Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Kansas State to study cost-effective ways cities can reduce exposure to lead in soil

A new study being conducted by Kansas State University researchers is looking at ways to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in soil in the hopes of finding affordable methods that could be replicated around the country. Ganga Hettiarachchi is a professor of soil and environmental chemistry and is leading the research with her team through a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Hettiarachchi said conversations with officials with the health department and Brownfields program in Kansas City, Missouri, made her realize the scope of the issue. “I came to know that the elevated blood lead levels in children in (the) urban core in Kansas City is about nine times higher than the national average,” Hettiarachchi said. “And then nearly 50% of the parcels they tested, tested soil lead concentrations greater than 400 parts per million.”
Source: Kansas Reflector

Lawrence listed as fast-growing tech hub in recent study; that could snowball, industry leader says

Lawrence is making an impact on America’s technology landscape. Data from the Brookings Institute revealed the latest trends in technology across the country and how the pandemic has disrupted the geography of tech jobs. It listed Kansas City as a “rising star” metro, and also showed how Lawrence has grown substantially in recent years. Lawrence lost 1,570 tech workers from 2015-2019; however, in 2019-2020, Lawrence saw growth of 151 workers, according to the data. A closer look at the report from Axios shows that, at 19.3%, Lawrence is the No. 1 city for growth in tech workers per capita for 2019-2020. Per capita growth shows how much a population is increasing in proportion to the general population — in other words, Lawrence’s tech worker population rose rapidly even when taking general population growth into consideration.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Lawrence’s police review board looks for path forward as city moves to establish a new task force

Lawrence’s Community Police Review Board is set to review a draft proposal that could reconfigure the board, leading one member to resign over what she sees as an effort to turn the board into little more than “window dressing.” At its meeting Thursday, the CPRB will review a project charter for a new Community-Police Oversight Task Force that would review ordinance revisions proposed by the CPRB and assess the existing complaint policies, procedures, and systems. CPRB members had sought direction from the city commission last fall after working for months on a revised ordinance that would have expanded its duties. The CPRB was established in 2018 to review racial or other bias-based complaints made against the police department. But under the current ordinance, the CPRB doesn’t review a case unless it is appealed within 14 days of a decision. The CPRB has yet to review a complaint since the board was launched.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Black Squirrel City funds approved in Marysville

A $10,000 allocation for marketing, merchandise and logistics for the celebration of the 50th anniversary designation of Marysville as the Black Squirrel City was approved recently by the Marysville City Council…. Toby Carrig, Marysville tourism director, made the presentation on behalf of the Black Squirrel Committee, which has planned events all year through Black Squirrel Day in October. Events so far have included naming of the Honorary Black Squirrel Citizens of Marysville and a panel discussion about the science and lore surrounding black squirrels.
Source: The Marysville Advocate

Governor announces $160 million to support child care providers

On Thursday, March 3, Governor Laura Kelly announced $160 million in grants available for child care providers in Kansas. The third round of Child Care Sustainability Grants will aid child care providers in meeting the costs of operating their businesses through the remaining impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “As we grow the economy, these grants will provide the continued support our child care facilities need to stay open and ensure that Kansas families have access to safe, quality child care,” Governor Kelly said. “This support will help our child care facilities, it will help Kansas parents, and it will help our economy.” Qualifying child care providers are guaranteed nine months of payments ranging from $1,800 per month for family child care programs to $18,000 per month for large centers. In addition, the providers will be eligible for an additional five months of funding either in the same amount or more, depending on the utilization of the grants during the first nine months.
Source: Sabetha Herald

Manhattan searches for ways to combat housing problems identified by study

Consultants who conducted a housing needs analysis said Tuesday that the city government should consider a program to help people convert rental properties into single-family homes. Commissioners on Tuesday discussed the analysis. In April 2021, the city government hired a consulting firm, Development Strategies, to conduct a study for $94,000. In addition to assessment of the housing situation, the firm provided suggestions for the city government to consider. Andy Pfister of Development Strategies suggested the city government create a reconversion loan fund to provide some financial support for people who want to convert rental properties into single-family homes. He also talked about reducing barriers to housing affordability by establishing an affordable housing fund for home repairs and renovations.
Source: themercury.com

