Kansas Municipal News
‘We are working day in, night out’: City of Caney battling water troubles
The cold weather during the last few days has added to the water woes in Caney. It’s now issued a Boil Water Order after freezing pipes caused a sudden drop in pressure, but that’s not the only problem they’re dealing with. “This is the stuff that we have pulled from our filters,” said Caney Mayor Josh Elliott. “This gets stuck in our filters. This is like goo.” A day after the city’s latest water troubles began, Elliott took to Facebook live to explain what was going on. “All this stuff has clogged them and we are working day in, night out cleaning and cleaning and cleaning,” Elliott said. The problem, though has its roots in the city’s water emergency we first told you about last summer, which was issued after the drought caused local rivers the city gets its water from to drop too low.
Source: KAKE – News
Kansas public universities finalizing plan in response to shortage of K-12 teachers
Education deans at public universities in Kansas working on solutions to a K-12 teacher shortage want to dramatically expand over three years state financial aid for college students in education programs and to implement a partnership to uniformly compensate student teachers. The task force appointed by the Kansas Board of Regents has also been working to refine an agreement among community colleges and universities allowing education students to automatically transfer 60 credit hours of courses. Another of 15 recommendations in the report draft would strengthen literacy instructional skills of teachers.
Source: Kansas Reflector
County employees benefit from deeper dig into ARPA pocket
County employees on the payroll as of November all received a special piece of the federally funded American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding by way of a bonus. Atchison County Grants Administrator Mark Zeltner said all fulltime employees received $1,200 and the part-timers were paid $600 bonuses before taxes. The rounds off to about $1,000 and $500 respectively. The employee bonuses are one of the top priorities Atchison County Commissioners approved as one of the internal pieces to benefit for the county.
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com
City implements mandatory water conservation measures
The City of Atchison is implementing mandatory water conversation measures due to record low river levels which have limited our ability to draw a sufficient amount of water to meet the normal demand from domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers. The City of Atchison is requiring all industrial and agricultural customers to limit the use of water to only what is necessary to maintain the health and personal hygiene of employees on duty. The City of Atchison is requiring commercial/business customers (e.g. office buildings, restaurants, salons, stores) to limit the use of water to what is necessary to conduct normal operations including what is necessary to maintain the health and hygiene of employees and customers. *This is subject to change if the current water supply is further affected by river levels, major water leaks, equipment malfunctions…etc.
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com
County official to retire
Cara Barkdoll, longtime Register of Deeds, will retire at the end of the week. A ceremony will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, in the assembly room in the basement of the courthouse. Gov. Laura Kelly appointed Misty Rice, who has worked alongside Barkdoll as her deputy for the county department, to serve the remaining two years of the term. BARKDOLL earned an associate degree from Allen County Community Junior College before joining the appraiser’s office in 1985.
Source: The Iola Register
Kansas asks U.S. Supreme Court to let states limit how long trains can block crossings
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has joined 18 other state attorneys general in asking that the U.S. Supreme Court restore the rights states and local governments once had to regulate how long trains can block railroad crossings. Absent that power, the public is put at risk, the attorneys general say in their brief. Countless people have died when emergency vehicles were delayed at rail crossings, The Star reported this month in an investigation of railroad safety lapses. The problem has only gotten worse in recent years for many communities across the country, The Star reported, as the rail industry’s practices have made blocked crossings more common.
Source: Kansas City Star
Brad Matkin is the New Fort Scott Interim City Manager
At the Fort Scott City Commission meeting on Dec. 20, Brad Matkin was promoted to interim city manager, after having served as assistant city manager since September 2022. Josh Jones, a Fort Scott Commissioner, congratulated Matkins for being moved up to interim city manager on his Facebook page, following the meeting… “As mayor, I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Matkin on many different occasions in his previous role as Assistant City Manager,” FS Mayor Katherine Harrington said. “I feel that over this time he has grown as a manager and demonstrated that he was ready to take on this new role as Interim. I look forward to working with him more in 2023 and seeing how he leads this community forward.”
