Kansas Municipal News
Rural Counties Are Booming, but Can It Last?
Even in the face of inflation and the risk of recession, the broad economic prospects for rural America may be looking up for the first time in years. Small communities have long lagged far behind big cities in job creation and income growth. But since the pandemic, many are seeing an infusion of remote workers drawn by lower costs, laid-back lifestyles and natural beauty—and worn down by crime and other urban challenges. Their presence has helped spur hiring, income gains and home-price growth in rural towns. The question now is whether these transplants are there to stay.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Wichita firefighters, supporters protest at City Hall over wages
Wichita firefighters, their families and supporters cheered outside of Wichita City Hall on Tuesday after union officials told them that during contract negotiations they immediately rejected the city’s offer for raises. International Association of Fire Fighters Local 135 president Ted Bush said the city’s offer wasn’t even close to bringing firefighter wages up to a rate comparable with other large cities in the region. Union officials said firefighters have started to leave the department in large numbers and pay is a major reason why. The department being short-staffed, they said, is putting additional stress on the remaining firefighters.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Grow Labette reviews projects to benefit communities
The Grow Labette Coalition met last week to discuss projects in process and plans for the future to achieve healthier communities as a whole and affect people’s well-being. Grow Labette Coalition seeks to strengthen alliances with health care providers, the government, business and educational institutions to create healthy choices, while building a culture that celebrates the changes made available by these healthier opportunities. It operates as a part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Initiative, which provides community coalitions with the tools and resources needed to remove barriers and engage their communities in ways that support healthy eating, active living and reduce the use of commercial tobacco.
Source: Parsons Sun
Municipal Bond Trends for June 28, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Fed’s Williams sees 50 or 75 basis-point rate hike debated in July
Federal Reserve officials will discuss whether to raise rates by 50 basis points or 75 basis points when they meet next month, with the decision being determined by economic data, New York Fed President John Williams said on Tuesday. “In terms of our next meeting, I think 50 to 75 is clearly going to be the debate,” Williams said during an interview with CNBC. “My view is we’ve got to get interest rates higher, and we have to do that expeditiously.” The policy maker said he supports raising the Fed’s benchmark interest rate to a range of 3% to 3.5% by the end of this year, and that the path for next year will depend on the data. He said he expects economic growth to slow and the unemployment rate to rise as the Fed hikes borrowing costs to tame inflation, but he doesn’t project a recession.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Louisburg makes changes to vicious dog codes, lifts breed ban
The pit bull breed ban in the city of Louisburg has been lifted with action taken by the Louisburg City Council at its June 6 meeting. At the same meeting, the council passed two new ordinances that strengthen the dangerous and vicious animal laws inside the city limits. Both ordinances were unanimously approved by the five-member council and went into effect June 15 after publication in the official city newspaper. Under the new ordinance a dangerous animal is one that is defined that either attacks or bites any person or domestic animal or has attacked or bitten a person or domestic animal…
Source: Louisburg, KS
Governor approves drought declarations for Kansas counties
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has approved an update to drought declarations for all 105 counties in the state. The new declaration places all of the counties in a watch, warning or emergency status. The declaration places 34 western Kansas counties into an emergency status, while 8 counties have been placed in a warning, including Stafford, Pawnee, Pratt and Barber counties in southern Kansas. Sedgwick County and the surrounding counties in south central and central Kansas are among 63 counties that are under a watch.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Unincorporated Johnson County speed limit increases
On June 23, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners voted to increase speed limits on 13 segments of roads in unincorporated Johnson County, upon the recommendation of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Public Works Department. An engineering study was conducted to determine the 85th percentile speeds as well as a review of safety and sight distance issues at intersections and entrances. The 85th percentile is simply the speed that 85% of the drivers will operate and is an important component considered when posting speed limits. The 13 segments that met the criteria for safe increases in speed limits to either 40 or 45 MPH …
Source: Johnson County Kansas |
McPherson looks to add improvements with renewing second half-cent sales tax
The second half-cent sales tax is expected to end next year in McPherson, and after finishing many projects these past 10 years, the City wants to keep moving forward. If approved, this would keep the 9% sales tax in the city. The half-cent sales tax generates about $1.6 million each year over the course of 10 years. It has funded the renovation of the community building and the reconstruction of 1st Street. If approved for the next 10 years, 70% will go to street projects, and 20% will be for public lands like the golf course and parks.
