Kansas Municipal News
Roeland Park could be impacted by new Kansas immigration law
Roeland Park’s “safe and welcoming” ordinance, which has been on the books for more than a year, could be impacted by a new state law recently signed by Gov. Laura Kelly. HB 2717, among other provisions, prohibits municipalities from “preventing the enforcement of federal immigration laws.” Under the law, local law enforcement agencies are now required to notify officers of their “duty to cooperate with state and federal agencies in the enforcement of immigration laws.” The law also bars the use of municipal IDs for any state purpose, such as voting.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Haven residents thankful to be home after evacuations from gas plant fire
It has been a long 24 hours for a lot of the residents on 6th St. and Westland Dr. in Haven. Around 1:30 Thursday afternoon, Catherine Harber says she was at home when she starts to hear a rumbling above her house. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know what happened, it was so loud and then I stepped out and see flames.” Those flames were coming from the Tenawa Natural Gas plant just down the road. Fire crews spent most of the afternoon and evening working to put out the flames. Down the street on 6th and Kansas, Verbena Strasner says she was on her way home from work in Yoder when, “We did get a call yesterday to evacuate, but by the time I got home, it was rescinded. So I thought we were in the clear.”
Source: KAKE – News
Topeka ranked as top summer destination for remote workers
The capital city of Kansas is receiving more attention from a growing list of outlets that are recognizing Topeka for its many benefits, including those offered to remote workers. Topeka recently received praise from Hola! which ranks as one of the U.S.’s top Latino entertainment websites. In an article titled, “The Best Summer Destinations for Remote Work: For Beach Lovers, Nature Explorers or Restaurant-Goers,” Topeka is rated alongside Honolulu, Hawaii; Petaluma, California; Tucson, Arizona; and Ithaca, New York.
Source: KSNT 27 News
City falling short on some of its public safety goals, update for Lawrence City Commission shows
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will hear an update on some measures of the city’s performance in safety and security. Some of the city’s progress indicators in Tuesday’s meeting agenda still include baseline data from the city’s 2019 community survey, according to Interim Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Chief Tom Fagan. One of those indicators is the percentage of residents who perceive Lawrence as safe or very safe. At 82%, the city was below the target of 90%. The city’s strategic plan website currently shows that the percentage of residents who rate their trust in emergency services from the police department as “satisfied” or “very satisfied” was 81%, below the target of 85%; and from LDCFM, the rate was 91%, below the goal of 95%. However, those numbers are substitutes using 2019 data that asked residents about the “overall quality” of those services rather than their trust in them.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Riley County approves EPA order to bring sewer benefit district into compliance
Riley County Commissioners on Monday unanimously agreed to an Environmental Protection Agency order that sets a compliance timeline for the University Park Sewer Benefit District. The University Park Sewer Benefit District treats domestic wastewater from district residents and landowners that is discharged into Tuttle Creek Lake. According to meeting documents, the EPA has found that the facility is failing to comply with sewage limitations and failing to conduct analysis properly. During an inspection, an EPA representative found that the pH standards of the chlorine secondary standards in the facility laboratory were out of date, the facility’s analytical equipment was not calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and facility personnel did not keep records of when the equipment was calibrated.
Source: themercury.com
KCK/WYCO hit by cybersecurity attack over holiday weekend
This weekend the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, was subject to a cybersecurity attack to its data centers, a UG spokesman stated. The Unified Government has been working diligently to restore services and data access, a UG news release stated. Community members may visit the UG’s website at wycokck.org or call 3-1-1 for updates on services that have been affected. According to the UG spokesman, this is a fluid situation with an ongoing assessment of the damage underway.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Hutchinson artist and his friends collaborated on a new mural on a South Main Street building
Hutchinson artist and mural painter Brady Scott and his friends collaborated on a new mural on a South Main Street building. The mural focuses on Kansas imagery and graffiti, bringing splashes of color to the building’s outside walls. “It’s nice to have that place, and that wall to go to, and paint and, you know, practice our craft and have fun together,” said Scott. The artwork on the mural contains Scott’s painting of a fox. The rest of the mural is designed graffiti.