Source: Fort Scott Biz
City to take over all operations at McPherson Water Park
Beginning with the 2023 season, the City of McPherson will be taking over all operations of the McPherson Water Park. For 20 years, the operation of the facility was a joint effort between the City and the McPherson Recreation Commission. The City owns and maintains the property as well as pays its staff and a portion of the director’s salary. The Recreation Commission in the past paid the other portion and handled the hiring, certifications and daily operations. The two came to a mutual decision the City would take over moving forward. Its operation will fall under the Public Lands & Facilities Department with support from Finance and Administration. The City hopes to retain as much of the current staff as possible and is in the process of presenting usage fees for 2023 along with other administrative ideas to the McPherson City Commission.
Source: McPherson, KS
Kansas Receives Nearly $5.7M to Expand Equitable Broadband Access
Governor Laura Kelly today announced Kansas has received nearly $5.7 million to expand broadband access, adoption, and affordability, from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Office. “Communities across the Kansas have enormous potential for a new chapter of innovation and success,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding will propel the state forward, accelerating our efforts to ensure all Kansans can fully participate in the digital world.” The funds are part of the designated $65 billion as outlined in the federal bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021, dubbed the “Internet for All Initiative.” “The Internet for All initiative will bridge the digital divide in Kansas and ensure rural areas have the service they need to access telehealth, education and jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “I appreciate Governor Kelly’s commitment to connecting all Kansas homes and businesses to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.” “Kansans use the internet to work, learn, keep in touch with family, grow a business, get health care, and more. While access to high-speed internet is a gateway to opportunity, that opportunity is not distributed equally in our state,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03). “I’m proud to have voted for this new federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law that will help every Kansan thrive in the digital age.” The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD) will use these funds in a variety of ways. Almost $5 million will be used to deploy the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program that is part of the Internet for All Initiative. The remaining $692,000 will be used to deploy the first phase of NTIA’s Digital Equity Act. “Broadband equity starts with access, but also includes adoption and application,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The state is committed to providing capacity and resources to ensure everyone has the access and skills needed to benefit from digital technologies in their lives.” OBD will engage with stakeholders across Kansas to develop both a five-year action plan and a Statewide Digital Equity Plan, which will provide direction and measures to assist in deployment of high-speed affordable and reliable internet to all Kansans. Both plans will be submitted to NTIA by August 2023. The office will hold events at 25 to 30 locations around the state beginning in January. Special attention will be paid to groups and communities that are disproportionately impacted by digital inequity. These groups include low-income households, aging populations, people with disabilities or language barriers, racial and ethnic minorities, rural inhabitants, incarcerated individuals, and veterans. “These planning dollars will allow our office the opportunity to connect and engage with all Kansans,” said Jade Piros de Carvalho, Director of the Office of Broadband Development. “We will launch our planning efforts at our inaugural Kansas Broadband Summit on January 19 at Wichita State University. This event will be the first opportunity to connect with communities across Kansas and ask for partnership and support as we coordinate efforts to connect Kansans with high-speed, reliable internet access.” All 50 U.S. states and six territories applied for planning grant funding from the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act program. Grant awards for all 56 eligible entities will be announced on a rolling basis.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Atchison calls for voluntary water conservation — UPDATE: Now Mandatory
Update: City of Atchison now implementing mandatory measures
On December 20, 2022, the City became of aware of an ice jam in the river moving this direction over the next few days. The Army Corps of Engineers control the water management upriver that determines our river levels and manages the removal or dislodging of ice jams. The ice jam making its way from Nebraska is causing the river to back up and we anticipate we will experience another one and-a-half-foot drop in river levels over the next 48 hours. This creates a unique and unprecedented situation with the convergence of several factors. The rivers have reached a low level making us unable to run our permanent intake pump at the river. We are relying solely on the auxiliary intake pump to pull water from the river until the river levels are restored after the ice jam passes. The culmination of the ice jam moving this direction over the next few days, extreme cold temperatures, extremely low river level, and the reliance on the auxiliary intake pump at the river creates a fragile situation. This combination of factors means that our ability to produce water at normal capacity is more vulnerable, or at risk, than normal.
Source: City Government | atchisonglobenow.com
Kansas asks U.S. Supreme Court to let states limit how long trains can block crossings
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has joined 18 other state attorneys general in asking that the U.S. Supreme Court restore the rights states and local governments once had to regulate how long trains can block railroad crossings. Absent that power, the public is put at risk, the attorneys general say in their brief. Countless people have died when emergency vehicles were delayed at rail crossings, The Star reported this month in an investigation of railroad safety lapses. The problem has only gotten worse in recent years for many communities across the country, The Star reported, as the rail industry’s practices have made blocked crossings more common.