Source: KSN-TV
Sedgwick County firefighters to receive $2m in funding
The Kansas Insurance Department (KID) has made a $2 million distribution to local Sedgwick County Firefighter Relief Associations (FRAs). The funds are being distributed to eight local FRAs in Sedgwick County, pursuant to the Kansas Firefighters Relief Act. A total of $2,054,954.93 has been distributed. The funds are generated by a 2% tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas. The FRAs primarily use these funds for insurance premiums and safety enhancements. Some FRAs may use these for the health, accident, disability and life insurance premiums of local firefighters.
Source: KSN-TV
“Grow Pittsburg” CDC hopes to continue city’s development
The Pittsburg community is hoping to start a new program to help with the ever-growing needs of the area. During Tuesday night’s commission meeting, members of Imagine Pittsburg will request $150,000 from the city to establish a new community development corporation called Grow Pittsburg. It would allow Imagine Pittsburg to set up a 501 (c)(3) and better look at ways to improve the community. That could include anything from housing to entertainment to education. Grow Pittsburg would be made up of members from Imagine Pittsburg, the city, school district, chamber and business community.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Over $1M in funds now available for part-time, volunteer Kansas fire departments
The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has announced that over $1.2 million have been made available to their office due to a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), on Tuesday. In 2022, $1.2 million was given to the OSFM through the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant (KFRSG), along with $100,000 from the OSFM’s budget, for the OSFM to disburse by June 30, 2023. “This increase in funding will go a long way in providing much needed equipment for our volunteer fire departments across the state,” said Doug Jorgensen, State Fire Marshal. “In many rural areas of our state, the smaller departments are the sole providers of fire and rescue response. So, it is vital that they have the proper safety gear and recruitment tools to ensure their community’s safety.”
Source: KSNT 27 News
Iola leader wants boost for economic development
Iola City Administrator Matt Rehder said Allen County and its cities should invest more in economic development. He suggested Iola, Humboldt and the county each invest the equivalent of 1 mill into the fund. Iola and Allen County should be investing more in economic development, City Administrator Matt Rehder said Monday. Rehder proposed to Iola City Council members the city increase its annual economic development investment from $20,000 to about $50,000, utilizing a tax increase for the funding. … Iola wouldn’t be the only local entity to pay more for economic development, Rehder offered, suggesting Allen County and Humboldt do the same.
Source: The Iola Register
Charging Forward: Bringing Electric Vehicles to Rural America
Register for this event on Thursday, July 7 at 2:00 p.m. ET. USDA Rural Development (RD) invites rural partners and stakeholders to join a webinar on Thursday, July 7 from 2-4 p.m. ET to learn about federal funding opportunities and programs to help develop electric infrastructure. Webinar participants will learn about funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will be administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help develop electric vehicle infrastructure.
The Act provided $7.5 billion to DOE and DOT to build a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations across the country. The Act also provided $5 billion for a bus replacement program. This includes $2.5 billion for electric buses and $2.5 billion for low-emission combustion engine buses. Webinar participants will also learn about RD programs that can help develop electric vehicle infrastructure and support related community economic development opportunities.
RD wants to ensure people in rural communities are able to take advantage of these opportunities to expand their electric vehicle infrastructure as part of their broader economic development strategies.
Click here to register for the webinar.
Visit the Department of Transportation website for additional information on the IIJA.
Serving his city
Despite not being born or raised in Salina, Dr. Trent Davis has done as much as he can to make the city better for the people and citizens he calls neighbors in this place he’s made home for the past 23 years. Davis spent his early life on the East Coast, being raised in Washington, D.C., going to undergraduate at Hobart College in New York and returning to Washington for medical school at Howard University. His career as a neurologist took him to California before he settled in Salina in 1999, the city he has called home since then. Even before being appointed to the Salina City Commission in 2014, to fill a vacancy at that time, Davis was already getting involved in making changes in the city that was relatively new to him “The organization I’ve probably worked the most with over the years (in Salina) has been the NAACP,” Davis said.
