Kansas Municipal News
Senate bill mandates limit on local governments, school boards amid public health threats
The Senate Judiciary Committee plowed into a bill Monday mandating state-imposed limits on actions of cities, counties, school boards and higher education institutions in a health emergency that was so complex it took more than 30 minutes for a legislative staff member to summarize. The Kansas Chamber, attorneys filing lawsuits against during the pandemic and individuals irritated by city or school board actions praised the bill. It was denounced by organizations representing city and county governments, public education and proponents of child vaccinations. A House member suggested references to religious freedom in the bill could be stricken, because worship was constitutionally protected.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for March 4, 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.
Days before school shooting, Olathe voters OK’d spending millions for safety
Days before a shooting at Olathe East High School left three people injured on Friday, Johnson County voters approved a $298.3 million bond initiative to help improve safety across the district. Three people were shot and injured: a school resource officer, an assistant school principal and the suspect, who is a student and was shot in the abdomen, according to radio traffic from the officer, captured by Broadcastify.com. The incident came after voters passed a bond measure on Tuesday to to replace a middle school building and fund several facility, technology and safety improvements.
Source: Joco 913 News
Newcomers to Dodge City break the ice with silly signs
The silly signs started on Super Bowl Sunday, when four newcomers from Syracuse, Kan., agreed to do something weird and fun to break the ice and make friends in their new home. Lydia Cook and her daughters, 8-yearold Taegan and 6-year-old Violet, agreed her boyfriend JT Menasco spoke the truth that Sunday when he said, “We don’t know anybody here. And there aren’t enough smiles.” They moved to Dodge City this year to enjoy the pleasures a bigger city affords. Cook and Menasco both secured jobs, but said they had a week to wait for work-mandated physicals. That’s when they decided, as a family, to take markers to poster boards and let their silly sides scribble.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe
School resource officer, injured in Olathe shooting, is praised for quick response
Erik Clark has been identified as the school resource officer who was injured in the shooting at Olathe East High School on Friday, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Clark suffered injuries along with an assistant principal. The suspect, who is a student, was shot in the abdomen, according to radio traffic from the officer, captured by Broadcastify.com. The Olathe Police Department said the shooting occurred in an office area, and a suspect was in custody. Officials at Overland Park Regional Medical Center said in a written statement Friday afternoon that the two victims had been discharged from the hospital. The student remained there in critical condition.
Source: Joco 913 News
Commissioners have ‘no appetite’ for truck route
County commissioners have made it clear they do not want a truck route in Miami County. “There is no appetite in this room to put in a truck route – anywhere,” Chair Rob Roberts said during the commission’s study session Wednesday, March 2. At a recent commission meeting, several northern Miami County residents spoke out against establishing a truck route in the county. The residents said intermodal truck traffic has damaged their property, blocked their roads and created safety hazards. The County Commission’s recent discussion about a truck route should not be misinterpreted as a sign commissioners want to establish one, Roberts said. “Everybody went on the defensive saying, ‘We don’t want it,’” Roberts said. “Nobody here said we are doing it.”
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Three wounded at Olathe East after student and school resource officer exchange gunfire
Gunfire erupted between an 18-year-old student and a school resource officer at Olathe East High School, leaving three people wounded Friday morning. The school resource officer, identified as Erik Clark, responded to the school’s main office at 10:38 a.m. to what police described as an administrative matter with the student. Shots were exchanged after the student displayed a handgun, said Sgt. Joel Yeldell, a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department. The officer, a school administrator and the student were injured in the shooting. According to audio captured by Broadcastify, the officer radioed into dispatchers, saying, “I’ve been shot.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Manhattan to finalize STAR bond district expansion March 15
Manhattan City Commissioners unanimously approved expanding the Downtown sales tax and revenue (STAR) bond district on first reading at their Tuesday meeting, and now look to March 15 to finalize approval. If approved on second reading, commissioners will see the topic before them again in April to review the proposed project plan. “It isn’t often that we have an opportunity like this,” says Mayor Linda Morse. “Most people with their projects come to the city and say […] we want you to give us money to do this. This is an opportunity where a local investor is coming forward for the benefit of the city.”
