to complete a check of the ground structure underneath the sinkhole. He is still waiting on the results of the core drilling. Kelsea Abney, the township clerk, is also working on the issue. Abney reached out to the University of Kansas’s geological survey. “They specialize in everything geological,” Abney said. Abney got in touch with Rick Miller, who is a sinkhole expert with 40 years of experience dealing with them. Abney said she’s waiting to hear what the next steps will be but was told they needed to know how much solid soil is under the road. Walton initially came to Harvey County for help with the sinkhole at the end of May, saying they weren’t sure how to deal with it. At the time, they were just dealing with one. Since then, another sinkhole appeared on the other side of the road. The sinkholes are on Osage Road, which is the road between Harvey and Marion counties, making it the township’s responsibility to manage. According to past reporting from Harvey County Now, the road was closed temporarily at the beginning of June. It has stayed closed ever since. Spangler last visited the sinkhole a couple weeks ago. “It’s still growing,” Spangler said.
Source: Harvey County Now
Lengthy Walton boil advisory from lack of kits
Boil advisories generally last no more than a couple days at most, but delays in testing kits extended the advisory in Walton to a week. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a boil advisory on Wednesday, Aug. 14, but it wasn’t lifted until the following Wednesday, Aug. 21. Walton City Clerk Stephanie Ashby said the delay was caused by a lack of available testing kits. Ashby said they hadn’t dealt with a boil advisory in so long that the test the city had on hand was expired. The city had the kits overnighted on Thursday but didn’t receive them until late Friday, meaning they had to wait over the weekend to turn the kits in. The city tested four different sites across town. On Monday, Ashby drove the tests to the testing center in Topeka. On Tuesday, the city got the results back and found that one of the four tests had shown up with coliform bacteria. Ashby said it was the tap they used for testing that was the issue. “That was the fault of the faucet that had a dirty tap,” Ashby said. “It shows something in the water.” The next day the city found a testing site in Wichita and sent the second round of tests there. Ashby said it was more expensive, but the city was able to rush one-day tests that way. Those results came back clear, and the department of health and environment lifted the advisory. The waterline the city was repairing during the incident was fixed by Thursday, Aug. 15. “It wasn’t a major leak,” Ashby said. She thanked the EMS in the county for helping spread the word about the advisory. Ashby said she’d been going to every house individually to give notices, but the EMS was able to put out a phone notification. Ashby said the reason for the advisory was a standard caution. While city employees worked to repair a water main break, the water pressure decreased at the distribution center. This lack of pressure can lead to bacterial contamination in the water. “When we don’t have pressure, we can’t guarantee safety,” Ashby said. “It’s not necessarily a bad thing, just a precaution.”
Source: Harvey County Now
Pickleball Court Comes To Uniontown
Pickleball has come to Uniontown, with equipment provided by community members and a court provided by a grant. Pickleball resembles tennis in which players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over a net, according to Oxford Languages Dictionary A grant provided the concrete court to play the sport on. Recently, the court had been marked for pickleball play. Last Thursday, pickleball equipment was made available in a storage container located under the community bulletin board at Uniontown’s City Hall on the east side of the town’s square. “There is no charge to use the equipment and we ask that you put it back, or the community loses it,” City Clerk Sally Johnson said. “Return it and take care, so everyone can use it.” “All the equipment has been donated,” Johnson said. “The bin, which houses the equipment was donated by Amber Kelley; the net, paddles and ball were donated by the Frank Johnson family; and the benches around the pickleball court was supplied by Skeet George.” A grand opening/ribbon cutting is scheduled during the Old Settler’s Picnic at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 1 at the pickleball court, located west of the new public restrooms in Uniontown. The grand opening falls between two family activities that day at the town square, bingo is slated for 2 p.m. at the southeast shelter house, and then the Family Fun Night starts at 6 p.m. at the gazebo, Johnson said. “They will incorporate the ribbon cutting in the family fun time,” she said. “The public is invited to all the events.”
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Newton BOE contracts for future planning
A company will soon begin work drafting an overarching plan for the future of the Newton School District and its facilities. The Newton Board of Education approved spending $93,500 at its Aug. 26 meeting to contract with RSP and Associates of Overland Park for the work. “There’s boundary analysis, enrollment analyses and they look at utilization of the facilities,” Superintendent Fred Van Ranken stated. “It’s a facility master plan, essentially.” The group will provide data and analyses to predict enrollment and help the Board of Education evaluate future needs, according to its presentation. The data could be used in redrawing building boundaries as enrollment and demographics change. It could also be used for other future planning. Van Ranken said the information could show if the district needs a future bond issue and also direct it toward the right questions to ask moving forward.