Tobacco-free park ordinance presented in Clearwater

Shelley Rich with Tobacco Free Wichita gave a presentation to the Clearwater City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 22 proposing the city take action to make city parks tobacco free. “This will create a healthier space for children and families, “said Rich. “It creates a healthier image for visitors. More people will use the parks and attend more city events.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers

Hot housing market spurs increase in appraised value

A hot housing market is fueling an increase in appraised property values in Marshall County this year. Sale prices on new and existing homes have experienced large increases nationally and Marshall County is no exception, county appraiser Francine Crome said Tuesday. The county’s total appraised values in 2022 were $880,728,700, an increase of more than $42 million over 2021’s total of $838,522,620. The total includes commercial, residential, agricultural and exempt properties. Crome plans to meet with county commissioners Monday to discuss the latest figures in more detail. Her office sent out 9,922 annual appraisal notices to county property owners March 1. “Everything went up due to the market,” Crome said, adding that the national trend in home prices had “definitely impacted us as well.”
Source: The Marysville Advocate

Unique elements of North Lawrence make up new welcome sign

A new sign celebrating a few of North Lawrence’s distinct features now greets residents and visitors just past the intersection of North Second and Locust streets. Designed by North Lawrence resident and graphic designer Wade Kelly, the sign prominently features a bald eagle in flight above the slogan “Colorful Past. Bright Future.” The North Lawrence Co-op Elevator’s massive grain bins, Kansas River waves and a tiny sandrat – all features of North Lawrence – round out the sign’s distinctive facets. Don and Sarah Benda donated the sign, and the City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department installed it recently just south of the Lawrence Visitors Center and Union Pacific Train Depot. Ideally, a spotlight and landscaping will round out the project, Don Benda said.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Inflation rose 7.9% in February, as food and energy costs push prices to highest in more than 40 years

Inflation grew worse in February amid the escalating crisis in Ukraine and price pressures that became more entrenched. The consumer price index, which measures a wide-ranging basket of goods and services, increased 7.9% over the past 12 months, a fresh 40-year high for the closely followed gauge. The February acceleration was the fastest pace since January1982, back when the U.S. economy confronted the twin threat of higher inflation and reduced economic growth.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Can you vote on saving Century II, former library? Appeals court hears arguments

Will Wichitans ever get a vote on saving Century II, the former Central Library and other historic city buildings? That question will be decided by the Kansas Court of Appeals and judges there peppered both sides on Wednesday with hard questions about whether to allow a citizen initiative signed by 17,000 Wichita voters to proceed to a vote. If approved by voters, the initiative would require a public vote to tear down, sell or lease any prominent city-owned, historically significant buildings.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Municipal Bond Trends for March 9, 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.

Interim chief: Wichita police need to change mental health, juvenile arrest policies

Interim Chief Lem Moore says Wichita police need to change how they respond to mental health crises and interact with juveniles. Moore said community calls for reform prompted him to meet with representatives from the City Council, the city manager’s office and legal department about what the police department can do better. “There are things that are going on that can’t wait, that need to be addressed right here and right now — especially with mental health,” Moore said in an interview Tuesday. He replaces Chief Gordon Ramsay, who stepped down March 1 to return to Minnesota.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Sedgwick County to provide funding to help museum with relocation

Sedgwick County commissioners have approved funding to help the capital campaign for The Kansas African American Museum in its effort to find a new building in a new location. The county will provide $450,000 over a five year period toward the campaign. The museum’s executive director, Denise Sherman, said significant progress is being made in the effort to create a new museum and cultural center, and a formal announcement is planned this summer.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Public shares thoughts on saving Fort Scott brick streets

About 20 people attended a Fort Scott Street Advisory Board meeting to share their thoughts on preserving the city’s brick streets. The advisory board will make a recommendation to the city commission. Board President Charles Gentry said board members will review their notes and discuss what recommendation they will make during their next meeting…
Source: Fort Scott Tribune

County Commission gives nod to salvage yard

Coming off a Tuesday afternoon meeting where the Barton County Planning Commission and tow truck operator Larry Marshall hammered out a compromise, the County Commission Wednesday morning OKed rezoning and conditional-use permit allowing Marshall to operate a salvage yard in a rural residential area west of Great Bend. “This reminds me of why I am so proud to be a Barton County resident,” said commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson, District 3, who attended the Planning Commission meeting a day earlier. “Because when neighbors get together, it doesn’t matter how far we’ve been driven apart, there’s always some common ground that can be found.”
Source: Great Bend Tribune

