Kansas Municipal News
Merriam adopts new rules after decision to take ‘thin blue line’ flags out of annual display
Following a debate over the use of “thin blue line” flags in the city’s annual Fourth of July event, Merriam has adopted a new official flag display policy. The Merriam City Council on Monday unanimously approved the new flag rules for city property and city-run events, which came after the decision to exclude “thin blue line” flags and display only U.S. flags during the city’s Flags 4 Freedom event that starts later this month. The new policy approved Monday goes beyond that one event and outlines what flags the city can display on city-owned flag poles and at citywide events. It also offers a way for the governing body to request additional flag displays at the base of several flag poles at the city’s municipal plaza, 9001 W. 62nd St. Last month, the city council decided to display only U.S. flags during the city’s Flags 4 Freedom event, which occurs each year during the week of the Fourth of July. This is the first year that the city is sponsoring and managing the event, which was previously overseen by a group of volunteers, and there were concerns over displaying a handful of “thin blue line” flags as has been done in previous years.
Source: Johnson County Post
Park City’s long-awaited $500M mixed-use development to break ground this week
Park City is ready for a groundbreaking on a massive and long-awaited mixed-use development. Wichita’s Lange Real Estate announced Monday it will break ground Friday on a 160-acre, mixed-use development west of I-135 between 53rd Street North and 61st Street. The development, called Champtown Addition, is slated to cost $500 million with several commercial projects, including a 180-room hotel and around 132,000 square feet of retail space with restaurants, big-box retail, and a multi-sport facility that will have baseball and softball fields. The plans include a 78,100 square-foot aquarium to operate as a nonprofit by Arizona-based operator OdySea, with a 20,000 square-foot rainforest-inspired butterfly conservatory. “This groundbreaking ceremony signifies the beginning of a project that will transform the community and provide residents and visitors with a unique destination for years to come,” Lange Real Estate’s Rachel Lange-Mills said in a news release.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
USD 259 looks to rebuild, renovate, and consolidate 25 schools
Wichita Public Schools is looking to rebuild, renovate, and consolidate 25 schools across the district over the next five years. Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld presented the Board of Education with his recommendations for the facility master plan. “The recommendations would occur over the next five years or more,” Bielefeld said. “The vision for new facilities as well as enhancements to current facilities support educational adequacy, equity and efficiency.” Bielefeld is asking members of the district to take a survey online starting on Tuesday to give their thoughts on the proposed plan. He adds the locations of the various rebuilds and consolidations are strictly data-based. “What our consultants have is essentially, kind of a heat map of the districts, you know, footprint, and areas where there are the most students and the most projected students. And that is where we are building the new schools.” But how will this all be paid for? Bielefeld said that one option, down the road, would be to have a $450 million bond issue for voters. However, he adds the bond would not raise taxes. “We feel like we can finance this and lay it out for another this would be a 20 year bond is what we’re proposing. And we could keep the mill rate neutral for that bond because it’s been so long since we’ve passed the last one.”
Source: KAKE – News
There’s a new Chief of Police in the City of Columbus
Columbus has a new police chief. “I understand that I have big shoes to fill,” said Chief Kyle Clark. The City Council selected Clark to serve as the next Chief of Police for the City. He’s a lifelong resident of Cherokee County and has served the Columbus Police Department for more than a decade. According to the City, his extensive experience includes roles as Patrol Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, in addition to three years with the Pittsburg State University Police Department. Chief Clark holds numerous law enforcement professional certifications, including credentials in crime scene investigation, verbal de-escalation, and narcotics detection. Chief Clark graduated from Pittsburg State University in December 2022 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice and Justice Studies. “I understand that I have big shoes to fill,” said Chief Clark. “I am committed to advancing the legacy established by Jason Daniels and am excited to have the opportunity to serve this community. It is both an honor and a privilege.”
