Kansas Municipal News
Geographic wonders: Sign up for poster project and illustrate beauty of JoCo’s parks
If you have artistic talents and want a place to show them off, Johnson County Park & Recreation has a project for you. It’s gearing up for its second annual poster project promoting local parks. Applications to be part of it are due March 26. Styled after the Works Progress Administration posters for national parks of the late 1930s and early 1940s, this year’s batch of posters will feature Antioch Park, Ernie Miller Park, Mill Creek Streamway Park and Stilwell Community Park. The idea is to make sure the parks “represented geographic diversity across Johnson County, some of our older parks mixed with some of our newer parks,” said Susan Mong, superintendent of culture for Johnson County Park & Recreation District. Last year’s featured parks included Shawnee Mission Park and Big Bull Creek Park. The county has been selling posters, notecards and postcards of last year’s designs both online and at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center. Interested artists should have a background in graphic design or illustration, but a huge professional portfolio is not a necessity to compete. Even students can apply just by showing examples of pieces done in the past.
Source: Joco 913 News
Pittsburg adopts stricter lawn parking rules
Pittsburg city commissioners approve a measure keeping vehicles off of lawns. At a commission meeting earlier this month, an ordinance banning the parking of vehicles on lawns, grass, or landscaped areas was adopted by commissioners. City leaders say several factors led to the move, including vehicle safety, environmental concerns, and the impact on city infrastructure and utilities. “When there are vehicles, whether they’re inoperable or they’re operable, they’re running vehicles, or they’re used daily parked in the front of a home, in the yard, you know, that’s going to be where your utilities are running. That’s not meant to have a vehicle on top of utilities,” said Kim Froman, Director of Community Development and Housing, City of Pittsburg. The first offense will lead to a $25 ticket, with fines increasing for each additional offense.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Bourbon County’s sales tax vote approaches
In less than two months, Bourbon County residents will head to the polls to decide the fate of a county-wide sales tax. “We want the public involved in this. We want them to help make this decision. That’s why we put it to a vote,” said Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commissioners Chairman. The one-quarter cent tax would be used to establish and operate an emergency department in Bourbon County. “We’re negotiating today with health care providers. We’ve got to show that we will have some funding to sign agreements with them because they’re not going to come here and $750,000 a year just because they like us,” said Harris. Bourbon County hasn’t had emergency health care services since Via Christi closed its emergency department in Fort Scott in December of last year. “Our goal is to have the special election get the funds coming in. We are negotiating with some health care providers today, 24 seven So we’ve got to start raising funds because we know we’re going to move forward. We have to subsidize it,” said Harris. If approved, the sales tax would last five years and is expected to generate 750 thousand dollars.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Governor Kelly Announces More than $76M Investment by Marvin, Creating 600 Jobs in Kansas City, Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that Marvin, a premium manufacturer of windows and doors, has selected Kansas City, Kansas, as the future home of its latest manufacturing facility. Marvin is investing $76.5 million to build a 400,000-square-foot facility in the Scannell 435 Logistics Center. Upon completion in 2025, Marvin anticipates employing approximately 100 team members in full-time positions across its manufacturing, fabrication, and assembly divisions to produce the company’s industry-leading fiberglass window and door solutions. With progressive annual growth, Marvin expects to employ a 600-person workforce in Kansas City by 2028. “Marvin’s investment emphasizes that my administration’s approach to attracting business into our state is working,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We are delivering on our commitment to making Kansas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.” Marvin conducted extensive research across multiple states before selecting Kansas City, Kansas, for this development. A strong workforce, state and local commitment to education, a collaborative approach to economic development, and compatibility all contributed to Marvin’s final selection.
Source: Sunflower State Radio Network
Gamblers excited for Golden Circle casino opening in Park City next year
This week, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission gave an update on when to expect the highly anticipated Golden Circle to open in Park City. “Just the thrill of it all, you know. Just the unknown. Not knowing if you’re going to win or lose,” said Kim Craig. People who enjoy spending time and money at slot machines have different reasons for why they do it. For Craig, it’s about more than just the thrill. “Just the getaway. It’s a getaway. It’s like, you don’t have to think of anything else while you’re in there,” said Craig. That’s why she was so excited this week when KRGC finally nailed down a solid timeline for when the new historic horse racing facility will open in Park City. “Their estimated go-live date is September of 2025,” said KRGC representative Brandi White. It all started in 2022 when owner Phil Ruffin hired an auction company to sell everything inside the old Greyhound Park that closed in 2007. Ruffin pulled the plug on the sale last minute before announcing his new plan to turn it into Golden Circle. “They will open with 1,000 historical horse racing machines and a simulcasting facility. They’ll also have a pizza by the slice, a deli, a smoothie bar, a rooftop patio, and they intend to open with an entertainment amphitheater,” said White. White explained in the meeting how the casino will be a totally new experience for gamblers like Craig.
