Kansas Municipal News
Paxico’s 20th annual blues festival draws in their largest crowd
Main street in Paxico was filled with people from all over for the 20th annual Paxico Blues Festival. Festivals have always been a big part of what Paxico does and a music festival was on that list. So, when one of the festival co-founders took a trip back to his hometown, following owning blues clubs of her own in Kansas City, Kansas, he knew they had a hit event in the making. “I’ve had people describe it as ‘well it’s kind of like being with your family,” Bud Hund, one of the co-founders said. “It’s like all your family, go to a family event and everybody is so friendly and nice and everybody enjoying’ that’s the kind of vibe it brings.” Despite the weather, the festival saw the largest crowd they’ve ever had and hopes to continue this tradition for many more years to come.
Source: KSNT 27 News
$100,000 in grants will revitalize barns for Kansas agritourism
Kansas Tourism has announced that $100,000 in grants will be distributed to businesses across the state to promote agritourism. The businesses are the first recipients of the new Barn Adaptation and Restoration Needs (BARN) grant program. The program was created to help restore and revitalize old barns across the state and further efforts to expand agritourism across Kansas. The state began promoting agritourism in 2004 after the passage of the Kansas Agritourism Promotion Act. The act provides free agritourism promotion through the Kansas Tourism office, a layer of limited liability for agritourism businesses and education and resource opportunities. “The BARN grant is vital to our efforts to foster and support innovation and sustainability in our agricultural communities,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “These funds not only will help preserve the rich agricultural traditions of Kansas but also pave the way for new and creative agritourism ventures that will benefit local residents and visitors alike.” The BARN grants are matching-cost grants, meaning a total of $200,000 will be spent on the six projects across the state. “We are excited to see these projects come to reality and contribute to the future of Kansas agritourism,” said Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe. “By revitalizing these unique structures, we are not only preserving our past, but also creating new economic opportunities that will draw visitors to experience the heart and soul of Kansas.” Source: KSNT 27 News
Forums for Sedgwick County Commission candidates will focus on affordable housing
The Wichita Journalism Collaborative is organizing candidate forums for the Sedgwick County Commission races in Districts 2 and 3. The forums, which will be in the Alumni Auditorium at Friends University, will focus on housing issues within the commission’s purview. District 3 candidates Celeste Racette and Stephanie Wise will participate in the forum on Monday, Sept. 23, while District 2 candidates Sarah Lopez and Jeff Blubaugh are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 24. Both forums start at 6 p.m. When the collaborative hosted a listening session on housing earlier this year, participants who completed a post-event survey highlighted affordability issues, such as why housing and rents have been increasing, as a concern that called for additional coverage.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
An update from the Nemaha County Administrator, Part 1
To everybody who calls Nemaha County home, as I come to the close of my first year in my role, I appreciate your patience as I build relationships and gather the necessary information to execute the role of County Administrator. This includes diagnosing the situation, energizing others, managing myself, and intervening thoughtfully and skillfully. This first year has fully met my expectations with all the challenges and rewards that were promised. I was asked frequently during my first few weeks if I’m quitting or if I am disappointed coming here. I am not quitting, and I am not disappointed. I’ve met dozens of wonderful people including many leaders. Still, it is a challenge to balance the expectations of many of the people I work with who don’t want to change anything and the others who think I’m moving far too slowly. I am building relationships and growing fond of many teammates from the Nemaha County Government. My overall goal for the county government is to promote harmony, build confidence, regain faith and to create a sense of hope — even when there seems to be little cause for hope. This goal is connected to my life priorities and world view which is: There is a God of the universe, the same God Moses served, and I serve Him first — with my priorities being: God, Family, Job, Ministry, other things. Easy to write, but this is still my goal. I do mess it up occasionally.
Source: Sabetha Herald
Municipal Bond Trends for September 20, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
12 schools in NE Kansas have been targeted by school threats
Law enforcement agencies across Kansas have been on high alert after a series of school threats that have targeted at least 12 schools in the northeast Kansas area. Six northeast Kansas school districts have had threats made against them recently, prompting some law enforcement agencies to heighten enforcement efforts.
