Kansas Municipal News
Governor Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Kansas House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Les Mason
Today, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags be lowered to half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities effective immediately until sundown on the day of interment in honor of Kansas House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Les Mason. He represented Kansas House District 73 of McPherson for 10 years. “Assistant Majority Leader Mason was a devoted public servant,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “For the last decade, he represented his constituents and the McPherson community with honor. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.” This flag order will be updated when the date of interment is determined.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $4M Awarded through Broadband ADOPT Program
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that seven organizations will receive a combined $3.9 million in grants through the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program. ADOPT supports the Kelly administration’s work to connect more Kansans to high-speed internet by making public Wi-Fi accessible and distributing devices in underserved areas. “Kansans rely on technology for work, school, health care, and connecting to each other,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The ADOPT grants support community organizations in our shared mission to connect more people to the internet and critical digital skills.” The program helps organizations serving Kansans move forward by ensuring that communities can access public Wi-Fi and the devices needed to participate in today’s technology-driven world. “As internet access continues to play a more prevalent part in our day-to-day lives, high-speed internet can no longer be considered a luxury,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Providing access to devices and accessible Wi-Fi means that we are investing in the future of Kansans and in the future of our great state as a whole.” To continue connecting Kansans to devices and internet access across the state, an additional round of funding will open later this year with $10.4 million available.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
Wichita offering homes under new housing fund program
The City of Wichita is looking for buyers for 57 homes under the city’s new Affordable Housing Fund. The fund was created to improve the quality of existing housing stock, expand affordable housing options, and promote neighborhood stability. There are 41 homes being offered in northeast Wichita, along Minnesota, Ash, Piatt and Madison streets, between 25th and 26th Streets. There are also 16 homes in southwest Wichita, in the area of Pawnee and Meridian. Bidders can purchase available units within these areas, propose a per-unit scope of work for necessary renovations, request up to $40,000 per housing unit for renovation, and they can request project based voucher assistance. Bidders will have to propose an affordable housing outcome for these homes, so they will have to make sure there is a qualified low-to-moderate-income resident to live in the home. Sarah Gooding with the city’s Department of Housing and Community Services said this is the renovation phase of the Affordable Housing Fund program, so the city will be looking for qualified applicants with experience in single-family housing rehabilitation or construction, and experience in working with local, state and federal funds or housing programs. The homes must be available as affordable housing for 15 years. The next phase will be the opportunity phase, to help income-qualified people in buying or renting these homes. More information on the program is available on the city’s web site at wichita.gov
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Wichita teens working on beautification project
Teens from the Wichita area are working this week to paint nine houses, and they’re also working on projects at Carpenter Place, a local children’s home. The Wichita WorkCamp summer service project is marking its 17th anniversary, and it involves 75 teenagers and college students from across the nation, plus 75 adult volunteers. Each volunteer pays a fee to participate and that helps to cover the cost of the supplies, allowing the group to offer services free of charge. The WorkCamp is hosted by the Northside Church of Christ and it is also sponsored by a number of local businesses.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $3M to Improve Digital Literacy in Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $2.8 million is being invested in 15 organizations through the Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans (DOCK) program. The DOCK grants will improve the digital skills of Kansans who have not yet been able to fully capitalize on the power of the internet. “The DOCK program demonstrates our commitment to provide the digital tools Kansans need to drive innovation and compete in the global market,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These awards are a critical investment to connect all Kansans and support their success in the future economy.” These investments provide Kansans the digital literacy skills necessary to live, learn, work, and compete equitably in a technology-driven society. “These targeted grants will help improve the ability for Kansans to participate in the digital age and in doing so, promote economic opportunity for all,” Senate President Ty Masterson said. “Much like reading, digital literacy is increasingly critical, and the DOCK program recognizes that reality.” “These DOCK program grants will no doubt help to strengthen our Kansas communities, broaden the skillsets of our Kansas workforce, and truly open up a world of opportunity for Kansas citizens by empowering them with the digital tools they need to compete and thrive in today’s job market,” Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins said. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact of DOCK for Kansans all across the state.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Municipal Bond Trends for June 3, 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 May 31, 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 May 30, 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 May 29, 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.
“Little House on the Prairie” cast to gather in Independence
The cast from the popular television program “Little House on the Prairie,” which aired on NBC television in the 1970s and 1980s, are hitching up the wagons and headed to Independence on May 31-June 2 for a reunion experience with fans. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the popular television show that was based on the children’s novel by the same written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The book, which is a fictional account of early-day pioneers in Kansas, is based on the Ingalls family’s years in Montgomery County. The Ingalls family lived in Rutland Township from 1868 to 1871.
Source: Facebook
Municipal Bond Trends for May 28, 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 May 24, 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 May 23, 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.
