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Municipal News & Jobs

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

Kansas Municipal News

Will Topeka sell garages?

The city of Topeka could sell its parking garages to a private company. ‘This is very much exploratory,’ said Hannah Uhlrig, deputy director of public works. Topeka owns and operates seven parking garages in downtown Topeka. Combined, they provide 2,651 covered parking spaces. The city’s public infrastructure committee is exploring the possibility of sale. Several entities, including two national management services, responded to the committee’s RFP (request for proposal). If the committee recommends the sale, the issue would be sent to the Topeka City Council’s governing body for consideration.
Source: CJonline

Kelly promises to sign bipartisan bill eliminating state’s sales tax on food by 2025

Gov. Laura Kelly pledged to sign a bill approved Thursday by the Legislature gradually eliminating the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries by January 2025. Kelly and Democratic legislators pressed for an immediate end to the state’s sales tax to food purchases, but Republican leadership in the House and Senate held fast to a stair-stepped plan that gave lawmakers the ability to modify the strategy in response to economic downturns. The measure unanimously passed by the Senate and by an overwhelming majority in the House would make no change in the state’s sales tax on groceries in 2022. It would initiate adjustment of the state food sales tax rate on Jan. 1, 2023, with a cut to 4%. It would drop to 2% on Jan. 1, 2024, and to zero on Jan. 1, 2025. Local sales tax rates on grocery purchases wouldn’t be altered by House Bill 2106.
Source: www.joplinglobe.com

Johnson County maintains its rank as the healthiest county in Kansas

Johnson County continues to be ranked as the healthiest county in Kansas according to the annual County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. “It’s good that we are able to maintain this ranking while responding to a pandemic the last two years. The county will work to put a high priority on building a culture of health for residents. The programs and services the county provides will continue to focus on health equity, so Johnson County continues to be the best place to live, work and raise a family,” said Sanmi Areola, director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |

Dodge City top the list as state’s most charming town

A travel website announced this week a 50-state catalog of the most charming towns across the nation and Dodge City is it for Kansas. Trips to Discover, an online travel discovery platform, wants to inspire people to travel more by helping them discover their next travel destination, according to a press release from Justin Wilson, marketing coordinator for the city of Dodge City.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe

Hesston hires new superintendent

The Hesston Board of Education hired Kevin Logan to serve as its new superintendent, effective July 1. Logan comes from Rock Creek USD-323, which has two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school, according to the Hesston School District’s release on the hire. During his time with that district, it completed a successful $30.6 million bond project. The Hesston School District has a bond project to be voted on by patrons later this year. “It is my honor to be selected as the next superintendent of USD-460,” he stated in the district’s release. “Hesston Schools have a long history of excellence in all facets of education. From my earlier experience as a teacher in Hesston, I have witnessed how proud the community is of its students, teachers, and schools. I look forward to working with all stakeholders; and together we will strive to reach the USD-460 Vision.”
Source: Harvey County Now

Johnson County officials vote to take back daily management of public transit system from KCATA

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) has managed Johnson County’s transit system since 2014, but Johnson County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to bring supervision back to the county under its public works department. The change takes effect Aug. 1. City officials said riders will not see a change in services because the county will continue to partner with KCATA and use RideKC branding. “There should be no impact on riders,” 4th District Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick said. “In fact, our goal is that there will be a positive impact, that we are making positive changes.” Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Ed Eilert said in a statement that the new plan will benefit both the county and KCATA.
Source: KCUR News

City of Wichita awards big bucks to local non-profits

$10 million, money the City of Wichita is giving to some non-profit organizations. The cast comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) the City received. The executive director of Kansas School for Effective Learning (KANSEL) said when the pandemic hit, a lot of the funding non-profits received was cut. He said the ARPA money from the City can really help his organization get back to helping the community. “For a City to recognize that there is a need to make social changes within the world of philanthropy and charity is huge,” said Thomas Montiel, the Executive director and CEO of KANSEL.
Source: KSN-TV

Does your pit bull legally have to be spayed or neutered in Wichita?

