Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Municipal Bond Trends for November 19, 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.

Salina rich in 100-plus years of aviation history

November is recognized as National Aviation History Month and in Salina, there is plenty of history to recognize. With names including the likes of Glenn L. Martin and Steve Fossett, and organizations including the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and even NASA using the city for operations, Salina is steeped in aviation history.
Source: Salina Journal

Municipal Bond Trends for November 18, 2024

Valley Center’s new water plant to bring savings to residents’ pockets

Valley Center currently sells raw water to the City of Wichita. Wichita treats this water, and then Valley Center buys the treated water back. However, the town is building its own water treatment plant to eliminate Wichita from the process. … City Administrator Brent Clark expects the new water treatment plant to cut water bills by half.
Source: KWCH

Wichita Fire Department rolls out new alert tool

The Wichita Fire Department is using a new tool to alert drivers when emergency vehicles are nearby. They’re called HAAS Alerts and pop up on your car’s dashboard or through apps like Waze. Other departments in the area like Mulvane and Sedgwick County Fire have been using the alerts for years.
Source: KWCH

After 52 years in the ground, Seward County time capsule reveals memories

When the lost time capsule from 1972 was discovered two weeks ago on the Seward County Fairgrounds, there was excitement about what was inside. The capsule was supposed to be unearthed two years ago, but it was forgotten, and since no marker was placed to remind the public of its location and its date, two years passed before curiosity led to a search, and that search led to the discovery of the capsule, a Wilbert Vault intended to house a casket.
Source: Liberal First

Douglas County group hopes ‘data walks,’ exploration of guaranteed income project will lead to lasting solutions to poverty

As they take a deep look at health and poverty in the community, Douglas County officials and community organizations are hoping to get residents engaged in the hard data behind some decidedly hard facts — for example, this fact: In Lawrence, nearly 80% of families living in poverty are headed by single mothers. The hope is that literally walking people through the evidence, aka “data walks,” will lead to more effective solutions — possibly even a guaranteed income solution — for a host of issues related to poverty.
Source: LJWorld

More fresh fruit, vegetables will soon be headed to Wichita ‘food deserts.’ Here’s how

The shelves and run-down refrigerators at Mr. MC’s Market in north Wichita are running low, mainly because many local produce items aren’t in season. But that’s soon to change. The market, on 21st Street near I-135, is in a food desert. Mr. MC’s is also the first store to take part in the city of Wichita’s new Healthy Corner Store Initiative. The program will help several corner stores in town get new refrigerators and maintain them so that they can sell fresh produce. TOP VIDEOS “It’s going to make everything better,” the market’s CEO, Alicia Broomfield, said. “We’re going to get proper refrigeration so that we can have more available fruits and vegetables and healthy food options.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Paid parking to come up for another vote Tuesday. Here are Wichita’s latest options

After receiving swift backlash from community members and downtown business owners earlier this year, the Wichita City Council will finally vote Tuesday on how it will implement paid parking. The paid parking system will affect most of downtown Wichita, Old Town, and the Delano neighborhood. The city has pursued paid parking downtown, saying it needs more money to maintain existing parking options. The city council has five options to vote on. One option is not keeping things the way they are now.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

FACT SHEET: Celebrating Three Years of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at USDA

Three years ago, on November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, making a historic investment in America’s infrastructure and competitiveness. Since being signed into law, it has been instrumental in transforming the lives and livelihoods of farmers, ranchers, small businesses and communities nationwide. Through this landmark legislation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is bringing economic opportunity, telemedicine and distance learning to rural America, with investments in high-speed internet; protecting and making communities more resilient to wildfires by restoring forests and investing in the wildland fire workforce; and supporting innovative solutions to the many environmental, economic and social challenges faced in communities across the nation.
Source: USDA – Latest News Releases

Governor Kelly Announces More than $320,000 for Seven Kansas Water Plan Partnership Initiative Projects

Governor Laura Kelly announced on Friday that more than $320,000 will go toward seven new partnership initiatives for the second year of funding through the Kansas Water Office’s Kansas Water Plan Partnership Initiative (KWPPI). KWPPI invests State Water Plan Fund resources into projects centered around conserving and protecting the High Plains Aquifer, improving state water quality, reducing vulnerability to extreme events, and increasing awareness of Kansas water resources. “These projects continue the work we are doing to secure our state’s water future,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The investments we make today will affect generations to come. The Kansas Water Plan Partnership Initiative ensures progress on meeting the water needs of communities in our state.” In addition to the guiding principles, Regional Advisory Committees across the state have established water-related goals specific to their region, which applicants could cite when submitting their proposal.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

National League of Cities Releases Research Brief Series Chronicling History of Municipal Government