Source: Hutch News
Hutchinson will have its own license plate
Hutchinson residents — and out-of-town community supporters — will now be able to display pride in their community when on the road while also supporting local parks. The Kansas Legislature approved a license plate featuring the Hutchinson flag as one of eight new distinctive license plates that motorists can order in Kansas. Proceeds from sales of the tags will go to the Hutch Rec Foundation. Under the legislation, which passed both the House and Senate nearly unanimously and was signed by the governor last Friday, the plates may become available on Jan. 1, 2023.
Source: Hutch News
Explosion risk at burning gas plant forced overnight evacuation for some in Reno County
Reno County residents within a mile and a half of the Haven gas plant that caught fire Thursday were directed to evacuate their homes overnight due to the risk of an explosion. Officials say the threat was posed by approximately 3,000 gallons of liquefied natural gas being held in a vessel with relief valves that may have been compromised. Residents around the plant were originally told to prepare for a 72-hour evacuation, but on Friday, Reno County Emergency Management posted on Facebook that residents could return home.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Kansas property tax bill signed into law
A bill that backers say will provide some property tax relief to Kansans was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Laura Kelly. House Bill 2239 increases the state’s exemption for residential property taxes from $20,000 to $40,000 of appraised valuation. The bill also allows some personal property taxes to be prorated and gives county commissioners more authority to abate property taxes in cases of property destroyed by disasters. “Our fiscal responsibility has put Kansas back on track,” the governor said in a press release. “We’ve been able to fully fund our schools, fix our roads and bridges, balance the budget, and cut property taxes, providing relief for Kansans.”
Source: Atchison Globe Now
Eliminating late fees pays off for Emporia Public Library
The Emporia Public Library became one of the first libraries in the state to eliminate late fines in Dec. 2019. Now, many other libraries throughout the state are following suit. Robin Newell, library director says discussions about removing library fines took place from 2016 to 2018. Those discussions started with staff considering three main issues. The first issue staff considered was how library fines were preventing access for individuals, specifically low-income individuals. “When we looked at it, fines were a barrier, people couldn’t afford the fines and then they weren’t coming back in,” Newell said.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Wichita poised to pump an extra $14.6 million into Riverfront Stadium district
Wichita is poised to pump an additional $14.6 million into its Riverfront Stadium district, including a new parking garage, tax breaks for the Wind Surge owners’ private development company, Arkansas River improvements and a federal-funded skybridge over McLean Boulevard. In return, the Wind Surge’s minor-league baseball team owners’ development companies — WRLP and EPC — would agree to develop two acres sold by the city at $1 an acre in 2019. The plan calls for two new office buildings between the stadium and McLean and a 160-room hotel across the street, overlooking the Arkansas River and downtown Wichita.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Manhattan to celebrate Bridget Everett Day
Bridget Everett’s homecoming is about to get real. And official. The star of a hit television series set in Manhattan, she’s coming back here for an official recognition — Bridget Everett Day — put on by the city government and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. There’ll be a public gathering as well. The details are not entirely nailed down, but the event is planned for May 3, Everett and CVB director Karen Hibbard confirmed in interviews with The Mercury. The idea, Hibbard said, is to recognize and honor Everett, whose show, “Somebody, Somewhere” has been renewed for a second season on HBO. It’s a semi-autobiographical story about a woman who leaves Manhattan but comes back, drawn by family, discovering new layers of the place and new sources of her own strength.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article
Municipalities around Wichita receive $15.5M in state grants for eco-devo projects
While Wichita secured a $5 million grant to fund riverfront improvements surrounding its downtown baseball stadium, other communities in the metro area also received money through the state’s Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) program. Projects in Andover, Augusta, El Dorado and Wellington joined the 35 recipients in the program, which offers matching grants to transformational infrastructure projects statewide that support economic development.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Completed bond projects in Wichita metro area make a big statement
Construction is starting to wrap up on the big-ticket bond projects at school districts in the Wichita area, signaling a new generation of more spacious and modern education facilities. In Derby, work on a new Cooper Elementary finished in the fall, and a new building for Oaklawn Elementary opened at the start of the spring semester. Andover Public Schools’ most recent completion was an aquatics center attached to the new Andover High. Before that, work finished on a new Center for Professional Studies, home to a program that equips students with the employability skills they need to succeed in the workforce. The latest additions to the Maize school district are two intermediate schools for fifth- and sixth-graders, and a trendy new performing arts and aquatics center.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
What will it take to replace the tens of thousands of trees cut down in Wichita?
