Municipal News & Jobs

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 robotic dogs are different than the robots the department already uses. “These robotic systems provide capabilities that address current operational gaps, including the ability to open and close doors, navigate stairs, and move over uneven terrain and obstacles commonly encountered in real-world environments,” Wichita Police capt. Aaron Moses said in an email. “These capabilities allow officers to manage high-risk incidents more safely and reduce risk to both the public and responding personnel.”
Read more: Wichita Eagle

Sedgwick County’s siren system is undergoing a six-year improvement, and currently, two different system communicate with the sirens. The devices are split into zones so sirens can target various parts of the county. In this week’s case, the wrong zone was activated. “Because the city of Mulvane falls in both counties and the programming challenges we have with two systems, it did activate our zone in the southeastern part of the county,” … When a tornado warning is issued, it’s for a specific area. In weather broadcasts, the area under a warning will appear as a polygon. That polygon is issued by the National Weather Service and, when under a warning, every siren in that polygon is activated. In response to Friday’s issue, the county has readjusted its zones.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

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 leading proposals this year are similar to the bills and resolutions that failed just a year ago. But lawmakers are more optimistic that relief will come this time around. Here are the two leading proposals: Constitutional amendment to cap valuation increases, and Spending caps on local governments.
Read more: Johnson County Post

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.

Hillsboro City Council approved an agreement Thursday with Michael Webb to serve as interim city administrator after Matt Stiles steps down until the city recruits a permanent replacement.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

The updated definition states that owner-occupied means the owner lives on the property at least 180 days during the calendar year. New language states that a rental unit must be located within the primary residential dwelling on the property and may not be located in an accessory building unless the main dwelling is owner-occupied.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Since launching in 2023 as a grant‑funded initiative, the program has brought more than 80 new landlords into local housing programs and helped remove barriers that often prevent property owners from participating in federal rental assistance. The incentive program offers landlords a sign-on bonus and access to a damage reimbursement fund.
Read more: Johnson County Kansas

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.

Beth M. Hammack, head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, says it is too early to gauge the economic impact of the Iran war and backs holding interest rates steady for “quite some time.”
Read more: NYT > Business

Voters in Newton USD 373 gave overwhelming approval to a $50M bond issue Tuesday. Unofficial results from the Harvey County Clerk’s Office indicated 2.316 votes were cast in favor to 2,116 votes against. Most of this bond will go towards projects at Newton High School including upgrades to science labs and culinary arts kitchens original to when the school was built in the 1970’s along with other remodeling and pool upgrades. Other projects include updates at Chisholm Middle School, addition of a classroom that will double as a storm shelter at Cooper Early Education Center, and HVAC, roof and elementary playground projects across the district. Harvey County Commissioners will conduct their vote canvass on March 10, including provisional ballots. 18 advance by mail ballots will be counted Wednesday.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

The fourth time proved to be the charm for McPherson USD 418, as voters Tuesday approved both bond questions submitted to them in a special election. Unofficial results from the McPherson County Clerk’s Office indicated Question 1, a $62.6 million project which includes a new academic wing at McPherson High School and demolition of the hex area, passed with 2,290 votes in favor and 1,313 against. Question 2, a $27 million dollar proposal which includes converting Eisenhower Elementary School into a middle school, was approved by a 2,172-1,435 vote. After the last votes were counted, USD 418 Superintendent Shiloh Vincent told Ad Astra News he was pleased with the outcome. “Thank you to all of our voters and everyone who contributed to this process. Just an absolutely monumental moment for all of the kids and families here in McPherson,” he said, adding there are some very “bright and exciting” things ahead.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

Mulvane is filled with unique spots that draw both locals and out-of-town visitors. From the highway, passersby might notice the bright lights of the Kansas Star Casino, but that is not where the road ends. Mulvane Chamber of Commerce Director Brittany Kruger recently traveled to Topeka to attend Destination Statehouse, an event hosted by the Travel Industry Association of Kansas, also known as TIAC. She represented south central Kansas and joined tourism leaders from across the state for legislative updates and strategy discussions focused on growing Kansas tourism. “It’s really about making sure our legislators know we’re here and that tourism matters,” Kruger said. “TIAC is the lobbying group for Kansas tourism, so they do a lot of work to promote tourism in Kansas, and that has a big impact on us.”
Read more: www.derbyinformer.com