Source: 1350 KMAN
Camp removal highlights issue of homelessness
A homeless encampment that was cleared last week from the Winfield Fairgrounds had already been abandoned by the time it was removed, officials said this week. Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said the campsites, consisting of two tents and two campers, were cleared Feb. 25 from the Pecan Grove at the Winfield Fairgrounds after several notices were given to the occupants for non-payment of camping fees. The campers left the fairgrounds and relocated elsewhere, leaving behind items that were then disposed of by city staff. “When the campers left, they left items behind. We removed (the items),” Wall said. Wall said it isn’t uncommon for people who camp at city facilities to leave things behind for workers to pick up.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Lyon County valuations indicate ‘inflationary trend’
The Lyon County Appraiser’s Office has completed the annual revaluation of all real estate property in the county. Lyon County appraiser Ryan Janzen said 2022 Change of Valuation notices began going out on Feb. 25. A study of the residential and commercial real estate market indicated an overall inflationary trend. “For 2022, residential and farmstead properties in Lyon County saw a median valuation increase of 9% compared to their 2021 valuation,” the report read. “Eighty-nine percent of residential and farmstead properties saw an increase in property valuation from 2021 to 2022.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Lawson leaving Ark City for Manhattan post
Andrew Lawson, public information officer and special projects coordinator for the City of Arkansas City, is leaving that job to become the public information officer for the City of Manhattan, Kan. Lawson said in an email Friday that he will leave effective March 22, and City Manager Randy Frazer will handle public information duties until a new spokesperson is found.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
KDOT announces aviation projects selected for funding
Thirty-six projects have been selected for Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for the purpose of planning, constructing or rehabilitating public use general aviation airports. KAIP receives $5 million annually through the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, known as IKE, and requires airport sponsors to share in the project costs by paying between 5% and 50% of the total project. The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation, which manages the program, considered 145 project applications this year with a combined total project value of over $78 million. Among those projects selected was Rose Hill’s Cook Airfield, which will receive $87,120 for runway/taxiway repair and pavement preservation of the entire airfield.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Commissioners debate charging business license fee
Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday had a lengthy debate about whether the city should require a business license fee. Local business owner Angela Simon said she believes the county should be able to recoup some tax revenue from business that are operating illegally. She said one way to do that is for the city to require business licenses.
Source: Fort Scott Tribune
Drought persists in southwest Kansas as fire season begins
Spring is nearly here and there is drought in Finney County and across southwestern Kansas. Jonathan Finch, Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Dodge City, said extreme western Finney County is in D3, extreme drought, from Garden City moving east it’s in D1, moderate drought, and in between its D2, severe drought.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Peabody residents working to renovate only performing arts theater in town
A group in Peabody is working to renovate a local building into a performing arts theater. Members of the Sunflower Theatre Committee say the arts in their rural community are underserved, so they’re working to change that. The Sunflower Theatre was built in the 1920s, but was later turned in to a bowling alley, which later closed. The building has been vacant for a few years now. The committee is working on the $1.6 million renovation project to restore it. They’ve already received an $85,650 Heritage Trust Grant from the Kansas Historical Society. The committee is working to raise the rest of the funds through different events. They are presenting a Reader’s Theater featuring comedy sketch performances this Sunday at 3 p.m.
