Municipal News & Jobs

Is Kansas the middle of nowhere? A place with nothing to attract people to come, live, work and play? Today we’ll meet a man who was born and raised in the western United States. As he transitioned to work remotely in his career, he has found he can do his work from virtually anywhere — and has chosen to live in rural Kansas.  Mike Ball is a software developer working remotely from Kingman, Kansas. He grew up in Oregon, studied economics at Oregon State, and took training on software programming. He worked in Las Vegas and then Arizona. Ball worked as an independent software development consultant for 11 years. Then one of his clients asked him to come on board full-time with the company. When the Covid pandemic began, everyone in that company transitioned to work remotely. While in Arizona, he and a friend had come to Kansas to visit his friend’s sister who had moved to Kingman. “I really liked Kingman,” Ball said. When his company transitioned to remote work, Ball opted to make the move to Kansas.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

Several dozen people turned out Friday afternoon to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new fire/EMS station in Sedgwick. The groundbreaking comes nine years after the city relinquished its EMS services because it couldn’t staff the department. In March, 2017, Halstead EMS agreed to cover Sedgwick and did so until January 2025, when Sedgwick revived its dead service. Not only did City Administrator Kyle Nordick get the program off the ground, he promoted Fire Chief Zane Hansen last summer to also serve as the EMS director and found a Community Development Block Grant for $650,000 in January of last year to help pay for the new station.
Read more: Harvey County Now

As zoning demands continue to rise in Jackson County, commissioners have agreed to hire a separate zoning administrator to keep up with the workload. The decision came after county appraiser and zoning officer Kate Immenschuh previously told commissioners that an increase in zoning duties has strained her staff and caused them to fall behind on appraisal duties. During the commissioners’ meeting on Monday, they unanimously agreed to advertise for a full-time county zoning administrator. The top responsibility of the new position will be to administer and enforce zoning regulations in the county’s comprehensive plan, as well as serve as a liaison to the planning commission and board of zoning appeals.
Read more: The Holton Recorder

Helmets will become a requirement for anyone under 18 riding an electric-powered scooter, bicycle or other device in Leawood, the city council has decided. The Leawood City Council last week approved the new rule, which will go into effect after its legal publication. Although the vote was 5-3, every councilmember went on record backing helmets for juvenile riders. The disagreement was over whether the helmet rule should also apply to non-electric bikes, scooters, skateboards or other wheeled devices. The new rule does not specify the type of helmet, but says it must be designed to prevent injury and be properly fitted and secured to the head. It applies to passengers as well as operators, riding on streets, sidewalks, trails and public rights-of-way within the city.
Read more: Johnson County Post

After years of declining enrollment, Olathe Public Schools will be closing more schools — and is gearing up to decide which ones. At the Feb. 5 board of education meeting, district leaders shared a multi-phase plan to determine how many and which schools will close. Once those determinations are made, the district will redraw boundaries and consolidate schools. According to the district, enrollment peaked at 30,216 students in 2019. The district now has 28,140 students. Projections show enrollment dropping to just under 26,000 students over the next 15 years — a decrease of about 4,000 students from its peak. Officials have pointed to slowed birth rates, rising housing costs and an aging population as key factors in the decline.
Read more: Johnson County Post

On February 3rd, Clay Center City Council approved an ordinance to allow utility vehicles within city limits. Work-site vehicles, golf carts, and micro utility trucks will be eligible for in-town use. Drivers must register their vehicles and display their registration sticker clearly on the left side of the vehicle. In addition, an affixed flag needs to be displayed six feet off the ground. City Attorney Dusty Mullin, said the flag needs to be visible while the vehicle is in motion.  The ordinance goes into effect April 1st. 
Read more: KCLY Radio

The McPherson Fire Department gave the public a chance to see its two newest trucks on Thursday. The trucks — also called brush trucks or wildland attack units — give firefighters a faster, more agile vehicle that can more easily maneuver rough terrain compared with traditional fire engines, making them ideal for battling wildfires. They each hold 600 gallons of water. “It does improve efficiency,” Fire Chief Chad Mayberry said. “It allows us to stack the two trucks on the fire line potentially.”
Read more: KSN-TV

Help is on the way for rural Kansas communities in need of housing. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) announced nearly $14 million in funding for development across the state, targeted at medium-income households. The funding comes through two programs operated by the KHRC: the Moderate-Income Housing (MIH) program and the Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credits (KHITCs). According to the KHRC, the Kansas Legislature created the MIH in 2012 to serve those people who have high enough salaries to not be eligible for public housing but don’t earn adequate money to comfortably navigate the housing market.
Read more: KSN-TV

