Kansas Municipal News
USD 250 continues search for new super
Since USD 250 Superintendent Rich Proffitt announced his retirement, effective at the end of the school year, the Board of Education has begun the process of hiring his successor. To that end, the board has hired Omaha-based McPherson-Johnson Consultants’ Randy Gilson and his colleagues to meet with USD 250 staff, students, and parents to get a feel for the right person to take over the school district. Gilson met with certified staff at Pittsburg High School on Wednesday night to discuss what they are looking for in a new superintendent. About a dozen 250 teachers gathered Wednesday evening to share what qualities and skills they are looking for in a new leader. Among the top desired traits the teachers shared is a leader who is passionate about education and will build a cohesive and supportive staff that sets a positive tone. They are looking for someone with good communication skills with both the USD 250 family and the general public and will be an advocate on their behalf with the state legislature and board of education. The ideal candidate understands the value of building lasting relationships is someone who is personable and takes the time to learn the names of students and staff members. The candidate needs to be open to personal development and constructive criticism as a leader without being vindictive. He or she needs to understand that the teachers are the subject-matter experts who don’t need to be micro-managed, and the students are more than just test scores and that many of them are at or below poverty level.
Source: Morning Sun
Osawatomie launches Comprehensive Plan 2040
The city of Osawatomie has kicked off its Comprehensive Plan 2040 initiative, and residents are encouraged to share their insights and get involved in the process of planning for the community’s future. Comprehensive Plan 2040 will be a visionary road map that will guide the future development and growth of Osawatomie, according to a city news release. The key components of the plan will be community engagement, manageable development and preserving heritage, according to the release. The city is inviting all residents, businesses and stakeholders to actively participate in the planning process. The first phase of engagement is a public survey that is available now. Community members can participate by going online to osawatomieks.org/2040survey. The survey covers a variety of topics, including housing, transportation, economic development, recreation and more. The city release states that, “Comprehensive Plan 2040 will focus on practices that promote stewardship of community assets, economic resilience, and building a community that will last another 150 years. By embracing responsible and strategic growth, we aim to create a city that thrives while respecting our natural resources and supporting a high quality of life for all residents.”
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Municipal Bond Trends for January 11, 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.
Lawrence has nearly $2B in retail sales in 2023, but city’s growth since pandemic has been slower than average
Even if we are browsing through the clearance items at the Goodwill store, all of us Lawrence shoppers can feel like we are almost part of an exclusive club — the $2 billion club. Lawrence fell just short of posting $2 billion in total retail sales in 2023, which would have made it just one of six communities in the state to do so. Now that the Kansas Department of Revenue has released its final sales tax figures for the year, we can look at what cities in the state are the biggest when it comes to serving and attracting shoppers.
Source: LJWorld
Attracting new affordable housing developers will be key to hitting the goal of adding 1,700 new units throughout Douglas County in the next 5 years
Five years from now, there may be well over a thousand new affordable housing units constructed throughout Douglas County. That idea is no secret in Lawrence. Lawrence City Commission candidates regularly highlighted the hundreds of affordable units currently in the development pipeline along the campaign trail in late 2023, and such projects have been an emphasis for local leaders when allocating American Rescue Plan Act funds and Affordable Housing Trust Fund dollars for the past several years.
Source: LJWorld
Louisville, Kan. Fire Chief helps rescue resident from housefire
Just before 4:30 am, on Tuesday, January 9th, Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Dispatch was contacted by a Wamego resident who reported he neighbor’s home appeared to be on fire and the residents were home. Louisville Fire Department Chief, Travis Ten Eyck, who lives nearby, responded directly to the residence from his home and found smoke and fire coming from the residence when he arrived on scene. Shortly after arriving Chief Ten Eyck learned there were two occupants at the residence, one had made his way safely outside, however, a 66-year-old male was unable to leave his bedroom. Chief Ten Eyck made the decision to enter the residence, without any protective gear, to attempt to locate the resident and assist them with exiting the house.
Source: Little Apple Post
City of Wichita relaunching home repair program
The City of Wichita has revamped its Home Repair program and will open applications and the wait list on February 1.The Home Repair program assists low- and moderate-income homeowners with critical home repairs to achieve two main goals: Stabilize homeowners within their primary unit of residence, assisting with the goal of sustaining affordable homeownership, and Assist with critical repairs for existing affordable housing units to maintain and sustain these units as affordable housing stock within the City. Under the program, qualified Wichita homeowners can receive up to $5,000 in forgivable assistance with critical home repairs, such as water service and sewer line updates, furnace and water heater replacements or other key upgrades.
