Kansas Municipal News
Cyber Vulnerabilities Could Impact Municipal Finance
While cybersecurity risk management has long been on the radar of government IT managers, it’s also attracting the attention of municipal finance organizations. In a Dec. 14 survey by Hilltop Securities, municipal bond credit analysts said they felt state and local governments were unprepared for cyberattacks. A full 63% said they thought governments were “hardly prepared” for cyberattacks, and 30% said they were “somewhat prepared.” Only 6% considered state and local governments “on the way to being prepared, with none of the analysts considering municipalities “very prepared” or even “prepared.” The growing number of ransomware attacks state and local governments are facing has municipal bond issuers on alert. The ransomware attack on Atlanta was a “watershed moment,” Omid Rahmani, associate director for U.S. public finance at Fitch Ratings, said in a Nov. 1 interview with Hilltop.
Source: Route Fifty – All Content
Labette County commission talked about wind project
Labette County commissioners on Friday shared thoughts and concerns on the wind project being considered for the western half of the county. No decisions resulted from the 30-minute discussion … RWE Renewables is looking to develop a wind farm in western Labette County, from south of Big Hill Lake to north of Edna and west of Altamont. The company has already leased 168 tracts of land totaling 21,571 acres, according to filings in the Register of Deeds Office. … Commissioner Lonie Addis said he would consider a moratorium on wind development to give the commission time to pursue zoning of wind turbines.
Source: Parsons Sun
Munis see largest rise in yields since November
Selling pressure picked up and municipals showed some weakness for the first time since November on Tuesday following two days of rising U.S. Treasuries, but the asset class still outperformed that market’s double-digit moves to higher yields. Triple-A benchmark yield curves saw two to three basis point cuts, the largest one-day move in either direction since Nov. 30. Secondary trading ticked up with some concessions seen on various high-grade credits, particularly outside of five years.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Emporia Main Street’s Public Improvement Auction set for Feb. 11
Looking for an event to attend for Valentines Day that also supports your local community? Well, you’re in luck. Emporia Main Street will be hosting their annual Public Improvement Auction on Feb. 11, which will include catering from Bobby D’s, three auctions, and a Dueling Pianos performance by Hi Fi Productions. They have been hosting the Public Improvement Auction for 16 or 17 years. The event is scheduled for 6 – 9 p.m. The three auctions include the silent, live and dessert auctions. The silent auction will be posted on the Emporia Main Street’s web site and Facebook page around a week before the event.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Emporia may oppose end to grocery tax
“Axe the tax” may be a hot phrase in Topeka. But that may not be the view of the Emporia City Commission. With the new state legislative session one week away, commissioners will vote at their Wednesday meeting on a list of goals for 2022. It takes issue with proposals to end the state sales tax on groceries, which is favored by both Gov. Laura Kelly and likely election challenger Derek Schmidt. One of the 13 points will “generally oppose any further exemption to the base of state and local sales taxes, including sales of food.” Instead, the commission would recommend any changes “be accomplished by a system of income tax credits or direct rebates.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
Rural areas continue to lose grocery stores, gain dollar stores
Rural residents have fewer options to buy food and have to rely more on dollar stores and long drives for groceries, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA released data last week that shows in rural areas across the country, there was a six-year period ending in 2015 that saw a 20% decrease in grocery, specialty food and convenience stores. There was modest growth in dollar stores and superstores like Walmart over that same time period. “The number of grocery stores has been declining in these (rural) counties, particularly after the Great Recession. These trends suggest that access to grocery stores has been declining over the last 25 years,” the report stated.
Source: KCUR News
City officials pass Master Food Plan to tackle food deserts in Wichita
Wichita City Council members voted on Tuesday in favor of a food master plan to address the nearly 100,000 Wichitans that live in a food desert. A food desert is an urban area in which it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. “I am going to enthusiastically make a motion that the city council adopts the City of Wichita Sedgwick County Food System Master Plan,” said city council member Becky Tuttle. “We have received seven votes, that motion does pass,” said Mayor Brandon Whipple. The unanimous vote brings the city one step closer to solving the 44 square miles of food deserts in Wichita.