An ordinance allowing licensed drivers over 18 years old to operate golf carts on some city streets during daylight hours was approved Monday by the Great Bend City Council. The ordinance was approved with seven councilmembers voting in favor and councilmember Davis Jimenez voting against it. Some details were decided Monday before the ordinance came to a vote. The council considered allowing the carts to operate from sunrise to 10 p.m., but opted for sunrise to sunset. The council also chose to up the minimum age to 18, after initially considering 16. Councilman Gary Parr also suggested a higher registration fee, with a portion going to youth programs, and the council settled on a $50 registration, payable at a one-time inspection and reviewed annually. (Fees go to the general fund.) Police Chief Steve Haulmark said he is not opposed to the ordinance. He does not believe it will create an extra burden on staff and when people come for their registration sticker they will be given a copy of the ordinance.
Read more: Great Bend Tribune

Edgerton voters narrowly approved a 1% special use sales tax for stormwater and street improvements, according to unofficial final results from the Johnson County Election Office on Tuesday. Voters approved the measure by a nine-vote margin, with 52.4%, or 98 voters, for the measure, compared to 47.6%, or 89 voters against. Final official results will be certified on March 10 by the Board of County Canvassers. The 1% tax bumps up the city’s sales tax to 9.975%. That money will help fund stormwater and street infrastructure improvements, as well as all things necessary for the construction and financing of such projects, including bonds and other financial obligations.
Read more: Johnson County Post

A cul-de-sac of modestly priced homes in Olathe was the backdrop recently for a visit by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, who spoke with local experts about how to get more affordably priced homes built. Davids, a Johnson County Democrat, met privately with home builders, county and city officials last Friday, Feb. 27, as well as the president of Habitat for Humanity KC, the non-profit that built the cul-de-sac known as Olathe Pathway at Heritage Park. The Congresswoman later took a short tour of two homes in the subdivision near 159th and Black Bob Road that are substantially completed. Davids and the roundtable participants drilled down on various challenges, including a supply chain inflexible to newer and less expensive building materials, an aging workforce of contractors, efforts to train and encourage young people in the building trades and financing strategies.
Read more: Johnson County Post

“Good Morning America” will be at the Kansas Speedway in KCK on its Thursday broadcast as part of a yearlong series celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States. Filming is closed to the public, but viewers in Kansas City can watch from 7-9 a.m. Central. TOP VIDEOS The video player is currently playing an ad. You can skip the ad in 5 sec with a mouse or keyboard The “50 States in 50 Weeks: America the Beautiful” series sends a “GMA” anchor or correspondent to a different state each week following the order in which they became a state. Kansas was the 34th state to join the Union on January 29, 1861.
Read more: KCStar

Dickinson County communities will soon be able to apply for funding through the America 250 Community Grant Program, supporting local celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Funded by Dickinson County and administered by the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, the program will distribute $30,000 to cities, nonprofits, schools, and community groups for events and legacy projects held within the county. Grants range from $500 to $3,500 and support efforts such as parades, concerts, murals, oral history projects, public art, and beautification initiatives. A local match is encouraged, and larger awards may require a stronger commitment.
Read more: KCLY Radio

At least six bills addressing challenges with housing stability and supply have been introduced to the Kansas Legislature this year, signaling a concerted effort to untangle knots in tenant protections and housing infrastructure. The challenges within the state include an ongoing housing shortage. It is also one of two states lacking a statewide code for habitable housing. The third fastest state in the country for eviction filings, Kansas also lags in protections for tenants. “It’s a clear indication that Kansas needs to do some updating in terms of some of the regulations across the state, particularly in terms of holding corporate landlords accountable,” said Kristy Baughman, the executive director of the United Community Services of Johnson County. “If you want Kansas to be modern and to grow and to thrive, we can’t be relying on outdated laws that just don’t meet our needs anymore,” she said.
Read more: KLC Journal

Seven towns asked their residents to approve school bonds for their school districts on Tuesday, and most were successful.
Read more: KSN-TV

Wichita voters overwhelmingly rejected a city sales tax in Tuesday’s special election. More than 41,000 votes were cast against the tax, compared with only about 9,000 votes in favor. Wichita Forward, a group of business leaders behind the proposal, conceded defeat in a press release. “While this was not the result we hoped for, we respect the decision of Wichita voters,” the group said. “These issues are significant for our community, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to participate in the process.” The tax would have funded public safety, homeless services, Century II improvements, property tax relief and the construction of a downtown performing arts center. But it was at the center of one controversy after another since it was proposed last fall.
Read more: KSN-TV

The City of Augusta says the local power grid needs critical repairs. The repairs will require a two-hour power blackout. The city had originally planned for the repairs to take place overnight from March 18 to 19. The city has pushed the date back to March 25 to 26. The planned blackout will begin at midnight, and the work is expected to take two hours to complete, weather permitting.
Read more: KSN-TV