Source: KC Star Local News
Mulberry PD reaches out for help . . . and Angels appear
Since becoming Mulberry’s chief of police, Joe Adelman has made it his mission to serve the people of his small town, and its surrounding area. It is not always easy in the poverty-stricken town, especially in today’s economy. Adelman and his officers spent much of the summer passing out food and water to those who needed it, and continue doing the same over the winter. But Adelman says he doesn’t have the resources necessary, so he recently asked for help from an unlikely source. In a letter to rap artist Izzy White, founder of a Maryland-based charity dedicated to helping anyone in need, regardless of circumstances, Adelman laid out his dilemma, saying his resources are stretched because “the homeless population is sometimes larger than the actual population of the town I serve.” In response to his letter, Izzy’s Angels appeared in Mulberry.
Source: Morning Sun
Sirens have long and storied history
The ubiquitous sound of tornado sirens on a clear Monday has been around for generations, but when the warning devices were first installed in the early 1950s, inclement weather was an afterthought. Harvey County Communications Director Don Gruver said when the sirens were first installed, their purpose was to warn residents of a nuclear attack from America’s old nemesis, the Soviet Union. Wichita became the first city to use the civil defense sirens to warn of an approaching tornado in June 1958. He said cities used also them for other purposes – a lunch whistle at noon and to alert volunteer firefighters about a fire – before they became a universe warning for a tornado. Halstead Fire/EMS Director Anderson Lowe new sirens the city installed within the past year had the capability for a flood-warning alert or if the levee protecting the city would have a breach during a high water event. “I don’t know if I’ve heard that one,” he said. While most cities had upgraded their warning systems over the years, Gruver said smaller cities like Burrton and Walton still had old sirens dating back to the 1950s or 1960s until recently.
Source: Harvey County Now
Lawrence assistant city manager Diane Stoddard stepping down next month, accepts position as Leawood city administrator
Assistant Lawrence City Manager Diane Stoddard is leaving her position effective Jan. 13, according to a city news release Wednesday afternoon. She has accepted a position as city administrator in Leawood, according to the release. Stoddard’s role with the city manager’s office began in October 2007, according to the release. She also served as the interim city manager from June 2015 to March 2016. “It has been an honor to serve as both Assistant City Manager and, on one occasion, Interim City Manager for Lawrence over the last 15 years,” Stoddard said in the release. “As my hometown, Lawrence will always be very dear to my heart. I’m happy that this new position allows me and my family to remain close.” City Manager Craig Owens in the release called Stoddard “one of the great leaders in our profession.” “Lawrence has been gifted for years with her talent, which she shared generously with her hometown,” Owens said. “We will miss her greatly and couldn’t be more excited for her as she continues her leadership journey and public service in Leawood.” The release stated that “Continued leadership will be provided by the city manager’s office team as longer term transition adjustments are explored.” Stoddard is one of three assistant city managers, alongside Casey Toomay and Brandon McGuire.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Edgerton mulls possible own police department
Law enforcement services with Johnson County were renewed for the next year. However, at the Thursday, Dec. 15 Edgerton city council meeting, Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden said because of Edgerton’s continuing growth the city might want to consider expanding its services and needing their own police department might be in their future. “Edgerton is growing like crazy,” he said. Hayden said they should “explore some stuff” and consider assigning a lieutenant or a consistent group of officers to assist current Sheriff’s Department officer Brad Johnson for consistency with local citizens. He said knowing everyone in town helps officers serve a community better and is better for everyone. “I want to make sure you have good, solid law enforcement,” Hayden said. “It will benefit all.”
Source: Gardner News
Russell PRIDE receives $52K grant
Russell PRIDE Inc. in Russell County has received a $52,000 grant to revitalize a dilapidated downtown building, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday. Gov. Kelly announced the recipients of the fall 2022 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize under-used and dilapidated downtown buildings and turn them into economic drivers in Kansas communities. A total of 15 projects from across the state are receiving almost $773,000 in matching fund grants. HEAL was created in 2021 as a partnership between the Patterson Family Foundation and the Department of Commerce. The first round of HEAL grants resulted in 32 commercial buildings being rehabilitated. “I have long believed that when you make downtowns attractive, safe places to be, more businesses, better jobs, and greater community follow,” Governor Kelly said. “That’s why my administration has worked to bring life back into our town squares by resurrecting the Kansas Main Street program and by pursuing this partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Abilene unveils world’s largest belt buckle
Designed by local artist, Jason Lahr, Fluter’s Creek Metal Works, the buckle features Dwight D. Eisenhower, Wild Bill Hickok, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Historic Seelye Mansion, C.W. Parker carousel horse, C.L. Brown telephone, a racing Greyhound and Chisholm Trail longhorn inlaid with blue quartz. “Whether you enjoy Cowboy history, art, fun photo opportunities, or the world’s largest things, make sure to add the World’s Largest Belt Buckle to your Kansas I-70 road trip,” said Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Julie Roller Weeks. The project is funded by a Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grant and from donations from 100 businesses and individuals.