Source: KWCH
Municipal Bond Trends for January 10, 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 January 9, 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 January 8, 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.
Kansas braces for ‘arctic air mass’ that could bring wind chills of minus 20 degrees soon
It’s shaping up to be a chilly week in Wichita and across much of Kansas. The National Weather Service says Thursday evening will take a turn, with a low of 12 degrees and a 40% chance of snow. Friday is expecting a high of 21 with that same chance of snow before noon, while Saturday expected to hit a high of 18 and a low of a chilling 2 degrees. In a tweet Sunday, the NWS credited those chilling temperature forecasts to an “arctic airmass” making its way through the area Thursday through Sunday. Wind chills in Wichita are expected to reach minus 7 degrees Friday morning and minus 13 Saturday, according to a tweet from the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, Hutchinson’s wind chills are supposed to get as low as minus 17 over the weekend, while Russell has the projected coldest wind chills at minus 26 degrees Saturday morning. But what is an arctic air mass and how should you prepare to stay warm if temperatures hit the single-digits? Here’s what to know. “When you say Arctic air mass, it’s an air mass that originates in the Arctic, and stream of air comes down from the pole area … it’s just bitterly cold temperatures,” Bryan Bearg, a forecaster for the NWS’s Wichita office, told The Eagle Monday. According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, arctic air masses originate in the northern and southern hemispheres and can cause biting winds and truly chilling temperatures. Bearg said wind chills are supposed to get as low as minus 20 both Saturday and Sunday morning in Wichita. The last time the city saw these kinds of wind chills was due to an arctic air mass was just after Christmas 2022, the forecaster noted.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Governor Kelly Announces More than $4.6M for Six Fast-charging EV Locations
Governor Laura Kelly announced that more than $4.6 million in federal funds will be directed to the first six locations selected for the state’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula program. With existing fast-charging stations spread across the I-70 and I-135 corridors, these selected locations will fill gaps in EV charging stations along the state’s major highways and interstate system.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
Governor Kelly Unveils New Designation for Kansas Cities Improving High-Speed Internet
Governor Laura Kelly announced the launch of Kansas Broadband Ready Communities, a new certification from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) for communities working to improve access to high-speed internet. “Participation in the Kansas Broadband Ready Communities program spurs internet access improvements and builds resilient, future-ready communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “A Broadband Ready Community designation signifies that a local government has taken steps toward economic growth, educational opportunities, and improved quality of life for its residents.” With the Kansas Broadband Ready Communities designation, Kansas communities will be prepared to make their bids for service more competitive and be ready for future grant opportunities. By adopting specific local ordinances ahead of time, communities can ensure more successful and sustainable broadband deployment projects.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Johnson County mega-development defaults on bonds from controversial KS incentive program
The sprawling Prairiefire development in southern Overland Park has defaulted on its Kansas STAR bond debt, the latest in the project’s years-long struggle to generate enough sales to meet its obligations under the controversial state tax incentive program. Bondholders were sent a notice of default last month after Prairiefire could not pay off $15 million in debt by its maturity date, which is the first slice of $65 million in Kansas Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR, bonds issued in 2012. The 60-acre development — a combination of restaurants, shopping and a museum at 135th Street between Lamar and Nall avenues — has had a hard time for years meeting lofty sales projections set when Overland Park and Kansas approved the state incentives.
Source: Joco 913 News
Fed officials in December saw rate cuts likely, but path highly uncertain, minutes show
Federal Reserve officials in December concluded that interest rate cuts are likely in 2024, though they appeared to provide little in the way of when that might occur, according to minutes from the meeting released Wednesday. At the meeting, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee agreed to hold its benchmark rate steady in a range between 5.25% and 5.5%. Members indicated that they expect three quarter-percentage point cuts by the end of 2024. However, the meeting summary noted a high level of uncertainty over how, or if, that will happen.
Source: CNBC
‘It’s a problem here in Topeka’: Experts say human trafficking not confined to big cities
Few in Topeka and Shawnee County recognize a societal problem operating in the shadows. Unless, that is, you know what to look for. Local experts hope to use Human Trafficking Awareness Month, observed across the country in January, to shed light on a problem most people don’t realize exists in the Topeka area.
