Municipal News & Jobs

When a majority on the Johnson County Commission decided last spring to ask voters to continue the quarter-cent public safety sales tax beyond 2027, their hope was that revenue would reduce the reliance on property taxes for increasing ambulance, law enforcement and mental health costs in tough economic times. Now the question is: Did the commission overstep its authority? Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach thinks so. Commissioners disagree. On Wednesday, they faced off in a Topeka courtroom and handed the decision over to Kansas Third District Judge Jay Befort.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The Marysville school district’s new Farm to Plate program is in its first-year exploration phase, aiming to create a sustainable, educational approach to feeding students and staff. At the Nov. 12 board meeting, Superintendent Darren Schroeder and Food Services Director Danielle Bargman outlined goals, early progress, and kitchen needs. Board members sampled potential menu items, including a new “Bulldog burger,” as Bargman continues taste tests to build meals that students and staff enjoy while meeting nutrition regulations. The district is forming partnerships with 12 local producers and exploring hydroponic and tower-garden systems with Better Produce in Summerfield to supply vegetables. Staff are also relearning cooking techniques, including preparing items free of salt.
Read more: KCLY Radio

Wichita’s three finalists for city manager offered different visions for city government Tuesday night at a press conference followed by a public forum. The City Council will ultimately decide who gets the job. But the public and reporters got to ask the questions on Tuesday night. Donte Martin, a 53-year-old assistant city manager for Wichita, had the home field advantage. He has worked for the city for 25 years in multiple leadership roles, including as the court administrator. He’s familiar with most of the city’s departments and department heads. Mark Freitag, 59, began working in local government after a lengthy military career. From 2022 to 2024, Freitag was the city manager for Westminster, Colorado, a Denver suburb about halfway between the Colorado state capital and Boulder. Prior to that, he was the city manager for 11 years in Janesville, Wisconsin. Dennis Marstall is a 56-year-old county administrator for Lancaster County, S.C., a suburb of Charlotte, N.C. He spent decades working in local government and nonprofit roles in the Charlotte area before returning to his hometown of Manhattan, Kansas, to be assistant city manager there.
Read more: KLC Journal

In March 2010, he took the position of City Clerk with the City of Wellington. In August 2016, he was appointed City Manager, serving until his retirement in August 2022. Shane’s public service included 17 years in law enforcement and 25 years in city/county administration. All in all, a public service career of over 44 years.
Read more: Sumner NewsCow

The Crawford County Commission has voted against the approval of an annexation of land that includes multiple plots designated for a multi-million dollar solar energy project.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

Since 2023, outlines and uncolored shapes have graced the outer wall of Salina’s Cozy Inn restaurant. In 2024, the owner of the historic hamburger joint filed a lawsuit against the city over his unfinished mural. A judge ruled Wednesday that the City of Salina violated the First Amendment rights of The Cozy Inn. City officials had determined that the display would advertise for the restaurant and therefore was not a mural, but a sign. That meant it would be subject to the city’s sign code, which requires businesses to obtain a permit for a sign and imposes size limits. And the city said the display on the wall of The Cozy Inn would likely be too big under those rules.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Here in Kansas, property taxes continue to be a major issue. However, in some nearby states, data shows the problem isn’t nearly as bad. The Kansas Committee on Taxation met at the statehouse once again to discuss property taxes in the Sunflower State on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Kansas lawmakers spent time evaluating policies in other states such as Oklahoma. Currently, rural homeowners in Kansas are paying three times more in annual property taxes than homeowners in Oklahoma.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Marion residents may have to change where they park their recreational vehicles, and trash trucks may have to change how they get to the county transfer station. Those were among items discussed but not acted upon at Monday’s Marion City Council meeting. Having just spent more than $11,000 to repair damage to Vine St. on Marion’s far west side, council members are hoping to divert heavy trash trucks away from the street, which leads to the north side of the county transfer station.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

The new industry lessens the sting of Gates’ downsizing. And it’s to the city’s credit it has its sites on potential enterprises. The news of a data center coming to Iola is garnering backlash, the most specious being that its electric demands will raise utility rates for the rest of us. That’s not the case. Vine Energy LLC neither asked for nor received any incentives in terms of property tax breaks or discounted utility rates to locate here. And for the approximate $80,000 in utility extensions to bring water and electricity to the facility, the Overland Park company is footing the bill. The fact that it’s a small-scale data center means the city can easily accommodate its energy needs at no extra expense to consumers.
Read more: The Iola Register

Although tensions flared at times, a unified sense of collaboration and urgency permeated throughout the special meeting between Hutchinson and South Hutchinson, and Reno County Commissioners on Thursday night at the Sand Hills Center. The meeting came after South Hutchinson took a first step towards annexing the future site of Evergy’s natural gas power plant during a special city council meeting on Nov. 17. The site falls within the limits of South Hutchinson’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas kicked off the meeting by emphasizing the need for Hutchinson and South Hutchinson to collaborate on creating more economic development in the area.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

When you flush the toilet in Topeka, your sewage will now feed into a state-run public health monitor of the level of flu, RSV and COVID-19 in the community. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Nov. 19 announced the launch of a new online dashboard for its wastewater monitoring of respiratory viruses.
Read more: CJonline

People who are caught living near bus shelters, or in privately-owned woods, could be required to complete up to 40 hours of community service, pay hundreds in fines or spend up to a month in jail.
Read more: KC Star

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.

Spring Hill will have a new mayor after an unusual write-in election. Voters in the growing Johnson and Miami Counties exurb went to the polls Nov. 4, but the only candidate for mayor on the ballot announced that she would not take the position if elected.
Read more: KC Star

The $320 million project, proposed by Lamar Hunt Jr.’s company, Loretto Properties LLC, will feature the theme park, a hockey arena and a six-story hotel on the southwest corner of West 119th Street and Renner Boulevard, also known as the Olathe Gateway.
Read more: KC Star

New public opinion polling showcases a sharp divide among Johnson County residents over whether the Royals should continue pursuing a ballpark at Aspiria.
Read more: KC Star

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.

Downtown Arma was busy last weekend with the return of the third annual Arma Hometown Christmas celebration, featuring more than 20 businesses and organizations for a Christmas tree giveaway and open house. The Arma City Council expressed its pleasure with the event turnout during Monday’s council meeting.
Read more: -Morning Sun

The Crawford County Commissioners rendered their decision, Tuesday, concerning the island annexation of land by the City of Mulberry, six miles from the city, with the sole purpose of developing the land for economic gain through the construction of a solar farm. They did not approve the annexation.
Read more: – Morning Sun

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced more than $7.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding has been awarded for 19 projects across Kansas. These investments are aimed at strengthening infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities in rural and low- to moderate-income communities.
Read more: Press Releases Archives – Kansas Department of Commerce