Source: 1350 KMAN
‘A breakdown’: Kansas missed signs dead ex-official worked both sides of $425k grant
A former Kansas Department of Commerce official suspected of embezzling public funds handled money for a community foundation that received a $425,000 grant while he oversaw the same grant at the state agency that awarded it, an apparent conflict of interest now coming under scrutiny. Two top Commerce officials — Lt. Gov. David Toland, who leads the agency, and Robert North, the agency’s general counsel — signed off on the grant amid warning signs that the official was working on both sides of the grant. The former official, Jonathan L. Clayton, died in August in a single-vehicle crash as he faced mounting suspicion of wrongdoing and as a past felony conviction in Pennsylvania became more widely known in Kansas. Until October 2023, Clayton had been the director of economic recovery at Commerce, where he oversaw more than $100 million in programs funded by federal pandemic dollars. The agency didn’t conduct a criminal background check before hiring him. Clayton’s death has attracted significant attention, coming after he went missing on Aug. 3 and before an apparently posthumous email from him made allegations of misconduct involving Commerce, which the agency denies. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation in late August said it had found no evidence of foul play, but the investigation was continuing.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Lawrence adds 11 new city services for residents to request in city’s app, including pothole repairs
The city of Lawrence’s app now allows residents to make 11 new types of service requests, including pothole and pavement repairs and stormwater issues. The city announced the expanded service requests offered by the web app, called SeeClickFix…
Source: LJWorld
Wichita to continue Stage 2 water restrictions, increase enforcement
The City of Wichita said it will increase enforcement as it continues Stage 2 water restrictions. … “During the last two months, efforts on education were prioritized over issuing fines,” said the city. “Going forward, staff plans to increase enforcement, including issuance of fines if warranted, while still continuing educational efforts on ways to cut back on water use.”
Source: KWCH
Lyon County Commission discusses VisionFirst Economic Development report
The Lyon County Commission reviewed the findings and recommendations found in the VisionFirst Economic Development Report, Thursday morning. The report outlines recommendations for streamlining economic development efforts in Emporia and the surrounding areas by bringing entities like RDA, the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Main Street, and Visit Emporia under one umbrella organization. The report, which was commissioned by the City of Emporia, was recently presented to the county and several key stakeholders, including the Regional Development Association and Emporia Enterprises. According to Chair Rollie Martin, the VisionFirst report outlines a more unified, strategic direction for economic development in Emporia and Lyon County. The key recommendation suggests consolidating economic development efforts, which currently involve multiple entities, under one primary organization. It proposes dissolving Emporia Enterprises and shifting its responsibilities to the RDA, which already has the authority to handle many of these tasks, including acquiring property for economic development purposes.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Board of County Commissioners discusses next steps following Lenexa City Council vote on homeless services center
Following the Sept. 17 Lenexa City Council denial of a Special Use Permit for the proposed Homeless Services Center, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners voted today to terminate the real estate purchase agreement with MAA Krupa Lenexa LLC for the La Quinta property. Given the timeliness of contractual requirements, the Board took special action outside of its previously published calendar. “While I’m deeply disappointed in the Lenexa City Council’s denial of the SUP application, we needed to take swift action today to preserve as many federal COVID-19 relief funds as possible,” said Mike Kelly, Chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. “Because we know there is a clear need to serve our unhoused population, we will work diligently to reallocate these resources toward investments that help vulnerable residents find permanent housing, employment, mental health services, and assistance with rent and utilities. While this project would have been a monumental step toward each of those needs, we knew that more work would always be necessary, so we will continue to collaborate with willing partners to address the housing crisis in our community.”
Source: Johnson County Kansas |
Olathe Police partnering with FBI on new firing range training facility
The Federal Bureau of Investigations will contribute some funds to the Olathe Police Department’s new firing range planned in southern Olathe. On Tuesday, the Olathe City Council voted 6-0 to approve a 20-year memorandum of understanding with the FBI for shared use and shared cost of building the facility near 167th Street and Interstate 35. Additionally, the city council approved an agreement with Turner Construction for the design and construction of the firing range. Councilmember Matt Schoonover was absent from the meeting. Firing range project to cost around $15M.
All the features of the new firing range planned in southern Olathe are still being settled, but on Tuesday, Olathe Police Chief Mike Butaud showed pictures of a police firing range under construction in Michigan off of which Olathe could base theirs. The plan is to build a range with some indoor and outdoor training spaces. In its capital improvement plan list, the city has budgeted just over $13.1 million for the project. The FBI will kick in another $2 million to help build it.
Source: Johnson County Post
Officials celebrate Kansas’ ‘economic transformation’ at new soybean plant
While this southeast Kansas town’s population peaked more than 100 years ago, the opening of the region’s largest ever economic development project means its best days are ahead, Lt. Gov. David Toland said Thursday. Toland spoke to a crowd of more than 100 state and federal lawmakers, economic development officials and construction company representatives who gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Bartlett soybean crushing plant just south of Cherryvale. The town’s population peaked at 4,700 in 1920 and is now 2,200. Toland, a Democrat and Iola native who also serves as commerce secretary, said the project reminds him of southeast Kansas’ “glory days.” “When heavy industry was pouring into this region and our towns were booming,” Toland said of the early 20th century, “it looked a lot like this, and we’re doing it again.” The $375 million plant, which began accepting shipments of soybeans in February, can house 49 million bushels of the crop and will help create food, animal feed and fuel, officials said. Now that it’s operational, Bartlett executives said, it will employ about 60 full-time workers.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Changes are coming to the housing voucher program in several Kansas counties
Changes are coming to the housing voucher program in several Kansas counties. Sedgwick, Butler, and Harvey County, excluding Newton, are moving to payment standards set by ZIP code for their housing voucher programs. In Wichita, people previously received a flat rate for their voucher. Starting Jan. 1, the amount someone receives will be based on ZIP code. The change is happening through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson is concerned about landlords who don’t have good motives
I always think about the ways they try to get out of dealing with people, and one of those per this change is that these rates don’t apply to those already under a lease or a contract,” said Johnson. “It only happens when you renew or a new person enters the system.” Johnson says this could allow residents to afford to live in an area with a higher median income. Officials say the change will not only be complicated to administer for city staff but will also require education for residents. That’s why the city’s housing department is developing a tool similar to the one already used in Boston. It lets you enter your income, bedroom size, and whether you pay for utilities like electric, gas or trash. It also will tell you the affordability of that home.