Source: CJonline
Dighton grocery store burns down
A grocery store in Dighton burned down Saturday night. According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, they received a call at 9:27 p.m. for the report of a fire at K&J Foods. Upon arrival, crews were met with a large amount of smoke. It took crews a couple of hours to get it extinguished. No injuries were reported. The building is considered a total loss. According to the LCSO, the owner was out of town. The City of Dighton said while crews were battling the fire, the northeast side of town was filled with dangerous smoke. To help residents avoid breathing in the smoke, the Catholic Hall and the 4-H building were opened for shelter. Fire Chief Collins advised residents to turn off any heating and cooling units that draw outside air in. An investigation into the fire is ongoing.
Source: KSN-TV
Fire department wins ‘Battle of the Badges’
The Wichita Fire Department came out on top again. It’s the fifth consecutive win for the fire department in the annual “Battle of the Badges.” The annual friendly competition is held annually over the holidays to encourage blood donations to the American Red Cross at a time when donations are typically low. “We didn’t think that we were gonna win this year we thought that the Red Cross would give law the win so that they’d keep coming back and playing with us but we won,” says Wichita Fire Captain Chriss Flemming. “We know as first responders that the need for blood products is never…never goes away. And so we know that there’s a great need for that and so we want to encourage everybody in the community to continue throughout the year to come out and donate the gift of life.” Each December, people are encouraged to donate blood, and as they do so, vote for either the Wichita Fire Department, Police Department, or Sedgwick County EMS. The contest runs through Dec. 31, with participants receiving a free T-shirt. This past year marked the 29th year of the annual drive.
Source: KSN-TV
Pretty in Pink: Liberal business forced to stop painting building pink, mayor pushes for change
A Hispanic-owned business in Liberal is at the center of a controversy over the color they chose for their new building. Erika Marino purchased a building on 210 S. Kansas Ave. in 2023 to expand her business, Chikas Fresas, located in the Kansas Avenue Overlay District. The owners got approval for interior renovations. They say the city inspector told them they didn’t need any permits for the exterior. “When they started the process of the painting, midway, they gave her a correction notice to stop immediately with the color, with any of the renovations for the outside of the building,” said Citlaly Reyes, the daughter of Erika Marino. Liberal’s zoning code requires any building color changes in the Kansas Avenue Overlay District to be approved by the zoning and planning commission. “The stated purpose initially was to maintain the character of Kansas Avenue and to emphasize a consistent design and appearance,” explains Keeley Moree, the Director of Public Affairs for the City of Liberal. KSN News asked the mayor why another building on the street was already painted pink. “The other pink building had a much smaller face that they had to paint,” said Jose Lara, the Mayor of Liberal. “They did that on the weekend when inspectors aren’t working to stop them.” Now it’s up to the planning and zoning commission to decide the future of the building. “If that is approved they are cleared to move forward and continue with their full renovations and paintings, if it’s not approved at that meeting we will be taking it to our city commission,” said Moree. The third option is for both parties to decide on a “mutually agreeable color scheme.” Mayor Lara says at the moment, the city doesn’t follow a specific color scheme, which is why he’s pushing to repeal the almost 20-year-old ordinance. “I don’t like that one person can be on there, and they like lime green, and another person be on there, and they like dark purple, and there might not be any cohesion,” noted Lara. The business was allowed to finish painting the front while they went through the process. In the meantime, Reyes says they are appreciative of the support they’ve received.
Source: KSN-TV
Parsons Land Bank sees success
A house that was in the city’s land bank is being renovated, city commissioners heard this week. Jim Zaleski, city economic development director, told city commissioners the house at 1621 Chess has been a test case for the land bank. The house was acquired by the land bank and the board took proposals early this year from those interested in rehabbing the house. Zaleski said drywall is being installed inside and a new heat pump has been added outside. The land bank offers property owners the chance to donate lots, with or without buildings on them, so the land or buildings can be repurposed with the hope of improving the look of the city. This could include razing the homes or structures or having structures renovated if they can be fixed up. The land bank exists to get houses with delinquent property taxes back on the rolls as soon as possible, Zaleski said. The land bank board voted in January to award 1621 Chess to B.C. Construction/Bryan Stringer. Interest in the land bank continues as seven more properties have been cleared to bring to the land bank board to consider, he said. Zaleski also addressed recent concerns about the city using grant funding to renovate downtown Parsons instead of using that money on other streets in the city. The Kansas Department of Transportation will pay $583,142 for working on sidewalks and changing the parking angles between Central and 17th and the city’s portion will be $102,908 plus the cost of engineering and design work. “Our Main Street is the heart of our community,” Zaleski told commissioners. Some critics thought the money should have been directed to other city streets that needed the work more. Other cities that received these grants will use the grant to improve streets, critics noted.
Source: Parsons Sun