Source: KAKE – News
Fort Scott interim City Manager named
The Fort Scott City Commission announced their pick for the City Manager position. The commission’s choice of Brad Matkin to take over the role was confirmed Tuesday in a unanimous vote. He will replace current City Manager, Jeff Hancock. Hancock will stay on for three months to help make it a smooth transition. Previously, Matkin worked for the city’s public works department from 1989-1990. He returned to the city as the Human Resources Director in August of 2021 and has served as Assistant City Manager since September. “I’ve been a lifelong resident of Fort Scott and I’m passionate about making our community a better place to live, to work, and to raise our children, just like I’ve raised mine here. We’ve worked to assemble an excellent staff and I know I speak for all of them, as well as myself when I say we’re looking forward to building on what has already been done. We have a great community full of caring citizens. Together, from city staff to residents, we can do some good things to affect positive change in our community,” Matkin said.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Ghost town post office gutted, for sale as residence
The last remaining building in a Chase County town once called Crawfordsville and later Clements is up for sale as a house. Wichita real estate agent Ashley Sears, who listed the home for sale Dec. 11, said the owner, who doesn’t want to be identified, worked on the former Clements post office for three or four months before putting it on the market. The once-ramshackle 1907 building, 60 yards off US-50, still has its original pressed-tin ceilings and wide board floors.
Source: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin
Paola students enjoy shopping with cops
Ten lucky students in Paola recently got the opportunity to go Christmas shopping for their family members with a little help from the Paola Police Department and the Paola Walmart. The Shop With a Cop program has become an annual tradition for the Paola Police Department. Police Chief Eric Jenkins said the program is made possible thanks to a $1,500 grant from Walmart’s community grant program. The police department works with social workers at Cottonwood and Sunflower elementary schools to identify 10 students who would most benefit from the experience, Jenkins said. Paola police officers picked up the students Monday, Dec. 19, from Sunflower Elementary and took them to the Paola Walmart.
Source: The Miami County Republic
Builder advances large ‘attainable housing’ efforts in Wichita area
Liberty Communities’ projects include single-family homes within the $210,000 to $270,000 range.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for December 23, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Municipal Bond Trends for December 22, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Municipal Bond Trends for December 21, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Municipal Bond Trends for December 21, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Lawrence approves moratorium on downtown liquor sales rule
Lawrence city commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday that will allow some downtown establishments to derive up to 90% of their sales from liquor for the next couple of years. The resolution stems from a request from John Brown’s Underground designed to skirt a long-standing city rule that requires many downtown establishments with liquor licenses to derive no more than 45% of their sales from liquor — the rest must come from food. The ordinance was originally passed to prevent downtown from becoming a problematic bar district. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, many smaller downtown businesses “struggled and continue to struggle to comply with the 45% cap,” according to the commission agenda item. … On Tuesday, the commission heard from several people in support of suspending enforcement; many specifically mentioned John Brown’s Underground. But the resolution suspends enforcement of the sales quota for downtown businesses that are 3,000 square feet or smaller and possess valid city and state liquor licenses — it’s not specific to any particular establishment.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Emporia Municipal Band celebrates Christmas with 80th annual concert
The Emporia Granada Theatre was filled with the joyful sounds of Christmas as the Emporia Municipal Band concluded its 80th season with a new director and old musical favorites Sunday afternoon. … Nancy Riecker took up the conductor’s baton for the band at the end of the summer season this past August. She’s played flute with the Emporia Municipal Band since 2002. She was unaware, when she applied for the position, that she would become the band’s first female director in its 80-year history. “This Christmas concert is always our gift back to the city,” Riecker said. “We are so glad to be here in the beautiful Granada Theatre and give a concert for everybody to enjoy and get into the holiday spirit.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
Municipal Bond Trends for December 20, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
A little bit of old-time Hutchinson is now on display at the Reno County Courthouse
Oftentimes, pictures are more powerful than words, and that’s the case with the new photographic exhibit at the Reno County Courthouse. More than 20 photographs from the Harmon/Conard collection were blown up and framed by Framagraphic on Main Street and placed on the walls of the courthouse. The pictures, which were chosen by a committee, represent a wholistic view of Hutchinson, beginning in the late 1800s. “It enriches a life to know more about the history of the place where we are living,” said District Judge Trish Rose, one of the judges who works at the courthouse. “The remodel of the courthouse is an ideal time.” Once the remodel is complete, Rose hopes more people take advantage of touring the courthouse. “We’re one of three art deco courthouses in Kansas,” Rose said. “I have attorneys tell me ‘It’s the grandest courthouse they practice in.'”