Ozone season begins Sunday through Oct. 31. Wichita officials say that while they track air quality year-round, they’ll be on heightened alert during this time. Ground-level ozone is an invisible pollutant that can negatively impact public health, the environment and local economy. Warmer temperatures, regional crop burning, and regular activities such as mowing and driving can contribute to higher ozone levels. To combat this, the city is launching its 2026 Lawn Care Rebate Program. The program aims to encourage residents to switch to electric lawn equipment, thus reducing emissions and improving air quality.
Read more: KSN-TV

People who live in Spring Hill are pushing back against a rezoning plan that they say opens the door to a possible data center and to a change in their way of life. Neighbors are concerned about noise pollution, traffic, property values and proximity to a nearby school. Along 191st Street in Spring Hill, neighbors posted signs in their yards that say, “No industrial zoning.” “This is my property and this is where they want to put the data center,” Erin Lustig said. “This is just not what we moved out here for. We moved out here to get away from the city, to have peace and quiet.”
Read more: KSN-TV

Morris County voters on March 3 rejected an over $30 million bond vote that would have gone towards USD 417 improvements. Voters in USD 417 participated in a school bond election on Friday to confirm or deny a $31.5 million bond that would have gone towards facility updates including security upgrades, new parking and classroom modernization efforts across three schools in the district. Vote totals for the school bond election show the bond was not approved with 70% voting no and nearly 30% voting yes.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Neighbors on opposite sides of the street and opposite sides of the issue are made their voices heard Tuesday as they voted on the Lansing Unified School District 469 bond issue aimed at addressing aging infrastructure. The voters said no to both school bond issues on the ballot. Question 1 went down to defeat with 1,579 no votes and 1,095 yes votes. Approval of the bonds would have meant $30 million toward improvements, including HVAC systems, roofs, parking lots and tennis courts, with no mill levy increase. Question 2 also failed at the polls with 1,779 no votes and only 890 yes votes. Money from that bond would have put $5 million toward sports field improvements and would raise the mill levy by .746 mills, costing the owner of a $400,000 home around $34 a year about $2.86 a month. Superintendent Marty Kobza told KSHB 41’s Leavenworth County reporter Rachel Henderson earlier in the day the district’s infrastructure has reached a breaking point.
Read more: KSHB News

Voters in the Olathe and De Soto school districts approved hundreds of millions of dollars in bonds to improve school facilities and other services, according to mail ballot results released Tuesday. In Olathe, 23% of voters took part in the election. There were 15,344 “yes” votes and 8,960 “no” votes for the $389 million bond measure. “We are incredibly thankful to our Olathe Public Schools community who has once again supported our district through the endorsement of a bond election,” Olathe Superintendent Dr. Brent Yeager said in a statement. “This bond provides us the opportunity to reinvest in our facilities, build upon excellence and enhance our schools, which are the heartbeat of our community. For decades, our community has stood behind our schools by supporting past bond initiatives, and we thank you for continuing your investment in high quality schools. We know that strong public schools build strong communities and we look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead with the support of these bond funds.” Just under 24% of USD 232 voters mailed in a ballot.
Read more: KSHB News

The $17.85 million Wellington School Bond issue fell to defeat. It was 920 no to 894 yes. It was a 26-vote difference, with percentages of 50.8 to 49.2. Interestingly, there was a split between the advanced voting and the election-day vote. The yes votes were 712 to 677 no. The election was much closer this time around than the $22.6 million bond in November. That election was No – 1,080 (53.7 percent), Yes – 931 (46.2 percent). The voter turnout was lower the second time around with 1,814 voters cast today compared to 2,021 in November.
Read more: Sumner NewsCow

Hutchinson voters approved a 10-year, 0.75% city sales tax increase on Tuesday by an unofficial final vote of 2,316 to 2,116, pending provisional ballots and advance ballots that were turned in at polling places. The tax will raise the total sales tax in Hutchinson to 9% for non-food purchases, divided between the State of Kansas (6.5%), Reno County (1%), and the City of Hutchinson (1.5%), effective Oct. 1, 2026. The state’s portion of sales tax is not charged on qualifying food purchases. The sales tax is to pay for stormwater system modifications, maintenance and repairs of parks and streets, capital improvements and city operations, according to the question on the ballot. That includes elimination of the city’s stormwater utility fee. The stormwater utility fee is $4.75 per month for residential properties and varies based on hard-surface area of commercial properties.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recognized the Ellis County Fire Department (ECFD) with its Golden Helmet distinction. The ECFD was the first volunteer fire department in the state to achieve the NIOSH designation for participation in the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer, the largest effort ever undertaken to understand and reduce the risk of cancer among U.S. firefighters. “This honor places the ECFD as the 100th leading fire department in the nation dedicated to understanding and eliminating one of the greatest health threats in the fire service today—cancer,” said Ellis County Fire & Emergency Management Director Darin Myers.
Read more: Hays Daily News

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.

