(316) 264-3400|info@ransonfinancial.com
FacebookXLinkedIn

Municipal News & Jobs

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

Kansas Municipal News

Municipal Bond Trends for May 26, 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.

Public input sought on Garden City comprehensive planning

The City of Garden City is holding public meetings on May 23 and June 3 to allow residents to share opinions prioritize a draft Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Recommendations. Garden City is home to people from all over the world and we can grow our community together. For over a year, our diverse community has been helping create the new Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Plan. During the process, community members have said more housing, safety improvements for walking and bicycling, a continued emphasis on entertainment, recreational amenities along the Arkansas River, and much more are important. They also said Downtown should be a vibrant, culturally diverse, and multi-generational hub.
Source: Greater Garden City

Johnson County board approves $1 million loan for affordable housing apartments in Shawnee

Commissioners in Johnson County approved a $1 million loan Thursday to aid in the construction of an affordable housing development in Shawnee. The measure passed 5-2 with Commissioners Charlotte O’Hara and Michael Ashcraft voting against the funding. At last week’s meeting, the Board of County Commissioners was asked to give $1 million in community support funds to help construct the Hedge Lane Apartments in Shawnee. The project is a joint venture between Sunflower Development Group and Consolidated Housing Solutions.
Source: KC Star Local News

City: Train track has arrived in Parsons

The track for the Parsons Kiwanis Club’s Pancake Special train arrived in the city last week from Kansas City. City Manager Debbie Lamb told the Sun the track arrived last Wednesday. At this time, city officials aren’t sure when the track will be installed. Parsons city officials announced in February they were hoping to get the track installed this month so the train could run during Katy Days. However, shipping delays occurred, which resulted in the track not getting to Parsons on time. The track was in California during the first part of May and then delivered to Kansas City before coming to Parsons. The track for the train needed to be replaced because it was over 70 years old and the rails deteriorated over the decades, according to city officials.
Source: Parsons Sun

‘A hole in the ground’ and other quirky curiosities mean money and pride for small Kansas towns

One day in 1973, The Wall Street Journal published a review of Kansas tourist attractions. It was not kind. “Kansas is trying to promote tourism,” the Journal noted, “but it really doesn’t have a heck of a lot to promote.” The column singled out the godfathers of Kansas roadside tourism — the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, the World’s Largest Hand-Dug Well in Greensburg and the folk art town of Lucas — for particular ridicule, with pause breaks in the spots where the Journal expected its audience to chuckle at Kansas’ expense.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Guide to Lawrence Loop aims to help people with mobility limitations navigate city’s nature trails

A group of local people and organizations have collaborated to create a guide to the most accessible routes along the Lawrence Loop. People living with mobility limitations may view nature trails as resources they cannot use as they could be difficult to navigate, said disability activist Dot Nary. “Equal access to recreation is an ongoing issue,” Nary said. “There are already so many barriers to getting physical activity if you have difficulty walking or if you use a wheelchair or walker, so knowing where you can go to enjoy nature, to get some exercise, and not encounter barriers is a huge benefit. The [Lawrence] Loop is a wonderful resource.”
Source: The Lawrence Times

Gov. Laura Kelly announces projects improving Kansas transportation

More than $7,000,000 in grant money is going towards improving transportation in Kansas. Governor Laura Kelly announced 11 projects benefitting from the cost-share program. In Fort Scott, $949,000 will go towards the installation of sidewalks from 6th Street to Main and down Horton Street towards Fort Scott Community College. It will also help with a road widening and resurfacing project on Horton Street.
Source: KSNF/KODE