Source: KSN-TV
Experts and ranchers react to Biden’s $1 billion plan for meatpackers
President Joe Biden announced Monday that the administration will make a $1 billion investment to help farmers and ranchers when it comes to processing their livestock, by giving them options other than giant companies. George Bachman is the owner of JB Ranch located southwest of Augusta. He says there are several issues ranchers like him are facing as we start the new year. “The increase in costs and fuel and especially labor. Labor is really hard to find right now. Besides fuel costs and labor costs, is really the bottleneck at the producer level.”
Source: KSNF/KODE
Prairie Village says new city mask mandates ‘not on the table’ but wants county to act
Prairie Village will not reimpose a citywide mask order, but city leaders are drafting a letter to send to the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners to urge proactive mitigation against renewed spread of COVID-19. Prairie Village was the first Johnson County city with a mask mandate this fall, but that order expired on Oct. 31. At a Monday meeting of the city council’s committee of the whole, several councilmembers said they were against the idea of bringing back a citywide mask mandate. Instead, a majority of the city council agreed that COVID-19 mitigation measures like a mask order should be coming from the county level.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Manhattan: Employees, but not public, have to wear masks inside city-operated buildings
A week after setting a mask mandate, the Manhattan city government reversed its decision on requiring the public to wear masks inside city-operated buildings. City officials announced Monday that employees still have to wear masks inside all city-operated facilities, but the public will no longer have to wear masks unless people are in staff-only areas. The policy applies to people two-years-old or older. Previously, city manager Ron Fehr had implemented mask requirements for city staff and the public in city-operated facilities on Dec. 27, citing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Riley County Health Department and a surge of the omicron variant.
Source: themercury.com
UG plans to apply for FEMA grant reimbursement for COVID expenses
A proposal to apply for budget authorization for FEMA reimbursable expenses related to COVID-19 moved forward at Monday night’s Unified Government Economic Development and Finance Committee meeting. In November, the federal government extended the FEMA reimbursement period through April 1, according to UG officials. Previously, it had been set to expire in December.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Kansas schools resume classes amid COVID case surge and full hospitals after Christmas, New Year
Kansas schoolchildren and teachers return to the classroom this week amid a post-Christmas and New Year coronavirus surge and pleas from doctors to wear masks. Kansas Department of Health and Environment data suggest the COVID-19 case surge in the week after Christmas has been worse than any previous peak in the pandemic. “If you want to keep schools open and you want to keep businesses open, you got to keep people healthy,” said Steve Stites, the chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, when asked Monday whether mask mandates should be reinstated. “You’re either not going to have enough teachers or enough staff, or too many students out, in this omicron wave to think that you’re going to really have successful schools, in my opinion, or the business is going to be able to work if they don’t have enough employees.”
Source: CJonline
Historic Rice County Jail transformed into an Airbnb and escape room
Jail cells line the second floor of a bright, vintage-looking home. During years past, sheriffs of Rice County and their families lived on the ground floor, processing inmates and addressing drunken troublemakers. In 1929, the Rice County Jail opened, serving the community until 2001 when Rice County built the new Law Enforcement Center, which is west of town near the Lyons Airport. Today, the historic site purchased by Chris McCord in 2020 is an Airbnb and escape room named The Slammer Historic Rice County Jail, where guests can stay in a piece of Rice County history or learn the narrative of the location through a historical tour and escape room activity.
Source: Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for January 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.
Geary County hospital to close ICU, citing nursing shortage and ‘fiscal’ problems
Geary Community Hospital is closing its intensive care unit by Feb. 1, hospital officials announced Monday. “Due to a national COVID-19-exacerbated nursing shortage, as well as fiscal situations beyond our control, Geary Community Hospital can no longer effectively operate an intensive care unit (ICU),” officials said in a written statement released Monday afternoon. “We assure you closing a unit of the hospital is not an easy decision, and we understand how this impacts the community.”