No official date was mentioned and there are still some things to finalize, but the main decision has been made. The Americus City Council voted 4-0 to discontinue the town’s police department Tuesday. Mirroring a conversation KVOE News had with City Council President Nicky Nuessen last week, City Council member Bill Harmon says the board did all it could — but it had to make a tough choice.
Read more: KVOE

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County has approved what could be a $450 million incentive package to help finance a new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are building a 65,000-seat, $3 billion domed stadium that is expected to be ready for the 2031 season. The stadium and an adjacent $325 million entertainment district are expected to take up about 235 acres near the Kansas Speedway. In Johnson County, the Olathe City Council approved another Chiefs-related development earlier this week. The team headquarters and training facility would take over a 165-acre development costing around $400 million, KCUR reported.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Reno County Commissioners were critical Wednesday, Feb. 11, of legislation introduced last week in Topeka that would limit local governments’ authority regarding land use and taxation. Commission Chairman Ron Hirst said it was important enough that he brought it up before business items on the commission’s meeting agenda, citing two specific bills: House Bill 2728 and House Bill 2745. H.B. 2728 was introduced Feb. 5 by District 97 Rep. Nick Hoheisel on behalf of the Consumer Energy Alliance, a lobbying group whose members include Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell USA. H.B. 2728 would forbid counties, cities, and townships from adopting moratoriums on any energy facility development—including electricity generation and battery storage—longer than 30 days without approval of the Kansas Corporation Commission, and such moratoriums would require additional approval from the KCC to extend beyond 120 days. It was referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications. No hearing was set as of Wednesday.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

How Hutchinson’s combined sales tax rate compares to other cities in the region will depend, in part, on whether voters approve a March 3 referendum for a 0.75% sales tax, although some nearby cities will have higher rates regardless of the election’s outcome. Hutchinson City Council set a March 3 special election on whether to institute a new 0.75% sales tax, which would increase the combined sales tax rate in the city from 8.25% to 9% on non-food items. If voters approve the referendum, the new 9% rate would still be lower than McPherson, whose tax rate is increasing from 9% to 9.5% on April 1, and Salina, whose combined sales tax rate is 9.25%. Looking further afield, it would also be lower than the rate in Manhattan, which is either 9.15% or 9.45%, depending on whether one is shopping in Riley or Pottawatomie County, respectively.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Four 11-year-old boys tugged at the heartstrings of Humboldt Council members Monday night in their request for a skate park.  “Right now, a lot of kids our age don’t have many places to go after school or on weekends,” Elisha Ivy read from a prepared statement. “Most of the time we end up stuck inside on phones, tablets or video games. A skate park would give us a safe place to be active, hang out with friends, and do something healthy instead of being on electronics all the time.” Standing with Elisha were Trev Johnston, Tripp Korte and Ryker Roach.  In their consultations with grown-ups, the boys figured a skate park would cost around $7,000 to $10,000.  When queried by new Council member John Lassman where they thought a skateboarding park should be located, Elisha’s father, Milton Ivy, said Cannon Park would be ideal, noting a “75-by-75 space that would be ample.” Council members appeared to wholeheartedly support the idea, saying that the Council’s recreation committee would study the proposal.  
Read more: The Iola Register

In her annual report to Iola City Council members Monday, economic development director Camille Lavon said her focuses include strengthening existing businesses and entrepreneurs. Hit the ground running? Camille Lavon arrived as economic development director for Iola and Allen County last summer, going at Usain Bolt-like speed. In the six months since, Lavon has garnered a greater appreciation for what the economic needs are in an increasingly tumultuous climate, particularly for southeast Kansas. She noted, in response to a question during Iola’s City Council meeting Monday, that Iola stacks up favorably with other communities across the region in terms of economic viability.
Read more: The Iola Register

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

With the proposed 0.75% sales tax increase on the March 3 ballot, City of Hutchinson officials outlined all the cost-saving and efficiency measures they have taken to maintain the city’s current levels of service at Tuesday night’s Hutchinson City Council meeting. Below is the list of cost-saving and efficiency measures taken by the city.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