For small towns, these projects could be a source of economic growth, something rural Kansas counties have been searching for. But, skepticism has also grown alongside wind and solar, and that is putting some of the potential growth on hold. It’s not just the wind and solar farms growing, it’s also the country’s demand for energy.
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 Wichita area grew faster than Kansas as a whole over the past five years or so and is seeing its population of young people and racial minorities grow. While Wichita is growing faster than the state, its suburbs are growing the quickest, and the region is showing healthy signs.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

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.

Despite only having 333 residents, Lucas is making national news, thanks to a thriving arts scene. The town in Russell County was included in two different lists for the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards in art this week. The town’s Garden of Eden was found in the list of Best Sculpture Parks and the city found itself in the list of Best Small Town Arts Scenes.
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 Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) posted Request for Applications (RFA) for its first two grant opportunities under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Kansas. The application period for the Regional Partnership (RPGP) and the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Conversion/Transformative Capital Investment (CAP) grant programs opened Monday to eligible Kansas providers and organizations pursuing collaborative arrangements with one or more eligible Kansas providers. Eligible providers include Kansas hospitals, physician practices, solo practitioners, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, Native American Sovereign Tribal health care facilities, certified community behavioral health clinics, licensed substance-use disorder facilities, and licensed long-term care facilities located in rural areas.
Read more: KDHE, KS – News Flash

After months of work and a few clarifications, Riley County on Monday unanimously approved amendments to short-term rental regulations for properties in unincorporated areas of the county. One amendment defines how the county may waive the 500-foot separation requirement between units. “Thus it was proposed to revise the language to directly focus on primary issues, which were traffic and parking,” county planner Bob Isaac said. “It’s a matter of phrasing, but it includes that and gets directly to the point.”
Read more: News Radio KMAN

Within the same breath, 10 years can feel both as if decades have passed or it has just been a few minutes, and for many, the moment happens at the same instant. On Feb. 26, 10 years will have passed since a random act of violence shook Hesston to its core during the Excel shooting, where Joshua Higbee, Renee Benjamin and Brian Sadowsky were killed, along with the perpetrator, Cedric Ford, and 14 others were wounded. Ford’s rampage began when he fired shots at cars near the intersection of 12th and Meridian, in Newton, followed by more shooting at Old 81 and Meridian before he returned to Hesston. Even though many memories are forever etched for those who were there, worked or responded to the tragedy, one thing that never changed was the Hesston community’s ability to heal.
Read more: Harvey County Now

More than 222,000 Notices of Appraised Value are being mailed to Johnson County property owners, detailing changes in property values for this year. County Appraiser Carolyn Logan will present property revaluation trend updates to the Board of County Commissioners at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Feb. 26. This year’s report indicates a continuation of healthy growth and stability across residential and commercial markets. Total appraised and assessed values across all markets show an increase of approximately 6% for 2026 compared to 2025.
Read more: Johnson County Kansas

A stretch of Lee Boulevard between 81st Street and 103rd Street now has a lower speed limit in the latest effort by Leawood officials to address parents’ demands for pedestrian safety. The council unanimously voted last week to lower the speed limit from 35 to 30 miles an hour, beginning Friday, Feb. 20, with the intent to review the effects in six months to decide if the limit needs to be lowered even further. Speed limits, crosswalks, helmets and signals have been at the top of the council’s to-do list for the past few months, since the death of 10-year-old Duke Ommert in October. Duke was hit by a car while riding an electric scooter on Lee Boulevard. Since then, parents have regularly brought their suggestions on safer streets to council meetings, and the council has begun to take action, recently requiring helmets for youths operating electric scooters and bikes.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Students and parents in the Shawnee Mission School District are heading for a significantly more tech-centric bus riding experience next school year, now that school board members have approved a seven-year contract with Zum, a Redwood City, California, company. Expectations were high last month as the Shawnee Mission Board of Education gave unanimous approval to engage Zum (pronounced Zoom) at an estimated $21 million a year and an $18 million initial cost. In return, Zum advertises a completely air-conditioned fleet and modernized tracking systems that optimize routes, show parents and school officials where a bus is at any given time and also keep track of when and where students get on and off.
Read more: Johnson County Post

A yawning gap between surging home values and stagnant commercial assessments has fueled a significant shift in the Kansas property tax burden, forcing homeowners to shoulder a larger share of government needs, state and local officials say. Driven by an overheated residential market and decades of commercial exemptions, a flip in the tax base has left families paying the lion’s share for schools, roads and emergency services. Despite commercial property being taxed at more than double the rate of residential property, Rep. Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican and chair of the House Taxation Committee, said the “sheer velocity” of home price increases has outpaced the higher commercial rate. “Value is whatever you are willing to pay for it,” Smith said.
Read more: Kansas Reflector