Kansas Municipal News
Reno County daycare survey sees issues
During a Reno County Commission meeting on Tuesday, a professor from Kansas State University told the commissioners the result of a child care survey in the county. He said Hutchinson is lacking in both childcare and housing, but he thinks housing can take care of itself through attrition. He also said enforcement of policies is an issue. Bradford Wiles, Ph.D. in human development, said the county needs to create a new position to help bring change and implement childcare practices in the county. He said this person should make from $80,000 to $100,000 annually. However, he said, the highest salary an in-home childcare provider would make each year is about $25,000. The average salary in Reno County is $33,000.
Source: Hutch News
Gardner public works recognized
Seven Gardner Public Works employees were recognized for their accomplishments at the Kansas City Metro Chapter of the America Public Works Association’s Snow Removal and Equipment Training Expo. Kellen Headlee, public works director, and Mayor Todd Winters presented a trophy to Eric Willard, Public Works Street Maintenance employee, who won first place in the skid steer operations event. Jake Milkey, public works street maintenance employee, placed first in the vendor’s mini excavator event, but was unable to attend.
Source: Gardner News
KSDE Commissioner to USD 443 BOE: How does Dodge City raise happy 30 year olds?
A young lady from the Sunnyside Elementary School student council introduced herself to the Dodge City Globe with a handshake, then ushered this reporter into a classroom in which Kansas State Department of Education Commissioner Randy Watson “was happy to share really great information” with the Dodge City USD 443 Board of Education. … how does one even define success? Watson asked, rhetorically. “How does one raise a happy 30 year old?” “A successful Kansas high school graduate has the academic preparation, cognitive preparation, technical skills, employability skills and civic engagement to be successful in postsecondary education in the pursuit of the attainment of an industry-recognized certification in the workforce without the need for remediation,” he answered. In other words, a happy 30 year old has the skill set to earn a living in the middle class and the ability to serve their chosen field while giving back to their community.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe
Kansas collects $642.3 Million in total taxes for November
The Kansas Department of Revenue today announced that total tax collections for November were $642.3 million, which is $15.4 million, or 2.5%, more than last November. Total tax receipts for Fiscal Year 2023 continue to outpace Fiscal Year 2022, with year-over-year growth at 5.4%. Total tax collections for November were 5.3% below the estimate, which was recently raised at November’s meeting of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group to align with consistently strong revenues. The estimate for November and the remainder of FY 2023 was raised by $773.0 million.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com
Topgolf, Scheels bringing hundreds of jobs to Wichita
Companies new to Wichita are hiring and filling hundreds of jobs right now. Topgolf, near K-96 and Greenwich, is celebrating its grand opening Friday, Dec. 2. The company has already hired close to 300 people to work at its Wichita location. “I called my mom and I said, ‘I’ve never wanted to work somewhere as much as I wanna work here,’” new employee Anyssa Torres said. Torres and Carmella Estrada are getting trained this week to work at Topgolf. It held a hiring event last week and Estrada attended.
Source: KAKE – News
Kansas Supreme Court justice tackles state’s severe shortage of rural attorneys
Eighty percent of all active Kansas attorneys live in six urban counties, leaving Kansas rural communities struggling to find legal help. The newly created Rural Justice Initiative Committee plans to tackle the issue, with the goal of attracting attorneys to practices in rural areas. In Kansas, there’s a ratio of two attorneys per 535 residents in urban areas, and a ration of one attorney per 808 residents in rural areas, according to the Kansas Judicial Branch. Wichita and Hodgeman counties have no attorneys at all, and five other rural counties have only one practicing attorney in the area. Eleven rural counties in the state have only two practicing attorneys in the area.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Kansas banking commissioner pleads for greater oversight of TEFFIs
The top banking regulator in Kansas urged legislators Thursday to embrace bills clearing a path for criminal background checks and fingerprinting of officers, directors and organizers involved in a new type of financial institution catering to wealthy people securing loans with their illiquid assets. State banking commissioner David Herndon asked a joint House and Senate committee to endorse the reforms and he reiterated frustration with state law inhibiting routine scrutiny of Beneficient Company Group, the state’s first authorized TEFFI or Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution. Beneficient, with offices in Hesston, is an online trust company offering services typically reserved for large institutional investors.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Russell warns of utility disconnect scam calls
The City of Russell is warning residents about scam phone calls. The caller calls a home or business and threatens to disconnect their electrical service if they don’t immediately pay a past-due balance. Several utility customers in Russell have reported receiving these calls. The City wants to let residents know that you should never give out personal or financial information like credit, debit card, social security, or bank account numbers, no matter how insistent they may be. Also, no utility will ask you to purchase a gift card, especially from another company like Amazon, a reloadable debit card, or some other form of non-traditional payment method to pay an outstanding balance.