“Sunflower Summer” returns, free student access to venues

This summer, “exploration” is the name of the game in Kansas. The “Sunflower Summer” program will make a return. It was started last year by the Kansas State Department of Education, funded by Federal COVID-19 Aid. It’s designed to provide students from pre-K to the 12th grade free access to Kansas museums, landmarks, and events across the state. The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott was part of the inaugural program last summer, and will be again this summer.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Federal disaster declaration granted for state of Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a federal disaster declaration in Kansas has been granted by President Joe Biden. The request comes after severe winter storms passed through the state back in late March. Each storm produced sticky wet, heavy snow combined with strong winds of 50 to 70 mph that damaged power poles and power lines, causing power outages. Biden ordered federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected. “This federal disaster declaration will enable rural electric cooperatives to access the funding they need to get back on their feet,” said Kelly.
Source: KSNF/KODE

ACLU sues Kansas over excessive wait times at understaffed Larned State Hospital

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the National Police Accountability Project are suing Kansas over delays in mental health evaluations at the chronically understaffed Larned State Hospital. The class action lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court, says individuals who face criminal charges have had to wait behind bars for as long as 13 months before getting a pretrial competency evaluation. In some cases, that is more than the time they would serve if they were convicted. The state hospital has been a flashpoint of controversy for years because of long wait lists for mental health treatment. The ACLU said the facility only fills 65 of its 120 beds because it lacks the staffing to cover shifts in the unit, and more than 100 people are currently on the waiting list.
Source: www.chanute.com

SculptureTour underway: Salina helping make the city an art destination

Leaders in Salina want the city to be known as a destination and not just a place to drive through, and one project that is in its 12th year is helping do just that. The 2022 edition of SculptureTour Salina began this month with an unwrapping party on May 7. Sylvia Rice, director of Visit Salina, said things like the tour happening in Salina enhances that notion of the city being a destination. “(It may) allow people to take a look at what we have and make a decision to visit here as opposed to someplace else for the weekend,” Rice said.
Source: Salina Journal

Hutch neighborhood looks to unity and community involvement

SW Bricktown is working hard to form community. Along with forming a committee, neighborhood members also started festivals and helped with. The Hutch Rec helps organize six neighborhoods, including SW Bricktown… Hutch Rec Neighborhood Development Coordinator Adam Stewart said out of the six neighborhoods, SW Bricktown is what he called “one of the best examples.”… In September last year, the SW Bricktown committee organized the neighborhood’s first SW Bricktown Fiesta to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at SW Bricktown Park.
Source: Hutch News

Hutch councilmembers discuss water, sewer rates: residents vs business

A couple of Hutchinson City Council members Tuesday asked a consultant who prepared studies on future city water and sewer rates to look at shifting more of the cost of proposed increases onto residential customers rather than commercial and industrial users. At-large Councilwoman Sara Bagwell first proposed the change, voicing concern the proposed rates would impact the ability to recruit new industry to Hutchinson…. Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho voiced concern that residents on Social Security or fixed income, a significant portion of the local population, will have more difficulty responding to rate hikes than commercial businesses, which can adapt.
Source: Hutch News

Municipal Bond Trends for May 25, 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.

Southwest Kansas wheat devastated by drought

Last week saw much needed rainfall across the state, but areas in southwest Kansas missed out on it once again. Much of southwest Kansas has gone nearly 300 days without an inch of precipitation. Annual average rainfall is about 12” in southwest Kansas, and much of the area has seen about 1/3 of that over the past year and less than an inch since wheat was planted in the fall. There are several counties in the far southwest corner of Kansas where very little wheat will make it to harvest. Farmers have already been in touch with their crop adjusters, and fields are being adjusted from zero to 5 bushels per acre across the area.
Source: Pratt Tribune

Fed minutes point to more rate hikes that go further than the market anticipates

Federal Reserve officials earlier this month stressed the need to raise interest rates quickly and possibly more than markets anticipate to tackle a burgeoning inflation problem, meeting minutes released Wednesday showed. Not only did policymakers see the need to raise benchmark borrowing rates by 50 points, but they also said similar hikes likely would be necessary at the next several meetings. They further noted that policy may have to move past a “neutral” stance where it is neither supportive nor restrictive of growth, an important consideration for central bankers that could echo through the economy. “Most participants judged that 50 basis point increases in the target range would likely be appropriate at the next couple of meetings,” the minutes stated. In addition, Federal Open Market Committee members indicated that “a restrictive stance of policy may well become appropriate depending on the evolving economic outlook and the risks to the outlook.”
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Wichita City Council approves revised contract for towing impounded vehicles