Harold Schlechtwag has started calling Wichita “Stump City.” But he’s hoping it doesn’t stick. It came to Schlechtwag, one of the founders of a new local environmental group, when he counted the tree stumps in his neighborhood. “In a two-block area around my house, I discovered seven stumps, some of which are quite old trees,” Schlechtwag said. Some of the trees that had been chopped down were on city easements, between a curb and a sidewalk. Others had been on private land. “One of them was removed by the person who flipped a house, before he renovated that house to sell it,” he said. “And that’s another part of the problem here.” Since 2010, Wichita has removed nearly 44,000 more trees than it has planted on city-owned or controlled property, according to city data. That number doesn’t include the trees on private property, which satellite images show are also declining in number.
Source: Wichita Eagle
All 3 deputies wounded in Cowley County shooting have been released from the hospital
On Friday, a shooting that occurred in Cowley County left three deputies with gunshot wounds and the female suspect dead. Since then, all three deputies have been released from the hospital in good condition. Around 12:10 p.m. on Friday, Cowley County deputies responded to a report about a suspicious vehicle located about five miles north of Winfield, parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd Road. Three deputies approached the vehicle and made contact with a female driver. After refusing to comply with their commands to step out of the vehicle, they attempted to remove her. She then brandished a handgun, and gunfire was exchanged. All three deputies were struck during the shooting, and the woman was killed at the scene.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for April 14, 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.
Liberal hires Russell Varnado as city manager
The City of Liberal will officially have a new city manager starting in June. … “We have gone through the initial interviews, follow-up interviews and tours and visits to Liberal, and we’ve decided to hire Russell Varnado to be our next city manager,” Liberal Mayor Jeff Parsons said. “Everyone’s had a chance to look over the contract, and he’s scheduled to begin June 2. I’m excited and I think he’s going to do a great job.” During the commissioners’ comments, the commissioners praised Burke’s work as city manager and other work with the city. “I’d like to thank Cal for the time he’s been with the city and how well he’s done and how helpful he’s been with this process,” city commissioner Ron Warren said. “I wish him well and wish him luck, and I hope he’s able to do what he pleases during his retirement. I’ve also got to give credit to all the commissioners up here for going through the process, I know it wasn’t easy because there were a lot of good candidates everyone liked, but I think Russell will do a good job.”
Source: LiberalFirst
Catawampus street signs plague city
At Tuesday’s city commission meeting, board president Dr. Ron Seglie mentioned an issue of “catawampus” street signs around the city and asked how citizens can report these incidents, or even fix the askew signs whenever they are identified, saying he personally straightened a few with his son. Director of Public Works & Utilities Matt Bacon said the best way to report these issues is through the city’s SeeClickFix app and let the city handle it. Seglie also asked about steel light poles in need of repair or resurfacing. Bacon said his department is currently working to address the issue and City Manager Daron Hall said the city is putting additional resources toward improving the striping, trees, signs and poles in its right-of-way this year, with an emphasis on main city corridors.
Source: Morning Sun
Kansas amends property, sales and income tax laws
The Kansas Governor signs a tax cut bill, making changes to property taxes for some residents. House Bill 2239 is a bipartisan bill that amends property, sales and income tax laws. Here’s what it does: It increases the residential property tax exemption, prorates some personal property taxes, provides homestead property tax refunds to eligible taxpayers, and broadens the property tax reduction authority of county commissioners for property destroyed by a disaster.
Source: KOAMKOAM
$2+ million will help Allen County Airport
The Allen County Airport is going to be able to make some improvements thanks to a state grant. The Kansas Department of Commerce for Infrastructure Improvements is giving the airport $2,905,095. The airport will use the money to increase the capacity of utilities at the airport. That includes water, electricity, broadband internet and roads. Officials hope to improve the airport and add an industrial park surrounding it. The County will provide a 25 percent match for the grant, totaling around $726,000.