When asked what she is most proud of when it comes to the Hutchinson School District, Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson quickly pointed to the faculty and staff. “Educators are a unique lot. They’re a great lot, thank goodness for them,” Johnson said. “You just don’t stop being a teacher at 4 o’clock, you know, when you leave for the end of the day. So, so many of our teachers support in other ways in the community.” Teachers throughout the district volunteer at community organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, and are actively involved in supporting students and their families outside the classroom, she said. “They’re not just here to teach and get a paycheck,” she said. “They’re here because they care.” Not only do the district’s teachers care about students, they care about their professional development as well, she said. “Of the 422 certified staff and staff and administrators, 261, so 62% have a master’s degree or higher,” she said. That combined passion for educational excellence and taking care of students is reflected in the district’s increasing graduation rates and drop in absenteeism since 2022 when the district implemented its latest strategic plan, she noted.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Jessica Thompson isn’t often prone to hyperbole. But she can’t help but gush when talking about a housing rehabilitation initiative, made possible through a $1.4 million grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka. “We’re just really excited about it,” said Thompson, chief strategy and development officer for Thrive Allen County. “This is going to change a lot of lives, for the better.” With the grant, Thrive plans to assist at least 50 Allen County homeowners with critical repairs to their houses. The program is targeted for those who fall within the low-to-moderate income brackets. Special considerations will be given to disabled, elderly and veterans, or those with weatherization issues.
Read more: The Iola Register

An Iola city councilman says the city should consider adding columbariums at Highland Cemetery, as a low-cost option for families to hold loved ones’ cremated remains. Columbariums can be considered as a low-cost alternative for loved ones who turn to cremation instead of traditional burials for funeral services. Dying can be expensive. And it’s often unexpected. “A lot of people don’t plan for that situation,” Iola City Councilman Mark Peters noted at the Council’s Jan. 20 meeting. Faced with assorted funeral costs for a traditional funeral, many opt for a less expensive option — cremation.
Read more: The Iola Register

The Garden City Commission approved a preventative maintenance treatment for some asphalt roads in the city at its regular meeting on Tuesday. The treatment, an asphalt street rejuvenation product known as Reclamite, made by Proseal Inc., was approved for a total of $72,642.32 and will treat approximately 3.11 miles of road in the Chappel Heights neighborhood as well as Susan Street, Park View Drive, Jenna Lane, and sections of Warrior Street, Cole Circle, and Amy Street. Tyler Patterson, Public Works Operation Manager, said in August of 2023 the Professional Engineering Consultants, the city’s engineering firm, conducted a Street Evaluation & Rating Study, along with recommendations on ongoing street maintenance practices and found Proseal and their products Reclamite, which they are the sole-source provider of.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

Reporting sexual assault can be difficult because of the trauma involved. To help survivors, the Riley County Police Department now offers “Seek Then Speak,” an online tool that provides a safe, private way to explore options and start the reporting process. The tool works on a smartphone and connects users to resources, medical exams, and support services. The “Seek” section helps survivors gather information and consider their options, while “Speak” guides them in documenting evidence for a police report at their own pace. Users can share as much or as little as they want, and the program creates a PDF that can be saved or sent to law enforcement. Other victim service partners in Riley County have endorsed the tool, and RCPD is the second law enforcement agency in Kansas to make it available.
Read more: KCLY Radio

The City of Sedgwick broke ground on its new fire and EMS station on Friday. City officials say the project was roughly 10 years in the making. Fire and EMS Chief Zane Hansen, for the City of Sedgwick, said the new building will provide essential support to the city’s emergency services. He estimates the current station was built in the 1970s, adding that due to its age, it cannot adequately support all of the department’s needs. “Some of the equipment barely fits by inches, and so we’re building a facility that’s going to be able to grow with us into the future,” Hansen said.
Read more: KSN-TV

A developer is sharing new details about a $50 million “luxury” apartment complex coming to Topeka’s downtown area. We got in touch with David Wingerson, a developer with Flaherty & Collins Properties, to learn more about what Topeka locals should expect from “The Hutch,” a new 192-room apartment complex with a price tag of $50 million. The four-story complex is set to be constructed in the city’s downtown area between Southwest Van Buren Street and Southwest Jackson Street along with between Southwest Sixth Street and Southwest Seventh Street.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Overland Park Police could begin releasing body camera footage in critical situations involving police officers, like shootings or instances of potential misconduct — something, historically, the department has rarely done. This week, the department announced it was rolling out a revised policy on body cameras, crafted with input from department leadership, community stakeholders, the civil rights group ACLU and legal professionals, Police Chief Doreen Jokerst said. “I wanted to make sure that it was clear and defined that we would be releasing [footage] post-officer-involved shooting [and] critical incidents,” she said. The new policy, which became official Tuesday, takes effect a couple of months after Overland Park Police rolled out new body cameras as part of a technology overhaul with what department officials have described as a more integrated, more efficient and easier-to-use system.
Read more: Johnson County Post