Source: KSN-TV
Metal detectors are being installed at Wichita high schools
Students at Wichita West High School will be the first in the district to use security screening devices, starting Friday. The devices, approved by the school board in September, are being delivered and installed at all high schools. Staff at several Wichita high schools found guns at East, Heights and North in the first two weeks of the academic school year, The Eagle has previously reported.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
After 45 years the on job in the courthouse steps out
Clerk of the District Court Donna Oswald is retiring after more than four decades of service in Atchison County District Court. Oswald plans to retire effective Friday, Dec. 9. Through mounds of court documents to the age of e-filing in the 1st Judicial District and the entire Kansas Judicial Branch, Oswald has overseen the district court operations for most of the 21st Century up to this point.
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com
Altamont talks water costs
Cost of water to the city of Altamont is going up from $0.004 to $0.0045 per gallon, lending to the Altamont City Council discussing the amount of water being purchased versus documented usage prior to signing a contract for 2023. Altamont City Council member Raymond Coffey told the council that Rural Water District No. 4 is checking with all cities to see if towns are wanting to decrease or increase their minimum usage and is looking at changing the maximum amount the city can purchase from three times the amount to two times the amount, which would lower the obligation of what they have to supply to the city. Coffey said that would lower the water district’s obligation of what it has to supply the city.
Source: Parsons Sun
Advocates say Johnson County needs plan to end homelessness
Local advocates are calling on Johnson County leaders to develop a comprehensive plan to end homelessness in Kansas’ most affluent county. The Good Faith Network, a group of more than 20 local interfaith communities, and Project 1020, Johnson County’s only winter homeless shelter that serves single adults, want county leaders to actively work toward ending homelessness.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Douglas County has one month to decide on maps for 5 commission districts
Now that Douglas County voters have called for an expansion to five county commission districts, new maps must be drawn and decided within one month. During a well-attended town hall meeting Thursday evening, Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew said that out of 114 precincts, 109 voted in favor of adding two commissioner districts. Two of the five precincts that voted “no” to the Nov. 8 ballot question were in the city and the other three were in the county; there was no “county versus city” split, or anything like that, Shew said.
Source: The Lawrence Times
USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help People in Rural and Tribal Communities Access Remote Education and Health Care Resources
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is accepting grant applications for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program to help people in rural and tribal communities access remote education and health care resources. The DLT program helps fund real-time, interactive distance learning and telemedicine services in rural and tribal areas to increase access to education, training and health care resources that are otherwise limited or unavailable. This effort is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal that every American has access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. Digital equity is an important component of that mission. For instance, the DLT program gives students the opportunity to participate in classes that may be in places that are too far to access. DLT funds can also help connect rural people virtually to medical professionals without leaving their home. USDA plans to make $64 million available in fiscal year 2023. Of this amount, $12 million is intended for projects that provide substance use disorder treatment services to people in rural areas. Eligible applicants include state and local governmental entities, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov no later than January 30, 2023. For additional information, visit the DLT webpage.