A beloved pet among many Wichitans is the pit bull. The dog breed also happens to be one of the most regulated animals in the City. According to the City of Wichita, the definition of a pit bull means any and all of the following dogs: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dogs, the American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dogs, the American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dogs, dogs which have the appearance and physical characteristics of being predominately of the breeds of dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier
Source: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County Tag Office introduces a new procedure

Sedgwick County Tag Offices has implemented a new procedure. Starting today, the offices will now devote the last three days of each month to handling renewals, refunds, 60-day permits and temporary and permanent disabled placards/plates. As a result, staff hopes to expedite service and shorten wait times for customers. In turn, title work will be done on a more limited basis on these final days of each month. Customers are encouraged to plan and have title work processed earlier in the month.
Source: KSN-TV

‘Out of control’ controlled burn now fully contained in Riley County, firefighters say

A controlled burn that turned into a wildfire in April 26 is now fully contained according to firefighters with the Riley County Fire District #1. An estimated 45 acres of public land were scorched in the fire. Through the efforts of professional and volunteer firefighters, the blaze was successfully contained. No injuries have been reported, no animals were lost and no structures were damaged.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Electric scooter company Bird looking to expand to Salina

Electric scooters could be on their way to Salina in the near future after a company that offers the service made a presentation to the City Commission Monday. Bird, the transportation company that operates electric scooter-share programs in places around the world, presented during the commission’s study session Monday and said it would like to see Salina added as the next city in Kansas to hop on the scooter-share model. “Electronic scooters have become a new and modern form of transportation using a variety of different ways,” said Lauren Driscoll, the director of development services for the City of Salina. “(Scooters) are used both for pleasure and travel and tourism, but also for what we call ‘last-mile’ in the transportation world.”
Source: Salina Journal

Pittsburg enters into cleanup agreement with KDHE

Pittsburg Deputy City Manager Jay Byers fielded questions from the city commission on Tuesday about entering into an “intergovernmental agreement” with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to assist in environmental clean-up efforts throughout the city. Known as brownfield properties, these areas are typically empty spaces that are unusable or undevelopable because of junk or a history of handling hazardous materials. This agreement would provide resources to the city for taking and analyzing samples, negotiating contracts, and background work based on the history and nature of the land through KDHE, according to Byers.
Source: Morning Sun

Hollywood writer brings first look at a film about Hutchinson to Fox Theater

A Hollywood writer is headed to Hutchinson to show off his script and get input. On Sunday, Jake Farrago, the writer of “No Place Like Hutch” — a film about Hutchinson and its history, will hold a reading at the Fox Theater. The film is currently not yet in production, but before Farrago began filming, he wanted the residents of Hutchinson to have the first look through a table read of his script with local actors. “It’s usually not something we do publicly, but I think it’s important, especially for something so focused on the DNA of the town,” Farrago said. “I would love for (the film) to bring back love and a renewed interest in the town itself.”
Source: Hutch News

Atchison’s Memorial Hall reaches on beyond century mark

Atchison County native Colonel Leroy Stutz, USAF, retired, Vietnam POW addressed a crowd of veterans, families, and friends who gathered in tribute to celebrate the first 100-year milestone for the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Atchison. Stutz, a Hanoi Hilton survivor, spoke about his personal military experiences that began in Memorial Hall as a Kansas National Guardsman. He also shared insight about his connections to farm life in Atchison County in rural Effingham near Monrovia. The event was Sunday, April 24 in the facility built to honor all in military service in WWI from Atchison County as a community activity center and as a memorial for the men and women in military service who gave all.
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Sports gambling in Kansas could get done this week

Place your bets. Sports gambling has a shot at passing this week. “It should pass in the Senate,” said Rep. Stephanie Clayton (D) District 19. “It’s pretty tight.” Clayton lives in the Kansas City area, where she says casinos and other sports venues could bring in a lot of revenue from sports gambling being legalized inside the State of Kansas. She says the key is the Kansas senate. “If there are more than 21 votes in the Senate, it would go to the governor,” said Clayton. Wichita Representative Tom Sawyer says if the measure passes, the money the state would make on betting would not have to go to the general fund.
Source: KSN-TV

Shawnee prohibits shared room rentals in residential areas of city

Shawnee has officially adopted new city code that restricts shared room rentals in all residential zoning districts. Shawnee is believed to be the first municipality in the Kansas City metro to adjust its city code in order to restrict such shared room, or co-living, rental arrangements in which people lease individual rooms within a larger property but share common areas. The practice has grown in popularity in recent years in the U.S. as housing costs have increased, according to CNBC, especially in high-priced metropolitan areas like San Francisco.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Labor, housing in Marysville discussed with visiting officials

Four state officials have visited Marysville in recent weeks, each learning about the area’s shortage of labor and affordable housing, among other issues. Lieutenant Gov. David Toland visited Landoll Company on April 11 and toured Marysville’s new fire station, which was funded largely through the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant program.
Source: The Marysville Advocate