Source: Salina Journal
Number of people driving far above speed limit remains high
A sharp surge in people driving far above the speed limit accompanied the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas and surrounding states. Thousands were ticketed for going more than 100 mph. One driver doubled up, topping 200 mph. That person drove an Audi A7 sports car that was clocked in July 2021 going 202 mph in a 65 mph construction zone on the Kansas Turnpike, Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Herman Jones told a Kansas legislative committee last February.
Source: CJonline
Art in the Park gives ‘great day’ in downtown Garden City
Saturday was a great day for the Art in the Park. Katy Guthrie, Executive Director of Garden City Arts, which puts on the annual art festival in Stevens Park, said Saturday was a great day. It wasn’t 100 degrees outside and despite some wind and a little rain, it was good weatherwise. Plenty of people were in attendance, Guthrie said. It was busy throughout the morning and in the afternoon, there was a slow trickle of people, which picked up after lunch and the rain ended. Guthrie said it was great to have so many creatives gathered, and they were feeding off each other, some already planning what they’re going to do next year to make their booths better.
Source: GC Telegram
3 hotel developers look at Hutchinson, 1 explores fairgrounds option
Acting on a suggestion from the Chamber, a group of investors proposing to develop a Hilton Garden Inn in Hutchinson met last week with Kansas State Fair officials to explore locating the hotel on state property near the fairgrounds. Developer Aaron Brooks confirmed he met Thursday with Kansas State Fair Manager Bryan Schulz to explore the grounds and discuss the possibilities. But he provided no decision timeline. Hutchinson /Reno County Chamber of Commerce President Debra Teufel said that Brooks’ group is one of three developers looking at Hutchinson to construct a new hotel. Though one of those three has indicated Hutchinson was probably not a fit for their type of development, Teufel said, the other two could both decide to build here, with an announcement from one anticipated in the next month or two.
Source: Hutch News
Topeka leaders have new plan to get property owners to cut overgrown grass and weeds
Topeka’s city government is preparing to significantly change its approach for dealing with overgrown grass and weeds in local neighborhoods. For decades, the city has had property maintenance employees respond to complaints and find out if grass, weeds or other uncultivated vegetation is more than 12 inches tall. If it is, the city asks the property owner to cut the grass. If the owner doesn’t, the city has Shawnee County Jail inmate crews cut the grass, then bills the property owner. But the city is preparing to set up two separate programs aimed at improving on that, said city Councilwoman Karen Hiller. One will involve the city’s hiring a local company to mow lawns on a fixed-price basis for property owners who can’t do that personally but can afford to pay, she said. The other will involve volunteers signing up to mow lawns to aid property owners who are unable to mow those lawns and can’t afford to pay to have them mowed, Hiller said.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for June 27, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Leawood still working to clean up some large debris from this month’s tornado
Leawood is still working to clean up debris caused nearly three weeks after a tornado rolled through the city and on its path through Johnson County and other parts of the Kansas City metro…. According to Leawood Public Works director David Ley, who spoke to the city council last week, approximately 20 properties in northern Leawood between 92nd and 98th Street still have debris or trees that need to be removed.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Manhattan takes stock of damage after stormy week
Citywide cleanup efforts moved into Area 2 (north-central/purple/State Streets) on Friday, June 24 after City crews from the Street Division and Parks Division finished picking up tree and limb debris in Area 1 (southeast/tan/Ward District) on Thursday, June 23. The amount of tree and limb debris collected so far has been significant, leading to multiple days of work being needed in each region to transport all the material away. Crews will continue to collect in the north-central area early this week and only move into Area 3 (southwest/blue) once it is complete.
Source: Manhattan – News Flash
Garden City Community College awarded $1 million for technology upgrades
Garden City Community College has been awarded $1 million in federal funding for technology upgrades. The $1 million will fund IT equipment upgrades, staff and technology to put Zoom-enabled classrooms into each of the service area high schools in the GCCC service area while also addressing technology upgrades for GCCC to enhance distance education. “Since the pandemic, the importance and value of online education has been greatly realized,” Dr. Ruda, GCCC President, said.
