Municipal News & Jobs

Despite the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pittsburg area economy continued to improve in 2021, according a new report from the Kelce College of Business at Pittsburg State University. The recently released 2021 economic summary and projections for the Pittsburg Micropolitan Area, also known as Crawford County, shows that for the most part, Pittsburg has made progress on its economic development goals over the last several years. According to the report, Pittsburg “is gaining a reputation nationwide for economic growth and a high quality of life.”
Source: Pittsburg Morning Sun

New Fire Chief Anthony “Tony” Sneidar Jr. may be coming from a big city, but he knows and loves everything about the small-scale and country feel of a city like Salina. Sneidar, who officially begins as the head of the Salina Fire Department Tuesday, spent 28 years in the Philadelphia Fire Department, working his way up the ranks of that department before retiring as an assistant fire chief in 2020.
Source: Salina Journal

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.

About one in six Kansas teachers feel they’re likely to leave public education before retiring, according to a statewide survey of 20,000 teachers. The Kansas Educator Engagement and Retention Study, conducted by Emporia State University Teachers Collège professor Bret Church and independent organizational psychologist Luke Simmering, also found that one in seven teachers feel likely to retire in the next three years. The survey’s report adds a layer to other Kansas data that shows the state’s schools are facing a staffing crunch. Teacher vacancies, including jobs filled with teachers not fully licensed for those positions, rose 62% to 1,253 vacancies in fall 2021, per a report from the Kansas State Department of Education.
Source: CJonline

Appraisal values rose by an average of about 13.5% per residential property in Shawnee County. That concerns Topeka City Councilman Tony Emerson. “This is something that really affects my constituents,” Emerson told The Capital-Journal this past week. “People can’t afford to pay more and more taxes year after year.” The new appraisal values — or revised versions of those values, if residents successfully appeal them — will be paired with mill levy levels local taxing entities set when they adopt 2023 budgets later this year to calculate the property tax bills for which Shawnee County residents will pay the first half beginning in December.
Source: CJonline

The 22nd Annual Parade of Quilts is on display for the month of March, featuring about 90 original, hand-stitched quilts made in a variety of patterns, colors and sizes. “People enjoy looking at the quilts, (there is a) nice variety of colors and patterns,” said Linda Miller, Parade of Quilts coordinator. “We think it is a fun event for the community, and it draws people in to Yoder.” The patterns range from traditional to modern and include lone star, log cabin, starburst and bargello. There are also unique wedding ring traditional patterns, but one of the most popular ones is the compass star pattern.
Source: Salina Journal

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.

The year is 1998. Bill Clinton is headed toward impeachment for the most infamous affair in U.S. political history. Shania Twain and Next dominate the Billboard charts. And John Elway leads the Denver Broncos to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. It is also the last time Kansas retirees saw their pension benefit checks adjusted for inflation, a move called a cost-of-living adjustment. The 24-year wait is among the longest of any state in the country. After years of work from legislators to stabilize the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System, there is optimism that the situation is finally improving after a quarter-century gap in which the state didn’t meet its obligation to pay its share.
Source: CJonline

After the success of last year’s event, downtown Marquette will have livestock take over its streets for another cattle auction this week. Barta Farms, based out of Little River, will bring angus bulls and females to the city center Friday for its fourth Annual Bull Sale. Ryan Barta, the owner of the farm, said this is the second year that Marquette is hosting the event. “Last year, we were kind of out of a spot to have it due to COVID,” Barta said. He said after talking with Stan Von Strohe at the Smoky Valley Distillery in Marquette, they thought it could be a good experience for the people and businesses in downtown Marquette as many events were not happening during the pandemic.
Source: Salina Journal

Hutchinson Parks Director Justin Combs reports long-awaited pickleball courts in Rice Park should be ready for action by the end of the month. While a long-time coming, Combs said, it likely is just the first facility the city will construct for the paddle-ball sport that’s been growing in popularity for at least the last decade. Under Combs’ direction, and in response to pressure from local pickleball players for a place to play, the city converted a set of deteriorating tennis courts in Rice Park into four new concrete- surfaced courts for the alternative game. Depending on their level of use, the remaining tennis court also may eventually be converted.
Source: Hutch News

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.