1970s art installation in Shawnee Mission Park now a hidden gem

A Johnson County sculptor whose artwork is in collections around the world and were featured in Marvel© and DC© comics-related movies was also the creator of a public artwork recently “rediscovered” in Shawnee Mission Park. The piece in question consists of three steel and wooden cylinders with seats inside located overlooking the lake near Shelter #4 just north of the marina on the lake’s north side. They were created and donated to the park in the early 1970s by local artist Arlie Regier, who passed away in 2014. Earlier this year, JCPRD officials came across a 1972 newspaper clipping about the art installation. This comes at a time when the park district is actively working toward installing new public art in district parks.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Wildfire burns around 180 acres in northern Riley County

Firefighters battled a wildfire Tuesday evening in a rural swath of northern Riley County. It began around 7 p.m. in the area near Bjorling Road, northeast of Randolph, starting near the recent Carlson Road fire. An estimated 180 acres burned into the evening, according to Riley County Fire District No. 1. There were no reports of any structural damage. Crews cleared the scene by 11 p.m. and will be returning this morning to check for hot spots. The fire was caused by a permitted, controlled burn in the area that got out of control.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Sedgwick County to conduct a different test for outdoor warning sirens

Sedgwick County Emergency Management is planning a different test for the outdoor warning sirens. The sirens are usually tested on Mondays at noon in an alert mode, which is a steady tone used for tornado warnings. The test on Monday, May 2nd will be in attack mode, which is a rising and falling tone. Deputy Emergency Management Director Jonathan Marr said the attack mode has a more traditional sound and it would be used during times of war or for enemy attack. He said the message with both modes is the same, urging people to take shelter and check with news sources to get warning information.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Jaws of Life: Newton firefighters train to save lives

Many people are familiar with the Jaws of Life, a type of rescue equipment first responders use to rescue people trapped in vehicles following an accident. What people don’t know is what they themselves need to do in that situation and what they can expect. “Other than just be patient, there’s going to be lots of pops and loud noises, all this cracking you hear,” said Newton Fire/EMS Department Acting Officer Colton Garcia while he and others in the department did vehicle extraction training Tuesday morning at All Metals Recycling in Newton. They’ve been doing the training last week and this week.
Source: Harvey County Now

Kansas voters to decide constitutional amendment question on election of county sheriffs

The November general election ballot added girth in terms of verbiage with adoption of a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution requiring election rather than appointment of county sheriffs. On Tuesday, the House affirmed a final version of House Concurrent Resolution 5022 previously endorsed by the Senate. It passed 91-31 in the House and 39-1 in the Senate — above the required two-thirds majorities necessary to place the amendment on statewide ballots. Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican running for governor, lobbied for the amendment and vowed to campaign for passage of the amendment related to election of sheriffs and potential removal of sheriffs.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Sedgwick County sirens will be in attack mode Monday

If you are in a place where you can hear the Sedgwick County tornado sirens Monday, May 2, you may notice they sound a bit different. Sedgwick County Emergency Management will test the Outdoor Warning System’s attack mode. Usually, the Monday test at noon is the alert mode, a steady tone. “The attack mode is very different,” Jonathan Marr, Emergency Management deputy director, said. “It’s a rise and fall tone. In some cases, it can be rather alarming for some people. The test is going to last for approximately three to five minutes.”
Source: KSN-TV

Osawatomie endures thousands of cyber threats

The city of Osawatomie’s network servers were subjected to 47,000 cyberattacks during a one-month period earlier this year. Most of the attacks emanated from inside Russia. Bill Justesen, the city’s director of information technology, delivered that sobering news during the City Council’s April 14 meeting. The city has two networks, one for City Hall and the other for the Osawatomie Police Department, Justesen said. Two internet service providers connect the city’s two networks to the internet, he said. “Between January and February, we had approximately 47,000 attacks against our network,” Justesen said. “That’s 47,000 direct attacks against our servers.”
Source: republic-online.com

Louisburg delays action on pit bull breeds until May

The fate of pit bull breeds in Louisburg will have to wait until May. At its meeting April 18, the Louisburg City Council delayed voting on an ordinance that would remove the pit bull ban from city code until staff had a chance to make revisions to existing city code regarding vicious animals. That would allow council members to consider both the pit bull and vicious animal revisions to city code at the same meeting. The council’s next meeting is May 2.
Source: republic-online.com

