(316) 264-3400|info@ransonfinancial.com
FacebookXLinkedIn

Municipal News & Jobs

Municipal News & Jobs2026-08-07T10:07:18-05:00

Kansas Municipal News

Reno County standardizes fire departments across the county

The Reno County commissioners hired fired a fire administrator, Travis Vogt, in March of 2022. Vogt has been working on making some changes so fire departments in the county will be more efficient when working together. Vogt has been working on standardizing equipment, procedures and training across the board. The Pretty Prairie Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Rick Garver, says it’s all about being on the same page before they get into a stressful situation. And it’ll ultimately make their fire response more efficient, saving more lives and more property.
Source: KSN-TV

Schools-to-homes proposal advances

BNIM, a group looking to convert Iola’s former elementary schools into housing, has passed the first phase to apply for state housing tax credits. They’ll now submit a full application. Plans to convert former elementary schools to housing are still moving forward. BNIM, a Kansas City, Mo.-based architect and design firm, is seeking Kansas Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to help pay for the first phase of the project, which would renovate McKinley and Jefferson. Renovation of Lincoln would be in the second phase. BNIM wants to convert all three former schools into housing. Their efforts hinge on a combination of tax credits, grants and other financing. The group would invest about $21.7 million into all three of the schools, converting them into around 61 mixed-income apartments with the possibility of other types of housing or amenities on the properties.
Source: The Iola Register

Affordability, internet access make Wichita one of best cities for remote work, according to national publication

As Wichita strives to bring in talent, a national publication has highlighted one segment of workers who may find the city particularly attractive. Recently, a Wall Street Journal report ranked Wichita No. 9 on its list of top U.S. cities for remote workers, thanks in large part to its broadband internet access and overall affordability. “If you have a growing family, then larger, more affordable homes in a fairly large city may top your list of priorities, along with fast Wi-Fi to accommodate work-from-home and all the kids’ streaming devices. You may want to explore Wichita, Kan.; Lincoln, Neb.; and Greensboro, N.C.,” the article said, also citing Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom saying 13% of working Americans (about 25 million) are fully remote.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Wichita’s new $400M riverfront plan: Keep Century II and old library

The city of Wichita’s new, $400 million plan for the east bank of the Arkansas River downtown keeps and updates its 50-year-old anchor buildings — Century II and the former central library — while expanding current convention space. The plan unveiled Tuesday does not address a new performing arts center. But it does put an end to the $1.2 billion Riverfront Legacy Master Plan, which had momentum in early 2020 but hit a Covid-19 wall before it could be presented to city and county officials, as well as the public. The cost of the plan, unveiled Tuesday in a workshop format to the Wichita City Council, includes $55 million to repurpose 53-year-old Century II and $15 million to renovate the 55-year-old former library.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Kansas Star Casino owners vie for video horse racing with $160M Park City development plan

The owners of Kansas Star Casino have submitted an application to the state proposing the construction a new historical horse-racing gaming facility in Park City. Called Diamond Jo Park City, the proposed facility will be a $160 million entertainment district, including up to 1,000 horse-racing machines, a steakhouse, cocktail lounge, a FanDuel-themed sports bar, a meeting and convention space and what’s expected to be the first Amazon Go store in Kansas.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Rebellion against McLouth cryptocurrency data center triggers one-year application moratorium

The avalanche of complaints about threats to rural quality of life, unresolved issues of land ownership and leasing rights, an oil tank explosion that burned a truck packed with ammunition and widespread distrust of developers — even by a former white-collar criminal — compelled the Jefferson County Commission to impose a moratorium of at least one year on applications for construction of cryptocurrency processing centers. Crypto Colo Center Corp.’s proposal to boost McLouth’s economy by planting a crypto currency mine one-third of a mile north of town imploded under pressure from energy companies, Sierra Club, McLouth City Council, Jefferson County Redevelopment Office and, most significantly, dozens of area residents. They were aghast anybody would bring into their midst two dozen 40-foot shipping containers packed with energy-intensive computer servers that churned around the clock on electricity drawn from eight locomotive-sized generators fueled by natural gas pulled right out of the ground.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Dog park plans slowed by ADA requirements

Catapla Park in Arkansas City is still going to the dogs, it’s just taking longer than expected. The city announced its plan last October to revamp the small park into a safe place for pet owners to let their pets get some exercise, but so far no progress has been made. Municipal Planner Nick Rizzio said Tuesday that the goal for the project had been to keep the cost minimal and have it completed before the end of the year. The project will be more expensive than he had anticipated due to the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for parking spaces, sidewalks and an entrance and exit for each gate. He said the cost is still being evaluated.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Wichita unveils new $400M riverbank plan that saves Century II and former library