Source: Harvey County Now
Bus drivers needed in Hesston as routes cut
It’s a skeleton crew when it comes down to the USD 460 bus driver situation, and the problem doesn’t just exist in Hesston, but rather across the state. With very few bus drivers, the USD 460 transportation crew is stretched to the thinnest of levels. This lack of drivers forced the district to eliminate the in-town school bus routes. “A few parent emails had some concern,” Superintendent Kevin Logan said. “It’s a change and there’s not an easy solution for us, unless we can find a driver. There is a lot of emotion because it’s a change.” One driver would fill in routes much like USD 460 had a year ago, but it’s not a full solution. This problem is plaguing districts. A driver has to have a CDL with passenger endorsement and districts, including Hesston, would actively take applications. For more information along with the list of requirements, interested parties can contact the transportation department of USD 460. “Right now we should be good on activity drivers,” Logan said. Ideally, Logan said two to three drivers could split the morning and afternoon routes, too. “We can share routes, as long as people are licensed and willing to learn and to be good to kids and have their best interests at heart,” Logan said. Logan was going to be part of a Zoom meeting with Safe Routes to Schools to see if routes for children were ideally safe for children walking to school or if Safe Routes could give options for walkers and bike riders but a time had not be finalized. He was looking forward to learning more about the rubrics of the safest routes to school.
Source: Harvey County Now
Lenexa commission deals big blow to Johnson County homeless shelter plan. What happens now?
A plan to convert a Lenexa hotel into Johnson County’s first permanent, year-round homeless shelter will head to a City Council vote next month — without the support of city staff and planning commissioners. On Monday night, the Lenexa Planning Commission voted 9-0 to deny a request for a special use permit to operate a homeless shelter at the La Quinta Inn and Suites hotel off of Interstate 35 and 95th Street after a public hearing when more than 70 members of the public spoke. It’s a significant blow, though not necessarily fatal, to the county’s plan to address a growing need in Kansas’ most affluent and populous county. City Council will make the final call. The decision came after city staff recommended denying the permit, writing in a 540-page dossier that the proposed shelter was “inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood” and would draw “negative external impacts” to nearby homes and businesses. Staff also said it anticipated needing increased law enforcement to oversee the proposed shelter, which they said the city doesn’t have money for. And they wrote that the shelter was too close to Johnson County’s temporary winter shelter.
Source: Joco 913 News
Wichita school board approves $450 million plan to rebuild some schools, close others
The Wichita School Board has unanimously approved a plan to significantly reshape the state’s largest school district — a plan filled with school closings, consolidations and new “right-sized” buildings as the district braces for shrinking future enrollment. School district officials also laid out the stakes of a $450 million bond issue that would be needed to pay for the plan. The specifics of the bond issue are expected to be discussed and voted on by the board on Sept. 9. A bond issue would require approval from voters during a special election. Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld said the “newer and fewer” plan is necessary because the district has $1.2 billion in future deferred maintenance needs that it can’t afford and declining enrollment. The school district already closed two middle schools — Hadley and Jardine — and four elementary schools — Clark, Cleveland, Park and Payne — earlier this year. The plan approved Monday calls for closing L’Ouverture, OK, Pleasant Valley and Woodland elementary schools and converting Isely and Cessna elementary schools to K-8 schools. Adams, Black, Caldwell, Irving and McLean elementary schools and Truesdell middle school would be demolished and rebuilt. The district would also build a new Coleman Middle School while the old school would be renovated and repurposed for relocated Chester Lewis, Gateway, and EI Academy schools. Little Early Childhood Center, Sowers and Dunbar would also be relocated. Sowers would relocate to Wells, placing the two alternative schools on one site. The plan also calls for building a new Future Ready Center at East High School for construction trades such as plumbing and HVAC. “More closures are inevitable,” Luke Newman, director of facilities for the district, said. “This plan positions us for more sustained future-ready success by providing new and innovative spaces for our kids to learn, and it’s an investment in the