Source: KAKE – News
Evacuations ordered as large Reno County fire moves into Harvey County
Evacuations are underway as strong winds push a large grass fire from Reno County into Harvey County. There’s also a smaller fire burning northeast of Towanda, in Butler County. Just before 3 p.m., Harvey County ordered an evacuation between Woodberry and Sand Hill roads from Highway 50 to NW 48th in the northwest part of the county.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Judge overturns Johnson County’s last pit bull ban, allowing Leawood family to reunite with dog
Leawood’s ordinance banning pit bulls, which is believed to be the last in Johnson County, has been ruled unconstitutionally vague by a judge. Johnson County District Judge Thomas Sutherland has decided in favor of Leawood resident Kristi Bond’s appeal to bring her dog, Lucy, back to the family home. Lucy, five years old and now blind, had been living in another city since September of 2020 while Bond’s case was pending. When Bond was charged in Leawood Municipal Court with keeping a “dangerous animal,” Leawood and Overland Park were believed to be the last two major cities in the county and among only a few in the metro still banning pit bulls. Overland Park has since rescinded its ban.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Study says Manhattan has a workforce housing problem; commissioners to discuss data Tuesday
As home price growth speeds past income growth, housing in Manhattan is getting more expensive. Manhattan city commissioners will take their first look at a housing market analysis beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at 1101 Poyntz Ave. Meeting documents indicate six observations in the housing market analysis: Manhattan has a workforce housing problem. A worker has to earn $17.50 an hour or $35,000 per year to afford a two-bedroom house of safe and decent quality, plus utilities. There is a mismatch between what people can afford and what housing is being built. The median household income in Manhattan is $51,000, which, according to city documents, means that households can afford a $160,000 to $180,000 home. The median price for a new home is $329,000. Housing prices are increasing rapidly and the market is very competitive. The median sale price rose from $117,000 to $199,000, or more than 70 percent, since 2003, which is more than double the rate of increase for income.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article
Wasinger promoted to Manhattan assistant city manager
City manager Ron Fehr on Friday announced the promotion of Jared Wasinger from assistant to the city manager to assistant city manager. Wasinger will help with the day-to-day management of city operations, including supervising staff and administrative policy, working with Fehr and deputy city manager Jason Hilgers on various projects and redevelopment activity. Wasinger also will serve as the designated representative on the Riley County police board and staff liaison to the city-university special projects fund committee. “I believe Jared will continue to have a positive impact within the organization and the community by assisting with day-to-day project management as well as helping identify creative and innovative solutions to community challenges while enhancing city services,” Fehr said in a written statement.
Source: themercury.com
School leader: ‘What’s going on in our larger community?’ Lawrence’s enrollments decline even as the city’s population grows
Take a drive in the countryside northeast of Lawrence, and be prepared to find something that many Lawrence residents likely would deem odd. There, along Kansas Highway 32 in adjacent Leavenworth County — just a bit past Linwood and that community’s livestock auction barn — is a big, new building under construction. It is a new elementary school for the Basehor-Linwood school district. In Lawrence, the idea of needing to build a new elementary school is an odd thought. Talk in recent weeks has been dominated by the idea of closing elementary schools in Lawrence. But others could argue that the oddity isn’t happening near Linwood, but rather in Lawrence.
Source: LJWorld.com
Treasury yields remain lower after jobs report, investors flock to safety amid Ukraine crisis
Treasury yields slumped on Friday as investors continued to buy safe-haven assets amid Russia-Ukraine conflict. The decline in yields came even after a strong jobs report. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note dropped 10 basis points to 1.736%. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond fell 8 basis points to 2.142%. … 1 basis point is equal to 0.01%. Nonfarm payrolls for January grew by 678,000 and the unemployment rate was 3.8%, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. That compared to estimates of 440,000 for payrolls and 3.9% for the jobless rate.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Sticker shock time? JoCo mailed more than 200,000 residential appraisal statements
If you own a residence in Johnson County, it’s likely that its appraised value has increased since last year. In fact, 97.5% of residential properties increased in value, Johnson County Appraiser Beau Boisvert told the Johnson County Commission a few days before the county began mailing more than 200,000 residential appraisal statements on Feb. 28. Only 2.4% of residential properties declined in value. Behind the numbers, Boisvert said, is a lack of inventory.