Local governments have evolved over the last century to serve their communities and respond to the needs of their residents. As part of its centennial celebration, the National League of Cities (NLC) researched and collated the history of municipal government in the United States with a focus on governance, workforce finance and the power of local authority. The four-part series explores population shifts, the types of government that dominate local governing bodies, expansion of the municipal workforce as well as municipal finance and infrastructure and the history of home rule.
Source: www.nlc.org/contents/rss-feed

Hillsboro discusses plans for fire station

The Hillsboro City Council met on Tuesday, Nov. 5 where they heard from Hillsboro Fire Chief and Building Inspector Ben Steketee. Steketee presented the annual department head report with a PowerPoint report on the building department and fire department activities. He highlighted the contributions of Caren Funk who assists with contractor licensing, permit process and fire department secretary duties. Steketee also gave statistics including 59 building permits issued, 94 contractors licensed and $1730,764.38 in project value. Steketee also updated the council on training activities, including wildland fire training and rescue tool comparison events. He reported that training events include physical exertion tests and EMS assist calls, with firefighters undergoing rigorous training to ensure readiness. Steketee informed the council that the fire department has responded to 13 wildland fires, 11 vehicle accidents and nine rescues this year. Steketee emphasized the importance of a new fire station to accommodate the growing number of firefighters and equipment to serve the city and the greater area.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Wichita officials say Cheney Reservoir still needs water

Wichita officials say recent rainfall has helped with the ongoing drought situation, but the drought continues and Cheney Reservoir still needs more water. While the city has received above average rainfall for November, the reservoir is still almost 8 feet below the needed level. About 26 billion gallons of water will be needed in the reservoir to get out of the drought. The current level is 56.24 percent full, and the 12-month average of the conservation pool was at 65.1 percent. The city remains at Stage Two of its drought response plan, which has placed a restriction of one day a week for residents and businesses to water their lawns. The city is still encouraging residents to take steps to reduce their water usage.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Sedgwick County Corrections changes restraint policies

The Department of Corrections for Sedgwick County has changed its policies on the use of force and restraints on people who are in custody. The policy will eliminate the use of a “Safe Clinch” maneuver that is no longer practiced. The changes will affect county corrections facilities and the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center. The changes are a response to the September, 2021 in-custody death of 17-year-old Cedric Lofton after a struggle with staff at the JIAC. A community task force made a number of recommendations for the juvenile justice system after Lofton’s death. The Team Justice juvenile advisory board gave approval to the policy changes in October, and Sedgwick County Commissioners gave their approval during their November 13th meeting.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Westwood gets first look at new park design, but lawsuit has snagged plans indefinitely

The city of Westwood’s new park envisions walking paths, natural play and restrooms — but planning is on hold indefinitely due to an active lawsuit. On Thursday, the Westwood City Council during a work session got a first look at three different ideas for a new park planned for the former Westwood View Elementary site. This proposed 3.8-acre park is part of Karbank Real Estate Services’ controversial Rainbow Boulevard project, a six-building office-retail development that the city approved last year. In exchange for building on Joe D. Dennis Park — which is Westwood’s main park — Karbank agreed to give the city money to purchase the original Westwood View Elementary property for a replacement park. The city is stopping all park planning where it currently is — with the meeting on Thursday — due to a lawsuit that is trying to block the sale of Joe D. Dennis Park to Karbank.
Source: Johnson County Post

Fallen marshal to be honored on national memorial

A lawman killed in Cherokee County nearly 125 years ago will soon be honored nationally. Empire City Marshal Marion Thomas will soon be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. In 1900 – present day Galena was known as “Empire City.” On February 4 of that year, Marshal Thomas entered a saloon near Main and Columbus Streets around 3 that afternoon for a report of shots fired inside the establishment. When he entered, he was shot multiple times, he died instantly, leaving behind a wife and three kids. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office learned earlier this year that Marshal Thomas’ ultimate sacrifice was not included on the memorial in DC – so they used historical documents to petition for his inclusion. A formal dedication ceremony is scheduled for May 13, 2025. There will be a candlelight vigil as part of National Police Week.
Source: KSNF/KODE

City manager finalists selected in Junction City

Locals in Junction City can meet with the finalists for the city manager position later this month at a local opera house. The City of Junction City announced in a press release on Friday, Nov. 15 that four finalists for the city manager spot will be available to meet with from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 at the 2nd-floor rehearsal hall at the C.L. Hoover Opera House located at 135 West Seventh Street. Each of the finalists will be on hand to speak with locals in an informal setting. Source: KSNT 27 News

Homeless crimes divide officials

Police officers in some communities struggling with homelessness are not likely to dole out tickets or arrests for the low-level crimes. That’s led to some Kansas lawmakers questioning if communities struggling with homelessness are too lax on law enforcement and not doing enough to try to help address homelessness.
Source: Salina Journal