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Municipal News & Jobs

Municipal News & Jobs2026-08-07T10:07:18-05:00

Kansas Municipal News

HFED announcing new grant opportunities for downtown Hiawatha

The Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development has announced new grant opportunities for downtown. HFED Director Mikaela Moore said the organization is facilitating the second round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants, intended for revitalizing downtown buildings in small communities across the state. These grants were recently announced by Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland and the HEAL program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, childcare or entrepreneurship.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

‘I don’t think we understood the magnitude of it’: City of Wichita addresses evidence problems

On Monday, City Manager Robert Layton announced major problems found at the Wichita Police Department’s evidence building. “My office learned about potential problems with the police department’s property and evidence operation,” Layton said. He also talked about five phase plans to fix it. One of the problems found in the more than 400-page audit is a huge evidence backlog. It says the building has around 550,000 items, and that it’s “increasing at an alarming rate.”  So why is the city just now making a plan? “I don’t think we understood the magnitude of it and I didn’t until I read the audit report,” Layton said. 
Source: KAKE – News

Google Fiber’s impact on Kansas City 10 years later

KC Digital Drive was founded in 2012 by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, to address the digital equity issues revealed when Google Fiber launched in Kansas City and to mitigate the gaps in adapting to emerging technologies in the bi-state region. Now, it’s been 10 years since those efforts began and Aaron Deacon, managing director of KC Digital Drive, says Kansas City is ahead of other big cities when it comes to access to fiber. “We have more fiber here than almost any big city in the U.S. We have a competitive fiber market,” Deacon says. “We have fiber that serves some of our poorest neighborhoods that the rest of the country kind of salivates over.”
Source: KCUR

Drought leads to fish salvage in Ellis, other towns

The drought that has been affecting communities across Kansas is causing problems for the fish at several Kansas lakes. As the water recedes, fish could die. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has issued public fish salvage orders for these four lakes: Ellis City Lake (order issued on Monday). Warren Stone Lake, east of La Crosse (order issued recently). Hodgeman State Fishing Lake, southeast of Jetmore. Goodman State Fishing Lake, east of Ness City
Source: KSNT 27 News

Bees swarm downtown Emporia after honey spill

A warning from local Emporia officials is urging people to “bee safe” following the arrival of a swarm of bees. According to the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center, the spilling of a five-gallon bucket of honey has created a “golden buffet” for the local bee population. This has resulted in a massive amount of bees in downtown Emporia. The site of the spill is an alley stretching from 600 Commercial Street to Merchant Street. Officials indicate that this could be ongoing for the next few days as the bees gobble up all of the honey. Any efforts to clean up the spilled honey have been regarded as unsafe due to the high concentration of insects.
Source: KSNT 27 News

City of Emporia unveils results of recent citywide operations survey

The results of a recent citywide survey will go a long way in helping city administration improve operations at every level. The survey was sent out to local residents back in August and City Manager Trey Cocking was very pleased with the response as right around 480 community members offered feedback. According to Cocking the largest response came in central Emporia, which he says is not a surprise. However; Cocking says the responses from north and south Emporia was very uplifting. Overall, Cocking says the results were mixed with very few surprises. Unfortunately, this includes a less than satisfactory response regarding transparency from city government.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

De Soto latest JoCo school district to stock Narcan to prevent opioid overdoses

Nurses at middle and high schools in USD 232 in De Soto will now be equipped with Narcan, a nasal spray that aims to quickly reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. Why it matters: This comes about a year after the death of 16-year-old Cooper Davis, a USD 232 student whose parents say he died after taking a pill he didn’t know was laced with fentanyl, a powerful opioid. The details: Alvie Cater, a district spokesperson, told the Post via email that the De Soto school board supported an agreement with the county to implement an “opioid antagonist protocol.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

Governor Laura Kelly celebrates legacy of Amelia Earhart with statue unveiling in Atchison

Governor Laura Kelly today joined the Amelia Earhart Foundation in honoring its namesake with a statue unveiling ceremony. The bronze statue, located at the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, is the sister statue of the one that was installed in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol in July. “How better to cement our state’s legacy as the Air Capitol of the World than with a statue at the museum that celebrates a woman who showed all of us what it means to “reach for the stars,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I want to express my deepest appreciation for this museum and for this immortalization of an extraordinary individual who truly represents the best of the Kansas spirit.”
Source: Western Kansas News