Source: Joco 913 News
New street sweeper gets clean sweep from commission
Arkansas City streets may soon appear cleaner, due to the purchase of a new street sweeper. The commission gave its approval Tuesday to buy a 2021 Ravo Vac Sweeper from Red Equipment in Independence, Mo., at a cost not to exceed $255,000. Public Services Superintendent Tony Tapia said that the new sweeper is a much-needed replacement, and will do a much better job than the current unit.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Sedgwick County leaders push for state mental hospital to be built in Wichita
“The folks that that are waiting to go to Larned is 22. I think our longest one waiting here is right around 180 days.” That is how many people are sitting in the Sedgwick County jail waiting for a mental health evaluation, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. Its a situation he says highlights a problem here in Kansas, a lack of bed space at the state’s two mental health hospitals. A problem with a potentially simple solution.
Source: KAKE – News
Harvey County issues burn ban, seeing an increase in fires this year
Harvey County is under a burn ban until Sunday, and fire officials said it’s to try and help ease the stress firefighters are feeling. The Chief of Newton Fire and EMS Steve Roberson says, the department has seen three times as many fires this year compared to last. It is also seeing a recent increase in daily calls due to grass fires. “When we start dealing with increased fire loads due to grassland indexes going up…like yesterday, we were working on four different incidences, that’s on top of our regular 12 calls a day,” Roberson said.
Source: KAKE – News
First Johnson County Whataburger about to open. It will pay police to direct traffic
The first Kansas Whataburger will open at 11 a.m. Monday in Johnson County. The location, at 8420 W. 135th St. in Overland Park, was formerly a Salty Iguana Mexican Restaurant. Whataburger has opened two other metro locations that have attracted lines of cars stretching for blocks for the grand openings. The company said it will pay for Overland Park police and private security to help manage traffic flow during the latest opening.
Source: KC Star Local News
More than 97% of Johnson County homes increased in value this year. Here’s why it matters
Market values for homes are increasing in Johnson County. The county sent out valuations to homeowners earlier this week, and if it seems like your home’s appraisal value went up, it probably did. These kinds of assessments are based on statistics that indicate the ongoing trends in the market area, and they affect how much you pay in property taxes. When evaluating property, the county appraiser looks at a number of homes sold in the area and considers factors like the square footage, location, additions like porches, patios, garages, the finish of the basement and more to see how much a home is worth, according to Johnson County Appraiser Beau Boisvert.
Source: KC Star Local News
Municipal Bond Trends for March 3, 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.
Save the Sunflower ramps up in Peabody
A small town is getting a grant to save the Sunflower. “This grant pretty much assures that we are serious about what we are doing,” said Susan Mayo, local artist and musician. The Sunflower Theatre is a bit of living history in Peabody. Built in the 1920s with art deco and Spanish Colonial revivalist influence, it was all the rage when it opened. But, unfortunately, the theatre was converted to a bowling alley in the 1950s. “We are bringing it back,” said Mayo. “Out-of-towners will probably appreciate it more than the in-towners,” said Marilyn Jones, local historian.
Source: KSN-TV
Shawnee buying land near Mid-America sports complexes to expand city’s parks footprint
Shawnee is planning to buy land to expand the city’s parks footprint, a move officials hope will help turn the city into a major recreational destination. After extensive debate, the Shawnee City Council on Monday voted 6-1 to spend $693,000 to purchase about 77 acres at 6403 Vista Drive, just southwest of the sprawling Mid-America and Mid-America West sports complexes. IT security firm LTS Partnership is the current owner of the property, according to Johnson County property records. Here’s an overview of the site.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Miami County’s residential value increase comparable to neighbors
The median value of residential properties in Miami County increased 13.85 percent from 2021 to 2022. County Appraiser Justin Eimers told county commissioners that residential is the assessment class most people will be interested in as they note the change in the property value of their homes from last year. … Eimers provided county commissioners with a 2022 real estate market update during their Wednesday, Feb. 23, meeting that noted Miami County’s 13.85 percent increase in residential values were comparable to some area counties, based on a survey of county appraiser’s offices.