Source: KSN-TV
Johnson County Library welcomes new county librarian
Johnson County Library will welcome Tricia Suellentrop as its new county librarian beginning July 1. The Library Board of Directors confirmed Suellentrop’s hiring at their June board meeting. Suellentrop will succeed Sean Casserley, who announced his retirement earlier this year after a decade at the helm of one of Kansas’ largest public library systems. Suellentrop brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served as the deputy county librarian since 2008. She acted as the interim county librarian for six months in 2012, during the national search for a new county librarian that resulted in Casserley’s hiring. With Johnson County Library, Suellentrop has also held the positions of systemwide services manager, youth services manager and teen services coordinator.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Municipal Bonds Increasingly Held by Funds Instead of Individuals
One factor aggravating volatility in munis this year: Asset managers’ increasing share of a $4 trillion market once dominated by buy-and-hold individual investors. The share of outstanding municipal bonds held by U.S. households fell to 40% in the first three months of the year from 46% in 2020, according to a Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board report scheduled for release Wednesday. The board, a self-regulatory body overseeing the muni market, analyzed Federal Reserve data and determined that the market is shifting from direct ownership of bonds to investment through funds. The true amount held outright by buy-and-hold retail investors through individual brokerage accounts is likely closer to 20%, because the Fed includes some Wall Street-managed accounts in its household category. So-called separately managed accounts are run by an asset manager on behalf of a single investor. Those hold about 18% of munis, according to Citigroup.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets
Hutchinson faces shortage of doctors, healthcare spending leaving Reno County
Ken Johnson, President and CEO at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, said there were “significant discussions” over several years encouraging the Clinic to recruit more primary care physicians. Recruiting doctors whose families want to live in Hutchinson has always been challenging. “There has been a significant shortage”, said Johnson, who termed the need as “overwhelming.” Johnson said the hospital remains focused on both “community and organizational needs” with local experience and outside studies showing the public could be better served with more primary care doctors. Millions of health care dollars are being “leaked” to outside providers in Wichita, Newton, Salina and elsewhere according to Johnson who says “at the end of the day we’re competing with other local providers on every service except the cath lab.”
Source: Hutch News
Florence preserving its hometown heritage
When Bob Gayle moved away from Florence in 1978, he never thought he’d return. He came back 33 years later, to make things in his hometown better. Over the years he was away working as a diesel mechanic, returning to Florence made him sad. Ultimately, someone needed to make things better. That’s why he decided to return. “We’ve got a lot of history in this little burg, and if we don’t preserve the history, we’re not going to have it,” he said.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Carlyle community builds shelter for resident
Kenny Arbuckle had a plan for what he would do if a tornado was headed toward his home. He’d roll his wheelchair into the garage, where he had a chain connected to a pipe which was secured in cement. “I’ll just chain myself to that and ride it out,” he thought. His neighbors had other ideas. A group of Good Samaritans, including area businesses, joined forces to build a tornado shelter on Arbuckle’s property. Arbuckle is disabled because of a muscle wasting disease and spends all of his time in a wheelchair. The shelter was intended not only to make sure Arbuckle stays safe, but also to thank him for his generous offer to serve as a host site for a community storm shelter.
Source: The Iola Register
Family proposes turning the former Iola water tower into a high-rise Airbnb
Iola’s old Elm Street water tower hasn’t been used for years, aside from being home to a couple of antennas and an occasional gathering spot for turkey vultures. Max and Candice Grundy want to change that. The Iola artists — transplants from Utah, by way of Los Angeles — have proposed turning the old piece of city infrastructure into a one-of-a-kind tourist destination. The Grundys want to convert the tower into a high-rise Airbnb, complete with an observation deck to provide a 360-degree panoramic view of Iola and surrounding countryside. “There’s so much natural beauty here,” Max Grundy said. ‘The sky is so radiantly blue and the grass is so vividly green. The landscape can be so amazing, and you’d be able to see it from a high perspective.”