Butler County voters to consider food-service requirement with liquor licenses

Butler County business owners are closely watching an issue that will be presented in a question on the Nov. 8 general-election ballot. Butler County voters will decide whether businesses with liquor licenses should be required to make 30% of their sales from food. A “yes” vote would eliminate this requirement while a “no” vote means nothing will change. “For businesses, if you’re going to have a liquor license, as a restaurant, you have to hit the minimum of 30% food sales. For some people like myself, it’s not a problem. For others, it’s a big struggle, said Shane Scott, owner of Sugar Shane’s Café, in Augusta. “(For) a small business, it can be a really big struggle.”
Source: KWCH

Muni yields rise amid global bond market volatility

Municipal yields climbed again Monday amid elevated secondary selling pressure following a major U.S. Treasury selloff while equities also ended in the red as global bond market uncertainties rattle all markets. Triple-A municipal yields rose as much as 18 basis points on the short end, with the one-year just below or above 3%, further flattening the curve. The two-year UST hit 4.3% while the 10-year climbed 21 basis points Monday.
Source: The Bond Buyer

2-year Treasury tops 4.3% as yields rise following Fed rate hikes

Yields soared on Monday, with the 2-year Treasury reaching a fresh 15-year high, as markets digested the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes and looked toward economic commentary from Fed speakers. The yield on the policy-sensitive 2-year Treasury briefly climbed above 4.3%, hitting levels last seen in 2007. … The benchmark 10-year Treasury also climbed higher, with its yield up 6 basis points to 3.7668%.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Wichita begins new program to prevent violent crime

The City of Wichita will be working with a consulting firm on a Violence Interrupter Program that will work with community leaders to reduce gun violence. The City Council has approved an agreement with the consulting firm Cure Violence Global, which began in Chicago and operates in a number of U.S. cities. Assistant City Manager Donte Martin said the program will provide an understanding of violent behavioral outcomes and risk factors. He said Cure Violence will work with community organizations and train Wichita residents on the program that will be created.    Funding will be provided to local organizations that work in youth development and violence prevention.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Fort Scott City Clerk Diane Clay Retires On Oct. 1

Diane Clay’s first job with the City of Fort Scott was as Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt in March 1998. Her last day on the job is October 1, 2022. “I have been employed for 24 years…with the City of Fort Scott,” she said.  “I have been City Clerk 23 of those years.” For many, Clay was the first contact with the city that citizens had. And for this reporter, she was always helpful and timely in her responses to questions.
Source: Fort Scott Biz

Legislators float proposal to lower property taxes by reviving dormant LAVTR fund

A three-part proposal to reduce property taxes could save Kansas homeowners millions, Democratic lawmakers said during a news conference Monday at the Statehouse. Rep. Vic Miller, D-Topeka, and Rep. Mike Amyx, D-Lawrence, released the plan for consideration in the next legislative session, which begins in January. The plan includes reducing residential property assessment rates from 11.5% to 9%, financing a statewide property tax reduction fund and raising residential property exemptions from the state mill levy that funds public schools. Miller and Amyx want to refinance the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund, which was designed to help local governments lower property taxes. The fund was suspended in 2002, but the two believe the state government now has enough funds to resume payments.
Source: Kansas Reflector

70,000 attend McConnell open house and air show

The free air show at McConnell Air Force Base appears to have been a big success this past weekend. Organizers say approximately 70,000 people attended the Frontiers in Flight Open House and Air Show. It was the first air show at McConnell in four years. They plan to hold the next one in 2024, most likely in September. In addition to enjoying the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and other flying acts, visitors were able to get an inside look at dozens of planes and vehicles on display.
Source: KSN-TV

SEK attorney & municipal judge to serve as honorary bailiff for Supreme Court special session in Parsons