future of our city, communities and kids.” Newman also said the district is working to offload some of its closed schools, including Jardine, for other community needs. It has approved selling Park Elementary School to the city of Wichita for $1. That will be the site of the future homeless shelter and service building called the Multi-Agency Center. “We’re in really early discussions with the city and some community groups down there that have some pretty strong interest in the Jardine building. And that was something that, as we got into this plan, that was really important, that something meaningful happened with that building, with that land, you know, particularly in that community and what’s done to serve them.” Newman also said the district is in discussions with the city of Wichita about possibly swapping Columbine Park – and possibly other city parks – in north Wichita for the closed south Wichita middle school. “My preliminary discussions with a city representative has been potentially a sale. We’re also looking at trading some parkland. McLean is one where we’re actually, they’re appraising the parkland adjacent to McLean, and we’re appraising Jardine, and we’re going to look at numbers and see what makes sense. And then there might be some other parkland that makes sense to swap to make it an even trade.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Inclusive playground opens at Newton elementary school
Slate Creek Elementary in Newton officially opened its inclusive playground, designed for all students to play together. The kids started the project by raising $20,000 in the spring of 2021. “It’s absolutely wonderful to hear the screaming and the laughter to see them all playing together. It just brings my heart so much joy. I’m so proud that the students noticed this was an issue, and this is where we ended. It’s amazing,” Lenae Alfaro, Slate Creek Elementary principal, said. The principal says the original goal was just to have a swing, but the idea grew, and the entire playground cost over $450,000.
Source: KSN-TV
K-9 helps find lost hearing aids after man thrown from horse
A sheriff’s K-9 helped recover the lost hearing aids of a man thrown from a horse. The Geary County Sheriff’s Office says over the weekend, deputies responded to a report of a man being thrown from a horse in a pasture out in the county. As the man was being assessed at the scene for injuries, deputies learned that he had lost both of his hearing aids after being thrown.
Deputy James Regaldo and his K-9 partner Klesto began searching the pasture. Klesto found both hearing aids 10 feet apart, and they were returned to the injured man.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita mayor: Paid parking plan target date on pause for now
Wichita’s mayor says the implementation date of Jan. 1 for paid parking in downtown, Old Town, and Delano has been paused. City council members, business owners, and community members met at a town hall on Monday to discuss their expectations for the policy. The town hall conversation was somewhat heated. Nortons Brewing Company organizers tell KSN that their goal with this meeting was to facilitate a more solution-minded discussion. “What we’ve done is put a complete pause. And getting feedback,” said Wichita Mayor Lily Wu. People and business owners are still not happy with the proposed switch to paid parking, which led to Monday’s discussion. “I think that we need parking for our customers to come and eat with us,” said Natasha Gandhi-Rue, chef and co-owner of The Kitchen. “If we don’t have places for them to park, to come to our locations, that is going to be a huge hindrance.” “We want to find some solutions that don’t put the burden on the people that patronize these businesses downtown or are employed by these businesses,” said Nico Leitner-Goddard, a brewer at Nortons Brewing Company. Mayor Wu says that she understands concerns, and the city council has halted movement on the proposed parking change. “We heard some, even, innovative ideas from some of these community members of how parking can be paid, but in a more innovative way,” said Mayor Wu. City council members say innovation is necessary, and the money still needs to come from somewhere Now, the conversation has shifted to finding solutions to the deficit while still keeping affected citizens and businesses happy. “I think that a solution is the next step. We want to be a big part of that step. This is our way of making our voices heard in terms of coming to a solution,” said Leitner-Goddard. The Wichita City Council members who attended this town hall say they hope to continue the conversation on paid parking. Some of the proposed ideas include allowing businesses to validate parking or offering a parking day pass. The next information meeting will be held on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at Envision, 610 N. Main. The public will not be able to ask questions during this meeting.