Anonymous campaign clouds Inman bond election

An unidentified person or group has sent out postcards to Inman voters in opposition of a bond election that will be decided May 3. The postcard contains the district’s logo, but the district had no part in communicating the message. Superintendent Scott Friesen put out a release expressing concerns about “unnecessary confusion” the postcard might cause voters. We want to make sure the community knows that there are only two locations online that are official from the district, a website—usd448bond.com—and a Facebook page called ‘USD 448 Inman Bond Project.’” I know it’s not the school putting that information out. It’s anonymous, coming from different places,” he said.
Source: McPherson Weekly News

State poised for major investment in rural housing

The state of Kansas is about to invest nearly $200 million in rural housing as part of a broad initiative to foster economic development in areas without enough homes to support a robust work force. The Kansas Legislature this week passed a worth roughly $120 million in tax credits to jump start the housing market in rural Kansas plus more than another $65 million that’s earmarked in the state budget for constructing new homes.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

Miners Hall looks back at Arma’s history  

The Miners Hall Museum in Franklin hosted Rediscover Arma, a short program about the founding and history of the town, on Sunday. Christie Nicoletti Parrish, Linda Robers and Mike Doue sponsored the event, inviting three speakers to give a brief lecture, coupled with their own recollections, about growing up and living in Arma. The program is part of a series the museum intends to run throughout the summer. …Joan Barbieri, whose grandparents immigrated to southeast Kansas in the late 19th century, started with the founding of Arma as a small mining camp in 1886 on 65 acres of land owned by William Armacost, the city’s namesake, and populated mostly by European immigrants, especially from Italy. According to Barbieri, mining camps were temporary. When a mining camp closed, the houses were torn down and loaded onto a wagon to be moved to the next site.
Source: Morning Sun

Merriam City Council gets first look at new $136M concept to remake former Kmart site

The Merriam City Council on Monday got its first look at a development concept that could remake the abandoned Kmart property on Shawnee Mission Parkway. After some uncertainty over the property’s future, Overland Park-based Drake Development appears to be holding steady on its plans to turn the long-vacant lot into a mixed-use development. But several more steps must occur before any plans for the prominent site are finalized.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Tuesday marks 30 years since devastating F-5 ‘Andover Tornado’

Today marks 31 years since of one of Kansas’ most devastating tornadoes. Known as the Andover Tornado, the F-5 caused damage across Harper, Sedgwick and Butler Counties on April 26, 1991. That twister claimed 17 lives — most of them taken from the Golden Spur mobile home park. It began with a touchdown in Harper County and then tore across Sedgwick and Butler counties. In Sedgwick County it grew to F-3 intensity and tore through parts of south and east Wichita, making a direct hit on McConnell Air Force Base. Four people were killed in Sedgwick County. The tornado then grew to F-5 intensity and went through the community of Andover in Butler county. Anyone not watching television or listening to their radio when the storm hit received no warning that day. The town’s only siren had failed to sound. Major damage was incurred and 13 people were killed.
Source: KAKE – News

Wichita officials looking at steps to protect, replace trees in the community

Wichita City Council members are looking over a proposed new policy to promote tree planting and protect existing trees in the community.  The proposal was presented during a workshop meeting Tuesday. The city’s park and recreation director, Troy Houtman, said the city is in a situation where it is having a net loss of trees.   He said a number of trees are dying because of disease or because they have reached the end of their life span.  He said the proposed policy will protect trees that are in good health.   It would set up a review process to avoid tree loss and it would have a plan for replacement of lost trees. The policy will apply to city development projects on city property and on rights-of-way.   There will be a minimum number of trees for each site, and a plan will be created for each development to maintain and protect the trees.  There will also be a program where the city and the public can apply for a tree to be designated as a “Heritage Tree” as a protective status.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Co-living rentals banned in Shawnee after unanimous council vote 

On Monday, a Johnson County city unanimously voted to ban a living arrangement aimed at helping tenants decrease the amount of rent they pay. The Shawnee City Council voted 8-0 to ban co-living, becoming among the first Kansas City area municipalities to prevent the practice, which has gained popularity in recent years as rent and home prices have soared. The new ordinance defines a co-living group as a group of at least four unrelated adults living together in a dwelling unit. The ordinance stated that if one adult is unrelated to another adult, then the entire group will be classified as unrelated.
Source: KC Star Local News