Source: KOAMKOAM
Multiple KS fire crews continue to battle Haven gas plant fire, cause remains unknown
Reno County officials say that the fire that erupted Thursday afternoon at the Haven gas plant is still burning, but fire crews were able to get the gas turned off. At this time, there is no threat to the public, Reno County Emergency Manager Adam Weishaar said. Two people with minor injuries were taken to a Wichita hospital for treatment, he added. Fire crews from Wichita, Colwich, Burrton, McPherson and Mount Hope were called in to assist with the fire and a specialized firefighting foam was being brought in to “deal with the liquid natural gas,” Weishaar said.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Kelly signs sprawling bill with tax credits, property tax cuts
Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed a bill offering a package of tax credits and property tax cuts that’s estimated to cost $310 million over three years. The tax package included 25 provisions, including tax credits for teachers buying school supplies, a credit for donations to community colleges for capital improvements and a sales tax exemption for replacing fencing destroyed in wildfires.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
‘Axe the Food Tax’ aligns with Thrive Allen County’s mission
Now more than ever, Kansas families need relief from the state’s food sales tax. Kansans pay 6.5% in state sales tax on groceries — the second highest in the country. In addition to the tax, we have all felt the effects of the pandemic-induced inflation, which is making it harder to put food on the table. At Thrive Allen County, we focus on improving health and wellness, economic conditions, and community resources in our county and throughout the state. The “Axe the Food Tax” plan is in lockstep with the mission of Thrive. It helps all Kansans by putting money back in their pockets, providing relief to those deciding between groceries or other necessities, and enabling Kansans to select nutritious and wholesome foods without the higher sales tax barrier. This plan to eliminate the state sales tax on food would benefit our rural grocery stores, by allowing residents to spend more money on actual groceries instead of on sales taxes.
Source: The Iola Register
Multi-age classrooms, coming to Lawrence schools next year, raise concerns for teachers
Some teachers in Lawrence elementary schools are concerned about what multi-age classrooms will look like in the district and the domino effect that may follow.nThe Lawrence school board has approved about $6.41 million in budget cuts. About $2.07 million, or 32% of that total, will come from changing elementary class thresholds to eliminate about 34 teaching positions, largely through attrition. The district will be implementing multi-age classrooms, though it is unclear exactly where and how many, primarily because class sizes depend on each year’s enrollment numbers, according to information provided by district spokesperson Julie Boyle.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Property, sales and income tax mega-bundle approved by Kansas governor
A Kansas bill signed into law Thursday spans the gamut of tax policy, packaging more than two dozen measures amending property, sales and income tax laws. The massive House Bill 2239, backed by the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly, included provisions from 29 different bills cutting taxes and will hack nearly $91 million from state tax revenue in the first year. The largest cost is the taxpayer-assessed 20 mill levy toward supporting K-12 public education. In approving the changes to state tax laws, Kelly said she felt the opportunity to provide relief for Kansans was now, while the state experiences its first budget surplus in decades.
Source: The Lawrence Times
USDA Awards Over $2.5 Million in Health Care Grants to 10 Rural Communities in Kansas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $2.55 million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants has been awarded to 10 communities in rural Kansas. The grants will help rural hospitals and health care providers implement telehealth and nutrition assistance programs, increase staffing to administer COVID-19 vaccines and testing, build or renovate facilities, and purchase medical supplies.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
USD 465 budgeting $4 million in relief funds
The Winfield school district now has the third round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds from the federal government and is deciding how to spend it. The $3,968,599 is meant to provide relief from effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Some will be added to funding received from the first and second ESSER distributions, Superintendent Nathan Reed said. All the money must be distributed and accounted for. Some funding can be used into 2025. The district sought public input on how to spend the aid through an online survey.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Mortgage rates have hit 5% for the first time in more than a decade
Mortgage rates rose again this week, reaching 5% for the first time in over a decade. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5% in the week ending April 14, up from 4.72% the week before, according to Freddie Mac. That’s the highest since 2010. Rapidly rising rates, along with sky-high home prices and rapid inflation continue to push homeownership out of reach for many Americans, according to Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “This week, mortgage rates averaged 5% for the first time in over a decade,” said Khater. “As Americans contend with historically high inflation, the combination of rising mortgage rates, elevated home prices and tight inventory are making the pursuit of homeownership the most expensive in a generation.