Source: The Iola Register
Flags to be Flown Half-Staff June 29th for Fallen Linn County Firefighter
In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, Governor Kelly directs flags be flown at half-staff at all state grounds, buildings, and facilities on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in honor of Linn County volunteer firefighter Joshua Haynes of Rural District 1 Fire Department, who suffered fatal injuries while battling a fire in Pleasanton, Kansas. “I am directing flags statewide be flown at half-staff to honor Joshua Haynes, a volunteer firefighter from Linn County,” Kelly said. “My deepest condolences are with Joshua’s loved ones and the Linn County community during their time of loss. His bravery and service to our state will never be forgotten.”
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Building the disc golf capitol of the world
Let’s go to the disc golf capitol of the world. We could travel around the globe looking for such a designation, or we could go directly to… Emporia, Kansas. … What has caused the sport of disc golf to grow? “It really is inclusive,” [Doug Bjerkaas] said. “When I go to the course, I see families with elementary school kids up to a couple of ladies in their 80s,” he said. “Regardless of your skill level, you can play with other people and have fun.” … It is also less expensive for a community to install a disc golf course. This means there may be several courses in larger cities, but it has also made it possible for disc golf courses to be installed in rural places such as Olpe, population 519; Neosho Rapids, population 229; Admire, population 140; and Elmdale, population 40 people. Now, that’s rural.
Source: Andover American
Snow Cones with Gardner Police
Over 500 snow cones were served to local residents who came out to support the Gardner Police Department Thursday June 9 at the Dollar General on Moonlight Road. The family friendly event welcomed everyone with a patrol car to see and touch, a drone and patrol bicycle. K9 Handler Officer Anderson and K9 Zeus greeted attendees with Officer Weathers showing off the department’s drone and Patrol Bicycle. Community Policing Officer John Stimatze, Student Resource Officer Davidson and Patrol Officer Weathers also enjoyed snow cones with the public.
Source: Gardner News
Supply chain issues hit Hutchinson area fire departments
Nearly four months after a wildfire destroyed dozens of homes in Hutchinson, the Hutchinson Fire Department chief says the department will have to wait even longer to replace damaged equipment. One of the HFD’s brush trucks valued at $250,000 was destroyed in the Cottonwood Complex Fire in March 2022. The biggest difficulty in replacing that truck is purchasing the base frame or chassis. While the department currently has four base frames on order, what would normally take three to four months to replace now has an estimated wait time between six months to two years. “In my 34 years on the job, I’ve never seen this extent,” Chief Steve Beer said.
Source: KSN-TV
City of Lawrence sees dozens of vacant houses as potential way to create more affordable housing
As climbing prices intensify the City of Lawrence’s need for more affordable housing, city leaders are interested in looking to a new option: the dozens of houses sitting vacant in Lawrence neighborhoods. City staff recently recommended the creation of a vacant structure ordinance to the Lawrence City Commission, among several other potential policy changes, and a few commissioners indicated Tuesday they were interested in further exploring the idea. The local nonprofit Tenants to Homeowners recently began piloting a program that seeks to repair and rent out vacant homes, and representatives said such an ordinance would be significant for affordable housing. Housing Administrator Lea Roselyn later told the Journal-World that vacant structure ordinances are common tools that a lot of municipalities use, not only to benefit affordable housing but neighborhoods overall.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for June 24, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Finney County continues researching bird mitigation options
The Finney County Commissioners had a follow-up discussion on nuisance bird mitigation Monday… The large bird population can cause damage to the area with feces accumulation from roosting, which causes a human health and safety hazard; damage to HVAC systems, electrical substations and power stations; damage to vegetation including trees and landscaping within city limits; lost crop yields; and economic loss for feedlots, dairies and granaries throughout the county. They are also noisy…. the purpose of the discussion Monday was to see if … commissioners are interested in continuing looking into funding sources, partnerships, acquiring information from the community members and businesses, etc.
Source: GC Telegram
Kansas towns anticipate strong tourism this summer
Kansas tourism is doing well but for a few hiccups due to high fuel prices, labor shortages and post COVID-19 jitters. … Topeka, Salina and Hutchinson have noticed tourists are making plans for a visit, and the towns are getting ready for their visitors. I’d say we’re we’re really good so far,” said Visit Topeka president Sean Dixon. “Obviously, starting the year with a dinosaur festival helps. The overall impact on the attendance numbers to our attractions have been fantastic. We just tallied everything on the T. Rex in Great Overland Station. We did 17,000 visitors for that.