Source: republic-online.com
How soon could Kansas’ food sales tax be eliminated? Timeline for plans vary.
Multiple plans to eliminate or reduce the state’s food sales tax are floating through the legislature. None have made it to the floor for debate, despite lawmakers touting efforts on both sides of the aisle to get a plan passed this year. Kansas governor Laura Kelly emphasized her “Axe the Food Tax” plan while touring Harvesters, a local food pantry in Topeka, on Thursday. The governor is hoping to completely eliminate the state’s 6.5% food sales tax by this summer and, once again, urged lawmakers to send her a “clean” bill.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for March 2, 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.
Fed Chair Powell notes ‘highly uncertain’ Ukraine impact, but says rate hikes are still coming
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell still sees interest rate hikes coming, but noted Wednesday that the Russia-Ukraine war has injected uncertainty into the outlook. In remarks prepared for dual appearances this week before House and Senate committees in Congress, the central bank chief acknowledged the “tremendous hardship” the Russian invasion of Ukraine is causing. “The implications for the U.S. economy are highly uncertain, and we will be monitoring the situation closely,” Powell said. … Powell and his fellow policymakers have been indicating for weeks that they plan to start raising benchmark interest rates to tackle inflation. He reiterated the stance Wednesday that the process will involve “interest rate increases,” along with indications that the Fed eventually will start reducing its bond holdings.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Ranked First in Nation for Most Economic Development Investment Per Capita
Governor Laura Kelly today announced Kansas won Site Selection Magazine’s 2021 Governor’s Cup for the state with the most economic development investment per capita in the country. This is the first time in state history that Kansas has received this national economic development award. “The Governor’s Cup demonstrates the extraordinary economic strengths of Kansas and the confidence of the business community to make major investments in our state,” Governor Kelly said. “It’s also proof our efforts to secure a strong foundation for economic growth by staying focused on the issues that Kansans elected us to take care of – like fully funding our public schools, strengthening our roads, bridges, and high-speed internet – have paid off.” Site Selection magazine’s coveted Governor’s Cup award goes to the state with the most capital investment and the most economic development projects per capita. In 2019, Kansas was ranked 20th out of all the 50 states for capital investment per capita in, and in 2020 Kansas moved up to 10th.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Maize draws from Mulvane to hire its new school superintendent
An assistant superintendent in the Mulvane school district will become the new superintendent in Maize. The Maize school board voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Raquel Greer to replace Chad Higgins, who is leaving at the end of the school year. Greer has a doctorate in educational leadership from Wichita State University. She has worked as a third-grade teacher, elementary counselor and principal, and has been assistant superintendent in Mulvane since 2018, according to a Maize news release.
Source: Wichita Eagle
State, county mourn fallen Marion County sheriff
As it was when Rob Craft’s body was returned to Marion after his death, a large crowd of emergency responders lined streets Saturday and attended his Saturday funeral to bid him farewell. More than a dozen fire trucks from all Marion County lined E. Denver St. at the entrance to the cemetery. Trucks from Butler, Chase, and Morris County also parked along the street. A large flag dangled from a boom on a Hillsboro truck.
Source: Marion County RECORD
Riley County fire crews contain 700-plus acre wildfire
Fire crews on Monday finished a two-day battle to extinguish a 700-plus acre wildfire in north Riley County. Officials said no one reported injuries or structural damage from the fire. Riley County Fire District No. 1 responded to reports of a large outdoor fire at 10 a.m. Sunday near Carlson and Rosehill Road by Tuttle Creek Lake. Fire crews worked until 7 p.m. Monday to contain the fire.
Source: themercury.com
Manhattan gives initial OK to STAR expansion for Museum of Art and Light
The Museum of Art and Light is one step closer to reality. Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday unanimously gave their initial approval for expanding the sales tax and revenue (STAR) bond district boundary for the proposed museum, which would be west of Manhattan Town Center on Third Street. Bob and Tracey DeBruyn, the museum developers, asked for the district expansion because they want to use sales tax revenue from the city’s STAR bond district to generate $23 million for the project. The DeBruyns have secured $21 million in private donations.
