Municipal News & Jobs

The Newton Recreation Center is celebrating its 80th anniversary. That’s 80 years of adults and children playing games, attending special events and using the wellness center and swimming pools to lose weight, get in shape and have fun. At least thousands of people have benefitted from the rec center with the sports teams in which they can play things like baseball, softball and soccer, and various classes from arts and crafts, dance, cheer, baking and exercise.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Usually, Harvey County Big Brothers, Big Sisters is begging for mentors. This year, things are a little different. “Our waiting list is almost gone,” Rachel Bachman, who recruits volunteers to the local program, said. “It’s the best problem to have.” The organization puts local youth who might need a little extra help or another adult in their life together with a mentor or Big Brother/Sister. Volunteers participate in different levels, from meeting kids at lunch at school to taking them on outings or participating in group activities. The program’s operated in the county for 36 years. Right now, the organization has 82 matches between “bigs” and “littles.” Bachman has set a goal to help 100 community children with the program and believes it will hit the goal in 2026.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Harvey County Planning and Zoning Director Karen Rothe told commissioners on March 3 that she extended the deadline for a survey about nuisance properties in Harvey County until March 31. She said nuisance properties were those with excessive trash and debris and/or unsafe structures. “And by unsafe structure, we’re talking residential structures for the most part that might have a tree growing out of the top of the roof or are falling down,” Rothe said. She said the properties the planning commission is most concerned about are those near cities, because she has had several cities ask her to address them.
Read more: Harvey County Now

The Kansas City Chiefs’ move to Olathe isn’t just about relocating its headquarters and training facility — it’s one part of the franchise’s goal of becoming the “world’s team,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said last week. That goal involves a multifaceted approach, including expanding the brand internationally but also creating partnerships on a hyper-local level. At the Olathe Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting on Friday, Donovan shared some of the team’s insights into the decision to move the team’s headquarters and training facility to Olathe and the hopes for a future partnership with Olathe Public Schools and the city of Olathe.
Read more: Johnson County Post

With only a little over three months to go before the first World Cup match kicks off, one thing is becoming clear: Hosting a once-in-a-generation sports event comes with a once-in-a-generation workload. County staff provided a glimpse of that on Thursday when they presented a mega update on all the things that have been coming together as the international soccer tournament draws ever nearer. The “high level” overview, described by World Cup special project manager Bo McCall as “just the tip of the iceberg,” was an hour and a half with nine county staffers talking at breakneck speed about special events, bus routes, charging stations, disease outbreak response, watch parties and much, much more.
Read more: Johnson County Post

An energy company is scouting out potential sites in Kansas to house a new nuclear reactor, and many county officials are eager to give it a home. Energy company TerraPower is working to identify a location in the Sunflower State for a new natrium-style nuclear reactor. Many counties have thrown their hats in the race to attract this potential nuclear project which brings with it the promise of significant economic advantages. We checked in with TerraPower to find out where the company is at in the process in 2026. A TerraPower spokesperson said the company is beginning site evaluations.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

The USD 470 Board of Education has selected Will Pfannenstiel as the next superintendent of Arkansas City Public Schools. Pfannenstiel, currently the district’s assistant superintendent for business and operations, has accepted the position. Formal approval of his contract is expected during Monday evening’s board meeting. Pfannenstiel joined USD 470 in 2006 as assistant principal at Arkansas City High School and later served as principal at Arkansas City Middle School. He has more than 20 years of experience in education, including earlier work as a teacher and coach. Board President Jon Oak said Pfannenstiel’s character and leadership stood out during the search process.
Read more: Cowley Post

Wichita mayor Lily Wu reflected on lessons learned from the failed sales-tax election and relayed a message centered around rebuilding the public’s trust with city government during Sunday’s State of the City address, She called the lead-up to the 1% sales tax proposal “one of the most significant policy debates in recent memory” before doubling down on regrets she expressed over her initial approval of the March 3 special election. “My vote for the special election, alongside the Council in a 7-0 decision, was a mistake,” Wu said Sunday at Century II, echoing comments she made via social media on the evening of March 3, after the ballot measure was soundly defeated, with 81.8% of voters opposed.
Read more: Wichita Business Journal