November Trading Volume Beats Previous Records, MSRB Data Shows
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) reported that trading volume reached another record in November 2022, with 1.29 million municipal bond trades recorded. November trades exceeded October’s previous record of 1.25 million trades and was more than double the volume in November 2021. Year to date, municipal bond trade count is up 63% compared to the same period in 2021, likely fueled by individual investor demand, as customer purchases and inter-dealer trades rose more than customer sales. As anticipated in a recent press release, November 2022 was the seventh month in the last eight months with more than 1 million trades being reported to the MSRB. This compares to only eight months in the last 15 years with more than 1 million trades. Meanwhile, increased demand coupled with decreased supply caused tax-exempt benchmark yields to decline by 55-65 basis points during the month.
Source: MSRB
‘Pleasantview really needed a coffee shop,’ and now it has one
The owner of Hutchinson’s newest coffee shop believes farmers and ranchers are in need of quality coffee and a space to meet. That’s why Rodica Nisly started The Rendezvous Coffee Shop in Pleasantview. The gourmet coffee shop, which opened in late May, serves a variety of signature drinks with freshly ground coffee beans roasted in Galva. The beans come from Free Space Coffee company. The lattes, although they sometimes have names reminiscent of alcoholic beverages, are all alcohol-free. To pay homage to many in the area, Nisly serves up the Farmboy, a blend of butter rum and caramel; the Farmer’s Daughter, which has chocolate and raspberry flavors; and Highway 50, which includes amaretto and chocolate.
Source: Hutch News
New Road and Bridge appointment rocks Atchison County history
Assistant Superintendent Kim Glover, Atchison County Road and Bridge Department, has earned the distinction as being the first woman appointed to the position according to the current records on file. Road and Bridge Superintendent Joe Snyder recently announced Glover’s appointment during a county commission meeting. Glover’s appointment as the new assistant superintendent became official Nov. 16, according to Human Resource Director Jodi Moore.
Source: atchisonglobenow.com
City takes water from Lake Fort Scott
On Tuesday, the city began taking water from Lake Fort Scott. Rock Creek and Cedar Creek lakes have supplemented the Fort Scott water supply for several months as the drought conditions have continued. Fort Scott Assistant City Manager Brad Matkin said recent rains have not helped and the lakes’ waters “are dropping to levels that is posing a problem to our city water supply.”
Source: Fort Scott Tribune
Halstead purchases new marquee with eye-catching design
The City of Halstead will soon be getting a new marquee to replace the one that is well past its life expectancy. City Manager Ethan Reimer gave the city council four bids for new signs during their Monday night meeting. He said staff was really impressed with the quote from Miracle Signs. Their proposed marquee would incorporate a 3D cutout of the swinging bridge and the word “Halstead,” just as it appears on the sandwich board message signs used by downtown businesses. This would appear above the marquee in place of the city’s old logo, which the city has talked about updating for several years.
Source: Harvey County Now
Municipal Bond Trends for November 30, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Fed Chair Powell says smaller interest rate hikes could start in December
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell confirmed Wednesday that smaller interest rate increases are likely ahead even as progress in the fight against inflation has largely been unsatisfactory. Echoing recent statements from other central bank officials and comments at the November Fed meeting, Powell said he sees the central bank in position to reduce the size of rate hikes as soon as next month. But he cautioned that monetary policy is likely to stay restrictive for some time until real signs of progress emerge on inflation.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Holton approves “pickle ball” plan
With fund-raising completed for the construction of a pickle ball court and ice skating rink at Holton’s Rafters Park, the Holton City Commission on Monday approved a plan as submitted by representatives of Holton Middle School’s Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) chapter to get construction started in the near future. Commissioners voted unanimously to allow the chapter to get started on plans to build the pickle ball court, which Holton City Manager Kerwin McKee said would involve Holton city employees in “pouring the concrete and preparing the site.” When completed, the pickle ball court will be the second major addition to a Holton city park that stemmed from the KAY chapter’s plans. The first was a concrete walking path at Countryside Park that began to take shape in 2018 and is widely used today by area residents.
