Municipal News & Jobs

After more than 25 years as the head of the cemetery ministry at Colwich’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church, John Weber is stepping down, but not before leaving a couple of markers to assist people in the search for the final resting place of their loved ones.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The city of Wichita is proposing a license for hotel operators to help regulate properties with health and safety complaints. The Wichita City Council will vote at its Thursday meeting whether to establish the license for lodging establishments that would cost a fee of $200, a city staff report said. The license would set new standards for local hotels and make it unlawful to offer hourly rates or fail to provide clean linens, remove trash or provide adequate pest control.
Read more: Wichita Business Journal

Arkansas City’s growing diversity has led city officials to request hiring an in-person interpreter for residents who speak Chuukese. During a work session Friday, City Manager Randy Frazer told commissioners that Municipal Court needs someone fluent in Chuukese, a language spoken primarily in the Chuuk State of Micronesia and by communities in Pohnpei and Guam. He said Tisaleen Uremoch is a local individual who can provide that service.Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com

After years of wanting and asking, Wichita looks to be getting its long-awaited Cheesecake Factory. A building permit application was filed with the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department for a Cheesecake Factory restaurant at 2020 N. Rock Road at Bradley Fair. The address most recently housed Outback Steakhouse, which closed in April 2022 and has since been demolished.
Read more: Wichita Business 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.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday approved its second straight interest rate cut, a widely expected move that came despite little recent visibility on the economy due to the government shutdown. The post-meeting statement did not provide any direction on what the committee’s plans are for December. At the September meeting, officials indicated the likelihood of three total cuts this year. The Fed meets once more in December.
Read more: CNBC

Recently, the city put up the first of five billboards welcoming people to the first cow town in Kansas. The project was spearheaded by Mayor, Kelly Abbott and is meant to spur local tourism. “We’ve got a little logo saying and that’s, ‘all roads lead to Baxter.’ Kelly has been very involved in that tourism committee, making sure that the city is involved as the local citizens are in creating more tourism for the community,” said Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum Director, Mary Billington.
Read more: KSNF/KODE

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.

Pottawatomie County Emergency Medical Services was awarded the largest grant in its history — $134,729 from the Patterson Family Foundation. The grant will be used to purchase five new Stryker Power Pro 2 power-assisted ambulance cots. EMS Director Andrew Couchman spoke to the Pottawatomie County Commissioners on Monday saying, “This is an item that gets used every day by every crew. If we have a failure on that cot, we have a significant chance of injury to the crew or patient. Short of the truck that we use every day it is the next piece of equipment.”
Read more: News Radio KMAN

A new era of hospitality begins today in Hutchinson as the Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center officially opens its doors, bringing elevated comfort, convenience, and community-focused amenities to the region. Located at 1715 N. Waldron Street, the newly constructed hotel is a beacon of modern design and warm hospitality, offering 112 beautifully appointed guest rooms and meeting rooms. At the heart of the property is its expansive 14,500 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom and five breakout rooms, designed to host everything from corporate conferences to weddings and community celebrations.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

A cash incentive program for homeowners relocating to McPherson was approved by City Commissioners Tuesday. The program provides a cash incentive payment of $5,000 payable to the closing agent on behalf of the successful applicant provided the home and buyers are eligible. Applicants cannot have owned a home in the city limits for at least 36 months prior to application, and be purchasing a single-family owner-occupied home, which can be a stand-alone or part of a condominium as long as an appropriate fee title to the residence is acquired.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

McPherson County Commissioners Monday adopted a moratorium on development of nuclear power projects in unincorporated areas of the county. Over the past couple of weeks there has been discussion about possible nuclear projects, one of which would be in Reno County where local officials are pursuing it. Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Kinsey said the purpose of the moratorium is to allow study of local issues and development of regulations for it. The moratorium will run through Jan. 1, 2028, but could be shortened or extended as needed.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

A new casino and entertainment venue will be opening soon in Park City. Gilley’s is scheduled to open December 15, 10 miles north of Wichita at 1500 E. 77th Street N., in Park City. Customers can experience a wide variety of entertainment including gaming, a dance hall and saloon, sports bar, mechanical bull, an open air arena, loads of eatery options and much more.
Read more: www.derbyinformer.com

An issue that began in September 2023 and has been the most divisive in Halstead in recent years will be decided, at least in part, at the ballot box on Nov. 4. The City of Halstead entered a lease agreement with Concurrent out of Texas for land in its industrial park on Sept 28, 2023, so both sides could explore the potential of the land housing a battery energy storage system (BESS). Since then, the Halstead Planning Commission held 16 meetings or work sessions (all open to the public) that also included three official public hearings. At over half of these meetings, work sessions, or public hearings, the planning commission took public comment or accepted handouts and submissions from attendees.
Read more: Harvey County Now

Shawnee has passed new rules for children and younger teens who ride motorized devices like scooters and unicycles. On Tuesday, the Shawnee City Council unanimously approved amendments to the municipal code by adding rules for motorized scooters and unicycles to its already-existing regulations for motorized skateboards. The rules cover people operating the devices who are younger than 18, requiring them to wear a helmet, as well as ride only on sidewalks and determining where they can cross the road.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Olathe will soon begin a long-awaited study of nine railroad crossings on the city’s west side. The study will be the first step in improving traffic delays and safety concerns. In August, the Olathe City Council approved the study as well as grant funding for the project. Originally set to begin last year, the study was delayed in order to seek a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, which it received. Olathe will contribute $500,000 to the study — which was laid out in its capital improvement plan — while the FRA grant will cover $1,750,000 of it. The remaining $100,000 will come from BNSF Railway, bringing the total to $2,350,000.
Read more: Johnson County Post

On Tuesday, November 4th, Concordia voters will decide whether to approve a 1% special purpose retailers’ sales tax to help fund a $13.8 million, 35,000-square-foot community activity center at Rasure Field. The tax would generate $10 million over up to 10 years, with the remainder covered by grants and donations. No property taxes would be used. The proposed facility includes indoor courts, a walking track, a “tot lot,” multipurpose spaces, offices, restrooms, and parking. Operating costs are estimated at $178,000 annually. A KSHSAA-compliant upgrade could add $3.9 million.
Read more: KCLY Radio

If you aspire to become an officer for the Wichita Police Department, you might want to give some advance thought to where you put any tattoos you get. Not to mention what you decide to include in the design. But a little bit of ink won’t necessarily stop you from being able to don a uniform. Concerned residents raised attention on Wichita Police’s tattoo policy to the Citizens Review Board during their September meeting, saying that the current language was preventing some people from applying to the police academy. The board works with police on community outreach and advises the department.
Read more: KLC Journal