Longtime attorney and municipal judge Rick Tucker has had his share of days in court, but he will take on a new role when the Supreme Court comes to Parsons. Tucker was selected to be honorary bailiff at the Supreme Court’s special session, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, October 3, at Parsons High School. “I am excited to be able to ‘suit up’ and serve as bailiff for the Supreme Court in the presence of my community,” Tucker said. Chief Judge Lori Bolton-Fleming nominated Tucker for the position, noting his nearly half-century of service to the southeast Kansas legal community.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Dodge City residents to vote on various tax initiatives

On November 8, 2022, Dodge City voters will have the opportunity to consider a one-half percent, or 0.50% retail sales tax increase on the ballot. … This special dedicated sales tax can only be used to provide City of Dodge City property tax relief (4 mills in 2024), costs of street improvements and associated utilities. Associated utilities refer to water and sewer lines, most of which are 50 to 100+ years old and located within the streets to be reconstructed and repaired. If approved, the Sales Tax will generate approximately $3.5 million dollars a year to be used to reduce property tax and for street improvements.
Source: Western Kansas News

Teachers cite salaries, work-life balance among top reasons for leaving Lawrence Public Schools

The Lawrence school board on Monday heard a report including specific reasons why teachers are leaving the district, like low salaries and overflowing class sizes, as well as an update on the district’s efforts to better recruit and retain employees. Members of the district’s Human Resources team, including Executive Director Kristen Ryan, Director of Human Resources and Safety Ron May, Director Sarah Hamlin, and Facilitator of Recruitment and Retention Kaitlin Shulman, presented to the board their findings from last school year’s survey on exiting certified staff. As of May 2021, approximately 150 teachers were exiting the district for a variety of reasons. The HR team conducted an exit survey to ask teachers their reasons for leaving. 86 out of the approximately 150 teachers participated.
Source: The Lawrence Times

2-Year Yields Indicate Fed Funds Rate Could Rise Another 2%

One major theme of 2022 is the Federal Reserve raising to squash. Case in point, the Fed raised rates another 75 basis points on Wednesday. Will this be enough? What’s to come of interest rates? That question brings us to today’s chart, where we compare Fed Funds to the (a good short-term gauge of interest rates). As you can see, the 2-year yield and Fed Funds have been pretty correlated over the past 30 years. Typically, the 2-year yield leads Fed Funds on the way up and down. But what happens when it reaches extremes? Because this is what we have today.
Source: Bonds Analysis & Opinion

Wichita Libraries Waiving Long-Overdue Fees During “Amnesty Week”

Wichita Public Library will host Amnesty Week September 26-October 2, 2022 to give customers the opportunity to return long overdue materials and have processing and replacement fees eliminated. This is an effort to reintroduce lapsed customers to the Library and get lost materials back into circulation. During this week, customers with materials considered long overdue (multiple months or years not returned) can visit any seven Wichita Public Library locations and return materials at the front desk, no questions asked, no matter the condition.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Greater Andover Days Begins Friday

Greater Andover Days kicks off next weekend It runs from Friday, September 30th to Sunday, October 2nd, at Central Park in Andover (1609 E. Central Ave.). Greater Andover Days is a family-friendly festival that features food trucks, live music, kid’s activities, fireworks, Zumba, a car show, golf tournament and more.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Marion County towns working together for SEED grant

The Marion County Board of Commissioners met for their regular meeting on Monday and opened with information from Hillsboro City Administrator Matt Stiles. Stiles informed the commissioners that he, along with several others, is applying for the KDOC SEED grant. “It’s for a lot of different things, but we are looking at helping grocery stores primarily. I’m trying to put everyone together so we don’t have a bunch of applications from the county since it can only be awarded once to the county,” said Stiles. There are several items on the list from multiple towns in Marion County and this way will allow all of the places to benefit.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Mission voters renew 0.375% sales tax for parks and rec

Mission voters opted to renew a 0.375% sales tax that funds city parks and recreation projects. In a special mail-in election this month, Mission residents have voted overwhelmingly to renew a three-eighths percent, or 0.375%, sales tax dedicated to the city’s parks and recreation department.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