The Harvey County District Court could soon move to Walton for three years. County Administrator Kevin Frymire provided more information about county remodel plans during a meeting with the Newton Board of Education on Monday. The county is looking at using the Walton Rural Life Center to house the courts, as well as attached staff and court services. “We’ve been to several places and haven’t marked them all off yet, but the Walton school came out as a potential option for us,” he said. “When I heard that, the first words out of my mouth were ‘This is a great idea.’”
Read more: Harvey County Now

StartUp Hutch announced Monday that it will launch a new Housing Entrepreneurship Program, supported by a $50,000 grant from the Hutchinson Community Foundation. The two-year pilot program’s purpose is to strengthen the local contractor and skilled trades pipeline and thereby support housing development in Hutchinson and Reno County. A shortage of local contractors, subcontractors, and skilled trades entrepreneurs is a critical gap in the community’s housing ecosystem, according to the announcement.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

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.

The robotic dogs are different than the robots the department already uses. “These robotic systems provide capabilities that address current operational gaps, including the ability to open and close doors, navigate stairs, and move over uneven terrain and obstacles commonly encountered in real-world environments,” Wichita Police capt. Aaron Moses said in an email. “These capabilities allow officers to manage high-risk incidents more safely and reduce risk to both the public and responding personnel.”
Read more: Wichita Eagle

Sedgwick County’s siren system is undergoing a six-year improvement, and currently, two different system communicate with the sirens. The devices are split into zones so sirens can target various parts of the county. In this week’s case, the wrong zone was activated. “Because the city of Mulvane falls in both counties and the programming challenges we have with two systems, it did activate our zone in the southeastern part of the county,” … When a tornado warning is issued, it’s for a specific area. In weather broadcasts, the area under a warning will appear as a polygon. That polygon is issued by the National Weather Service and, when under a warning, every siren in that polygon is activated. In response to Friday’s issue, the county has readjusted its zones.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

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.

The leading proposals this year are similar to the bills and resolutions that failed just a year ago. But lawmakers are more optimistic that relief will come this time around. Here are the two leading proposals: Constitutional amendment to cap valuation increases, and Spending caps on local governments.
Read more: Johnson County Post

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.

Hillsboro City Council approved an agreement Thursday with Michael Webb to serve as interim city administrator after Matt Stiles steps down until the city recruits a permanent replacement.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

The updated definition states that owner-occupied means the owner lives on the property at least 180 days during the calendar year. New language states that a rental unit must be located within the primary residential dwelling on the property and may not be located in an accessory building unless the main dwelling is owner-occupied.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Since launching in 2023 as a grant‑funded initiative, the program has brought more than 80 new landlords into local housing programs and helped remove barriers that often prevent property owners from participating in federal rental assistance. The incentive program offers landlords a sign-on bonus and access to a damage reimbursement fund.
Read more: Johnson County Kansas

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.

Beth M. Hammack, head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, says it is too early to gauge the economic impact of the Iran war and backs holding interest rates steady for “quite some time.”
Read more: NYT > Business

Voters in Newton USD 373 gave overwhelming approval to a $50M bond issue Tuesday. Unofficial results from the Harvey County Clerk’s Office indicated 2.316 votes were cast in favor to 2,116 votes against. Most of this bond will go towards projects at Newton High School including upgrades to science labs and culinary arts kitchens original to when the school was built in the 1970’s along with other remodeling and pool upgrades. Other projects include updates at Chisholm Middle School, addition of a classroom that will double as a storm shelter at Cooper Early Education Center, and HVAC, roof and elementary playground projects across the district. Harvey County Commissioners will conduct their vote canvass on March 10, including provisional ballots. 18 advance by mail ballots will be counted Wednesday.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