Source: KMBC.com
Federal grants may help Lawrence make quicker progress on $32M list of storm water projects in flood-prone area
With as much as $32 million needed to increase the city’s storm water system capacity in the Jayhawk Watershed and reduce neighborhood flooding, city engineers are hoping federal funding could help get projects done more quickly. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received an update on the findings and recommendations of a study of the Jayhawk Watershed completed by JEO Consulting Group. The study included a recommendation of four projects, estimated to cost from $23 million to $32 million total, to increase the amount of rainwater the system can handle.
Source: LJWorld.com
After disruptions last week, Douglas County leaders say outbursts from audience members will no longer be tolerated at meetings
After members of the audience disrupted the Douglas County Commission’s meeting last week and forced a brief recess, commissioners have made it clear that future outbursts won’t be tolerated. At the beginning of their meeting Wednesday, commissioners took time to clarify when members of the public may be removed from meetings for their behavior. County leaders agreed that members of the public who direct profanity or name-calling toward public servants — such as law enforcement officers or the commissioners — or people who cause excessive outbursts at any point in the meeting will be asked to leave.
Source: LJWorld.com
Municipal Bond Trends for April 13, 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.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Infrastructure Project Funding Grant Awardees
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $100 million is going toward 35 infrastructure investment projects associated with economic development across the state. This funding is made available through the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) grant program. “The BASE program is vital to enhancing Kansas’ economic competitiveness,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These grants provide essential funding to our local communities, positioning them to succeed and be a place of continued economic growth.” As approved by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee, the BASE grant program offers matching funds to address economic development opportunities to expand the state’s base of businesses and residents to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SPARK Executive Committee allocated $100 million in COVID-19 relief funds to the BASE program.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Olathe school budget looks bleaker, cutting $28.6 million, eliminating 140 more jobs
The Olathe school district is facing a larger budget deficit than originally announced, as officials now look to cut $28.6 million next school year, including 140 more job eliminations. Last month, officials said that due to declining enrollment and other challenges, the district would need to cut more than $20 million for the next school year. They announced the closure of the district’s virtual school. Reductions in department budgets were expected across the board. Library clerk positions — about 15 total at middle and high schools — as well as kindergarten aides and some other aide positions would be cut.
Source: Joco 913 News
Police warn of new trend involving water beads
Over the weekend the El Dorado Police Department received reports from multiple citizen’s regarding individuals who were in a vehicle firing water beads at people at random. While the water beads may initially seem harmless, multiple people received welts after being struck by the beads and one child was almost hit. “This behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the department said in a statement. “Firing any type of firearm, even a ‘fake gun’ out of a vehicle is extremely dangerous… this has the potential to turn a ‘fun’ trend into a deadly situation.” The department also said this act is considered criminal and prosecution will be requested on individuals involved in these types of investigations.
Source: KAKE – News
Axe on Kansas Grocery Tax likely to keep shoppers’ dollars in Atchison
Elimination of the 6.5 percent sales tax on groceries is currently pending in the Kansas Legislature and is an issue that Governor Laura Kelly is hopeful lawmakers will hear all about from constituents throughout the spring break. Kelly said she is hopeful the elimination of the 6.5 percent grocery tax will become effective July 1. “People need it now,” Kelly said in an interview with the Atchison Globe and added Kansas consumers need the relief as inflationary cost of living expenses are on the rise.
Source: Atchison Globe Now
Wichita City Council approves grants for small business, workforce development programs
Wichita City Council members have approved a first round of grants for programs to help small businesses and promote workforce development. The city received $72 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, and $10 million of that will be dedicated to workforce and business efforts. The council approved a total of $6.3 million in grants to 14 organizations. WSU Tech is getting about 60 percent of the funding from the first round, for partnerships with the Wichita school district and other agencies to train workers for health care and manufacturing jobs.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Recycling alive in Newton but won’t be cheap
Continued curbside recycling service in Newton now hinges on 300 households being willing to pay $151 a year to continue having service. The City of Newton revealed private recycling bids for service at its Tuesday meeting. Nisly Brothers out of Hutchinson was the only company to respond to a bid request for service from the city and submitted two options. The first option would cost $8.80 a month to provide and bill recycling to all city customers. The other bid cost $12.63 per month to be assessed to only recycling customers. Option two would have Nisly handle the billing. The bid is tied to a five-year contract, and costs are also tied to inflation rates of recycling processing charges. It also requires a minimum of 300 customers to be initiated.