County to end recycling program May 1

The Board of Harvey County Commissioners eliminated the county’s recycling program Tuesday morning on a 3-0 vote. The change will take effect May 1. County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber presented commissioners with additional fee structures that would be more affordable for those choosing to recycle. The suggested fees cost $12 for residents to bring in 100 pounds or fewer of recyclables and $36 for up to 300 pounds. Under the first proposal presented to commissioners last week, residents would have had to pay $48 for up to 500 pounds. Commissioner Randy Hague asked if the county would hold off on purchasing any equipment for the recycling program until the City of Newton decided whether to continue accepting recyclables. Swartzendruber said the county would make staffing and equipment decisions once it was aware of the volume of recyclables it could be receiving from the different municipalities. He said Solid Waste Director Justin Bland was making plans to continue hauling recyclables to South Hutchinson.
Source: Harvey County Now

Housing shortage touches Jackson County, northeastern Kansas

For potential homebuyers — not just in Jackson County or in northeastern Kansas, but anywhere in the nation — the inventory of available residences for sale is low while the price tags attached to those residences are high. But while many real estate markets have seen the prices rising and the inventory sinking during the COVID-19 pandemic, some realtors — including Roger Hower of Kellerman Real Estate — believe the current housing shortage issue began well before the coronavirus was on anybody’s mind and has more facets to it than just those related to the pandemic. Some steps have been taken to alleviate this shortage locally, such as the Banner Oaks subdivision currently being developed at Holton’s southern edge. But Hower said it will take more than just the construction of a few new homes to build up an inventory of houses that he and other local realtors can sell. That’s a problem, he said, especially now that Topeka and the surrounding area has been declared “the third-hottest market in the United States.”
Source: Holton Recorder

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: 100,000 borrowers are eligible so far under new rules

The Department of Education said Wednesday that it has so far identified 100,000 borrowers who are eligible for student debt cancellation due to the changes the agency made to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program in October. The cancellations for those people are expected to total about $6.2 billion in federal student debt relief. Not all of the eligible borrowers have been notified of their debt relief yet. They are being notified on a rolling basis, and the Department of Education could not provide a date when all of them will have been contacted.
Source: KAKE – News

Inman cafe using verenika to help Ukraine

An Inman cafe is donating some of its proceeds from the sales of a dish that’s native to Ukraine to help the people there. Inman Harvest Cafe has been an existing restaurant in Inman since 1955. Cafe manager Katy Reinecker told KAKE News that her family took over the small business 14 years ago. “It’s been a wild ride,” said Reinecker. She said she started off as dishwasher at the business and over the years has seen the cafe through its many ups and downs. She told KAKE News she had been most thankful for the community’s support over the years. “They don’t feel like customers, they feel like extended family,” said Reinecker. “They’ve helped me raise my kids.” Reinecker said she’s thankful to get the opportunity to give back to them with warm conversation and food that customers KAKE News spoke to said that they loved.
Source: KAKE – News

De Soto could issue $100M of industrial revenue bonds for a commercial facility

Industrial development near the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in De Soto continues as Prairie Village-based Flint Development’s commerce center picks up steam. De Soto’s City Council will hold a public hearing on the issuance of $100 million worth of industrial revenue bonds as an incentive mechanism for Flint Commerce Center’s construction at the northwest corner of 103rd Street and Edgerton Road. In a December memorandum of understanding, officials agreed to provide property tax abatements for 3.5 million industrial square feet of Class A warehouses. The rezoning for 371 annexed acres also was approved in January, alongside a 5,877-acre tax increment financing district for the nearby Sunflower plant.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

‘A lot more art’: Lawrence leaders express interest in reexamining workings of public art program

Lawrence city leaders expressed interest Tuesday in reexamining how the city funds public art, selects artists, and places public art around the city. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission reviewed the city resolution governing the long-standing Percent for Art program as well as related city administrative policy. The resolution allows city leaders to set aside up to 2% of a capital project’s budget for public art, and the policy sets out a process for selecting art or artists.
Source: LJWorld.com