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita breaks ground on new wastewater facility
On Friday, the City of Wichita broke ground on a new wastewater center, which is part of the Biological Nutrient Removal program (BNR). The BNR is the second-largest infrastructure investment in the city’s history, costing $357 million. The project is expected to be completed by 2027. The project is focused on improving the Arkansas River water quality, rehabilitating critical infrastructure and addressing the strong odor that has plagued the southside of Wichita for years. “The smell gets like stronger and stronger depending on like the week, and it gets like I’m just so nose blind, I don’t really smell it anymore, but I see people coming in my store with like their shirts over their noses because the smell is just so strong and overpowering,” southside Wichita Dollar General Manager Michael Loper said. The City says coverings will be placed over some of the clarifiers to help reduce the odor. “Basically putting lids on the clarifiers, doing some processing things differently. They’re going to help with the outer control. That part should be in place by 2026. Spent a lot of time talking, and the people in the neighborhoods and the areas that spend time down here and there’s certainly ready for that,” Director of Public Works Gary Janzen said.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita may pull public notices from the Wichita Eagle. But will that hurt transparency?
The City of Wichita could soon become one of the largest cities in Kansas to withdraw its public notices from its paper of record. The City Council wants to review the city’s contract with McClatchy, the Wichita Eagle’s parent company. The surprise move at the council’s first evening meeting came at about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, when only half a dozen attendees were still in the audience. “No citizen is reading a legal notice in the newspaper anyway,” council member Dalton Glasscock said. “I’ve never done that. I can guarantee you most citizens aren’t doing that anyway.” The city currently spends $150,000 a year to publish the legal notices, which deal mainly with zoning cases, changes in city ordinances, budget issues and other city happenings. Representatives at McClatchy declined to comment. The Kansas Press Association, which collects all of the state’s public notices through its media partners and archives them, says publishing notices in the paper helps keep local governments accountable. “There’s a lot of benefits to keep it in a third party, but number one is transparency,” KPA Executive Director Emily Bradbury said. Some council members pushed back against the notion that $150,000 a year – about .02% of the city’s annual budget – is a waste of taxpayers money, especially when it comes to transparency.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for March 22, 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 March 21, 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.
Newton City Clerk Denise Duerksen has been named City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year
City Clerk Denise Duerksen has been named the 2024 Mildred Vance City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year for the State of Kansas. This award is presented each year to a City Clerk or Finance Officer who has made significant contributions to the State association, the profession and their community. Denise has worked for the City for almost 33 years and has served as city clerk since 2007.
Source: City of Newton
Municipal Bond Trends for March 20, 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 March 19, 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.
A painting on the side of Cozy Inn that prompted a lawsuit against the city of Salina will remain unfinished and the city won’t take action against it for the time being. The Salina City Commission voted to approve a stipulation in the Cozy Inn vs. City of Salina case during a special meeting Monday. … According to the stipulation, this “status quo” means that the city won’t take any enforcement action against Cozy Inn as long as the hamburger shop won’t take “further action to complete the sign” while the case is pending in the U.S. District Court.
Source: Salina Journal
Small-town renaissance: Rising leaders help two Kansas communities defy expectations
There’s a commonly held belief that small, rural Kansas communities are evaporating from the windswept plains, plagued by a dwindling, aging population, and haunted by pressures of a modern world. Don’t tell that to the residents of Chase, population 390 in Rice County, and Pawnee Rock, population 190 in Barton County. Long dismissed, even mocked, as wide spots along U.S. Highway 56, folks there are making their stand, spurred by an influx of new families. “We’re proud of where we are from,” said Chase Mayor Tom Kizzar. “There’s not much left, but we are going to go down swinging. We’re doing alright. We’re trying.”
Source: KAKE – News
Groundwater measurement results mixed in western Kansas
Preliminary groundwater level measurements compiled by the Kansas Geological Survey show mixed results for western and south-central Kansas in 2023, with some areas in the northwest and west-central part of the state experiencing increases for the first time in three or more years. “In the Ogallala portion of the High Plains aquifer, the aquifer had a chance to ‘reset’ in 2023, given some timely rains in the summer months,” Brownie Wilson, KGS water-data manager, said. Measurements in those areas reflect a rebound from lower-than-normal groundwater levels caused by the extreme drought conditions seen in 2022.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Leawood moves ahead with renovations at 2 major city parks
New shelters at Leawood City Park and playgrounds at Tomahawk Park got unanimous approval Monday from the Leawood City Council. The new fixtures will update structures that are decades old, said Chris Claxton, director of city parks, recreation and cultural arts.
Source: Johnson County Post
Prairie Village City Council gets first look at new city hall design
Prairie Village residents will soon be able to provide input on a new $30 million city hall project. The Prairie Village City Council on Monday got a first look at renderings for the new city hall, a project officials have been working on since 2022.
Source: Johnson County Post
New communication coming to all Ellsworth County first responders
Communication is improving for first responders in a central Kansas county. It’s all thanks to a $670,000 federal grant from Senator Jerry Moran’s office. Ellsworth County is using the money to buy 162 vehicle and handheld radios. The ones they have right now are close to 30 years old, and finding the parts to repair them is difficult.
Source: KSN-TV
Overland Park adopts its first official electric vehicle plan
Overland Park has started to solidify its electric vehicle plans, taking steps to possibly add more electrified vehicles to its own fleet and expand its public charging infrastructure. … The vote this week on the new plan falls short of formalizing any policy decisions — like whether or how much to charge drivers to use any public charging stations. Those discussions are expected to happen later. Instead, the 95-page plan is meant to help the city make plans “to implement a thoughtful strategy identifying needs and best practices” for EVs. Read the full adopted EV readiness plan here.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Municipal Bond Trends for March 18, 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.