Source: KOAM News
Governor Kelly Announces 12 Rural Communities and Organizations to Receive Funding for Mural and Public Art Projects
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that 12 communities and organizations will receive a combined $78,800 to allow 20 new murals and public art projects to revive public spaces and engage residents and visitors. “Murals and public art installations welcome people to our rural communities while developing community pride and showcasing the rich history of our state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Investments in this program allow art to flourish and enhance public spaces for visitors and communities alike.” The Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural Public Art grant program awardees are in communities across the state with a population of less than 15,000. The murals will highlight community gathering spaces and tourist attractions. Each project requires a one-to-one match from the community, with the smallest of communities allowed to match the grant with in-kind donations. Seventy-five percent of the grant funding will be gifted upfront as several projects plan to start in the next few weeks. “Working with local partners to develop compelling places across the state is one of the initiatives detailed in the Kansas Framework for Growth – our state’s economic development strategic plan,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Lenexa is launching a pilot program to give seniors property tax relief
Lenexa is planning to launch a pilot program that will provide $100,000 in property tax relief for older homeowners in the area. On Tuesday, the Lenexa City Council unanimously approved a Governing Body Finance Policy for a Property Tax Rebate Program intended to provide property tax relief for eligible homeowners. The program is intended to provide property tax relief for eligible older homeowners and lessen the tax burden resulting from rising home values. The program has been in talks for about a year. “This is great,” said Councilmember Courtney Eiterich. “I know we’ve hashed through a lot of different scenarios on this, and I’m happy to see this come to fruition. I hope that we get lots of applicants.” The measure is similar to a pilot program recently discussed by the Overland Park City Council in May. Every eligible applicant will receive a property tax rebate equal to a pro rata share of available funds, capped at 75% of the City’s share of the homeowner’s property tax bill. The amount each applicant will be reimbursed depends on the total number of eligible applications. It is anticipated that rebate amounts will range from approximately $550 to a maximum of $924.
Source: KCUR News
Gov. Kelly approves updated drought declarations, emergency water use approved for four counties
Governor Laura Kelly has approved updated drought declarations for Kansas counties through a proclamation. “While drought conditions have improved in some areas of the state, many counties continue to be negatively impacted by the decline in water supply or strains on water resources,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I strongly encourage all Kansans to continue to conserve water over the summer months.” The drought declaration placed four counties into emergency status, 35 into warning status, and 66 into watch status. While Eastern Kansas has seen significant relief from drought since March, central and western Kansas has declined rapidly into severe and, in a few counties, extreme drought. “The counties in a watch status are experiencing conditions that indicate the probability of a water shortage is rising. It is important to monitor these conditions and be mindful of water usage in these counties,” said Owen. “Summer has arrived, and with it, higher temperatures and a decrease in precipitation. The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.”
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita says most systems back online following cyberattack
The City of Wichita says recovery efforts following the recent cyberattack are progressing well and that most public facing systems are back in service with some limited exceptions. Water metering, billing and payment processing systems are coming back online, the city said in a release on Monday. Customers should expect to begin receiving updated statements this week. Auto-payments are functioning as normal, and customers should now have access to their utility accounts online. Bills may be paid via card, cash, check and money order at City Hall. You can also access your water account and pay online at link.wichita.gov. You can also mail your payment or pay over the phone by calling (316) 265-1300. “Please be aware, due to the cyber incident, which impaired processing bills and payments, some June bills will be for more than 60 days of service,” the release said.
Source: KAKE – News
Pittsburg seeks $360K grant to support homeless community
For more than a decade, the City of Pittsburg has annually applied for the Emergency Solutions Grant through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. This year, the city is requesting over $300,000 to support its homeless community. “We also help with homeless prevention funds, which assist individuals in staying housed by covering back rent or utilities assistance. Additionally, there’s funding for shelter operations,” said Megan Keener, Assistant Director of Housing. Last year, Pittsburg applied for $450,000 but received approximately $100,000. If the full amount isn’t granted this year, city officials plan to be strategic with the funds they do receive. “We have to be more mindful of how much we are helping individuals. We just need to ensure that we are truly helping those who need the assistance,” Keener added. However, not all residents are confident in the city’s approach. Rodger Lomshek, co-founder of the Facebook group “Citizens for Pittsburg,” which has 5,000 members, voiced his skepticism. “If this is the way to solve the problem—more money or more people working—why is the problem continually getting worse?” Lomshek questioned.
Source: KOAM News
Community theatre debuts with auditions for interactive comedy murder mystery
Excitement fills the air as the newly formed Bourbon County Community Theatre announces auditions for its inaugural production, “Holy Mother of Bingo!” by Patrick Walsh. Auditions are set for June 17 or 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Ellis Performing Arts Center, Fort Scott Community College. Open to adults and teens, no prior preparation is required for this interactive comedy murder mystery. Set during an innocent bingo fundraiser at Our Mother of Mercy church, the plot thickens as parishioners mysteriously drop dead. With suspects aplenty, tensions rise and past feuds come to light. Could it be the disgruntled choir director, the magician turned youth minister, or even one of the Cookie Cadets? Performances are slated for August 2 and 3, with rehearsals typically on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30-9 p.m. Aspiring actors and enthusiasts alike are encouraged to seize this opportunity to be part of Bourbon County’s burgeoning theater community. Anyone who would like to join the community theatre or assist with the technical aspects of the play can fill out an interest form on the Facebook page.
