Kansas Municipal News
Nearly 1,000 traffic cases dismissed in Douglas County District Court
In hopes of avoiding numerous driver’s license suspensions, Douglas County District Court judges have dismissed about 940 traffic cases. The circumstances of the batch dismissals are also mentioned in a pending disciplinary matter against Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez. The traffic court docket, which generally brings dozens of people into one courtroom on Friday mornings, was placed on hold for the height of the pandemic. The DA’s office also continued cases on the docket during the delta variant wave in winter going into 2022.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for September 1, 2023
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 August 31, 2023
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.
Fed’s Bostic says U.S. interest rates are high enough
Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Raphael Bostic laid out a case on Thursday against any further U.S. interest rate hikes, saying monetary policy is already tight enough to bring inflation back down to 2% over a “reasonable” period. “I feel policy is appropriately restrictive,” Bostic said in remarks prepared for delivery to the South African Reserve Bank Biennial Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. “We should be cautious and patient and let the restrictive policy continue to influence the economy, lest we risk tightening too much and inflicting unnecessary economic pain.” However, “that does not mean I am for easing policy any time soon,” he noted. U.S. central bankers are widely expected to leave the Fed’s policy rate in the current range of 5.25%-5.5% when they next meet in a little less than three weeks. But financial markets are pricing in close to even odds that the Fed will ultimately lift that rate another quarter of a percentage point by year’s end, given still too-high inflation, stronger-than-expected economic growth and still-low unemployment, most recently measured at 3.5%.
Source: CNBC
Stevens County Farm Bureau Initiative focuses on food insecurity
With help from Kansas Farm Bureau’s campaign to End Hunger, Stevens County Farm Bureau is working to address food insecurity issues in Hugoton. This project came about in 2022 when County Coordinator Jamie Gooch contacted Nancy Bansemer with Project Hope to see what FB could do in helping feel any needs in our community for meat and nutritious food. Nancy was again quick to respond that they were always low on meat in their freezers and were currently trying to serve several families in our community. This project being so successful last year, plans were set forth to continue this End Hunger project for the second year. 4-H Leader Stacy Dillinger again helped with co- ordinating information with the four 4-H Clubs in the County.
Source: Hugoton Hermes News
Presidential council calls for privatization of water systems
President Joe Biden’s infrastructure advisory council is recommending privatization and long-term leases of water systems to help manage what the council warned is a looming crisis facing the nation’s aging water infrastructure. The recommendations come in a 39-page report released Monday from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, comprised of 30 state, local and private sector leaders who advise the president on risks to the nation’s critical infrastructure. The council voted unanimously Monday to approve the report. Among its recommendations, the NIAC called for the creation of a federal water department or an equivalent cabinet-level agency to oversee a national strategy to shore up the nation’s aging water infrastructure.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Mulvane celebrates 150th Old Settlers
Crowds swarmed the streets of downtown Mulvane through the final weekend of August, “harvesting memories” as the city celebrated the 150th year of the traditional Old Settlers Days festival. Aug. 26 was even officially proclaimed Mulvane Old Settlers Day by the Sedgwick County Commission. Winners were crowned in everything from photography competitions to the rodeo to the annual Little Miss Pioneer contest. In its 150th year, the festival showed no signs of slowing down offering fun for all ages with musical performances, a parade, carnival, car show and much more.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Valley Center rejects school bond issue, Clearwater approves sales tax
There were split results in special elections for two Sedgwick County communities. In a mail ballot election that was tabulated Tuesday, Valley Center voters rejected a school bond issue. There were 2,159 no votes to 1,983 in favor of the proposal, giving the no ballots 52 percent of the total. The almost 74 million dollar proposal would have constructed a new elementary school and added 20 classrooms to the high school. Superintendent Greg Lehr said in a statement on social media, “While the bond did not pass, the needs remain. Because several USD 262 schools are at or over capacity with students and our district continues to grow, classroom space will have to be addressed.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
The City of Wichita is investigating a fire that caused part of a popular biking trail to collapse
The City of Wichita is investigating a fire that was set in two drains causing a section of the Red Bud Biking trail to collapse. The Red Bud biking trail is a beloved path in Wichita. Chris Majors takes a ride on his green bike on the Red Bud every single morning rain or shine. However, today his daily bike ride didn’t quite go as planned. “I can’t pass through right now,” he says while pointing at the large white sign that reads ‘Sidewalk Closed.'” This is because of a fire that was set inside two culverts underneath the bike trail between Woodlawn and Rock Road. The city says these pipes were about 42 inches in diameter and almost 60 feet long. The fire in them caused a part of the path to collapse which makes the trail unsafe for bikers.
Source: KAKE – News
Panasonic makes De Soto footprint even bigger
Panasonic announced it will lease 509,760 square feet in the Flint Commerce Center, roughly a mile from its $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant that is currently under construction. Flint Commerce Center is expected to open in summer 2024 at the corner of 103rd Street and Edgerton Road. Panasonic’s space is expected to be right on that corner of the 370-acre park. De Soto Mayor Rick Walker says the city was trying to spark economic development on that site even before conversations started with Panasonic about their new home down the road.