Source: KSN-TV
‘He was extraordinary’: Arkansas City Fire Department remembers fallen firefighter Trevor Rusk
The Arkansas City Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its own this weekend. Trevor Rusk died while off-duty. KSN spoke with several firefighters about the outsized impact Rusk had on his brothers and sisters. Rusk is described in many words, which is fitting given that one of his brothers called him a man of many words. He was known around the station for his wicked sense of humor and the many pranks he’d pull. He was also a respected, integral part of the team with an instinct and passion for the job. Rusk was a firefighter and EMT who joined the ACFD on June 5, 2023. Despite his relatively short tenure at the department, he took on a leadership role in firefights and around the station. “That was just Trevor. He would do anything for anyone, any time of the day. It didn’t matter,” said firefighter James McIntosh. “I came in and immediately, Trevor just felt like an older brother. Kinda took me under his wing and started showing me the ropes,” said Cutter Plush, ACFD firefighter/EMT. Rusk often came in during his off time to help around the station. He’d also regularly check in on other firefighters, asking about their families and cheering them up when something upset them. He was simply a joy to be around. “He was like a magnet. If he was in the building or in the area, it just seemed like you wanted to be around that guy ’cause, I mean, you know, he was gonna say something funny every 10 seconds, or he would say something you’d have to think about for a week before you even figured out what it meant,” said Plush. “It’s definitely not gonna be the same. We’re not going to have our 3 a.m. Trevor in his boxers and helping clean out the ambulance when he doesn’t have to,” said Lacey Willinger, ACFD firefighter/advanced EMT. “I don’t know it will never be the same; a huge part of this department died with him,” said Joe Camara, ACFD firefighter/EMT. Rusk remains part of the team. “We’re gonna put his name right here ’cause this is where he always sat. That way, we can keep his legacy alive, and he’ll be with us on every call,” said Camara. “He was extraordinary, and there’s no other Trevor. We’re a family at the end of the day, and you know he’s our brother,” said McIntosh. The firefighter loved his work, but what he loved most was his role as a father to his daughter. “He was trying to plan a vacation with him and his daughter that she’ll never get to experience. He loved that girl more than what he ever had,” said Willinger. “He would move heaven and hell just for her, and I just hope that she knows if she ever needed anything, his shift will be able to help her,” said Camara.
Source: KSN-TV
Wolf Creek officials assuage commissioners’ concerns
Coffey County commissioners whether a wind farm or a solar farm in the county were negatively affecting the nuclear power plant’s level of production. An official said no, it would be a problem if renewable energy sources were not available to help meet demand. Coffey County commissioners questioned Evergy officials at their meeting last week whether neighboring wind and solar plants were posing undue competition to the Wolf Creek Generating Station, which Evergy has 94% ownership, according to the Coffey County Republican. Commissioners Don Meats and Jesse Knight asked, respectively, whether a wind farm or a solar farm in the county were negatively affecting the nuclear power plant’s level of production. Cleve Reasoner, vice president and chief nuclear officer for Evergy, Inc., with oversight of Wolf Creek, said the wind and solar farms were not a threat, adding, “I worry if we are not going to allow different sources to exist, that could actually be a problem for us.” All three — nuclear, wind and solar — produce carbon-free energy. “The grid is moving toward more renewables — wind and solar. That, I believe, is a reality as we move away from fossil fuels,” Reasoner said. “The opportunity it provides for nuclear is that we are a dispatchable source of non-carbon-emitting power. .. I think the value of nuclear has turned and recognition of that is more appreciation in the industry,” Reasoner said. Reasoner said there currently are periods in the spring and fall when temperate climates prevail that Wolf Creek reduces its power output to 70% because “there is more power being generated in this region than what customers need.” Reasoner termed that oversupply as “congestion.” But added those cutbacks happen rarely. “We almost always run 100%,” he said. The upcoming NextEra transmission line that extends from Wolf Creek to southwest Missouri will put an even greater demand on the nuclear power plant, Reasoner said. Last year, Coffey County commissioners enacted a one-year moratorium on commercial solar projects, the Republican reported. That expires Sept. 5. Commissioner Knight said he was worried about the competition additional solar projects would mean to the nuclear power plant. “We want to protect Wolf Creek and the people who work there,” he said. Reasoner said he appreciated Knight’s concern but that the playing field was big enough for everyone. “Somebody has to put power on (the grid) when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun is not shining,” said Reasoner. “Even if we ran less in the future, without us, there is not a good option I couldn’t see for decades.” WOLF CREEK will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025, the Republican reported. The plant is licensed to operate until 2045. In the early 2030s, Wolf Creek management will consider asking for an additional 20-year extension. “Our plant is good enough to do that,” Reasoner said. “Our plant is later vintage than a lot of the nuclear plants out there … it is a newer, more robust design.”
Source: The Iola Register