Municipal News & Jobs

Overland Park will soon replace what flag experts had ranked as one of the worst city flags with a new one that seeks to evoke the city’s park identity and nods to its history. The new flag proposal — which follows months of mulling and public engagement — comes at the tail end of a wider city brand overhaul that staff have been working on. During that process, the city engaged North American Vexillological Association, an international nonprofit organization of flag experts and enthusiasts that had ranked the old city flag as one of the worst in the country.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The De Soto City Council approved a plan to develop a $3 billion data center campus near the Panasonic plant and will back it with industrial revenue bonds. California-based Beale Infrastructure plans a 1.14 million-square-foot data center campus at the northwest corner of 103rd Street and Edgerton Road in Flint Commerce Center. Beale, a portfolio company of Blue Owl Capital Inc., specializes in data center development. The project is expected to create 155 jobs by 2040.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal – Local Kansas City News

Olathe’s industrial growth surges as Aspen Funds plans a 1M-square-foot warehouse along I-35, joining the area’s expanding large-scale developments. More than 1 million square feet of warehouse will add to Olathe’s expanding roster of large-scale industrial projects along Interstate 35. Overland Park-based Aspen Funds plans six single-story speculative industrial buildings near the southeast corner of 167th Street and Hedge Lane.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal – Local Kansas City News

What was once a former detox facility in Hutchinson will soon be known as The Center, and it will be filled with resources that will help the homeless in Hutch survive on their own by teaching them life skills.  The New Beginnings leadership team says the 16-room facility will have more than 30 beds, and experts specializing in trauma support, life skills and more. They also say that New Beginnings owns the building where the detox center used to be, so they aren’t breaking their budget by purchasing a new building or constructing a new facility.  
Read more: KSN-TV

The City of Topeka is launching “History of Topeka,” a new monthly documentary series featuring powerful stories, pivotal moments and inspiring people that shaped the city into what it is today. The very first episode is called “Topeka’s Beginnings: 30 Years That Built a Capital.” It discusses the city’s free-state roots to becoming the state capital, as well as the early struggles and visions that laid the foundation for the community.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

The mother of a man who was shot and killed by Olathe Police in late 2022 received $625,000 to settle a federal lawsuit that was heading to trial later this year. That’s according to an agreement obtained by the Post through public records requests dated July 23, which plaintiff Maria Varnas and Olathe City Manager Michael Wilkes signed, that details the terms of the settlement and releases all claims raised in the lawsuit. Last month, Judge Julie Robinson of the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas, approved the wrongful death settlement between Varnas and the city of Olathe and former Olathe Police Officer Conner Thompson.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Humboldt schools have in place new rules to keep cell phones out of the classroom, joining a growing collection of districts across the nation to set forth new limitations. As the morning bell rings this fall, many students across the country will be tucking their phones away for the day — whether they like it or not. From statewide bans in Missouri to stricter local policies in Kansas classrooms, schools are drawing a harder line on cell phones, citing concerns over distraction, student behavior, and mental health.
Read more: The Iola Register

Public Officer Gary Vaughan addressed that mange has been found amongst feral cats in town, which poses a concern as it can cause scabies in humans. Vaughan reported that a citizen was recently bit by a feral cat which resulted in the citizen having to undergo the rabies protocol of shots. Trapping has occurred and at least 13 cats have been sent to farms and those found with mange disposed of. Vaughan recommended that a public service announcement be made to remind citizens not to feed feral cats and to vaccinate pets for rabies and to keep them inside at night.
Read more: Homepage

The population report uses U.S. Census Bureau data to track populations. In total, 34 cities gained more than 100 people in the past year, compared to 18 in 2023.
Read more: CJonline

Some of them are comparable to what Lawrence is proposing. Others are hundreds of dollars higher. Some have tiers, or extra services, or even include swimming pool access.
Read more: LJWorld

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

Marshall County voters will decide during the November 4th general election whether the sale of liquor by the drink should be allowed in public places without a food sales requirement. Marshall County voters subsequently approved the sale of liquor by the drink with a 30% food sales requirement.
Read more: KMZA

The bond will fund: A middle school addition, including six new classrooms; and an elementary school addition, featuring two classrooms, a music room, and a covered connection.
Read more: KNZA

On Tuesday, August 12, an unmanned aircraft departed Kelly Hills UAS Airfield in Seneca carrying an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and landed 30 minutes later at Charles E. Grutzmacher Municipal Airport in Onaga. According to a release, the flight demonstrated how advanced drone technology can help bridge healthcare gaps for rural communities.
Read more: KMZA

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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 city commissioners on Tuesday voted 4-1 to increase the special tax that applies to hotel stays in hopes of better preparing for and capitalizing on an influx of World Cup visitors. The World Cup is expected to bring thousands of international fans and millions of dollars to the Kansas City area next summer. Six matches including a quarterfinal match will be played between June 16 and July 11, 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium. For each game, officials estimate the impact to the area will be similar to what a Super Bowl would be, and the effects will ripple far beyond Kansas City. The transient guest tax is a special sales tax that applies to stays in hotels and short-term rentals. Increasing the rate to 8% from 6% could bring in approximately $940,000 in increased revenue in 2026, according to the city.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

A data center campus soon could take root in De Soto across the street from Panasonic’s $4 billion EV-battery plant. Mount Sunflower Properties LLC, managed by Beale Infrastructure, is under contract with PBР Logistics LLC, a Flint Development Group entity, to buy land in Flint Commerce Center at 103rd Street and Edgerton Road to develop a data center campus.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal – Local Kansas City News

Nearly two months since passing the ordinance, councilman Robert “Bob” Lauck expressed his concern Monday night regarding the city’s procedure for overgrown lawns. Around mid-June, the city amended its ordinance dealing with tall grass when it becomes a public nuisance, growing over six inches. Initially, the ordinance noted the steps taken if the city has to step in to mow an overgrown lawn. However, the ordinance did not list a penalty amount.
Read more: – Latest Stories

Federal Reserve officials worried at their July meeting about the state of the labor market and inflation, though most agreed that it was too soon to lower interest rates, minutes released Wednesday showed. The meeting summary depicted divergence of opinion among the central bankers, whose vote to hold their key rate steady came despite objections from two Fed governors who argued in favor of cutting. Policymakers noted rising threats to the economy that would warrant monitoring, though they largely agreed that their current stance was the appropriate way to go.
Read more: Finance

Following a failed bond issue this past spring, ahead of the new school year the USD 263 Board of Education took action to bring the item back before voters in the November general election — this time with a few tweaks. As part of the special election in April 2025, voters in the Mulvane school district soundly (60%) voted against a $9 million bond issue for a new early childhood education center. A $50 million bond issue for safety and security enhancements at all district buildings was more narrowly defeated, with 52% of voters against it.
Read more: www.derbyinformer.com – RSS Results in news/area_news of type article