Source: KSN-TV
Ulysses votes ‘no’ to USD 214 special bond
Ulysses held a special election on Tuesday where voters were presented with two questions. Find the unofficial results below: Shall USD 214 be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $44,750,000 to renovate Hicktok Elementary School, Sullivan Elementary School, Keply Middle School, and Ulysses High School? No: 929; Yes: 241. Shall the City of Ulysses be authorized to impose a 1% special purpose Citywide retailers’ sales tax (the “Educational Sales Tax”) to assist USD 214 in paying for their special bond if it is passed? No: 637; Yes: 290
Source: KSN-TV
Why it’s taking so long to build Wichita’s new transit center
Plans to move Wichita’s transit center from downtown to the area near Riverfront Stadium in Delano have been in the works for years. We asked the City when the facility is being built and what is taking so long. The City is calling the new transit center a multimodal center. It’s supposed to replace the current transit facility downtown. That location will become the home of the Wichita State University and the University of Kansas biomedical campus. Federal funding covering 75% of the cost of the new transit center has been secured since 2019, but construction has yet to begin.
Source: KSN-TV
Voters say no to Decatur County USD 294 special bond
Voters said no to the Decatur County USD 294 special bond Tuesday. There was a 53.714% voter turnout. According to unofficial results, 362 voters voted yes, and 621 voters voted no. Residents in USD 294 Oberlin voted no on a $29.15 million issue to replace a 96-year-old elementary school and update the 84-year-old Decatur County Junior and Senior High School with additions and renovations that would have also housed the grade school. The district said the bond would be financed over 30 years.
Source: KSN-TV
Voters say yes to the Clearwater special sales tax
Voters said yes to the Clearwater special sales tax Tuesday. Of 1,689 registered voters, there were 257 ballots cast, resulting in a 15.22% voter turnout. According to unofficial results, 191 voters voted yes, and 65 voters voted no. One ballot is provisional. The City of Clearwater asked voters to approve a 1% sales tax hike for street improvements. That would mean an extra one cent of sales tax for every dollar spent in the town. The City says the sales tax will bring in $220,000 annually.
Source: KSN-TV
Fort Scott begins water conservation as drought looms over several SEK counties
The City of Fort Scott is implementing some water conservation efforts, in response to the Kansas governor including Bourbon County in the drought emergency declaration earlier this month. The city, itself, is currently not affected by the state “water emergency” since the water supply does not come from a state-owned water source. But City Manager Brad Matkin says the city’s water storage has fallen below 70% and is not expected to recover within a normal time range. Residents are now under a “water warning” as of Wednesday, with a goal of reducing peak demands by 20% and reducing overall weekly consumption by 10%.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Louisburg set for Labor Day weekend festivities
The 51st annual truck and tractor pull sponsored by the American Legion is set to kick off the community’s three-day Labor Day celebration. The truck and tractor pull will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at Lewis-Young Park, located at 26600 Jingo Road, a short distance northwest of Louisburg. Concessions will be sold by the Sons of the American Legion. Wayne Knop, commander of the John P. Hand American Legion Post No. 250 in Louisburg, said the truck and tractor pull is the Legion’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Miami County finalizes sales tax ballot question for courthouse
Miami County commissioners have been adamant about the need to renovate and repair the historic Miami County Courthouse and build additional courtroom space for the cramped Miami County District Court. Whether or not those improvements are paid for by a new quarter-cent sales tax or potential property tax increases via future hikes in the county budget is something voters will decide when they head to the polls during the Nov. 7 general election.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Prairie Village to consider establishing public arts fund policy
Prairie Village wants to ramp up its public art inventory. After years of discussion in committee meetings, the Prairie Village City Council will soon consider establishing a public arts fund policy. This policy would establish the way Prairie Village purchases public art, including how to fund it and where the art would be placed.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Shawnee remains undecided on possible ban on AirBnBs
Shawnee city councilmembers expressed mixed feelings about moving forward with regulating short-term rental properties, including potentially banning them from all residential zones of the city. On Monday, the city council committee — which convened immediately after a lengthy regular city council meeting — discussed several options for short-term rentals, like AirBnBs and VRBOs. The idea of a short-term rental ban was previously brought to the city council in April, when several residents from the McAnany Estates subdivision spoke out against short-term rentals in their area, which they said had begun popping up more frequently in recent years.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Pratt denies special liquor sales on Main Street
At their August 21 meeting, the Pratt City Commissioners denied a proposal for looser liquor laws on Main Street. The proposal was presented by John Beverlin on behalf of one of his clients, Lotus Aesthetics and Wellness. Lotus Aesthetics, a medical spa at 310 S. Main in Pratt, will be celebrating its grand opening on September 6 from 5-8 pm. The owners had hoped to be able to bring in a mobile cocktail establishment to serve cocktails at the event. The vendor serves the cocktails out of a heavily modified horse trailer that would have had to have been parked in front of Lotus Aesthetics with the service window toward the store so that it could have served customers on the public sidewalk.
Source: Pratt Tribune