Western Kansas home of state’s first Black female mayor

The town of Stockton, Kan., is the county seat of Rooks County. It’s also where Kim Thomas became the first Black female mayor in the state and one of the longest-serving mayors. “Stockton has always been kind of, they’ve always welcomed black people. It hasn’t been like some places where you weren’t welcome,” said the former mayor. Thomas’ career in politics began in the 90s. “You know the first time I ran for city commission, I didn’t make it, but I tried again. I wasn’t defeated,” recalls Thomas.
Source: KWCH

Municipal Bond Trends for March 8, 2022

Applications Open for Community Service Tax Credit Program

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that applications are currently being accepted for the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP). CSP provides an opportunity for private, non-profit organizations and public health care entities to improve their ability to undertake major capital campaigns for projects involving children and family services, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and youth technical training and health care. “The Community Service Tax Credit program is an incredible opportunity for nonprofit organizations to create lasting, meaningful changes for people across Kansas,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “These tax credits will foster local solutions to local challenges, and they will help improve the quality of life for Kansans now and into the future.” Under this program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors making contributions towards approved projects. Proposed projects should be unique or one-time in nature and create a lasting value for charitable organizations. For example, projects might include a capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building, etc.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Riley County Fire District #1 tests new technology for emergency response

Riley County Fire District #1 will be using new technology for emergency response. Emergency Management Director Russell Stukey says the fire district is conducting a test for a startup company for a new program. Maps, personnel and apparatus resources, weather conditions, and incident pre-plan documents will be available in one location with this new program. Stukey says the pilot program as of now isn’t costing the department any money. The software pilot test started in February and will continue for the next several months.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Grants available for Edgerton residents, businesses

ElevateEdgerton! has announced the creation of a new grant program for residents, property owners and small business owners within the City of Edgerton. The Encouraging Development and Growth in Edgerton (EDGE) Grants are designed to support residential and commercial improvements and small business growth within the City of Edgerton. The program offers two options: The Residential and Commerical Beautification Grant and the Small Business Attraction and Expansion Grant. The Residential and Commercial Beautification Grant provides financial assistance to homeowners, renters, small business owners and property owners located anywhere within Edgerton city limits. The reimbursable grants award 50% of the total project cost up to $500 for projects that improve the front exterior of properties in Edgerton. Qualifying projects include landscaping, exterior painting, or façade improvements.
Source: Gardner News

Senate advances extension of Kansas rural workforce recruitment and retention tool

A year after the House chose to continue offering financial incentives to Kansans moving to rural areas that are struggling with workforce, state senators followed suit, with their own added flare. The proposal would extend the Rural Opportunity Zone program by five years and expand eligibility to any county with a population less than 40,000. The program provides these designated counties the opportunity to offer income tax credits and student loan repayments to reverse population decline. Supporters said the bill provides for the program to continue while allowing the Legislature to focus on any needed tweaks. “Our rural areas continue to depopulate, and we have nothing that I see currently on the books that’s going to stop that,” said Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City. “As long as my rural peers in the Legislature continue to support this, particularly for those counties that continue to shed population, I will trust them on this because make no mistake, your rural brothers and sisters are trusting you when you do the big economic development deals.”
Source: Kansas Reflector

Labette County USD 506 receives $60,000 for new busses

EPA Awards Rebates Totaling $17 Million to Fund Clean School Buses that Reduce Diesel Emissions and Protect Children’s Health. … The $7 million in American Rescue Plan funding is directed toward school districts in underserved communities to replace old diesel buses with new, zero-emission electric models. The $10 million in DERA rebates will assist with 444 school bus replacements across the country… The $7 million in American Rescue Plan funding is directed toward school districts in underserved communities to replace old diesel buses with new, zero-emission electric models. The $10 million in DERA rebates will assist with 444 school bus replacements across the country. Labette County USD 506 is among the 17 school districts receiving money. The EPA will award the district with $60,000 to replace old busses with eco-friendly options.
Source: KOAMKOAM