Source: themercury.com
Newton Fire/EMS sees triple the fires for 2022
Newton Fire/EMS has seen the number of fires it responded to triple in the first two months of 2022. Since Jan. 1, the department has responded to 35 calls involving fire compared to 12 from the same period last year.
“We’re seeing everything from car fires, building fires and grass fires,” Fire Marshall Andy Harder said. He added that the department didn’t know why there’s been an uptick. “I don’t want to say I’m superstitious. Nothing has stood out as this is what’s causing them.” Harder said he’d be interested to look at weather data to see if that could in part be driving more fires.
Source: Harvey County Now
Hiawatha Commission bids farewell to City Clerk
At Monday’s meeting of the Hiawatha City Commission, City Clerk Tish Sims, who has been with the city for nearly four years, made it official that she will be leaving the position, thanking the commission for her time in Hiawatha and saying that she has appreciated her time here. Mayor Bill Collins, City Administrator Mike Nichols and members of the Commission all praised the work Sims has done with the City of Hiawatha and wished her well in future endeavors.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com
Sedgwick County commissioner with personal knowledge of Ukraine asks for prayers for the people
The chairman of the Sedgwick County Commission has a unique perspective on the situation in Ukraine. Commissioner David Dennis is a veteran. He says he spent three years in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. During the Board of County Commissioners meeting Wednesday, he asked the people of Sedgwick County to keep Ukraine in their prayers. “What is going on over in Ukraine right now is absolutely tragic,” he said. “They are some of the finest people that I have ever met.” KSN spoke to him after the meeting about his remarks. He said the conflict in Ukraine hits close to him and many Kansans. “Here in this state alone, we’ve got about 4,000 Ukrainians. We have about 1,000 here in Sedgwick County,” Dennis said. “They are people that have a very large love of their country just as the United States has a love of our country, and they’re fighting for their freedom right now against a despot.”
Source: KSN-TV
Horse in Wichita Police Department Mounted Unit dies
In a Facebook post from the Wichita Police Foundation on Tuesday, they announced the death of Scout, a saddlebred paint gelding who had been serving with the Wichita Police Department Mounted Unit since 2014. “Scout was fearless, not afraid of anything. Rode him in some tough situations on patrol, and he always did great. He was my horse until I retired,” said retired Wichita Police Department Sergeant and former Unit Commander Clark Bolan.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita City Council approves SAFER Grant application for fire department staffing
Wichita City Council is asking for millions of dollars to help the Wichita Fire Department (WFD). This SAFER Grant would add somewhere between 36 and 39 firefighters to WFD’s staff. The additional staff would be added to two brand new ladder truck companies as well as supplement other ladder companies that are currently running with a three-person crew. “It’d be the added bonus that we’re really needing to continue to serve the citizens as we’re accustomed to and making the efforts to make sure that we have everybody safe,” WFD Battalion Chief Jose Ocadiz said. While going from three to four firefighters on a truck doesn’t sound like a huge difference, it makes an impact.
Source: KSN-TV
Baxter Springs welcomes back former officer as new police chief
Law enforcement in southeast Kansas is getting a brand new face — but it’s one that’s pretty familiar in a different part of the Four States. It’s the new police chief for the Baxter Springs Police Department. Brian Henderson is in just his first week on the job, but it’s a career he’s familiar with. “January 1996 was my start date,” said Henderson. The first time Brian Henderson was hired by the Baxter Springs Police Department as a reserve officer. Now he’s back in a much different role. “So it’s coming back home for me, after serving citizens of Joplin for 20 years. And I’m excited to be starting a new chapter in my career, but also coming back to a great and wonderful community to serve as police chief.”
Source: KSNF/KODE