Source: Hutch News
Lack of growth cited as being a key reason Topeka has trouble affording utilities projects
A lack of population growth is a key reason Topeka’s city government struggles to afford to make needed improvements to its underground infrastructure, City Councilman Neil Dobler said Tuesday evening. “The real issue is we’re not bringing new customers to the table,” Dobler said. Mayor Mike Padilla agreed, saying Dobler had interjected into the council’s discussion about a proposed utility rate increase a topic that, to his knowledge, “has not been considered as part of the underlying reason we are here.” When the city works to address those types of problems, Padilla said, “We really need to look at how — in the end — the growth of this city will make us healthier.”
Source: CJonline
Contract approved for drivers license restoration program in Wichita
Wichita City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a contract for the operation of a new driver’s license restoration program. The Wichita Area Restoration Program (WARP) was developed this year to deal with a growing number of suspended licenses. There are more than 200,000 suspended licenses in Kansas, and the number has doubled since 2007. About 25 percent of the state suspensions are in the Wichita area, and 70 percent of the suspensions in Sedgwick County are for failing to meet financial obligations.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
WPD officer shot in 2021 returns to the streets
A Wichita police officer shot several times last year has finally recovered enough to return to the streets. Officer Kyle Mellard was one of three Wichita Police Department employees honored during a ceremony at Wichita City Hall on Monday. The WPD presented him with a plaque naming him the 2022 Officer of the Year. But police say it was only partly because of Mellard being shot in the line of duty on June 19, 2021. It was also because of his courage and resilience after the shooting.
Source: KSN-TV
Shawnee County to add solar panels to 10 warning sirens
Shawnee County is saving some money with its new environmentally friendly proposal. This week, the county proposed to add solar panels to the outdoor warning sirens. After approval from commissioners, they are planning a test run. Ten solar panels will be placed on various outdoor warning sirens across the county. While these sirens are a great way to notify the public of severe weather, the county still advises residents about having multiple methods.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Local fire departments prepare for colder temperatures, tips for keeping homes safe
Local fire departments are busy this time of year responding to many calls from frozen pipes bursting, fires at boarded-up structures being used for shelter, but also electrical fires from furnaces and space heaters. With the colder temps on the way, it can be a challenge for firefighters to respond. The icy roads can slow response, but the cold temps can make it harder to get water. Many departments, like Sedgwick County, bring in extra trucks with about 2,000 to 2,500 gallons of water just in case fire hydrants are frozen.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas school district is first in the state to use electric buses
A local district is the first in the state to put electric school buses on the road. The Wabaunsee School district previously announced it would be the first in Kansas to start driving kids to school on these buses. “We feel fortunate that we got chosen for this grant that allows us to try these new buses out and try out the new technology,” USD Superintendent Troy Pitsch said. “And to put the kids on a nice, brand-new, safe bus, and save money at the same time.” The Environmental Protection Agency grant totalled $790,000. Pitsch said the district is excited to utilize this technology, that offers more than just the new car smell.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Bike to work in JoCo? These riders say it can be done 🚴
Cars may still be king of the suburbs, but some in Johnson County are no longer bowing down. In an area with a reputation for shunning other forms of transportation, a handful of commuters have a message for colleagues, friends and other potential riders: it’s not so hard to quit being a driver. And beyond that, they say, biking to work can be fulfilling, enriching and even fun.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Johnson County paves way for new fire station at new Panasonic site
A new fire station is on its way to the future grounds of the Panasonic battery plant in De Soto. The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners last week agreed to set aside $500,000 toward the initial steps of building a new fire station within the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant site off of K-10 highway. The fire station will serve the new Panasonic plant and the surrounding area, according to county documents.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Financial data bill heads to Biden
