Kansas Municipal News
Overland Park approves new weed ordinance
This isn’t about the “weed” some might be thinking of. The Overland Park City Council met Monday night to approve an update to the city’s Weed and Vegetation Enforcement Act. The act encourages those living in the city to grow native plants. This is the first adjustment made to the ordinance since 2011. “The ordinance was also out of sync with sustainable landscaping practices promoted through the City’s stormwater cost-share program,” City Sustainability Manager Lara Isch said. “This program promotes beneficial native plantings and rain gardens, and the update brings the City’s code into alignment with that goal.”
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
A baby bust hits Kansas, bringing tough choices for Kansas school districts
Kansas is in the midst of a baby bust. Numbers released in May by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment tell the plain story: In 2022, there were 34,476 live births – a slight decrease from 34,697 births the year before, but a huge drop from the nearly 42,000 new Kansans born in 2008 amidst the Great Recession. Put it in a different context – there were just 11.7 new babies born for every 1,000 Kansans in 2022. That is a historically low number. “This is the lowest birth rate for Kansas residents since the state created a centralized vital records system in 1911,” KDHE said. Talk to demographers and you’ll hear myriad reasons explaining the bust. They’ll also tell you it’s not just a Kansas thing: Birth rates have been falling across the country for more than a decade. “I think one of the things that’s apparent from that research is there’s no single explanation,” says Sarah Hayford, a sociologist at Ohio State University who studies family formation and reproductive health and has been tracking the national decline. But observers say that other demographic shifts – young Kansans moving away from rural areas to cities, suburbs and very often out of state – have exacerbated the drop in births here.
Source: KLC Journal
Governor Kelly Announces More than $10M to Build Community Multi-Purpose Facilities, Expand Access to Child Care
Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund today announced the first round of Capital Projects Fund Accelerator (CPF Accelerator) awards, which will go to three Kansas communities to build or renovate multi-purpose community facilities. These facilities will create 313 new licensed child care slots; provide access to high-speed internet; and house programs that facilitate work, education, and health care monitoring. “Kansas parents need safe, affordable child care so they can join the workforce without worrying how they’ll make ends meet,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “That’s why we’re investing in these community centers, which will offer more options for child care along with providing essential health, educational, and technological services.” The CPF Accelerator Request for Proposals remains open for a second round of submissions through December 18, 2023. Approximately $28 million remains available to continue supporting the expansion of multi-purpose community facilities that meet all program criteria. Combined with the Child Care Capacity Accelerator Grant programs previously announced this year, the Kelly administration is on track to infuse more than $94 million towards expanding access to child care for working families.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
Municipal Bond Trends for November 9, 2023
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.
Municipal Bond Trends for November 8, 2023
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.
In Garden City, 20-year-old son of Vietnamese immigrants wins city commission seat
Tom Nguyen wanted to run for office after his parents, both Vietnamese immigrants, became U.S. citizens in March. “What’s more American than to run for public office?” Nguyen said. Nguyen, 20, won a seat on the Garden City city commission according to unofficial results Tuesday from the Finney County Clerk’s Office. Nguyen secured his seat with 1,682 total votes, more than any other of the five candidates who were up for three open seats. “My heart is so full of all of the love that has been offered to me by our community,” Nguyen said. “My win has plowed the ground for the younger generation to see how important and invaluable their young voices are.”
Source: KAKE – News
Voters decide on sales tax issues across Kansas
Voters decided on sale tax issues across Kansas. Derby increases its sales tax by 1%, with 55% percent of voters approving it. The new tax will bring in $5 million a year for roads, parks, new police cars and fire equipment. In Fowler, voters approved a one-cent sales tax. Most of the money goes to the school district for art and music teachers. The rest will pay off debt and lower property taxes. Conway Springs voters gave approval to a 2% hike. The money will be used to fix roads. Plains in Meade County rejected a half-cent sales tax that would have been used to repay a $500,000 loan the city received to open a grocery store in 2021.
Source: KSN-TV
Solar developers are flocking to Kansas. But many communities are skeptical of their proposals.
About 10 miles north of El Dorado on U.S. Highway 77, a break appears in the rolling cattle ranches and farmland of the Flint hills. It’s a different sort of farm – a solar farm. It supplies electricity to several small towns throughout Lincoln Township in Butler County. “We’re not anti-solar,” said Terry Lowmaster, a trustee of the township, which gets some of this electricity. “We have a one megawatt here in our backyard that benefits our local residents.” At the same time, he and other local residents protested earlier this year when a Chicago-based developer applied for a permit to build a new solar farm – a $550 million dollar, 3,500-acre project. His reasoning for his opposition to one, and not the other? The existing solar farm is just 12 acres. Plus, it’s run by a local rural electric cooperative. “They have an office downtown. The employees live in the area. Their kids go to school with our kids, our grandkids,” Lowmaster said. “It’s home, you know? It’s a community, and they’re part of it.”… Lowmaster doesn’t see why he should trust solar corporations from out-of-town. He wondered how they could be held accountable on certain promises, like the number of jobs the project is meant to create or training for local firefighters. “They swoop in, they develop, they sell, and they’re gone,” Lowmaster said.