City Commission to provide direction for Manhattan housing market analysis

Home prices continue to outpace income growth, and housing in Manhattan is getting more expensive. Manhattan city commissioners will take their second look at a housing market analysis …: There is a high cost of new homes in Manhattan. Sales trends indicate that the sales price for a home in 2012 that cost $222,000 cost $329,000 in 2021. The median house price is $232,000, which is far higher than regional neighbors. Topeka is at $117,000, Salina $138,000 and Junction City $166,000.
Source: themercury.com

Fort Scott City Manager Kelley Zellner heads to Caney, New Interim Jeff Hancock is Hired

The Fort Scott City Commission met on Sept. 22 to approve the severance agreement for City Manager Kelley Zellner, who resigned to pursue an employment opportunity in Caney, KS. … On Sept. 20, the City of Fort Scott hired Hancock as interim city manager, and appointed Brad Matkin, current Human Resource Director, to also become assistant city manager. … Hancock, from Camdenton, Missouri, is a consultant for Management Partners…
Source: Fort Scott Biz

‘Twin’ Amelia Earhart statue to be unveiled in Atchison Saturday

A new bronze statue of legendary Kansas aviator Amelia Earhart will be unveiled Saturday. The statue, which is being installed in the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, is identical to the bronze statue that was installed in the National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on July 27 of this year. This statue is being installed at the entrance to the new museum, which is officially opening next year. The public is invited to the unveiling celebration starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. … Thirteen-year-old Gabrielle Henry, Amelia Earhart’s great-great niece, will also be attending.
Source: KSN-TV

Nemaha County prepares to send out county-wide survey

Nearly two years after the formation of the Nemaha County Planning Commission (NCPC), a county-wide survey is ready to send out to all Nemaha County households asking for residents’ opinions on various topics regarding life in Nemaha County. In 2019, during the development of the Soldier Creek Wind Farm in southern Nemaha County — surrounding the communities of Corning and Goff — it was apparent that Nemaha County residents were divided in their vision of what life in Nemaha County should look like. Therefore, the NCPC was formed to begin the initial steps of developing a comprehensive plan for Nemaha County.
Source: Sabetha Herald

Understanding a local brewery’s quandary

Lt. Gov. David Toland stopped in to learn firsthand about the dilemma facing microbrewery owner Pippin Williamson after Rep. Jason Probst, D-Hutchinson, who’s also been trying to help Williamson navigate the situation, called him. The brewery is hosting the special nightly dinners in an effort to meet minimum food sale requirements to renew its license, after learning on Monday from state regulators their license was under threat. Probst has been researching the history of the law that requires the brewery to make 30% of its gross sales annually from serving food and what changes might be made to address it.
Source: Hutch News

‘How do we keep them here?’: Salina officials work to recruit young people in workforce

For several years, Salina area professionals have been enhancing efforts to attract and retain young adults in Saline County. These efforts are one part of a bigger puzzle officials are working on – glaring gaps in the local workforce. Salina isn’t unique from any other midwestern town in the fact that it has experienced brain drain – substantial emigration or migration of individuals – over the last several decades, as well as overall population loss. … So, how can communities like Salina attract workers and promote its variety of available jobs? The consensus from local experts seems to be focusing efforts on programs that help young people prosper.
Source: Salina Journal

Salina has tight rental market

Finding housing in Salina is more complicated than ever, and one sector of that industry, rental properties, isn’t immune from the confusion, as properties that come up for rent are occupied almost as fast as they open. The issues of rental properties are impacting both owners and managers of rentals and their tenants or perspective tenants. All types of housing are feeling the crunch. “We have people out looking for units to rent, and there’s just none available,” said Phil Nix, the executive director of the Salina Housing Authority. “And what does come on the market, rents rather quickly.”
Source: Salina Journal

Affordable housing complex in Baldwin can modernize nearly 40-year-old units; without ARPA aid, it would’ve taken another decade

Baldwin Retirement Apartment Complex Inc. … received $733,711, which will help the nonprofit modernize Jersey Street Apartment Suites, a 24-unit complex of one-bedroom apartments spread across four buildings. It will also allow for two of those units to be converted to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and it will allow a maintenance update that BRAC staff described to the Journal-World as crucial. It’s a project that definitely wouldn’t be happening if not for ARPA aid. In fact, it would be a 10-year project without it….
Source: LJWorld