Cities, towns, counties and states will be required to standardize their financial information in machine-readable format by 2027 under a provision included in the defense authorization bill that President Joe Biden is expected to sign into law. The Senate Thursday overwhelmingly approved the $848 billion National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, which includes the Financial Data Transparency Act. The House passed the NDAA last week. Biden is expected to sign it into law as soon as next week. Municipal market issuers like the Government Finance Officers Association, the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors lobbied unsuccessfully to have the bill stripped out of the NDAA, though they did succeed in getting some of the language toned down. … Under the new law, municipal issuers will be required to disclose their data in a financial reporting standard, such as eXtensible Business Reporting Language, or XBRL, at the end of four years. The SEC and other financial regulators have two years to craft the standards. The new law represents an unfunded mandate for governments, said Michael Gleeson, the National League of Cities’ legislative director for finance, administration and intergovernmental relations, in a recent blog post to members.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Municipal Bond Trends for December 19, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Commerce Announces SEED Grant Recipients Supporting Economic Development
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the award recipients for the new Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program. In total, 61 recipients will receive nearly $2.7 million to invest in small communities across the state. “SEED grants provide funding for quality-of-life enhancements in some of our state’s smallest communities,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “These investments will set the stage for future economic development success and prosperity across the state.” Awardees are located in communities with a population of 5,000 or less, as required by (KS Stat 9-2324 [2021]). They are required to provide a minimum 10-percent match as well as complete the projects within 12 months.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Pittsburg Arts District is a win-win
This fall, Pittsburg officially established an arts district. Some residents have probably not heard about this. One reason for that may be that people often pay more attention to bad news than good news, and there is no downside to speak of in designating such a district. As Deputy City Manager Jay Byers pointed out shortly before the city commission approved creating the Pittsburg Arts District in late October, establishing the district cost local taxpayers nothing, and didn’t commit the city to any specific future obligations. “There’s no legal action here, you’re just declaring a particular geographic area an arts district,” Byers said — adding, however, that establishing an arts district could have tangible benefits for the city. “There is potentially some grant funds available if you have a defined arts district, and there’s also an impact on the artists themselves,” he said. “It attracts more artists to an area that’s been defined as an arts district.”
Source: Morning Sun
Wichita to pay landlords who accept housing vouchers
Wichita, Kansas, is launching a new program to create incentives for landlords to lease apartments to people who receive federal rental assistance. Starting Jan. 1, the Wichita Housing Authority’s Landlord Assistance Program will provide landlords who accept tenants receiving assistance with a host of incentives, including up to $1,000 in payments, up to $3,500 to cover the cost of damages to a unit, and two months of rent after a tenant is evicted. “The landlord incentive program helps reduce the likelihood of economically disadvantaged individuals or families becoming homeless due to not being able to find rentals that accept housing vouchers and encourages landlords to participate in the program by mitigating their risk,” said Sally Stang, Wichita’s housing and community services director, in an email.
Source: Smart Cities Dive – Latest News
Kansas Water Authority votes to save what’s left of the Ogallala
The board that advises the Kansas governor and Legislature on water policy now says the state needs to dramatically cut farming irrigation to stop draining the Ogallala aquifer. The vote by the Kansas Water Authority on Wednesday signals a call for a major shift in state policy. For the first time, a state entity has stated that Kansas should move away from gradually depleting the aquifer and act to halt the decline of the vital underground reservoir. Kansas Water Office director Connie Owen called the vote a historic step in changing how the state manages the aquifer, which has lost more than one-third of its water in recent decades.
Source: Garden City Telegram
State’s Rural Broadband Expansion Project Continues with Additional Funds
Rural broadband expansion continues in Kansas. Gov. Kelly’s office announced this week that an additional $23.1 million will be provided to six service providers that will bring high-speed broadband service to nearly 4,200 homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and other institutions in unserved and rural areas of the state. This is the second of three rounds of awards from the Kansas Capital Project Funds (CPF) Grant Program. The program is the result of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s approval of Kansas’ Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) broadband infrastructure plan.
Source: 101.3 KFDI