As dozens of local officials and advocates recently took a peek at Maura Heft’s new three-bedroom home, she proudly showed off her spacious kitchen with dark wood cabinets and joyfully explained that the home came with a finished basement. Heft and her 6-year-old daughter were moving into their first home that they own. They are the first tenants to move into a new type of affordable housing constructed by Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City on the southern edge of Olathe in Johnson County. It’s a 14-home neighborhood built on a community land trust. That’s a real estate tool that allows the organization to sell the homes at a reduced price — and keep them affordable in the future. Habitat for Humanity sold the home to Heft for about $250,000, less than half of the average home price in the county.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Property owners in Wyandotte County who want to cash in on World Cup demand will navigate a new application system that includes third-party inspections but promises to be faster.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

“Our landlord, he’s able to work with us, that way my kids can have a place of their own,” Juan Horn said. “It means a lot to have a home of our own … to be able to say that we have a home and this is ours.” Having a stable roof over his head has changed the life of Horn for the better. And the lives of his family members. He and his children were living in a homeless shelter when the shelter told him about new modular homes being made available to renters in north-central Wichita. Now, they’re living situation has improved tremendously. The house that Horn calls home as a tenant was made possible by a partnership. Wichita Affordable Housing LLC, a social impact fund, is working with Rev. Dr. Kevass J Harding and Hope Community Development Corporation, and Prime Craftsman Homes out of Oklahoma to build high quality affordable homes in the Wichita area. 
Read more: KLC Journal

If you tried to make an online Wichita water bill payment Monday, you may have experienced a problem. The City of Wichita said BridgePay, a third-party credit card processing vendor, is reporting a nationwide service disruption. The disruption has impacted credit and debit card payments and auto payments on link.wichita.gov. But checking accounts are working, the city said.
Read more: KSN-TV

A tried-and-true process has recently been brought to the U.S., and more recently to Kansas. Thanks to the 2019 Farm Bill, hemp is allowed to be used in new affordable homes built by Habitat for Humanity with the help of volunteers and students at Kansas State University. Michael Gibson, an architecture professor at K-State, has been working with Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills since 2020 to help confront the affordability crisis in Manhattan. Gibson has led a seminar where his students, in collaboration with the non-profit, have built affordable homes in Ogden. During his fall 2024 seminar class, Gibson completed some research on what they can use in this home that would not only make it affordable but also allow it to be net positive.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

The City of Topeka is rolling out a revamped online map system to make city maps and geospatial information more accessible for locals. The city’s new interactive online map system aims to modernize its website by transitioning the Geographic Information System Hub into a dedicated “.gov” domain, where city geospatial information is centralized. The GIS Hub consists of geographic information about the city, along with city maps and applications.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

The city of Wichita wants to establish its own Homestead Property Tax Relief Program if a 1% sales tax proposal is approved by voters on March 3. The state already has such a program, which provides low-income residents with up to hundreds of dollars in property tax rebates each year.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

CoreCivic is a step closer to reopening its private prison in Leavenworth as a lucrative immigration detention center after the city planning commission approved a special use permit over objections from local advocates. A four-hour planning commission meeting on Monday included input from advocates on both sides of the issue, ejection of a long-time community teacher after he yelled about free speech and police escorts for CoreCivic officials when they went to the restroom. Approval, with one no vote from board chairman Ken Bateman, came after the planning commission made changes in the permit originally recommended by city staff, including questioning CoreCivic officials in attendance about their processes.  The permit will now move to the Leavenworth City Commission for a vote. 
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Panasonic’s Kansas battery plant will ramp up to 50% of its production capacity in the next few months, a company executive said Monday. Kristen Walters, Panasonic Energy vice president of human resources, said the company is starting two new production lines at its De Soto plant, adding to two lines already in operation. Construction has begun on the second wing of the lithium-ion battery cell plant, and two of the wing’s four lines will be in operation in 2027, Walters said in a virtual interview. The plant opened in July amidst concerns political changes would affect operations. The Trump administration eliminated tax credits for buying electric vehicles, which dropped the industry’s sales at the end of last year in the fourth quarter by 36%, year over year, according to Cox Automotive. Walters said Panasonic Energy has added battery customers in addition to Tesla, which is its largest customer. 
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Manhattan city officials are discussing ceasing the publication of legal notices in The Mercury and instead posting them on the city government’s own website, driving through a loophole in state law. City manager Danielle Dulin proposed the switch during the city commission’s retreat Tuesday, saying that it would save $17,000 to $20,000 per year and streamline workflow. Under Kansas law, cities are required to designate an official newspaper for publishing legal notices, which also go to the newspapers’ websites and a searchable database of similar notices from around the state and nation. A legal notice is an advertisement to notify the public about impending government actions, like a tax increase or a rezoning of property.
Read more: News Radio KMAN