Source: CJonline
Frontenac Mining Days set for July
The Frontenac community is inviting the public to celebrate its heritage in Southeast Kansas during the 2nd Annual Frontenac Mining Days, in downtown Frontenac, beginning Thursday, July 7, and continuing through Sunday, July 10. A variety of activities are planned for Frontenac Mining Days, including the Pride Amusements carnival, contests, games, historic presentations, live bands, and street dances. The live bands and street dances will feature the Paul Holt Band on Friday, June 8, and the band Members Only on Saturday, June 9. This year the Frontenac Mining Days also added a new event for community members to participate in during the week of the Homecoming Festival: the inaugural Frontenac Mining Days Medallion Hunt.
Source: Morning Sun
SEK counties top list of best value in Kansas for property taxes
A new study ranks Kansas counties by the value that residents get relative to what they pay in property taxes, and the majority of the top ten are located in the southeastern region of the state. According to the study by financial technology company SmartAsset, the best value county in Kansas for property taxes is Coffey County, followed by Greenwood, Labette, and Crawford counties. The next three counties on the list — Doniphan, Brown, and Rice — are not in the southeastern quarter of the state, but Neosho and Cherokee County also made the list in 8th and 9th place respectively. The final qualifier for the top ten list was Leavenworth County.
Source: Morning Sun
Vibrant. Bustling. Wait, did you say this is a story about Topeka?
With the help of new life downtown and collaboration across the community, Topeka appears to be hitting its stride after years of false starts. But challenges remain and it could take time to fully win over a populace that had significant concerns about the community’s quality of life, image and safety as recently as three years ago. On any given day or night, Topeka’s rejuvenated downtown can be bustling. Entrepreneurs selling high-end jewelry and art. The Pennant serving up gourmet burgers, arcade games and themed celebrations for the cocktail crowd, with The Tee Box beckoning golfers…
Source: KLC Journal
The new voice shaping Reno County aid priorities? The public.
Thanks to an effort organized by civic groups, Reno County residents could weigh in about community priorities for spending about $18 million in federal pandemic relief funds. Improving the affordability and accessibility of child care overwhelmingly ranked as the highest priority. What happens next lies in the hands of elected officials, who have the last word. The people came together by twos and threes, unsure what to expect as they chatted with their neighbors and re-lived two long years of experiences battling COVID-19. In 90-minute facilitated discussions from August through October of last year, residents shared their thoughts …
Source: KLC Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for June 23, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
State has $56 million for homeowners struggling to pay mortgages
In the first quarter of 2022, the state of Kansas had nearly 10,000 past-due mortgages. Six of 10 of those mortgages were at least three months late and considered seriously delinquent, according to Marilyn Stanley, the program director for the Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund. A new $56.6 million statewide program funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act aims to help homeowners who are struggling financially due to the pandemic. The program offers up to $45,000 to homeowners for past-due mortgage payments, property tax payments, utility payments and more.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Bike program helps at-risk youth in Wyandotte County
High-risk youth in Wyandotte County are being helped through a program that focuses on working on bicycles and attitudes. Martin Cervantes Sr. said the program started about three months ago, and about 10 students are involved in it currently. Some of the students in the program are involved with the court system, on probation or house arrest, he said. The Lowrider and Leadership Club is the project of Cervantes, with assistance from the Olathe Lowrider Bicycle Chapter, and space provided through the KCK PAL (Police Athletic League) Program. The bike program is allowed to use space at the PAL location at the former St. Mary’s Church on 5th Street.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Inflation poses biggest threat to IIJA rollout: U.S. DOT official
Six months into the roll out of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, inflation, coupled with chronically high cost of building U.S. transportation projects, is proving to be the biggest challenge. And the longer it takes to spend the money, the more cost pressures threaten to swallow the once-in-a-generation level of funding. “Externally our biggest headwind is the current economic environment,” said Katie Thomson, director of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Implementation at the U.S. Department of Transportation, speaking Wednesday during a webinar on the six-month anniversary of the IIJA hosted by the Eno Center on Transportation.
Source: The Bond Buyer