The fourth time proved to be the charm for McPherson USD 418, as voters Tuesday approved both bond questions submitted to them in a special election. Unofficial results from the McPherson County Clerk’s Office indicated Question 1, a $62.6 million project which includes a new academic wing at McPherson High School and demolition of the hex area, passed with 2,290 votes in favor and 1,313 against. Question 2, a $27 million dollar proposal which includes converting Eisenhower Elementary School into a middle school, was approved by a 2,172-1,435 vote. After the last votes were counted, USD 418 Superintendent Shiloh Vincent told Ad Astra News he was pleased with the outcome. “Thank you to all of our voters and everyone who contributed to this process. Just an absolutely monumental moment for all of the kids and families here in McPherson,” he said, adding there are some very “bright and exciting” things ahead.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

Mulvane is filled with unique spots that draw both locals and out-of-town visitors. From the highway, passersby might notice the bright lights of the Kansas Star Casino, but that is not where the road ends. Mulvane Chamber of Commerce Director Brittany Kruger recently traveled to Topeka to attend Destination Statehouse, an event hosted by the Travel Industry Association of Kansas, also known as TIAC. She represented south central Kansas and joined tourism leaders from across the state for legislative updates and strategy discussions focused on growing Kansas tourism. “It’s really about making sure our legislators know we’re here and that tourism matters,” Kruger said. “TIAC is the lobbying group for Kansas tourism, so they do a lot of work to promote tourism in Kansas, and that has a big impact on us.”
Read more: www.derbyinformer.com

An ordinance allowing licensed drivers over 18 years old to operate golf carts on some city streets during daylight hours was approved Monday by the Great Bend City Council. The ordinance was approved with seven councilmembers voting in favor and councilmember Davis Jimenez voting against it. Some details were decided Monday before the ordinance came to a vote. The council considered allowing the carts to operate from sunrise to 10 p.m., but opted for sunrise to sunset. The council also chose to up the minimum age to 18, after initially considering 16. Councilman Gary Parr also suggested a higher registration fee, with a portion going to youth programs, and the council settled on a $50 registration, payable at a one-time inspection and reviewed annually. (Fees go to the general fund.) Police Chief Steve Haulmark said he is not opposed to the ordinance. He does not believe it will create an extra burden on staff and when people come for their registration sticker they will be given a copy of the ordinance.
Read more: Great Bend Tribune

Edgerton voters narrowly approved a 1% special use sales tax for stormwater and street improvements, according to unofficial final results from the Johnson County Election Office on Tuesday. Voters approved the measure by a nine-vote margin, with 52.4%, or 98 voters, for the measure, compared to 47.6%, or 89 voters against. Final official results will be certified on March 10 by the Board of County Canvassers. The 1% tax bumps up the city’s sales tax to 9.975%. That money will help fund stormwater and street infrastructure improvements, as well as all things necessary for the construction and financing of such projects, including bonds and other financial obligations.
Read more: Johnson County Post

A cul-de-sac of modestly priced homes in Olathe was the backdrop recently for a visit by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, who spoke with local experts about how to get more affordably priced homes built. Davids, a Johnson County Democrat, met privately with home builders, county and city officials last Friday, Feb. 27, as well as the president of Habitat for Humanity KC, the non-profit that built the cul-de-sac known as Olathe Pathway at Heritage Park. The Congresswoman later took a short tour of two homes in the subdivision near 159th and Black Bob Road that are substantially completed. Davids and the roundtable participants drilled down on various challenges, including a supply chain inflexible to newer and less expensive building materials, an aging workforce of contractors, efforts to train and encourage young people in the building trades and financing strategies.
Read more: Johnson County Post

“Good Morning America” will be at the Kansas Speedway in KCK on its Thursday broadcast as part of a yearlong series celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States. Filming is closed to the public, but viewers in Kansas City can watch from 7-9 a.m. Central. TOP VIDEOS The video player is currently playing an ad. You can skip the ad in 5 sec with a mouse or keyboard The “50 States in 50 Weeks: America the Beautiful” series sends a “GMA” anchor or correspondent to a different state each week following the order in which they became a state. Kansas was the 34th state to join the Union on January 29, 1861.
Read more: KCStar