Source: KSN-TV
Mulvane officials say water is safe to consume
Mulvane residents are assured that their water is safe to consume despite a more pronounced chlorine smell. The City of Mulvane normally gets its water from Augusta. However, recently, the line running from Augusta to Mulvane under the Walnut River failed, leading Mulvane to switch to its groundwater reserve system. That water is treated through Reverse Osmosis, which passes it through a filter that removes minerals, salts, and other impurities and disinfects it with chlorine. The water from Augusta is surface water, which was first treated through lime softening, then chlorine. That process removes calcium and magnesium from the water, along with some organic material. The water is then disinfected with chlorine. The chlorine typically binds with residual organic material, creating harmless chloramines, which also reduce the strength of the chlorine smell. Mulvane says until repairs are made, residents may notice a stronger chlorine smell in their water. However, it is safe, and there is no cause for concern. The city is waiting on a boring crew to put a new line underneath the river. There is no timeline on when that will take place.
Source: KSN-TV
Washburn law school receives funding for rural practice program
A local law school receives $1 million to expand rural legal practice across the Sunflower State. Washburn University School of Law has received a large grant to expand the school’s Rural Legal Practice Network and Externship Program. This $1 million grant comes from Patterson Family Foundation in Kansas City Missouri, according to a news release from Washburn University. With the funding, the program is able to be developed by creating a more diverse network of rural practitioners that gives access to legal resources and an opportunity for students to connect and learn from mentors.
Source: KSNT 27 News
City of Topeka loses gender discrimination lawsuit, has to pay nearly $500,000
The verdict for a gender discrimination lawsuit involving the Topeka Police Department (TPD) came down on Thursday. A jury in a federal court delivered unanimous agreements on Sept. 19 for the cases of two plaintiffs, Jana Kizzar (formerly Jana Harden) and Colleen Stuart, who sued the City of Topeka and former TPD Police Chief Bryan Wheeles in early 2023. The women made accusations that the TPD was a “good ol’ boys system” with a pattern of gender discrimination. The lawsuit was filed under the Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964. Court documents obtained by 27 News show both women will be awarded large sums of cash in the lawsuit from the City of Topeka.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Salina K-9 killed in the line of duty
A K-9 member of the Salina Police Department has died in the line of duty. “It is with a heavy heart that the Salina Police Department announces the passing of one of our canines, K-9 Tyrann,” the SPD said in a news release. Police say “Ty” died Wednesday in an accidental fall from an elevated position. He was on duty at the time. “Ty was an active and faithful public servant, serving since February of 2021,” the department said. “His loss will be felt by the department members and the community.” The SPD is working on services for Ty and will notify the public of the date, time and location. Services for Tyrann will be arranged, and the public will be notified of the location, date, and time.
Source: KSNT 27 News
City of Topeka invites community to help celebrate ‘Good Neighbor Day’
Topekans are being invited to take part in National Good Neighbor Day at a local library later this month. The City of Topeka posted to social media Wednesday, Sept. 18 about the special upcoming event which will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library’s Learning Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about community engagement and getting involved in their local neighborhoods. People will also be able to learn how to use the SeeClickFix app to help improve the city and get safety tips from the Topeka Police Department. Activities for children, such as face painting and a balloon artist, will also be on site. You can find the library at 1515 Southwest 10th Avenue in Topeka. For more information on Good Neighbor Day at the library, you can contact Bianca Burnett at lburnett@topeka.org or call 785-368-3663.
Source: KSNT 27 News
City may take another look at its animal ordinance
A new city of Parsons law that increased penalties for dogs at large that bite people or attack other animals may be revised again in the future. Parsons City Commissioner Tom Shaw on Monday brought up the dog ordinance and said he thought it needed to have more stringent penalties for owners allowing their dogs to run at-large. Now the penalty for having a dog at-large is a $30 fine plus $110 in court costs. That didn’t change when the ordinance was amended earlier this month. The recent ordinance change offered penalties for dogs that bite. If an at-large animal bites a person, the owner will have to pay a minimum fine of $500 in addition to other penalties allowed in the ordinance. If an at-large animal attacks or wounds another domestic animal, the owner will pay a minimum fine of $400 in addition to other applicable penalties.
Source: Parsons Sun