Municipal News & Jobs

Reno County Commissioners tabled discussion of increasing commissioner pay for a month Wednesday to gather more information and constituent input. Among Kansas counties with county administrators or managers, Reno County has the lowest commissioner pay at $11,340 per year, Human Resources Director Helen Foster said. She added that commissioner pay is low enough that it prompts questions from employees of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System about whether Reno County is reporting its full salary. Tabling it until December allows commissioners to track how many hours per week they spend on county business. Commissioner Ron Hirst said he has tracked the time he spends on county business since late September, and it has ranged from two to 20 hours in a week.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Over the past 15 years, the City of Hutchinson issued only about a dozen building permits per year for new single-family homes—and twice as many demolition permits. To meet current housing demand, however, and spur new economic and population growth, there needs to be 10 times that number—annually—for the next decade, according to findings of the Reno County Housing Needs Assessment completed in 2024. It’s no secret that the availability of affordable housing is a serious issue in Hutchinson and Reno County, which contributes to many other challenges, including a growing homeless population and difficulty in attracting new employers.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Iola’s newest sports program is already getting attention from dozens of students, who may soon begin practicing to become the first members of the Iola High School fishing team. With at least 15 students expressing interest in the sport, Iola High School is starting up a fishing club this month.
Read more: The Iola Register

Proponents argue a registry is needed to hold landlords accountable for unsafe living conditions, citing issues like infestations and mold. Opponents, primarily landlords, feel the measure unfairly punishes good property owners for the actions of a few.
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 decision came after a petition ordinance to overturn the current ban of pit bull breeds in the city was certified by Saline County as having received enough signatures to move forward.
Read more: Salina Journal

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 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.

Owens has held the position for about six and a half years. Mayor Mike Dever said in the release that he appreciated Owens’ dedication and perseverance in navigating “the many challenges our town has faced during his tenure. “I look forward to the upcoming search for new leadership and the opportunity to find the right fit to meet our community’s current needs and goals,” Dever continued.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

The City of Coffeyville’s Community Development Department is inviting local artists, students, and residents to help bring new life to the downtown district through the Downtown Utility Box Repaint Project — a creative initiative to refresh the painted utility boxes that add color and character to Coffeyville’s streets.
Read more: Coffeyville, KS – News Flash

On Tuesday, Governor Laura Kelly, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas be flown at half-staff immediately until sundown on the day of interment to honor the passing of Vice President Dick Cheney.  “Vice President Cheney spent his life in service to our nation and was renowned for both his deep knowledge and commitment,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “His legacy will reflect his work to reshape the vice presidency and his conviction to upholding the ideals that the United States was founded upon. My deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this challenging time.” 
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

It was a rough night for incumbents. Harvey County voters in numerous elections signaled a wish to change directions at the ballot box. In total, 22.3 percent of registered voters cast ballots, roughly the same turnout as in 2023.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Prairie Village voters turned out in record-breaking numbers on Nov. 4 to reject all six candidates backed by Prairie Village United in a decisive victory for allies of the incumbent City Council. In all, 60% of Prairie Village voters cast ballots for a candidate who supports the municipal complex project and opposes PV United, the resident-led group at the center of a yearslong conflict in the quiet Johnson County suburb. The candidates backed by PV United ran as a slate demanding that the city hall project be put up for a public vote and that the city cut spending and oppose any zoning changes that would increase housing density.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Prairie Village voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected the question to “abandon” the city’s form of government. This year’s Prairie Village municipal election saw not only six contested city council races, but an unusual question about whether the city should “abandon” its mayor-council form of government. It was one of two critical issues defining the 2025 Prairie Village City Council election, with half of the candidates supporting and the other half opposing the ballot measure. This question is a remnant of the 2023 resident-led petitions circulated by Prairie Village United, a group who rallied against any potential changes to the city’s residential zoning codes. The “abandon” question failed with the “no” votes earning 65% of the vote, according to unofficial final election results. This means no changes are coming to Prairie Village’s form of government.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The De Soto battery plant is producing about 300,000 batteries a day and is up to 1,200 employees. At full capacity, it expects those numbers to be 500,000 and 4,000.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal – Local Kansas City News

The Kansas Corporation Commission has approved a new Large Load Power Service (LLPS) rate plan for customers who use more than 75 megawatts of electricity at peak demand. The agreement was reached through collaboration among utilities, major companies, consumer advocates, conservation groups, and school districts. It aims to meet the power needs of large users like data centers and manufacturers while ensuring regular customers don’t pay higher rates as a result.
Read more: KCLY Radio

The mayor of a small south-central Kansas town has been charged with committing fraud by voting in elections since 2022 even though he is not a United States citizen, the state’s attorney general and secretary of state said Wednesday. Attorney General Kris Kobach said Joe Ceballos, who garnered nearly 83% of the vote Tuesday for a second term as Coldwater mayor, was charged with three counts of voting without being qualified and three counts of election perjury. Both are felony offenses.
Read more: KLC Journal

Helicopters, footballs, friendship, space stuff – it’s all connected. Youth football teams from rural Reno County and metropolitan Wyandotte County met under the stadium lights on a chilly Saturday evening for more than just a couple of games. The Buhler Crusaders and the Wyandotte Panthers fifth- and sixth-grade teams faced off Nov. 1 at Buhler High School, 50 miles northwest of Wichita, in an inaugural fundraiser supporting childhood science education in central Kansas. More than 500 people attended the Cosmo Bowl, a college-gameday-style event intended to raise funds for a science-themed early childhood center in Hutchinson, and to bridge social divisions through sports. 
Read more: KLC Journal

Night comes sooner and seems to stay longer this time of year. Wichita police are giving away free bicycle lights to keep riders safe on city streets. “It’s more important than ever to be seen while you ride,” police said in a social post promoting Light Up the Night, a free bike light giveaway. The event is set for 7-8 p.m. Friday at 803 N. Broadway, the corner of Broadway Avenue and Murdock Street. Bring a bike (it is required to be eligible), and you will receive a free bike light.
Read more: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County will soon send out an online survey to get feedback from residents about public services and priorities, officials said Thursday. More than 100,000 randomly chosen residents will receive a link to the survey via mail, text, or email. It’s hosted by Qualtrics and will also be available on the county’s website and social media later in November. The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and is intended for adult residents 18 years of age or older. Responses are confidential. Sedgwick County leaders are seeking input on service delivery and community priorities.
Read more: KSN-TV