Source: Harvey County Now
Halstead Fire gets hoses checked
The Halstead Fire Department completed the annual testing of all its hoses on Monday. In the past, the department has done hose testing during a training night, but this year for the first time, they hired a company to do it for them. Division Chief Doug Hoffman credited Burrton Fire Department with doing the research to find FireCatt, a professional hose testing company out of Michigan. Halstead piggybacked while they were in the area. “We looked at it and considered the labor-saving aspect,” Hoffman said. “They do it in one day and they’re done.” Burrton was going to have their hoses tested this Thursday.
Source: Harvey County Now
Wichita renters feeling the effects of inflation
Inflation is paving a tough road ahead for renters in Wichita. Director for the Center for Economic Development Business Research at Wichita State University Jeremy Hill said, he’s been following rent rates in Wichita since the start of this year. He said since January 2020, rent in the Midwest has outpaced the average rent across the United States. “Instead of the nation growing a lot faster in rental prices, it is the Wichita market going a lot faster than the nation,” Hill said. Demetri Dehncke-White chose to move when facing a rise in rent. The struggle to find a new place to rent was hard, and experts said Dehncke-White is not alone. “Nothing was really set in stone until they told us that, ‘Yeah, we’re gonna have to raise your rent to what the current market rate was.’” Dehncke-White said.
Source: KAKE – News
UG opens door for Homefield’s first $130M in STAR bonds, setting stage for 2022 groundbreakings
Officials in Kansas City, Kansas, have signed off on multiple bond measures necessary for developers of the $648.1 million Homefield project to hit approved deadlines coming at the end of the year. Commissioners with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas recently greenlit up to $160 million in sales tax revenue (STAR) bonds for the roughly 400-acre project near 94th Street and State Avenue. Of that total, Homefield LLC can unlock as much as $130 million in public benefit for its multi-sport Homefield Building, Perfect Game youth baseball complex and related infrastructure. The developer must first attract $195 million in private capital, or a 40-60% ratio in public-to-private funds, under a revised agreement approved with the UG in late January. The UG has restricted $20 million of those STAR bond proceeds, with plans to release $5 million to the developer once its privately funded $85 million, 250-room Margaritaville hotel has broken ground, and the $15 million balance after it opens.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals
Prairie Village considers $1M for park upgrades over next 5 years — Here’s when and where
The Prairie Village City Council will soon consider approval of a more than $1 million capital improvement program plan for city parks, but the proposal does not include funding for planned work at Harmon Park, the city’s most prominent park. The big picture: The parks and recreation committee wanted to tackle the city’s entire park system with the next five-year capital improvement plan. Otherwise, some city parks wouldn’t see improvements for more than five years, Councilmember Lauren Wolf said.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Fort Scott welding class helps Louisburg expand Hometown Heroes program
Dee Young raised a welding helmet to examine her handiwork on a Monday night in early March. Young and several other members of Fort Scott Community College’s night welding class on the Paola campus are playing a key role in the expansion of the Hometown Heroes banner program in Louisburg. The program began last fall and quickly sold all 44 banner spots on light poles in downtown Louisburg, organizers said. Because of the program’s popularity more banners are being added for 2022. To accommodate the overflow, most of those banners will be displayed on flag holders in the green space between City Hall and Fox Hall during the weeks surrounding Memorial Day and Veterans Day through May 2023, organizers said.
Source: The Miami County Republic
Manhattan OK with city employee pay increases recommended in salary study
The Manhattan city government appears ready to move forward with raises for its employees after commissioners on Tuesday gave their informal OK. Based on a consultant’s recommendation, city administrators support giving raises to 77% of city government employees, which would cost $2.1 million in additional annual spending. The city hired Allen Gibbs Houlik (AGH) of Wichita to conduct a total rewards study to examine compensation for Manhattan government employees compared to other private and government agencies in the area. Based on a new classification system, market data, employee tenure and job performance, AGH said 23% of employees would have no adjustment, 24% would receive up to a 10% pay increase, 28% would get a 11% to 20% raise, and 12% each would receive a 21% to 25% increase or a 25% or greater increase.
Source: themercury.com