Kansas bill could require light mitigating technology on wind turbines

Some Southeast Kansas residents say they’d like to see the state do more to limit the annoyance of wind turbine lights. “We were traveling home from doing some industry work and came upon one on one highway to head home towards Mound Valley, Kansas. and we noticed just a bunch of red flashing lights that just went miles from about this view,” said Debbie Cramer. Cramer is a concerned resident of Labette County, she says the lights from the wind turbines that guide aircrafts hit rural residents like herself the hardest. “When the sun goes down, the sky becomes a big long red line of flashing lights that goes for miles,” said Cramer.
Source: KOAMKOAM

Pittsburg begins seasonal work on potholes

The city of Pittsburg is asking for residents help as it repairs its roads. The city will begin pothole repair this week. Crews will be treating the roads with cold patch asphalt. This will act as a temporary solution until weather conditions improve and better materials become available. Officials say while winter weather can be rough on roads, the freeze and thaw cycles the area has seen over the past two months could cause potholes to get bigger. The city is asking residents to help report potholes so staff can better plan for repairs.
Source: KSNF/KODE

More than 800 applicants for remaining $721 million in SPARK relief funding

The state task force working to target $721 million in federal relief dollars into economic, health, connectivity and education investment projects received proposals for $12.8 billion in expenditures — about 17 times available funding. The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas, or SPARK, advisory panels have been combing through 840 proposals, including 400 tied to $7.9 billion in economic development initiatives. The legislators, business people and state officials on the SPARK executive board plan to narrow the list in April. That report would be forwarded to the State Finance Council, which is comprised of state legislators and Gov. Laura Kelly. Greg Orman, a member of the executive board of SPARK, said the four advisory panels should define a set of investment principles and outline which projects connected to those objectives.
Source: The Iola Register

Search firm hired to help find new Wichita police chief

Wichita City Council members have approved the hiring of a California consulting firm to guide the search for a new police chief. Public Sector Search and Consulting, Inc. will help with the process of finding candidates to take over for Gordon Ramsay, who resigned effective March 1st after serving six years. City Manager Robert Layton said the firm has outlined a robust community engagement process that will begin with creating the priorities for the search. The plan is to have community forums, focus group meetings, and online surveys for Wichita Police Department staff and the community. The search process is expected to take about five months. Deputy Police Chief Lemuel Moore is serving as the interim chief. Council members Brandon Johnson and Becky Tuttle said they served on a selection committee with Public Sector Search during the police chief search six years ago. Johnson said this will be a great opportunity for community engagement. Tuttle said the firm outlined a process that will keep the community engaged and informed in the search.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

City of Manhattan looking for answers with housing issues

The Manhattan City Commission met Tuesday night to hear a presentation which focused on the current housing market situation in the city. The presentation was given by Development Strategies and is part of a larger project by the City of Manhattan to focus on the challenge of ensuring the availability of housing that is suitable to the growing community. A 2019 survey cited by one of the presenters showed housing attainability and rental housing condition were key areas of concern for Manhattan residents. As the presenters on Tuesday pointed out, there are many difficulties standing in the way of average citizens being able to afford adequate housing in Manhattan. “We’re not recommending anything yet, we’re getting the information out there about the needs… current needs and future needs, where we see demand going and some of the implications for future land use and what potential target markets might be in the future,” Andy Tsister, a member of Development Strategies, said.
Source: KSNT News

Johnson County’s co-responder program is growing

Johnson County’s co-responder program is in its 11th year — and it continues to grow. Co-responders are mental health professionals who accompany police officers on 911 calls. By the end of 2022, Johnson County will practically double its number of co-responders, said Tim DeWeese, director of Johnson County Mental Health Center. The impact: Merriam Police Chief Darren McLaughlin said at the Feb. 28 city council meeting that the co-responder program is one of the most impactful things to happen in his 33-year career.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Great Bend opts for first responders profit-sharing plan

The Great Bend City Council Monday night rejected two options for bolstering uniformed first responders pensions council members feared were unsustainable using only the sales tax approved by voters in November and could lead to property tax hikes. Instead, they opted for using the sales tax money to create an in-house profit-sharing plan for firefighters and police officers. On the table were three options, said Mayor Cody Schmidt. These included: Switching to Kansas Police and Fire through the Kansas Public Employment Retirement System; augment current Mission Square money purchase plan; or create the new Mission Square profit-sharing plan. … Under the profit-sharing option, the city would equally divide annual sales tax receipts among uniformed police and fire employees, based on an as-yet-to-be-determine formula.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Helping new businesses develop