The City of Hutchinson is launching Build Hutch, a new small-scale developer program designed to help local residents turn interest in development into action and reinvest directly in Hutchinson neighborhoods. Build Hutch represents a new approach to local development. Rather than relying solely on outside developers, the City is intentionally building capacity among residents who already live, work, and invest in the community. The program focuses on small, achievable projects that collectively strengthen neighborhoods and support long-term growth. The program is led by the City of Hutchinson’s Strategic Growth Department, with funding awarded by the Hutchinson Community Foundation and program delivery provided by Neighborhood Evolution, a national leader in small-scale development training.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

McPherson County Commissioners Monday approved the final resolutions to extend moratoriums on battery and hydrogen energy storage systems to Sept. 1 and another for data centers to Dec. 1. All three resolutions have a provision where they can be lifted individually as such time as regulations are in place. Also approved was a zoning code amendment related to race tracks that sets out requirements for special use permits, including that they be at least one mile from existing homes, schools, hospitals or platted subdivisions. It also includes a notification requirement for property owners within a five-mile radius and sets out other regulatory criteria. Even with the enlarged radius, the area from which protest petitions can be filed remains as is. Purchase of new service weapons for McPherson County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Officers was approved. Sheriff Jerry Montagne said in the past reserve deputies had to furnish their own weapon, but that changed largely for liability reasons, including a desire to have all officers, regular or reserve, to have the same weapon.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

Cowley County will consider actions it can take to try and slow down the construction of a proposed Evergy electric transmission line through the county, commissioners discussed during their Tuesday meeting. The project has been met with widespread opposition from property owners, who say it will damage the land and infringe on private property rights, among other concerns. The Cowley County Commission has also formally opposed the project. The transmission line, called the Buffalo Flats project after the name of the substation near Garden Plain where the line would begin, would cross through Sedgwick, Sumner, Cowley and Chautauqua counties, ending at the Kansas/Oklahoma border, with the remaining 30 miles built by another company before ending at an electric substation in Delaware, Okla. Evergy has said the project will enhance electrical reliability and strengthen the power grid.
Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

The Finney County Commission approved a task order for a US Highway 83/50 Bypass study at its regular meeting on Monday. Derek Ramos, Finney County Administrator, said Finney County Commission and the Garden City Commission directed staff to develop a task order via Wilson and Company in order to provide technical assistance to both governing bodies on the US Highway 83/50 Bypass study the Kansas Department of Transportation is conducting. A Request for Proposals for professional services related to the study is due to KDOT by Feb. 4, Ramos said. “KDOT anticipates executing an agreement with the selected consultant by the end of March 2026, with the study scheduled to begin April 1, 2026, and take approximately one year to complete,” he said. Ramos said the task order will have Wilson and Company serve in a technical advisory position specific to the Bypass study, providing technical representation for the governing bodies throughout the study’s process, assisting staff and elected officials in communicating and advocating for local interests.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

The Harvey County Food & Farm Council is celebrating a decade of finding ways to get food to people. They’ve done that in many ways, and they’re working on more. One of the council members, Peace Connections Director Kendra Davila, said she feels they’re building a more resilient food system. An example of that is the Double Up Food Bucks, which is a statewide food program. People can use the food bucks at the local farmer’s market if they qualify and then can purchase $20 worth of food there for $10. The council is an advisory group of the Board of Harvey County Commissioners, said Harvey County Health Department Director and Council Coordinator Lynnette Redington. The council has 16 members and two vacant spots. They don’t lobby. They just educate and advocate, if need be. They advise the commission on food and tell them about the council’s stance on topics.
Read more: Harvey County Now