Wichita has a new plan to redevelop the east bank of the Arkansas River downtown that would save Century II and the former downtown library while expanding convention center space for less than half the cost of the $1 billion Riverfront Legacy Master Plan. “This is the most excited I’ve been about the future of conventions and this complex,” City Manager Robert Layton told The Eagle. “I just finally think we hit it.” For an estimated $400 million, the city of Wichita would transform the east bank to a “new heart of the city,” Layton said. The largest cost is a $170 million expansion of the Bob Brown Convention Center. The plan also calls for investing $55 million in the iconic blue-domed Century II building and $15 million in the neighboring former library building.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Southern Kansas school closed because of vandalism, threatening graffiti

The school in St. John, Kansas was closed Monday after a break-in and vandalism incident over the weekend. There was also graffiti on the walls that could be considered threatening in nature, according to a message from Superintendent Josh Meyer. A decision was made to close the St. John-Hudson school out of caution and to allow time for the clean up of broken glass and debris. Meyer said in a letter to the school community that there is no information that indicates a specific plan for violence toward anyone at the school. He said the district is taking the matter seriously and is working with St. John police. It’s not believed there is any imminent danger to staff or students.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Derby FD adapts to growing medical calls

As is in the title, Derby Fire and Rescue keeps busy with its fair share of fire calls. But a majority of the department’s work over the past few years has fallen more into the category of medical response – with roughly 60% of the annual calls for the department classified as EMS/rescue. With the increasing number of emergency medical services and rescue calls, Derby FD is evolving and continually analyzing best practices for the community it serves – both now and in the future.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Tornado damages homes in Liberal

The Seward County Emergency Management director says four to five homes in Liberal have moderate to severe damage, and another 10-12 homes have moderate damage. Director Greg Standard also told KSN one person was treated for minor injuries and has been released. Joshua Volden’s home was damaged, and he says it all happened in a matter of minutes. “The power went out, I looked over and saw stuff flying toward the windows,” Volden said.
Source: KSN-TV

Property values spike in Riley County, here’s why

Property owners in Riley County may see the value of their property rise by as much as 17% over last year’s value. The Riley County Appraiser’s Office said it mailed the 2023 Change in Value Notices (CVNs) for each of the 25,000 real estate parcels in the county Friday, Feb. 24. The CVNs reflect changes in property values prompted by fluctuations in the local real estate market and/or changes made to individual properties, such as additions or improvements.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Silicon Valley dreams clash with small town Kansas

A new business venture has embroiled the town of McLouth, Kansas. At Tuesday’s packed city council meeting, McLouth residents heard from a local natural gas company about a proposal to open a data mining center at their current location. Crypto Colo Center Corp is an oil and gas company based just outside the McLouth in Jefferson County. The company CEO says its primary source of income comes from extracting oil. The company wants the Jefferson County Commission to sign off on the proposed construction of a data mining center that would run off excess gas they currently produce.
Source: KSNT 27 News

How you can be first to ride the new Gage Park train

It’s out with the old and in with the new, but now you can be the first to ride Gage Park’s newest attraction. The new electric mini train finally arrived at the park Monday morning and Shawnee County Parks and Recreation is offering a raffle ticket for its first ride. The raffle drawing is now open to the public. Tickets will cost $1 each to enter, and the drawing will be held Wednesday, March 8. The first trip is scheduled to leave the station at 10 a.m. sharp on Monday, March 13. Winners will be contacted by phone and email and should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. to check-in.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Here’s what Wichita’s new director says golfers can expect at city courses in 2023

Jesse Coffman says Wichita golfers have plenty to look forward to in his first full year as city golf director, including new carts, course marshals and options for buying food and drinks on the greens. Coffman took over the top job in Wichita last June after the City Council voted in March not to outsource management of the city’s four public courses to Illinois-based KemperSports. “We are in a good place financially. The pandemic kind of brought golf back to life, really,” said Coffman, who previously oversaw eight courses for the Fairfax County Park Authority in Virginia, and has also managed a resort-style Marriott golf club in Fort Worth.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

U.S. transportation secretary visits Kansas, gives speech at future Panasonic plant site