The Wichita City Council voted unanimously in a special meeting Wednesday to approve a contract with three towing companies for impounded vehicles and the fees that will be charged. The council deadlocked last week on a proposed contract with nine companies out of concerns for low-income families that might not be able to pay fees to recover their vehicles. The new contract sets up a payment plan that will allow a person to pay a $600 fee over 24 months, and the city’s $30 administrative fee would be reduced to $5.   The city had asked the towing companies for their best and final offers and received eight proposals.  Staff recommended a contract with Kidd Towing, Tow All and Arrow Wrecker. The payment program would be for eligible vehicle owners who are unable to pay fees from impoundment.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Lack of lodging worrying to some in Newton

Newton’s hotels are low on vacancies. That’s according to the front desks of both the Holiday Inn Express and The Comfort Inn. “We’ve been full pretty much all season,” said Cat Olson, front desk manager for The Comfort Inn, 1205 E 1st St, Newton. Olson said, for the Comfort Inn, much of the demand was being driven by regular events, such as school activities, weddings and funerals. She said corporate stays or bookings for staff did account for some of the stays at the hotel, but it varied by week. The front desk of the Holiday Inn Express reported a good number of long-term stays at the hotel, with much of those stays housing crews employed at AGCO, and that the hotel had been tight since around July of 2021. The tightness of hotel lodging has made it harder for groups to host conventions in Newton. Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, said that they barely found enough room in Newton for their upcoming convention.
Source: Harvey County Now

Burrton EMS purchases CPR device, thanks to grant

Fire and EMS workers in Burrton learned how to use a new piece of life-saving equipment last week. The department recently received a KRAF grant from the board of EMS to purchase a LUCAS, which is an automated CPR machine. The grant paid for 75 percent of the approximately $15,000 cost, with the department matching the remainder. EMS Director Cherie King said the LUCAS is something their department has really needed for a while. “We applied last year and didn’t get it, but last year I think there was a lot that didn’t get funded because of COVID,” King said. Halstead and Newton already have LUCAS machines. “We’ve seen it with Halstead, but we’ve never put it on. Halstead’s always done it,” King said. “As you can see, it brought a lot of people out.”
Source: Harvey County Now

Turbine suit in Marion County could end soon

A lawsuit filed a year and a half ago seeking approval for a third county wind farm could be over in six weeks if a judge who hears arguments July 19 dismisses the case. Roger Buller at Stonebridge Investments LLC, filed suit Sept. 25, 2020, claiming county zoning director Sharon Omstead was wrong when she deemed Buller’s company did not have standing to install wind turbines in an area once planned for wind farm development by Rex Savage. The Doyle 4 development was planned for south of US-50 near Florence. Savage eventually sold the project to Stonebridge and others. Stonebridge purchased rights to conditional use permits held by Windborne Energy in 2015.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Holton switching to electronic ticketing

Traffic tickets and other police citations will soon be issued in Holton using an electronic ticketing system instead of traditional paper tickets, according to action taken on Monday by the Holton City Commission. Commissioners approved a “pay-for-use” contract with Saltus Technologies of Tulsa, Okla. for police use of two DigiTicket mobile electronic ticketing systems, which are also in use by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol, as Holton Police Chief Steve Frederick told commissioners. The monthly contract will entail the use of two DigiTicket systems at a total cost of $812 per month, or $9,744 per year…
Source: Holton Recorder

Grant approved for Paola broadband internet project

An option for faster and more reliable internet will soon be available to residents and businesses in northern Paola after it was announced Friday, May 20, that KwiKom Communications and the city were able to obtain a state grant. It was the culmination of a group effort that began earlier this year when KwiKom Communications identified Paola as an ideal community for the Kansas Office of Broadband Development Acceleration Grant. The 50-50 state grant allows for up to a 50 percent co-investment of the matching funding, and KwiKom asked the city of Paola for a co-investment commitment of $250,000, which is 25 percent of the project’s nearly $1 million total.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com