Source: Holton Recorder
Kansas salary survey: 70% of state government jobs pay workers below-market rates
Seven of 10 categories of Kansas government workers were paid below average market rates based on a new survey examining wages at comparable in-state employers and state government employers in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri and elsewhere. The Kansas Department of Administration’s report identified pay deficiencies of 32% for law clerks, 22% for social worker supervisors, 19% for driver license examiners, 13% for chemists, 9% for senior electricians, 7% for fire investigators, 3% for property appraisers and 1% for technology support consultants.
Source: Kansas Reflector
New federal broadband maps indicate widespread availability
If you want to check new federal maps about broadband availability, you can now do that. If you want to challenge the map, you can do that as well. The new maps, using location-specific information, should be more targeted than the prior maps, which were outdated and “overly general,” according to US Senator Roger Marshall. The new maps serve another purpose — paving the way for federal funds to bolster broadband in areas where high-speed internet is limited or unavailable.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Kansas Supreme Court to begin Rural Justice Initiative
The Kansas Supreme Court is planning to launch what it calls the Rural Justice Initiative with a brief ceremony Thursday. The committee involves 35 members. Its main charge is to examine unmet legal needs in rural areas of the state as attorney numbers decline. The committee will have its first meeting Thursday after the official creation as signed by Chief Justice Marla Luckert. The ceremony starts at 10 am at the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Valley Center’s 3D-printed home community delayed
Kansas’s first-ever community of 3D-printed homes is delayed. The city of Valley Center was partnering with the Crain Company, or CC3D, to bring the development to the state. This week, the Valley Center City Council voted to withdraw its contract with the company. “We still do plan and hope to have the first 3D printed structure and the first 3D printed home here in Valley Center, Kansas,” City Administrator Brent Clark said. “That’s not going away.” The City also entered another agreement with a different developer for the project, now named Sunflower Valley. CC3D was running into supply chain issues with getting the needed 3D printer to Valley Center.
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita is one of the best cities for digital nomads, a new report says. Here’s why
If you’re a remote worker who moves around, you may want to consider Wichita as one of your stops. A new report lists Wichita as one of the best cities for digital nomads. The report from Incfile, a online business formation and startup services company, analyzed 100 of the largest cities in the U.S. for digital nomads based on the cost of living, broadband internet strength, walkability, transit scores and average temperatures, a news release from the company said.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Louisburg extends permit waiver incentive
Home buyers and builders can waive their building permit fee on the construction of a new single-family home after the Louisburg City Council continued the wavier incentive to 2023 at a recent meeting. A homebuilder on average can save between $1,200 and $1,500 on permit fees on a 2,000-square-foot home, according to a city news release. Building permit fees are based on the assessed value of the home, so savings can vary depending on the home’s value. The builder must be licensed in Miami County to take advantage of the permit fee waiver.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Cop, drug dog go to county
A Marion drug dog that cost $7,600 in 2019, $2,500 for a kennel in a police car, $2,357.67 for emergency surgery after she ate an extension cord in 2021, and about $7,000 a year to house, feed, and recertify, is now in the possession of the sheriff’s office because officer Aaron Slater, the dog’s handler, changed jobs. For now, the dog remains the property of the city of Marion. The sheriff’s office is expected to purchase the dog, named Blue, but a price has not been negotiated. Slater’s last day with Marion police was Saturday. He worked his first shift with the sheriff’s office Sunday.
Source: Marion County RECORD
Planners discuss signage in Marion
Ten members of the public, half of them downtown business owners, spoke Tuesday with Marion city planners about downtown signs. Discussion of downtown signs began in August after Chelsea Mackey opened Dawn’s Day Spa at 331 E. Main St. and soon afterward had a perpendicular sign mounted over the sidewalk. Perpendicular signs violate zoning regulations downtown area.