Surrounded by local and national leaders, U.S. transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg pointed to the Panasonic project as an example of rural revitalization through green energy transportation projects. Buttigieg, along with Lt. Governor David Toland and U.S. Representative Sharice Davids, among others, gave speeches Monday at the site of the future Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto, following his attendance at the Kansas City, Missouri, airport terminal opening. Buttigieg said rural communities across America have struggled with a lack of job opportunities, influencing young people to move elsewhere for careers.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Clearwater schools interviewing superintendent candidates this week

Finalists for the USD 264 Clearwater superintendent’s position are interviewing with the board of education and visiting with the public this week. One candidate per day was being interviewed from Monday through Thursday. Each finalist is being named on the morning of his or her interview. A meet-and-greet opportunity with each superintendent will be held at 3:30 p.m. daily at the Clearwater High School commons. Candidates start their day at 10:45 a.m. by meeting with district office personnel. Following that is lunch with administrators at the central office. Candidates will then tour district buildings from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m. Following a break from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., candidates will have dinner with the board of education members in executive session. Formal interviews will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers

Commerce Makes $4.1M in Community Service Tax Credits Available

The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced $4.1 million in tax credits will once again be made available under the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP). CSP assists private nonprofit organizations and public healthcare entities undertaking major capital campaigns for projects involving: Community service, including childcare, Non-governmental crime prevention, Youth apprenticeship and technical training, Healthcare services.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Riley County to host public meeting in Keats to discuss sewer benefit district updates

Riley County officials are planning an informational meeting early next month to discuss the future of the Keats Sewer Benefit District. Commissioners created the district in 2018 after more than 51 percent of affected property owners signed a petition. “After several years of analyzing options, costs, and funding mechanisms, the County sought to move forward with sanitary sewer collection and pump to the City of Manhattan Wastewater Treatment Facility,” said Amanda Webb, Director of Riley County Planning & Development.
Source: 1350 KMAN

USD 465 seeks citizen input to search for superintendent

The Winfield Board of Education will hire the next superintendent, but they are looking for a little help from citizens within the USD 465 area. The Kansas Association of School Boards has been hired by the district to help search for a new superintendent after Nathan Reed announced he was leaving in June to take a job in Wichita. As part of its efforts, the association is conducting an online survey to find out what characteristics citizens might value in the next top administrator. The survey is linked to the usd465.com website. It was posted Feb. 14 and closes Sunday. There is not an option for a printed survey.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Quality-of-life survey coming to Ark City

A group of community organizations is launching a survey to learn more about what citizens in and around Arkansas City want and need from their community. The organizations include the Arkansas City Recreation Commission, City of Arkansas City, Cowley College and USD 470. The survey will focus on gathering information from residents about what services, programs and amenities they consider essential, as well as what they think might improve quality of life for current and future residents.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Flock camera trial approved in Rose Hill

In an effort to enhance community safety and further expand a resource available among area law enforcement agencies, a 45-day trial was approved for the utilization of five Flock Safety Cameras within the city of Rose Hill. Rose Hill would be looking to use Flock’s license plate reader cameras to monitor traffic and share information among departments about criminal activity identified through the system. Flock cameras are currently utilized by nearby departments in Butler County, Sedgwick County, Reno County, Andover, Derby, Mulvane and more.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Solar project developer fields questions

When plans for a proposed solar farm in south central Barton County emerged recently, along with the announcement came numerous questions from a curious public. Where will it be? How big will it be? What impact will it have on the nearby Cheyenne Bottoms? This is a project of Chicago-based Acciona Energy USA, an American subsidiary of Madrid, Spain-based Acciona Energy. They have developed solar and wind energy projects around the world, with over 2,000 assets across the United States.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Overland Park residents are trying to save this 100-year-old oak tree along 69 Highway

Local residents are calling for a century-old tree to be saved in Overland Park that is set to be removed as part of the 69Express toll lane project. A post on Nextdoor, a neighborhood social network site, has garnered more than 100 likes and comments from residents wanting to preserve the old bur oak tree, which is located at the southwest corner of 119th Street and U.S. 69 Highway. The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to grade down the area with the oak tree and use the space for a pond that would capture stormwater runoff, said Laura Wagner, public engagement and communications manager for the 69Express project.
Source: KCUR News

Wichita mayor cites economic development achievements in State of the City address

As part of his State of the City address Thursday, Mayor Brandon Whipple says Wichita is well on its way to becoming a global leader not only in manufacturing but in technology. According to Mayor Whipple, the City of Wichita has competed for 10 economic development projects in the past six years, collectively worth a billion dollars in capital investment. Eight of those projects have been pursued in the past 24 months alone.  Mayor Whipple says the city also competed for 15 economic development projects that provided 1,000 jobs each (more than half of which, again, were sought after in the past two years).
Source: KSN-TV