Wichita City Council strikes new deal with tow companies, sets up repayment plan

The city of Wichita struck a compromise with three towing companies on Wednesday that avoids rate increases for people whose cars are impounded by police. The City Council also approved an ordinance that would allow economically disadvantaged people to get their cars out of impound without breaking the bank. Under the repayment plan, the city would carry the cost — up to $600 — of returning vehicles to their owners. The vehicle owner could then pay back the city $25 a month until the debt is paid off. The plan also offers a one-time waiver of up to $600 for people who are registered with the city as homeless. Mayor Brandon Whipple, who spearheaded the repayment plan, said the new contract is a “win-win-win” for the city, the tow companies and for vehicle owners who get their cars impounded.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Lenexa approves special taxing district, grant to convert former Kohl’s into furniture store

Calling it a “win-win,” for the company and the city, the Lenexa City Council last week gave unanimous approval to a special taxing district and economic development grant that will help developers convert the former Kohl’s department store into Living Spaces, a furniture store company mostly active in western states. Council members approved the two development incentives quickly and with little discussion. Mayor Mike Boehm said the area will be “enhanced by having a big building not sitting empty, not to mention the property taxes they will pay. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

Pott County once again tables permits for two rural tourism projects

For several weeks, the Pottawatomie County commissioners have been mulling over whether to approve two rural tourism conditional use permits. The commissioners are new to the process of approving or denying CUPs, as this is something that previously was done solely by the planning commission. … Greg Ferkol is requesting a CUP for a children’s playground and an event center at his apple orchard along Myer’s Valley Road. The planning commission has already approved the CUP and there are no protest petitions, therefore only a simple majority from the commission is needed.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article

Nearly a third of Manhattan’s road in ‘poor’ or worse condition

About 32% of city roads are in “poor” or worse condition, according to the city government’s pavement condition findings. This puts the city’s roads in worse condition than they were in 2017, when a sales tax intended to repair them was enacted. The majority of the city commission on Tuesday indicated support in renewing the tax. Public works director Rob Ott on Tuesday spoke to the Manhattan City Commission about the pavement condition index (PCI), which it is measured between 0 and 100. The last PCI assessment in 2017 showed that 26% of Manhattan roads were poor or below, with an overall average of about 73.6. The current assessment shows that 32% of roads were poor or below, with an overall average of 66. This is based on pavement distress, including distress type, and the severity and density of stress.
Source: themercury.com

USD 258 passes bond issue in special election

A bond issue for USD 258 passed by a resounding margin Tuesday night. Unofficially, a total of 381 ballots were cast for the special election, with more than 67 percent of the vote in favor of the $17.45 million bond issue. … The construction phase will then take 18 to 24 months to fully complete. The state of Kansas will pick up some of the tab, contributing 11 percent — equaling $3 million of the bond’s total principal and interest. The bond’s blueprint is geared toward upgrades of the district’s buildings, while prominently addressing security and maintenance needs.
Source: www.chanute.com

Judge: Lawrence strip club violating city code

A judge has ruled that a longtime Lawrence strip club has been operating illegally under city code and has issued an order permanently prohibiting the club from doing business at its current location. In a lawsuit filed Feb. 2 in Douglas County District Court, the city alleged that Allstars has been operating without the license required for a sexually oriented entertainment business. The city also claimed Allstars is ineligible to receive such a license under city code due to its proximity to homes and a city park, and requested that the court permanently prohibit Allstars from operating at its current location at 913 N. Second St.
Source: LJWorld

State-ordered sales tax collection refunds cut into Hutchinson, Reno County May receipts

State Revenue officials say sales tax refunds authorized by the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Audit Division required all municipalities in Reno County to take a hit in sales tax receipts for May. Additional details on those refunds, including how much they amounted to, what period they were from and how many businesses were involved, were not available. It was also unclear if the refunds related specifically to compensating use taxes or if that’s just how the state decided to tap the funds. Either way, the result was a 91% drop in compensating use tax receipts going to the county compared to May of last year and an overall 96.4% drop for the city of Hutchinson.
Source: Hutch News

Municipal Bond Trends for May 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.