Source: Marion County RECORD
History preserved for future generations
On Friday afternoon, the McPherson Fire Department, along with representatives from the City of McPherson and McPherson Police Department, buried two time capsules under the flagpole at the fire department. The time capsules replace the two original ones that were buried in 1972 and 1976 for McPherson’s Centennial and America’s Bicentennial and then opened for McPherson’s 150th anniversary on May 28, 2022. Today’s capsules will be opened in 2072 and include items from residents, schools, factories and local businesses. Pfizer included a vial of COVID-19 vaccine, while others donated photos, documents, and even a plastic duck. McPherson Board of Public Utilities donated 50 years of comprehensive plans for McPherson for future generations to see the city’s progress.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Local News Category Feed
Economic instability pushing KPERS investment returns to negative
Volatility in the stock market will push annual return on investment to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System into negative territory at close of the year, the pension system’s executive director said Tuesday. The assumed investment return for KPERS was adjusted downward in May from 7.75% to 7%. To strengthen the bottom line, the Kansas Legislature agreed to pump an extra $1.1 billion into the system. The snapshot on investment return will be calculated based on financial position of the portfolio Dec. 31, said Alan Conroy, executive director of KPERS.
Source: The Iola Register
Municipal Bond Trends for November 29, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
TopGolf Wichita to Open on Friday
Topgolf will open its second Kansas location in east Wichita location on Friday. The two-level entertainment venue will have 52 climate-controlled outdoor hitting bays along with Topgolf’s Toptracer technology, a 9-hole miniature golf course, a full-service restaurant and bar, outdoor patio, private event rooms and more. Topgolf Wichita is located off K-96 near the Greenwich Place Shopping Center at 2796 N Greenwich.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Commissioners agree not to sign moratorium
The Jackson County Commissioners have agreed not to sign an 18-month moratorium that would temporarily ban applications or permit requests for commercial solar and wind energy projects in the county. In lieu of a moratorium, the commissioners, on a 3-0 vote Monday, approved a motion to accept a letter submitted by NextEra Energy last week during a public hearing stating that the company will not apply for a permit for its solar project until May 2024 (18 months) or “until new solar regulations have been passed in Jackson County, whichever is sooner.” “It’s basically the same thing as a moratorium, it just doesn’t say the word moratorium,” Commissioner Ed Kathrens said. More than 70 people attended a 40-minute public hearing regarding the proposed moratorium last week. About 20 people spoke during the hearing, including those both for and against the moratorium.
Source: Holton Recorder
McPherson to host building code webinar
The City of McPherson, along with the Building Code College, on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, will host a continuing education webinar on contractor codes. The webinar will cover the provision of the 2018 International Residential Building Code and will run from 1 to 4 p.m. in Citizens Hall of the McPherson Community Building, 122 E. Marlin Street. Glenn Mathewson will serve as the instructor of the course, a three-hour (.3 CEU) training. Mathewson served as the building, plumbing and mechanical inspector for the City of Westminster, Colo. and has earned multiple ICC inspection certifications.
Source: McPherson, KS
Paige Jones dreamed of working and living in a small town
Recent visitors to Sedgwick’s City Hall may have noticed the new face. Paige Jones started as the city’s Utility Clerk on Oct. 31. Yes, her first day of work was on Halloween. That weekend also marked Jones’ first anniversary of living in Sedgwick. She and her husband Bradley moved to town last year on Halloween weekend. Jones, who moved from Park City, said they picked Sedgwick to live in because of the reputation of the school system. Jones and her husband Bradly are in their mid-twenties and don’t have any children, yet, but they do have three dogs.