Kansas communities begin cleanup, damage surveys after storms rip off roofs, down trees
The National Weather Service had survey teams out Monday assessing storm damage in Halstead, Newton and Russell after severe storms hit central Kansas on Sunday night. Those storms brought rain, large hail, strong wind gusts and a few reported tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest wind gusts in the state were recorded at 100 mph at the Salina airport. The Newton and Halstead areas saw 60 mph winds gusts, according to the NWS. The NWS received 15 reports of tornadoes Sunday in Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado, with six of those reported in Russell, Ellsworth, Lincoln and Osage County. Halstead fire and EMS posted on Facebook Sunday that it had been hit by a tornado. “We are evaluating [the] situation,” the agency said. NWS Wichita meteorologist Ken Cook could not confirm if a tornado hit Halstead but said the survey team will make that assessment.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Evergy says economic development will push it to boost electric generation plans
An economic development boom in Kansas and Missouri will drive Evergy to more than double its renewable energy generation while also adding more natural gas plants in the next 20 years. The Kansas City-based utility said its new resource plan includes 1,900 megawatts more in generation capacity than its 2023 plan. The plan, filed Friday with the Kansas Corporation Commission, outlines the company’s intention for serving customers in the next 20 years. Evergy said it will need to increase electricity generation to keep up with economic growth and the need to feed more electricity to the regional power grid. “In Kansas and Missouri, economic development was the biggest driver of change to our short- and long-term generation plans. We will grow our diverse energy portfolio by adding renewable and dispatchable resources to meet customers’ needs,” Evergy CEO David Campbell said in a release.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Munis in midst of correction as yields rise further; 10-year tops 3%
Municipals sold off Thursday with more cuts across the curve as a correction has ensued for the asset class just ahead of the summer reinvestment season. U.S. Treasuries saw losses and equities were also in the red. Municipal bond mutual funds saw the second week of outflows as investors pulled $217.6 million from the funds after $546.2 million of outflows the week prior, according to LSEG Lipper. High-yield continued to show strength, though, with inflows of $206.5 million after $125.7 million of inflows the previous week. The market correction may have finally begun, as triple-A yields have risen as much 13 to 17basis points on the front end and belly of the curve since Monday, noted Barclays strategists Mikhail Foux and Clare Pickering. Due to this, muni-UST ratios have risen more than 5 percentage points on 10 years and in with a smaller rise longer out the curve, climbing to highs last seen in late 2023, they said. The two-year muni-to-Treasury ratio Thursday was at 67%, the three-year at 67%, the five-year at 67%, the 10-year at 67% and the 30-year at 84%, according to Refinitiv Municipal Market Data’s 3 p.m. EST read. ICE Data Services had the two-year at 67%, the three-year at 67%, the five-year at 68%, the 10-year at 68% and the 30-year at 85% at 3:30 p.m. Supply is the primary reason behind the selloff, “hardly a surprise as we had around seven $10-plus billion supply weeks in a row,” Barclays strategists said.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Governor Kelly Announces $6.65M for Rural Road Safety Improvements
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that $6.65 million in federal funds will go to 10 rural projects to increase the safety and efficiency of local roadways. The effort is part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program. “Our rural roads are important to the local and state economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Programs like this enable commerce to flow smoothly and improve safety for Kansas families as they travel our state.” The HRRR program is federally funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program and is designed to improve rural road safety. An additional $2.37 million in local funds will be used for the selected projects. This year’s 10 HRRR projects were selected from 46 applications seeking $40.5 million in federal funds. “Data shows more than 60% of fatal and serious injury crashes occur on county-owned roads and highways,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed. “These funds assist our rural partners to increase roadway safety by using low-cost and proven countermeasures.” Projects in this program fall into one of two categories: Systemic (encompassing a local roadway network) or Site Specific.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
Appraiser estimates $2.6 million in damage from Westmoreland tornado
It’s been three weeks since a tornado devastated Westmoreland and damage estimates are coming more into focus. According to the Pottawatomie County Times, Pottawatomie County Appraiser Robin Knoblauch noted at Monday’s weekly commission meeting that through her own investigation, the estimated loss in value to the city is around $2.6 million. This included 17 properties that were total losses and 10 properties that were extremely damaged and are non-livable. In addition, about 43 other properties sustained minor to major damage. Four parcels just beyond the Westmoreland city limits also sustained an estimated $400,000 in loss, including one property that was a brand new build completed in March. Emergency Management Director Jennifer Merrow told commissioners also Monday that the Small Business Administration toured Westmoreland and concluded that 33 properties would qualify for SBA low-interest disaster loans, with representatives on hand this week to answer any questions from concerned citizens.
Source: 1350 KMAN
As a 750-acre solar farm awaits answers, lessons learned from a Maize solar initiative on a much smaller scale
The project from Chicago solar energy construction company Invenergy, called the Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center, is on hold as the county works on zoning and planning regulations for solar projects of a large scale. Maize, in fact, is not a stranger to solar projects. In 2019, propelled by the work of Maize High chemistry and physics teacher Stan Bergkamp and the Maize Solar Initiative, the city had a 720-panel solar project that went live outside of the Maize Career Academy. Bergkamp, who is also a landowner and farmer with solar panels in his shop in Kechi, was influential in generating $300,000 for solar development at Maize High. Bergkamp told the WBJ that comparing the Chisholm Trail project and the scale of its development to the solar project at his school is like “comparing apples to oranges.” He said that the major concern has been the scale of the project and the public anxiety about the effect on local development. However, he sees an alternative solution to the power problem in Maize — staying within regulations by utilizing parking lots and roofs that are available in the city. He feels that the focus of the county should be to find a balance for local and county-level growth.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Federal Reserve minutes indicate worries over lack of progress on inflation
Federal Reserve officials grew more concerned at their most recent meeting about inflation, with members indicating that they lacked the confidence to move forward on interest rate reductions. Minutes from the April 30-May 1 policy meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee released Wednesday indicated apprehension from policymakers about when it would be time to ease. The meeting followed a slew of readings that showed inflation was more stubborn than officials had expected to start 2024. The Fed targets a 2% inflation rate, and all of the indicators showed price increases running well ahead of that mark. “Participants observed that while inflation had eased over the past year, in recent months there had been a lack of further progress toward the Committee’s 2 percent objective,” the summary stated. “The recent monthly data had showed significant increases in components of both goods and services price inflation.” The FOMC voted unanimously at the meeting to hold its benchmark short-term borrowing rate in a range of 5.25%-5.5%, a 23-year high where it has been since July 2023.
Source: CNBC – Bonds