Source: KOAM News
Benefit car show, cornhole tournament for Police Chief’s family
The community of Columbus, Kansas is coming together to support one of its own. According to the City of Columbus, Police Chief Jason Daniels was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this month and community members are coming together to support him and his family during this time. Chief Jason Daniels served the community for more than 20 years. The city says a Benefit Car Show and Cookout will be held at the fairgrounds on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at the Columbus Fairgrounds. Community members have organized a Venmo account that will go directly to Jason’s family. The QR code can be found in the event flyer. “While these circumstances are most unfortunate, our community has always come together in times like these. Chief Daniels has dedicated his professional life to keeping this community safe. We hope that you all are able to share information about these events with your networks and participate and contribute as you are able,” – The City of Columbus Facebook Page.
Source: KOAM News
Pittsburg official discusses inflation’s toll on City Hall & budget
Inflation isn’t just impacting local residents, it’s also affecting City Hall. Pittsburg Deputy City Manager Jay Byers says the city’s budget has “most definitely” been impacted by inflation. Byers notes that a few years ago, during the pandemic, there were some extreme spikes in some products due to problems with the supply chain, but for the most part, that has leveled out. He said overall, the city is paying 5-percent more for items than a year ago, but they are also seeing more money come into the city. “Yes, it’s absolutely impacting us now. Fortunately, we’re having, you know, our our natural growth of our sales and our property tax are taking care of most of that. So it’s not alarming for us. It’s not creating budgetary difficulties, but it is something we’re going to have to keep our eyes on,” said Byers. Byers adds that they expect the 5-percent increase to happen again next year as well.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Here’s how a possible $450 million bond issue could reshape Wichita school district
The Wichita school board heard a plan Monday for a $450 million bond issue proposal that would support the complete rebuilding of eight schools over the next five to six years. The district would reduce its overall footprint by 11 buildings, consolidating programs into new and existing facilities and closing four elementary schools, five special schools and two administrative buildings. The draft proposal, presented by Ohio-based consultant Woolpert, comes three months after the school board voted to permanently close six schools as a cost-saving measure. The board took no binding action Monday night, but intends to revisit the facilities master plan proposal on June 27 after community feedback on the recommendations has been collected. The board will also hold a workshop on the master plan before voting on it. Officials say the new bond proposal would not raise property taxes. Instead, it would maintain the existing elevated tax rate associated with the 2008 bond issue for however long it takes to pay off $450 million in new debt.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Chetopa avoids potential water crisis
Chetopa averted a potential crisis this week by creating a work-around after a waterline broke that transports water from the Neosho River to the city’s water treatment plant. The temporary fix, which was in place Tuesday, used a large pump to pull water from the river, deposit it in a portable pool used by firefighters to store water for fire suppression and then pump that out of the pool and into the intake pipe upstream from the break. The broken pipe was repaired by early Thursday afternoon. Scott Feagan, who is the city’s police chief and superintendent, said that the city had enough water stored in its tower to keep the system pressurized to avoid a state boil order. But the city staff still asked residents to conserve water while city crews tried to resolve the situation. Feagan said the 6-inch waterline that comes out of the well house broke. One of the city’s water treatment plant operators noticed on Monday that no water was coming into the plant and contacted Feagan. He drove to the river to look at the intake system and saw water boiling out at the river. Water is pumped uphill from the well house that sits on the river bank. The buried line comes uphill from the river at an angle and then levels out on top of the river bank at Veterans Park. The water plant is about two blocks to the west.
Source: Parsons Sun
Municipal Bond Trends for June 11, 2024
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 June 10, 2024
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.
Boeing’s woes mean rising anxiety in Wichita, Kansas, the ‘Air Capital of the World’
Not everyone in the self-proclaimed “Air Capital of the World” works in the aviation industry, though it seems like everybody here knows someone who does. That’s why the entire city has a stake in what happens to Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier that builds the fuselage for the 737 at a sprawling factory on the southern edge of town.
Source: NPR
Municipal Bond Trends for June 7, 2024
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.
USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Fund Community and Economic Development Projects in Rural Communities
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development … today invited applications for grants to help organizations improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development in rural areas. USDA is making up to $5 million in grants available under the Rural Community Development Initiative program. The program provides funding to organizations that provide financial and technical assistance for housing, community facilities, or community and economic development projects. Eligible applicants include public (including Tribal) organizations, nonprofit organizations and qualified private organizations.
For assistance with application for, or administration of, grants, contact Rose Mary Saunders or Crystal Hinnen.
Attorney shortage in rural Kansas
In December 2022, Chief Justice Marla Luckert issued an order establishing a Rural Justice Initiative Committee … The committee is to study the issue, gather data, and make recommendations by fall 2024. Statewide surveys and listening sessions have been conducted along with interviews of law school students. “(The shortage of attorneys) is becoming a constitutional crisis…”
Source: Hays Daily News