Concept for new sculpture shown to city commissioners

The Atchison Art Association represented by Angie Cario gave a report on the new concept for the riverfront development area. KDOT donated the Amelia Earhart Bridge pieces to the Atchison Art Association in 2013. In partnership with Charles Sprouse of Benedictine College Art & Architecture and artist Vaughn Schultz, the Atchison Art Association has facilitated an artistic representation using pieces preserved from the original Mo-Kan Free Bridge, also known as the former Amelia Earhart Memorial bridge. With permission from the Chamber and the Historical Society, we’ve incorporated all the bridge elements, including the pieces reserved for the AAA.
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com

Fairway disputes ‘Save the Shawnee Indian Mission’ flyers

The city of Fairway is pushing back against flyers bearing the message “Save the Shawnee Indian Mission” that began appearing in local residents’ mailboxes last week. Thousands of flyers paid for by the Shawnee Tribe started showing up at homes around the Mission site in northeast Johnson County, detailing the tribe’s argument that the historic site is in “distress” and that it should be transferred to the tribe for restoration.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Future of Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival is in doubt

The Walnut Valley Festival is on the ropes and it’s up to us to save it. ….Bart Redford, executive director of the Walnut Valley Association: “We’re definitely having this year’s festival and then we’ll just have to see where we’re at after that.”  The music festival that draws thousands to Winfield every year is tapping financial reserves to stay in business, and that can’t continue forever, he said.  “We need a few years of some good crowds, so we can kind of replenish our reserves,” Redford said. “I think it’s doable.”
Source: The Iola Register

Fed’s Mester says she has hope that inflation can be brought down without a recession

Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester said Friday that interest rates likely need to keep moving higher to get inflation back to acceptable levels. In a CNBC interview, Mester said she sees the central bank’s benchmark interest rate having to rise above 5% and stay there for a while. The fed funds rate, which sets the level that banks charge each other for overnight borrowing but spills over into many forms of consumer debt, is currently in a target range of 4.5%-4.75%. “I see that we’re going to have to bring interest rates above 5%,” she told CNBC’s Steve Liesman during a “Squawk Box” interview. “We’ll figure out how much above. That’s going to depend on how the economy evolves over time. But I do think we have to be somewhat above 5% and hold there for a time in order to get inflation on a sustainable downward path to 2%.”
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Fed Rate Policy Is Shaking Up the World of Muni Debt

Demand is down for municipal bonds, which just erased nearly all of their January gains amid fears of rate increases. The markets’ bumpy start to 2023 is causing whiplash even in the historically placid realm of state and local government debt. Municipal bonds this month have erased nearly all of their January gains after fears of rate increases cooled investor appetites. … Most bonds in the $4 trillion muni market are backed by state and local taxes, and prices for the ultrasafe securities tend to move in line with Treasurys. Demand rarely flags because the bonds have a perk coveted by high-income investors: Interest is generally exempt from federal and state taxes. A tax-free yield of 5% equates to a taxable yield of around 8% for investors in the top tax bracket, according to data from Nuveen Asset Management. … But after more than a year of investors and traders trying to predict what the Fed will do, heads are spinning even in the muni market. Over the past two months, debt maturing in one year has been trading at higher interest rates than debt maturing in three years, according to ICE Data Services. Market professionals say they can’t remember that happening for such a prolonged period in more than a decade.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets

After 47-year career in public works, Wichita director Alan King will retire in March

Alan King is retiring after 11 years as Wichita’s director of public works and utilities. Mayor Brandon Whipple praised the outgoing director for his service during his State of the City address Thursday evening. “The city has benefited so much from Alan King’s knowledge, particularly as we are upgrading our aging infrastructure. Once in a while, we have a boil [water] order and Alan King is that steady hand, that steady voice that makes sure we get back to business as quick as possible,” Whipple said. “Alan, I hope you enjoy your retirement, but I also hope just as much that you keep your cell number the same because there’s a chance that we may have to call you.” King’s last day on the job is March 3.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Does your Johnson County tap water taste funny? Here’s why

For any Johnson Countian who may have noticed a funny taste or smell to their tap water lately, WaterOne has an important message: your water is absolutely safe to drink. The different “flavor profile,” as WaterOne officials put it, is due to seasonal temperature changes in local river water, and technicians are already making adjustments for it, said Mandy Cawby, WaterOne customer relations director.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Wichita mayor delivers State of the City address