Fed’s George says inflation will guide moves after rates hit 2%

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Esther George said she expects the central bank to raise interest rates to 2% by August, with the further course of tightening being guided by how surging inflation cools off. “Fed policymakers have emphasized a commitment to act expeditiously to restore price stability, and I expect that further rate increases could put the federal funds rate in the neighborhood of 2% by August,” George said Monday night in prepared remarks to the bank’s agriculture symposium. “Evidence that inflation is clearly decelerating will inform judgments about further tightening.” The Fed raised interest rates by 50 basis points earlier this month — to a target range of 0.75% to 1% — and Chair Jerome Powell has signaled it was on track to make similar-sized moves at its meetings in June and July. That’s a plan which both hawks and doves on the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee have since embraced to curb the hottest inflation since the 1980s.
Source: The Bond Buyer

Downtown Atchison to Welcome Purveyor this Summer

The City of Atchison’s E-Community Program is pleased to announce a new loan to Purveyor. Purveyor, a modern-day general store offering mindful goods made by responsible artisans from all over the globe, is to be located at 715 Commercial Street in downtown Atchison. The $40,000 in E-Community Loan proceeds will be coupled with financing from Exchange Bank and Trust to fund the new retail store. “Purveyor is a boutique for the mindful tastemaker,” said Ashley Gill, co-owner. “The curated store will have something for everyone and gifts for all occasions and ages. From home goods to apothecary, pet, gourmet foods, stationery, barware, clothing, and much more, Purveyor will be your one-stop shop for well…most everything.” Since January of 2017, the Atchison E-Community Program has been offering gap financing loans for small business startups, expansions, and acquisitions. Everyday businesses like hair salons, retail stores, and auto mechanics can use this locally controlled, revolving loan fund as gap financing to make their small business dreams come true.
Source: City of Atchison

Threats made against Wichita mayor, city council member

Wichita police are investigating a threat that was made to Mayor Brandon Whipple, City Council member Brandon Johnson and Interim Police Chief Lem Moore. The threat was received Monday morning through an anonymous internet platform, and a Wichita police officer was made aware of the threat. Police said the message threatened Mayor Whipple and Council Member Johnson if they appoint a new police chief. A similar message was received the previous week, directed at Interim Police Chief Lem Moore, telling him to leave Wichita. Police said Whipple, Johnson and Chief Moore were made aware of the threats immediately. Detectives are looking for the person or persons responsible for the threat.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Unified Government warns investors of possible financial risk from upcoming McIntyre trial

Officials with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, have acknowledged that an ongoing federal grand jury investigation and a related civil lawsuit against it alleging widespread police corruption could result in significant financial problems. In a prospectus to prospective municipal bond investors, the Unified Government said that an unfavorable outcome in a lawsuit filed by a former Kansas City, Kansas, resident who was wrongfully convicted of a double-homicide in 1994 could have a “material adverse effect” on the Unified Government’s finances and operations. The trial of the lawsuit brought by Lamonte McIntyre, who was exonerated and freed from prison in 2017 after serving 23 years in prison, is scheduled to begin in October.
Source: KCUR News

Wichita youth can ride city buses for free this summer

As part of the City of Wichita’s RIDE summer program, anyone 18 and younger are being offered free and unlimited transit rides on all regular bus routes and paratransit services from May 26 through August 31. All they have to do is show their 2021-2022 school year student ID. Any youth in Wichita without a student ID can get one for free by going to the downtown Transit Center, 214 S. Topeka. … Age or student verification is required to obtain a youth ID.
Source: KSN-TV