Dickinson County communities will soon be able to apply for funding through the America 250 Community Grant Program, supporting local celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Funded by Dickinson County and administered by the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, the program will distribute $30,000 to cities, nonprofits, schools, and community groups for events and legacy projects held within the county. Grants range from $500 to $3,500 and support efforts such as parades, concerts, murals, oral history projects, public art, and beautification initiatives. A local match is encouraged, and larger awards may require a stronger commitment.
Read more: KCLY Radio

At least six bills addressing challenges with housing stability and supply have been introduced to the Kansas Legislature this year, signaling a concerted effort to untangle knots in tenant protections and housing infrastructure. The challenges within the state include an ongoing housing shortage. It is also one of two states lacking a statewide code for habitable housing. The third fastest state in the country for eviction filings, Kansas also lags in protections for tenants. “It’s a clear indication that Kansas needs to do some updating in terms of some of the regulations across the state, particularly in terms of holding corporate landlords accountable,” said Kristy Baughman, the executive director of the United Community Services of Johnson County. “If you want Kansas to be modern and to grow and to thrive, we can’t be relying on outdated laws that just don’t meet our needs anymore,” she said.
Read more: KLC Journal

Seven towns asked their residents to approve school bonds for their school districts on Tuesday, and most were successful.
Read more: KSN-TV

Wichita voters overwhelmingly rejected a city sales tax in Tuesday’s special election. More than 41,000 votes were cast against the tax, compared with only about 9,000 votes in favor. Wichita Forward, a group of business leaders behind the proposal, conceded defeat in a press release. “While this was not the result we hoped for, we respect the decision of Wichita voters,” the group said. “These issues are significant for our community, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to participate in the process.” The tax would have funded public safety, homeless services, Century II improvements, property tax relief and the construction of a downtown performing arts center. But it was at the center of one controversy after another since it was proposed last fall.
Read more: KSN-TV

The City of Augusta says the local power grid needs critical repairs. The repairs will require a two-hour power blackout. The city had originally planned for the repairs to take place overnight from March 18 to 19. The city has pushed the date back to March 25 to 26. The planned blackout will begin at midnight, and the work is expected to take two hours to complete, weather permitting.
Read more: KSN-TV

Ozone season begins Sunday through Oct. 31. Wichita officials say that while they track air quality year-round, they’ll be on heightened alert during this time. Ground-level ozone is an invisible pollutant that can negatively impact public health, the environment and local economy. Warmer temperatures, regional crop burning, and regular activities such as mowing and driving can contribute to higher ozone levels. To combat this, the city is launching its 2026 Lawn Care Rebate Program. The program aims to encourage residents to switch to electric lawn equipment, thus reducing emissions and improving air quality.
Read more: KSN-TV

People who live in Spring Hill are pushing back against a rezoning plan that they say opens the door to a possible data center and to a change in their way of life. Neighbors are concerned about noise pollution, traffic, property values and proximity to a nearby school. Along 191st Street in Spring Hill, neighbors posted signs in their yards that say, “No industrial zoning.” “This is my property and this is where they want to put the data center,” Erin Lustig said. “This is just not what we moved out here for. We moved out here to get away from the city, to have peace and quiet.”
Read more: KSN-TV