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple delivered a progress report Thursday evening on the city’s efforts to boost the economy, improve public safety and provide opportunities for all of its citizens.  In his State of the City address, the mayor said the city is working with Wichita residents to build a vibrant community. The mayor said the city has turned the corner on the COVID economy from 2020, and now has an unemployment rate of three percent.  He said the city has restored or created over 32,000 jobs and now has the most robust job market it has had in decades.    He said Wichita is leading the state in economic growth and is getting attention from companies around the world.  He talked about recent announcements from Bombardier, Novacoast and other companies in setting up their headquarters in Wichita.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Derby adding new position on legal team

Due to some continuing shifts within the city of Derby’s legal division, staff proposed creating a new full-time assistant city attorney position that was approved by the Derby City Council at its Feb. 14 meeting. Currently, the legal division includes the city attorney (with Jacqueline Kelly just hired to the position), a part-time assistant city attorney and part-time city prosecutor. With the part-time assistant city attorney position vacant for over two years and the current city prosecutor recently giving notice, the decision was made to combine the roles into one full-time position to help attract potential employees. Replacing the part-time positions with a full-time position will cost the city $13,202.07 in 2023.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Tax credits may help with courthouse project

Barton County may be able to receive additional funding for the $4.2 million courthouse renovation, Chairman Shawn Hutchinson announced Thursday when the Barton County Commission hosted a Great Bend Chamber of Commerce coffee. “There’s a potential we could get $1.2 million back in tax credits,” he said. That is possible due to Great Bend Economic Development Inc.’s efforts to have the downtown area declared a historic district.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Wind farm zoning trial set

Trial has been rescheduled for May 1 in a lawsuit filed 2½ years ago by a company that lost its bid to install wind turbines south of US-50 in an area within a Flint Hills wind farm moratorium. Trial was postponed from Dec. 5 because a lawyer for the plaintiffs had surgery. Although lawyers for both the company and Marion County have filed a multitude of papers in the case, it has not been resolved. Many of the filings ask the court to make a decision without a trial.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Garden City firefighter passes on shield number to son in same department

A Garden City firefighter has passed on his shield number to his son, who is now in the same department. According to the Garden City Fire Department Facebook page, the father, Battalion Chief James Southern, joined the GCFD in March 2003. “[He] never thought he would see the day he and his son worked in the same department simultaneously,” the GCFD said. According to the GCFD, his son, Anthony Southern, would grow up to finish an enlistment in the Army and complete his Firefighter I certification.
Source: KSN-TV

Integra is bringing thousands of jobs to the area, but are there enough workers?

Integra Technologies’ semiconductor manufacturing plant is expected to bring 2,500 of jobs to the Bel Aire area, but are there enough workers? What could it mean for other businesses? It’s no secret that many industries have been struggling to attract workers and fill empty positions. Some business experts believe Integra will be able to fill this need, but it will take partnerships and will stir up some competition. “Anytime you are bringing in a major employer that many folks added to the labor pool, it’s a concern for everybody,” said Dr. Lary Straud, Associate Professor of Management at Newman University.
Source: KSN-TV

Loud booms in central Kansas believed to be military training, sheriff says

Residents in Barton and Rush County have heard some loud booms in the area, some that reportedly shook a car and opened a front door on Thursday. A KSN viewer in eastern Rush County reported hearing two loud booms and that a friend of theirs from near Olmitz said they heard the same a few days prior. Two other viewers stated that this wasn’t the first time hearing the booms over the past week as well. KSN reached out to both Rush and Barton County.
Source: KSN-TV

Pittsburg has a new EV charging station — near a local landmark

Many gathered in downtown Pittsburg for the celebration of the new EV charging station at the Colonial Fox Theatre. Pittsburg native and Pitt State graduate Kelly Burgess gifted the first, fast level three dc charging station in Southeast Kansas. This new charger gives electric vehicles a healthy charge in just two hours. The charging installation is supported by the Switch Energy Network where drivers can create and activate the station from their smartphones. The nearest station that would compare to this one is in Joplin.
Source: KSNF/KODE

This JoCo city is next to weigh antisemitism measure

Roeland Park is the latest Johnson County city considering adopting a non-legally binding definition of antisemitism that would guide the city’s response in the event of an act of hate. The item came up this week on the city council’s agenda, two weeks after Leawood adopted what is believed to be the first such municipal resolution against antisemitism in Johnson County. It also comes in the wake of multiple incidents at local high schools — including one at Bishop Miege in Roeland Park — in which students used antisemitic and racist language in acts that were investigated by police.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top