The first Charlie Walker Entrepreneurial Challenge started this week in Salina. Community members can view pitches and see what fellow Kansans think would be a good business for Salina and neighboring towns. Last month, several groups, including Startup Salina, got together and offered a challenge for local residents to come up with a new business, complete with a business plan. The challenge was open to residents of Dickinson, Ellsworth, McPherson, Ottawa and Saline counties who were wanting to start a business.
Source: Salina Journal

Municipal Bond Trends for March 7, 2022

Quiet bedroom community east of Wichita wakes up, thanks to a big new development

Andover Mayor Ronnie Price has a friend who has always said, “Andover’s just a road.” “And I couldn’t argue the point,” Price said. “We’ve always been known to be a bedroom community. The opinion was — before me — if you want to shop, you can go to Wichita.” That’s changing, in large part due to the new 110-acre Heritage development. The mixed-use development just east of Andover Road and north of Kellogg already has two housing developments in the works and this week will break ground on Heritage Square, the city’s first 5-story building that will include apartments, public parking and commercial spaces. Construction also will begin on Heritage Plaza, a kind of a Main Street gathering spot with restaurants, service businesses and a town square that’s meant to be Andover’s first downtown.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Johnson County neighbors file lawsuit to stop new addict recovery home from opening

A Kansas City nonprofit’s plan to open a home for recovering addicts in an Overland Park neighborhood has sparked a bitter fight between neighbors this year about whether such a program belongs in a residential area. A small group of residents in Shannon Valley Estates, just southwest of College Boulevard and Antioch Road, raised safety concerns about having people in treatment in their neighborhood despite assurances from the group, Artists Helping the Homeless, that the house would be staffed round-the-clock and secured like its other sober homes across the metro. City officials and neighborhood association leaders in Overland Park declined neighbors’ requests to intervene, citing the federal Fair Housing Act’s protections for recovery homes, which prompted a weeks-long dispute between residents about the future of the nonprofit’s project.
Source: Joco 913 News

More than 800 Kansas applicants for remaining $721 million in federal recovery assistance

Former Johnson County court accountant accused of embezzling more than $1 million

A former accountant for the Johnson County District Court Clerk’s Office is accused of embezzling more than $1 million in payments that were made to the clerk’s office over the course of 10 years, according to a federal complaint. Dawna Kellogg, of Paola, Kansas, is accused of running a fraud scheme in which she re-directed payments made to the clerk’s office into her personal account. A criminal complaint outlining the case was filed by federal prosecutors in the U.S. District of Kansas on Friday, alleging eight counts of wire fraud and three counts of filing a false tax return. According to court records, Kellogg was employed as an accounting supervisor between April 2003 and June 2017. Her role gave her control over the court’s finances, including management of the accounting department, collecting funds from county systems and depositing funds into the clerk of court’s trust account.
Source: KC Star Local News

Shawnee considers legalizing fireworks sales and bringing back city Fourth of July event

Shawnee is exploring ways to legalize the sale and use of fireworks within city borders, while also possibly bringing back a community fireworks show for the first time in more than a decade. After some discussion at its meeting Feb. 28, the Shawnee City Council directed city staff to look into options for fireworks to be legally purchased and fired off, particularly around the Fourth of July. The sale and use of fireworks is fairly restrictive in Shawnee, as it is in most other cities in Johnson County, with the exception of De Soto.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Senate expands incentive to lure urban dwellers into rural areas

The Senate on Monday agreed to expand a development incentive enticing residents to move from urban parts of the Kansas to rural areas as part of program intended to keep the state from draining population. The chamber approved a bill extending the state’s rural opportunity zone program to Kansans who move from Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte counties to rural areas that have lost population. The program has already been under scrutiny with a 2020 study suggesting it has not boosted the state’s population like it had been hoped while lawmakers have expressed concern that it has gotten overly big.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

Senate approves $157 million tax bill

The first major piece of tax legislation cleared the state Senate on Monday, offering a package of tax credits and property tax cuts that are believed to be worth $157 million in the first year. The Senate tax package included elements of several bills tied together, including tax credits for teachers buying school supplies and a general tax break on school taxes.
Source: Sunflower State Journal