Morris County voters on March 3 rejected an over $30 million bond vote that would have gone towards USD 417 improvements. Voters in USD 417 participated in a school bond election on Friday to confirm or deny a $31.5 million bond that would have gone towards facility updates including security upgrades, new parking and classroom modernization efforts across three schools in the district. Vote totals for the school bond election show the bond was not approved with 70% voting no and nearly 30% voting yes.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Neighbors on opposite sides of the street and opposite sides of the issue are made their voices heard Tuesday as they voted on the Lansing Unified School District 469 bond issue aimed at addressing aging infrastructure. The voters said no to both school bond issues on the ballot. Question 1 went down to defeat with 1,579 no votes and 1,095 yes votes. Approval of the bonds would have meant $30 million toward improvements, including HVAC systems, roofs, parking lots and tennis courts, with no mill levy increase. Question 2 also failed at the polls with 1,779 no votes and only 890 yes votes. Money from that bond would have put $5 million toward sports field improvements and would raise the mill levy by .746 mills, costing the owner of a $400,000 home around $34 a year about $2.86 a month. Superintendent Marty Kobza told KSHB 41’s Leavenworth County reporter Rachel Henderson earlier in the day the district’s infrastructure has reached a breaking point.
Read more: KSHB News

Voters in the Olathe and De Soto school districts approved hundreds of millions of dollars in bonds to improve school facilities and other services, according to mail ballot results released Tuesday. In Olathe, 23% of voters took part in the election. There were 15,344 “yes” votes and 8,960 “no” votes for the $389 million bond measure. “We are incredibly thankful to our Olathe Public Schools community who has once again supported our district through the endorsement of a bond election,” Olathe Superintendent Dr. Brent Yeager said in a statement. “This bond provides us the opportunity to reinvest in our facilities, build upon excellence and enhance our schools, which are the heartbeat of our community. For decades, our community has stood behind our schools by supporting past bond initiatives, and we thank you for continuing your investment in high quality schools. We know that strong public schools build strong communities and we look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead with the support of these bond funds.” Just under 24% of USD 232 voters mailed in a ballot.
Read more: KSHB News

The $17.85 million Wellington School Bond issue fell to defeat. It was 920 no to 894 yes. It was a 26-vote difference, with percentages of 50.8 to 49.2. Interestingly, there was a split between the advanced voting and the election-day vote. The yes votes were 712 to 677 no. The election was much closer this time around than the $22.6 million bond in November. That election was No – 1,080 (53.7 percent), Yes – 931 (46.2 percent). The voter turnout was lower the second time around with 1,814 voters cast today compared to 2,021 in November.
Read more: Sumner NewsCow

Hutchinson voters approved a 10-year, 0.75% city sales tax increase on Tuesday by an unofficial final vote of 2,316 to 2,116, pending provisional ballots and advance ballots that were turned in at polling places. The tax will raise the total sales tax in Hutchinson to 9% for non-food purchases, divided between the State of Kansas (6.5%), Reno County (1%), and the City of Hutchinson (1.5%), effective Oct. 1, 2026. The state’s portion of sales tax is not charged on qualifying food purchases. The sales tax is to pay for stormwater system modifications, maintenance and repairs of parks and streets, capital improvements and city operations, according to the question on the ballot. That includes elimination of the city’s stormwater utility fee. The stormwater utility fee is $4.75 per month for residential properties and varies based on hard-surface area of commercial properties.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recognized the Ellis County Fire Department (ECFD) with its Golden Helmet distinction. The ECFD was the first volunteer fire department in the state to achieve the NIOSH designation for participation in the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer, the largest effort ever undertaken to understand and reduce the risk of cancer among U.S. firefighters. “This honor places the ECFD as the 100th leading fire department in the nation dedicated to understanding and eliminating one of the greatest health threats in the fire service today—cancer,” said Ellis County Fire & Emergency Management Director Darin Myers.
Read more: Hays Daily News

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.

For small towns, these projects could be a source of economic growth, something rural Kansas counties have been searching for. But, skepticism has also grown alongside wind and solar, and that is putting some of the potential growth on hold. It’s not just the wind and solar farms growing, it’s also the country’s demand for energy.
Read more: CJonline

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.

The Wichita area grew faster than Kansas as a whole over the past five years or so and is seeing its population of young people and racial minorities grow. While Wichita is growing faster than the state, its suburbs are growing the quickest, and the region is showing healthy signs.
Read more: Wichita Eagle