Source: KCUR News
Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2023-11: Submission of Land Surveys
Synopsis: A register of deeds cannot require a submitting land surveyor to certify that a survey complies with all zoning ordinances and regulations.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
Municipal Bond Trends for November 7, 2023
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.
Derby votes to approve a higher sales tax
Derby voters approved a sales tax increase expected to generate around $4 million to $5 million annually with the aim of alleviating property taxes while supporting public safety, streets, sidewalks, parks and trails. The tax increase was approved by 55% of voters, according to Sedgwick County unofficial election results Tuesday night. The “1% Derby Difference sales tax” will replace the current half percent sales tax that expires on Dec. 31, 2024, according to the city’s website. The new 1% sales tax would start on Jan. 1, 2025 and run through Dec. 31, 2034. Derby’s overall sales tax rate now is 8%, with most of that going to the state. The increase will push Derby’s overall sales tax rate to 8.5% in 2025. “I’m excited for the City of Derby, I can’t help it,” Derby Mayor Randy White said in a phone call after the vote. “I’m excited that the citizens can see what good things we can do with this 1% sales tax.” In a survey earlier this year, a majority of Derby residents said they prefer sales tax over property taxes. Sales tax dollars would go to public safety equipment, capital improvements and maintenance, and improvements to streets, sidewalks, parks and trails.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Leawood sends funds to Israeli sister city amid ongoing war
The city of Leawood has stepped in to help Israelis during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The Leawood City Council on Monday approved a $25,000 donation to its sister city, the Gezer Region of Israel. The donation goes to the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, which will send the funds directly to humanitarian efforts in Gezer. The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City has already raised roughly $2.6 million for Israel through its own efforts, according to representatives from the organization. Leawood and Gezer officially became sister cities in September 2003, after Leawood city representatives visited Gezer in 2002. In 2009, the city of Leawood built and dedicated Gezer Park at 133rd Street and Mission Road to its sister city, and the 10-acre park also features two public art pieces in tribute to Gezer. Gezer is one of two sister cities to Leawood — the other city being I-Lan, Taiwan. The $25,000 comes out of the city’s annual budget for both sister cities, Gezer and I-Lan.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Stop Rezoning-backed candidates win four seats on Prairie Village City Council
In some of Johnson County’s most-watched general election races this year, Prairie Village candidates backed by the Stop Rezoning group won four city council seats. A fifth Stop Rezoning-backed candidate remains in a close contest and will need to wait until provisional and mail-in ballots are counted for a final result. This year, the Prairie Village City Council election was in the spotlight as the 11 candidates vying for six seats were split on the hotly contested housing discussion, which has divided the city for more than a year. More than half of the candidates were supported by Stop Rezoning Prairie Village, the group of residents who banded together last year in opposition to the city’s ad hoc housing recommendations.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Darth Blader? Wichita has named its winter snow plows and you can track their progress
The weather may not feel like winter quite yet, but the first snow of the season could come sooner than you think. In preparation for slushy streets, the city of Wichita held a news conference Monday to discuss its plan for inclement winter weather and highlight some changes for the coming season. When the city experiences inclement weather that requires snow plows, it prioritizes the first 1,500 emergency routes and emergency facilities, major arteries, hospitals and schools. Wichita has 148 hired snow plow drivers to respond to roadway conditions, officials said. The city does not maintain state highways, like Kellogg and Interstate 135. It also doesn’t plow residential streets, and the city does not maintain a means for residents to request plow services. … community members can track where the snow plows are working at wichita.gov/snowremoval.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
KwiKom cuts ribbon for $1 million fiber internet project in Paola
A recent ribbon-cutting event marked the completion of KwiKom Communications’ installation of 23 miles of new fiber optic infrastructure that will offer high-speed internet to residents and businesses in northern Paola. The project was made possible by a grant that KwiKom and the city of Paola received in May of 2022 from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development Acceleration Grant program. The 50-50 state grant allowed for up to a 50 percent co-investment of the matching funding, and KwiKom asked the city of Paola for a co-investment commitment of $250,000, which is 25 percent of the project’s nearly $1 million total. KwiKom’s plan was to deliver scalable, 10 gigabit capable fiber to more than 500 homes and businesses within the northern city limits north of Baptiste Drive and around Lake Miola, and the Oct. 30 ribbon-cutting marked the completion of that task. The ribbon-cutting took place in Paola’s Industrial Park, which is where discussions first began about the project.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Louisburg in the running for $50,000 grant for dog park
Louisburg is one of 25 finalists for the PetSafe Unleashed Contest that offers a $50,000 grant to the winning community to build a dog park. Local residents can help Louisburg win the grant by voting online through the PetSafe Unleashed Contest website at petsafeunleashed.petsafe.com. The community that receives the most votes between now and Nov. 30 will be awarded the $50,000 grant, according to a news release. People can vote once per day. Louisburg entered the PetSafe Unleashed Contest as part of a community project led by a group of residents who formed Friends of Louisburg Dog Park, which has a goal of establishing an off-leash dog park for Louisburg and surrounding areas. Louisburg residents Jessica Crozier and Michelle Olson have been spearheading the effort for about 15 months. The group has worked hand-in-hand with the city of Louisburg to align on the need for a dog park, secure a location, and work through the details for constructing the park. The organizers have presented multiple times to the Louisburg City Council, Park and Tree Board, and Planning Commission.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
What nickname do you use for Topeka?