Source: Harvey County Now
‘I’m thrilled to be here’: Wichita police chief focusing on improving community relations
There is a new Chief in town. Joseph Sullivan has officially reported for duty and we sat down with him one-on-one to discuss what plans he has for the department. Sullivan comes to Wichita after recently serving as deputy police commissioner for the city of Philadelphia. KAKE News talked to him about a number of issues starting with the lawsuit from executive members of the police department against the city. Sullivan is taking on the badge at a time the department is in turmoil. In a lawsuit, former Chief Gordon Ramsay, two current deputy chiefs, and one former one are calling for City Manager Robert Layton to resign. “I have the authority to run the department and make necessary changes. But of course, he is my boss. I kept him informed. I’m going to focus on my mission and we’ll leave that to the attorneys to sort out,” said Sullivan.
Source: KAKE – News
For Fredonia’s rising Sauage Fest, word play adds to the fun
One doesn’t need to look hard to find a zany festival in Kansas. Lucas has the Adam’s Apple Festival. Because, you know, the town is home to S.P. Dinsmoor’s historic Garden of Eden. Elk Falls celebrates its outhouses each year with a festival on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Cuba has the Rock-A-Thon. Participants rock around the clock for a week in rocking chairs, sometimes raising more than $25,000 for community projects. Lindsborg’s plethora of festivals includes Svensk Hyllningsfest, which celebrates its Swedish heritage, and Vaffeldagen, a festival of waffles.
Source: KLC Journal
Overland Park ramps up efforts to cut down damaged ash trees
Overland Park plans to cut down hundreds of ash trees throughout the city next year as it ramps up efforts at countering the impacts of the emerald ash borer. The city is set to start a large-scale ash street tree removal and replanting program targeting trees in public right-of-ways that have been damaged by the invasive beetle species. The city’s program will not include ash trees on private property. The emerald ash borer — a small, metallic green beetle — attacks all species of ash trees by cutting off the passage of nutrients and water from the tree’s roots to its canopy.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
How Google introduced an international student to Hutchinson
The City of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Community College (HCC) have Google to thank for introducing Reno County to international student Felipe Trautmann. Trautmann, 22, was born in Brazil but spent the majority of his youth in Spain. “I have always been on the move,” said Trautmann. “My parents were missionaries. They were always doing work around different churches in Europe.” When it came time for Trautmann to decide his educational path, he decided to put his faith in God and the internet. That’s where he found the surgical technology program at Hutchinson Community College.
Source: KSN-TV
Lawrence homeowners fighting to build fire access road, citing ‘clear and present danger’
When Chris Sanders and Amanda Unruh bought their Lawrence home five years ago, they knew their historic property would need myriad renovations and repairs. They never imagined the long odyssey that would unfold in their quest to protect their family and home. The parents of two young children, the couple wouldn’t move into the nearly century-old, two-story home until a smoke detection system had been installed. In 2017, the family settled into their house with that new system, designed to automatically notify authorities when smoke or fire was detected.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for November 28, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Pottawatomie County officials working to redraw commission districts as expansion looms
Pottawatomie County officials held a work session Monday, to discuss how the county will divide population into five districts, now that voters have approved expansion of the board from three to five seats. Two new commissioners will come aboard next year. County Counselor John Watt says the county’s preference is to have that occur in the November 2023 general election. “Because a special election will cost the county and arm and a leg. The state doesn’t help with all of that, it’s a county cost,” he said. According to the 2021 census, Pottawatomie County’s population was just slightly over 25,000 people. With that in mind, state statute says each of the five districts should have roughly 5,000 residents living within it. Watt says there is some leeway to how those numbers get divided.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Defending the water supply from blue-green algae
Big or small, a Kansas town that depends on lakes or reservoirs for its water supply faces the increasing threat of toxic amounts of blue-green algae making it into the homes of consumers. That hasn’t happened. But preventing it has, or will, come at a cost, sometimes a significant cost. Braxton Copley, Topeka utilities director, says the capital city is in the planning stages of updating two water treatment plants at a cost of about $20 million to help ensure clean drinking water into the future. Topeka faces significant challenges since it gets “every last drop” of its water supply from the Kansas River, which is fed by several reservoirs. Two of those, Milford and Perry lakes, have consistently hosted harmful algal blooms.
Source: KLC Journal