Voting begins for $143.5 million Hays school bond

Early voting began Monday on a school bond in Hays. The bond totals $143.5 million. With it, USD 489 hopes to renovate two elementary schools, renovate the current middle school into a new elementary, construct a new high school and move the middle school to the high school. One older elementary school and administration center would be closed. “I’m expecting a big turnout and that is just because there’s been a lot of push for this bond issue. There’s been a lot of things in the news, signs all over our town so you know I’m expecting a big turnout,” said Ellis County Clerk/Election Official Bobbi Dreiling.
Source: KSN-TV

Dodge City named Most Charming Small Town in Kansas

In its 150th year since it was established, the city of Dodge City was named the Most Charming Small Town in Kansas by the travel website Trips to Discover. “Once considered to be the wildest town in the Wild West, with a cast of colorful characters, including gamblers, cowboys, and prostitutes, Dodge City offers plenty of historic charms,” author K.C. Dermody wrote about the small community in southwest Kansas. “Boot Hill Museum focuses on its heritage with entertaining historical exhibits, and there are trolley tours of historic sites, along with mock gunfights complete with costumed cowboys. Grabbing a drink in one of the saloons is a great way to soak up the atmosphere,” said Dermody.
Source: KSN-TV

Wichita’s City Council: Leave TIF district policy as is for transparency sake

During a workshop meeting Tuesday, Wichita’s City Council explored potential changes to the criteria for tax increment financing districts — an economic development tool that captures the incremental increases in property taxes within a district’s boundaries to cover certain costs of private development. The strongest message delivered Tuesday by three members of the Council, though, was to leave it be. I like the TIF language as is,” Council member Brandon Johnson said during the meeting. “… The proposed one I get, but I just know that other taxpayers really want to see final effort and everything’s been exhausted.”
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Does the ‘Future of Work’ Open a New Growth Horizon for Small Towns?

With the changing shape of remote and hybrid workplaces, and the continuing spread of high-speed internet access in rural areas, new options are opening up for bringing small-scale jobs and companies to towns all over the map. More specifically, with $65 billion for improvements to rural high-speed internet access in President Biden’s infrastructure plan, the potential for a renaissance and reinvention of small towns looms large. Leveraging that potential in a way that creates sustainable growth, will take a multi-dimensional approach.
Source: KLC Journal

Overland Park city workers rescue 11 ducklings caught in spillway at South Lake Park

Friday afternoon rescuing a troop of ducklings that had gotten into some trouble during a swim lesson at South Lake Park. A total of 11 of the fluffy little creatures accidentally swam into an overflow spillway in the park’s lake, basically a 20-foot hole. “The spillway has a kind of gate cover so that obviously no one can fall in there, but the ducks were able to swim through there,” said Mike Burton, Overland Park parks project coordinator.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Accessibility updates to Pittsburg City Hall

Much needed change is coming to Pittsburg City Hall. Construction will be soon underway to improve the accessibility of City Hall. These changes include new steps and a new ramp in front of the building. The main entrance to City Hall is closed. Residents can use the east and west entrances to enter City Hall as needed. “All the departments, you can still get up to the front desk in City Hall to do any business you need to conduct as regular through either the west side or the east side of the building,” said Matt Bacon, Director of Public Works Pittsburg KS.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Johnson County public transit may fall under county control once again

Four months after committing to several major changes that will expand public transit, Johnson County commissioners are now considering dropping out of a management agreement with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to run its services. Background: The interlocal agreement, in which KCATA manages contracts of the entities that run the county transit system, has been in place for seven years. The change was proposed so the county can keep a closer eye on several pilot projects that will begin to be phased in next month, according to a staff memo. But the county system will remain a part of KCATA’s RideKC brand and system, and riders will not notice any change, the memo said.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Kansas school districts anticipate growing shortfalls in special education funding

A creeping budget shortfall, that’s the situation described for Kansas school districts trying to figure out how to make up state funding shortfalls for special education. The issue has been in conflict for more than a decade and has been brought up once again as lawmakers mull over the matter in Topeka, Kansas. The situation, however, is also being talked about locally as local school districts look at their budgets and try to figure out the ebb and flow of finances for the next few years. At a recent meeting of the Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education, district officials laid out how special education funding, or SPED funding, has become a bigger divot year-to-year.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

U.S. News ranks KCK high school best in Kansas, among top 50 in nation

A Kansas City, Kansas high school has once again been ranked No. 1 by U.S. News as the best high school in the state of Kansas, Kansas City-area, as well as one of the top in the nation. Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences was ranked by U.S. News as the number one high school in Kansas and ranked 32 in the nation. The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings include data on nearly 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked on six factors based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

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