Rural broadband getting $10 million boost in Kansas

A broadband boost has been a long time coming for many in rural Kansas. “We temper our internet usage. We don’t need all our kids streaming at the same time,” said rural Harper resident Leslie Gerber. “But I think in the rural communities, we struggle with getting good internet service and being able to connect with people. We also learn to just manage with what we have.” Gerber is intrigued by the possibility of faster internet for her website. Years ago, she and her husband put in a berry patch. Now they own and operate Sweet Berries & Brambles outside their home. It’s a “you pick it” farm.
Source: KSN-TV

Abilene has been named a best historic small town finalist

The Kansas town of Abilene is a finalist for a nationwide poll to determine the best historic small town in the U.S. The poll, hosted by USA Today’s 2022 Readers’ Choice, will be open until Monday, June 6 at 10:59 a.m. Abilene has been in the running for being named best historic small town for four years in a row according to Abilene’s Convention and Visitors Bureau Director, Julie Roller-Weeks. “Thank you to the tourism attractions, businesses, residents, employees, volunteers, and leaders who help make Abilene the best historic small town,” Roller-Weeks said. “Receiving this recognition four years in a row is extra special and recognizes our efforts to market Abilene as a destination.” Abilene stands in the top spot for the contest and is currently the only town in Kansas and the Midwest to be featured in USA Today’s poll.
Source: KSNT 27 News

High jumpers bring Beloit, Kansas connection to WSU

Beloit, Kansas only has a population of 3,000 citizens, which makes the connection between WSU high jumpers Brady Palen and Davis Dubbert even more special. Both Palen and Dubbert ended up at WSU following four years at St. John’s High School in northern Kansas. The pair’s paths crossed for one season in 2017 with Dubbert, a senior at the time, and Palen, a freshman, placing in first and second place at the KSHSAA State Championships. “It’s been fun for me because I find that sort of thing to be a really wonderful part of college athletics,” Director of Track and Field Steve Rainbolt said. “For two guys to be teammates like that in high school and to be first and second in state track at the same tiny little high school, then to go to college at the same NCAA Division-I school and to be first and second last year at the conference championship—I just think it’s a wonderful story, and I love it.”
Source: The Sunflower

Humboldt voters OK school bond issue

By a 2-to-1 margin, USD 258 voters approved a $17.45 million school bond issue in a special election held Tuesday. With fewer than 20% of voters taking advantage of the opportunity to weigh in, the vote was 255 in favor of the measure to 124 opposed. The district has 1,917 registered voters.
Source: The Iola Register

KU Leading Project To Test New Business Model For Rural, Weekly Newspapers

Business has changed since 1833. One would be hard-pressed to find businesses operating with the same model that was in place when Andrew Jackson was in the White House. But in the case of newspapers, many are still operating with the same business model established when Benjamin Day opened the first penny press nearly 200 years ago. A University of Kansas professor of journalism is leading a project to test a new model based on research with publishers and readers to help rural newspapers adapt, survive and thrive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Teri Finneman, associate professor of journalism at KU, took part in an oral history project to help document the experiences of rural, weekly newspapers. … This summer, the project will implement and test a model that moves away from heavy reliance on advertising and cheap subscriptions. After a year of testing, if the new model is successful in use of memberships, e-newsletters, events and new content direction, plans call to distribute a new model available for rural weeklies across the country.
Source: KU News

Lawrence Public Schools cut 72 teaching jobs; will add third Montessori classroom

The Lawrence school district has cut six dozen education positions, 11.5 classified staff positions and 6.5 district-level administrator positions, according to a staff presentation Monday evening. The school board made about $6.41 million in budget cuts this spring. The board gave staff guidance on where to make cuts but allowed staff to make decisions about which specific positions would be cut, and from which buildings. “Reductions were made through retirements and exits,” Kristen Ryan, executive director of human resources, told the board. “We did not have to use our reduction in force policy, and teachers whose positions were reduced were given the opportunity to transfer to open positions before those positions were open to external candidates.”
Source: The Lawrence Times

Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top