Derby seeks to expand tools in addressing current housing market needs

Following completion of a housing study specific to Derby, presented to both the planning commission and City Council in the past month, two major needs were outlined in the community. The study showed a rather unique market need for homes targeted to households making more than $75,000 annually – as well as a more common demand for availability of units for households with an annual income below $25,000. In conjunction with the city’s comprehensive plan and eligibility for new programs, the housing study was completed to help the city determine ways to address both of those needs. City Planner Scott Knebel noted that a number of subsidy programs exist to help develop housing for lower income households, outlining those opportunities in a recent report to the council – while also pointing out their underutilization in Derby.
Source: Derby Informer | News

‘World class’ justice center sure to be inviting to public breaks ground in Lenexa

Lenexa leaders held a groundbreaking on Sept. 13, the ceremonial start of construction on the city’s new Justice Center at Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street. Completion is expected in the spring of 2024. “Our organization has needed a new facility for a significant amount of time. Setting aside the obvious deteriorating necessities such as air conditioning and plumbing, we need a space that will better allow our personnel to complete their work efficiently,” Police Sgt. Curtis Weber said. “On top of that, the police department needs to be a facility that is inviting and engaging for the community. Our current facility does not allow for that type of environment. The new Justice Center will allow our facility to reflect the standard our staff is expected to strive for: world-class.”
Source: KC Star

2-year Treasury tops 4.2%, a 15-year high as Fed continues to jolt short-term rates higher

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury fell on Friday as markets adjusted to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike and attention turned toward flash PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) data for September that is due to be released later in the day. … The policy-sensitive 2-year Treasury continued to hover around 4.1% after having risen off the back of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike. On Thursday, it had soared as high as 4.163% — a level not seen since October 2007… September flash PMI data is set to be released on Friday, giving markets preliminary insight into the economic state of the manufacturing and services industries for the month. PMI data is used as a key indicator for inflation and recession concerns as it reflects whether industries are growing or shrinking, as well as supply and demand.
Source: CNBC

Baldwin City to ask voters for additional half-cent sales tax to rehab brick streets

The Baldwin City government will ask city residents to approve on the November ballot an additional half cent of sales tax authority to be used to rehabilitate brick streets in its historic district. Baldwin City Mayor Casey Simoneau said that the City Council in June approved placing the sales tax referendum before voters. If approved, the additional half cent in sales tax, which would be permanent, would be added to the existing 1.25-cent sales tax the city collects on retail sales in Baldwin City to help pay for various infrastructure needs. With county and state sales taxes, approval of the measure would increase the total amount of sales tax charged in Baldwin City to 9.5 cents on $1 of retail sales.
Source: LJWorld

Scott City finally has leverage with problem trees

Individuals who are worried that a neighboring tree is a potential hazard for their property finally have a remedy. The Scott City Council has adopted an ordinance that offers a legal option to trim tree branches or remove dead or diseased trees from private property if they are a hazard to life or property, or if they harbor insects or disease that put other trees at risk.
Source: Scott County Record

Garden City launches new customer service tool

The City of Garden City has launched a new customer service tool, My GCKS, a text messaging service that lets residents quickly and easily connect with the City 24/7 without the need to download an app. Launced in partnership with Citibot, the leading provider of interactive chat solutions for local government, My GCKS grew from feedback from public surveys in August of 2021 in which residents indicated support for using a texting option if it were available. With that information, Staff moved forward with the best text messaging options to fit the needs of the residents and the City.
Source: Greater Garden City

Wamego poverty simulation shines light on difficulties families face

The K-State Research and Extension Office recently hosted a poverty simulation at Wamego High School.  Tuesday’s event, Living on the Edge – The Realities of Living Paycheck to Paycheck in Today’s World, was attended by about forty community members. Pottawatomie County Family Consumer Science Agent Erin Tynon explains. The decisions involved housing and utilities, clothing and laundry, meals, transportation, childcare, communications, personal care, recreation, and insurance. Each decision created decisions in other areas of the budget. If the family owned a used car, they had to use some of their budget for auto insurance. If they chose work-sponsored health insurance, they first had to obtain full-time childcare for the three-year-old.
Source: 1350 KMAN

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