Source: themercury.com
Manhattan Modifies Mask Requirement for Indoor City-operated Facilities
Beginning Monday, January 3, 2022, visitors will no longer be required to wear masks when inside City-operated facilities, except when entering secure, staff-only areas where mask required signage is present. To protect the workforce and maintain programs and services, City employees are still required to wear masks that cover their mouth and nose when inside all areas of indoor City-operated facilities. The decision to modify the mask policy for City facilities was made by City Manager Ron Fehr.
Source: Manhattan – News Flash
The Pride of Wildcat Land joins K-State football in Houston, plays crucial role in gameday atmosphere
The gameday atmosphere at a Kansas State football game is special, but that atmosphere simply doesn’t happen without the Kansas State Marching Band. The band and the football team share a special connection. “It’s a complete package. We go to bowl games because they win a lot of football games. They have a great coaching staff, they have great players and they have a great tradition. We’ve built that with the band we think, and we just look at it as a tag team approach,” band director Dr. Frank Tracz said. The band put in a lot of effort and some long hours to prepare for the trip. The trip itself wasn’t easy either.
Source: KSNT News
New City of Topeka Lien Release Program will improve thousands of lives
The new year is looking bright for Topeka residents already. On Monday the city announced the new Lien Program will release thousands of people from paying back their loan. The new policy is projected to help between 8,000 to 10,000 Topekans. The city reports 80 releases have already been complete, putting an estimated $300,000 into low income households. This policy is only for those who have a current lien with the city’s housing services division – or those who apply for future rehabilitation loans.
Source: KSNT News
Topeka Municipal Court suspending most in-person dockets due to COVID-19 spread
The Topeka Municipal Court is suspending the majority of its in-person dockets due to an increase in community spread of COVID-19 in Shawnee County. The suspension starts Monday and is expected to last through January 14. The City of Topeka announced the decision last month. According to a city press release, all impacted cases will be rescheduled and all impacted defendants and defense counsel will be notified by mail.
Source: KSNT News
Johnson County to consider ending school mask mandate Thursday as COVID-19 cases soar
Johnson County leaders will decide Thursday whether to scrap their current school mask mandate for elementary school children or leave it in place through the spring semester as the highly contagious omicron variant pushes COVID-19 cases to record highs. The current county order, in place since August, requires masks in schools that serve students as old as sixth grade in an attempt to slow the virus’s spread while vaccination rates among children remain low. But the rule has come under fire from a litany of state and local officials who argue such mandates should be left to individual school districts to decide. The order will remain in effect through May 31 unless the Johnson County Board of Commissioners amends or revokes it and critics have pleaded with the board to do just that at the board’s meeting Thursday.
Source: Joco 913 News
Parsons leadership creates safe exchange zone for community
Safety is always a primary concern throughout any community. With the increased use of online shopping through platforms, this has community leaders looking for ways to create an environment for any in-person exchanges. And soon, one of those will be coming to Parsons. “Marketplace and Craigslist and all that stuff has really gotten huge over the past few years,” says Leland Crooks, Parsons City Commissioner, “It’s individuals selling to individuals, there’s no guarantees, you don’t have a store you can go back to.”
Source: KSNF/KODE
Bel Aire getting disc golf
Bel Aire residents could have a new outdoor activity available by the spring if everything goes according to plan. The city is in the early stages of planning a disc golf course at Alley Park. Alley Park is located near the Park Vista subdivision north of 48th North and Oliver. Currently, the park doesn’t offer many amenities. It is a natural park with a large fishing pond and plenty of space.