Topeka has more than a few nicknames in the local lingo, depending on who you ask. Kansas’ capital has gone by several names over the years. Some exist as playful renditions of the city’s name while others pay homage to the history of the Sunflower State’s capital. The color of gold has long been a staple symbol of Topeka going back many years. It can most commonly be seen on the city’s seal and flags. But where does this come from? The phrase, “The Golden City,” was established by early settlers of the area due to the beauty of the city’s sunlit rolling hills and autumn, according to Visit Topeka’s website. One of the earliest references to Topeka as “The Golden City” comes from a book written in 1890 by Mary E. Jackson called “Pen and Camera Sketches.” Appearing in many local businesses like TopCity Comedy, TopCITY Golf, Top City Athletics and more, this nickname has caught some traction in Topeka. Visit Topeka encourages locals to use #TopCity on photos posted to social media. Seeing less use than other nicknames, this has seen a recent revival through the annual Get Down in T-Town event which celebrates the diversity of the community.
Source: KSNT 27 News
McPherson school bond vote fails
McPherson residents voted against an $88.5 million bond that would have gone to improve schools. The vote was 1,843 yes and 2,149 no. The $88.5 million bond would have created a new academic building at the high school, replacing the old structure from the 1960s. It would have connected to an updated fine arts section. The bond would have provided HVAC updates to every school in the district. McPherson County Clerk Hollie Melroy said they replaced their central counting machine Monday night to make sure they were ready to count ballots for the school bond. Melroy said it was working Tuesday morning, but it quit working before 9 p.m., and they could not finish the count until a new machine arrived.
Source: KSN-TV
Grant Co. will not get a new jail, two ballot issues fail
Two issues on the ballot in Grant County revolved around a new jail. The current facility was built in 1972. Grant County Commissioners wanted to pass a $15,500,000 bond project to replace the jail. That issue failed, with 64% of voters saying “no.” The other issue would have created a 1% citywide retailers sales tax to pay for the facility. That issue also failed by 64%. District 3 Commissioner Mark McGaughey believes voters did not understand why a new jail is needed. “A lot of people didn’t attend our Q/A sessions that we had in the community. We wish more people would have came and asked some questions,” said McGaughey.
Source: KSN-TV
America’s first female mayor came from a tiny town in Kansas. And she got the job by accident
These days, it’s common to see women on the ballot for school boards, city council and mayoral races in Kansas. The state’s top official, Gov. Laura Kelly, is in the middle of her second term. But women running for office — heck, even women voting — is only a little more than 100 years old in most of the country. Except in Kansas. There, women were allowed to vote in school board elections in 1861. By 1887, women could vote in Kansas in a municipal election. And by 1912, women had full suffrage — a full eight years before the passage of the 19th Amendment. “Kansas was ahead of most other states but it took a long time to get to the ultimate goal. Kansans, some Kansans, were struggling for a better place from the beginning,” says historian Virgil Dean, retired editor of Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains. Dean traces suffrage efforts back to 1859, when there was an unsuccessful move to grant women and African Americans full suffrage at the Wyandotte constitutional convention. Not only was Kansas ahead of the curve in terms of granting the right to vote, it also beat the rest of the country to elect a woman to office. That honor falls to Susanna Madora Salter of Argonia, Kansas, who, on April 4, 1887, became the first woman ever elected mayor in America.
Source: KCUR News