Source: Ark Valley News
Wichita’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance Passed in October Goes Into Effect New Year’s Day
A new non-discrimination ordinance for the City of Wichita that was passed in October goes into effect today. The ordinance prohibits discrimination in the areas of housing, employment and public accommodation based on age, color, disability, familial status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin or ancestry, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other factor protected by law. It allows people to have their discrimination complaints for housing, employment and public accommodation filed with the city and adjudicated locally.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Processional for Wichita Firefighter stretched for miles as first responders and residents pay their respects
t the corner of Central and Elder in West Wichita, sits Fire Station 8 where Joshua Bruggeman was assigned. “We are family. It’s like losing a brother. It is losing a brother,” Chief Derek Davis said. “Today the least we could do was pay our respects.” Joshua Bruggeman was a 17-year member of the Wichita Fire department. Friday morning, there was a procession from Wesley Hospital to the mortuary. The procession passed by his former station, where his protective gear was on display.
Source: KAKE – News
Flurry of small earthquakes in Salina area spur questions about responsibility oil and gas industry
Linda Berry, spokeswoman for the KCC, said the commission’s staff was working with the Kansas Geological Survey and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to investigate potential links between the latest earthquakes in Saline County and drilling or injection activity. She said there had been no drilling in the past three months adjacent to the earthquakes south of Salina in central Kansas. That serves to rule out theories hydraulic fracturing directly induced the quakes, she said. There are no KDHE-regulated Class I wastewater disposal wells within 15 miles of the earthquakes, Berry said. There are approximately 38 KCC-regulated Class II Arbuckle disposal wells within the 15-mile investigation area, she said. “KCC staff has compiled the injection data for these wells dating back to 2015 and shared it with KGS and KDHE,” Berry said. “As we analyze this data, we will look for any patterns or trends that could be leading to the increased number of earthquakes.”
Source: The Iola Register
City of Lawrence requiring masks in all facilities, suspending exercise and free play at rec centers
The City of Lawrence is once again putting in place more strict measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Among those measures, recreational facilities will be closed to general exercise and free play, the city announced Friday. “Scheduled programs at these facilities will be limited and facility cleaning will be enhanced.” In addition, masks will again be required inside all city facilities for anyone ages 2 and up. Officials with Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health have moved the county’s community transmission indicator status to red, meaning the rolling 14-day average number of new cases reported daily has topped 50 — as of Wednesday, it was 55.79 — and total active cases in the county have topped 1,000. Wednesday’s update showed 1,216 active cases.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for December 31, 2021
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.
Cash Floods Municipal-Bond Market
Investors have poured more money into municipal bond funds so far this year than they have in decades, providing the fuel for borrowing by states and cities to fund new bridges, sewers and other state and local projects to a second-straight 10-year high. Municipal bond funds now hold an unprecedented 24% of outstanding debt compared with 16% five years ago, according to Federal Reserve data. The move marks the latest step in a fundamental shift away from a buy-and-hold market where individual investors quietly collect interest year after year. The record levels of borrowing and investing in 2021 are evidence that investors have moved well past their early worries the pandemic would drive a wave of municipal defaults and bankruptcies. Buoyed by stimulus funds, state and local governments issued $301.9 billion of debt for new projects as of Dec. 21, the most in at least a decade.
Source: Wall Street Journal
South-central KDOT crews pretreating some highways
In anticipation of wintry precipitation starting Friday — going into a holiday weekend — Kansas Department of Transportation crews in south-central Kansas are pretreating some highways. They are especially focusing on elevated areas including bridges, where the surface tends to freeze faster. Pretreatment varies within the region because of varied forecasts from area to area. Around Lyons, for example, a crew has been pretreating with a mix of brine and beet juice. Beet juice is sticky, so it holds the ice-fighting brine to the pavement longer and at lower temperatures. The beet juice looks brown, and it can be washed off vehicles.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Developer plans to bring 3.5 million-square-foot industrial project to De Soto
A recent annexation by the city of De Soto, Kansas, could lead to a new industrial development taking root in western Johnson County. In November, the De Soto City Council approved the annexation of roughly 367 acres of land near Edgerton Road and 103rd Street. The annexation also included 6,000 acres of land within the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant north of 127th Street. On Dec. 2, the De Soto City Council voted 3-1 to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Flint Development for the development of roughly 350 acres near Edgerton Road and 103rd Street. The MOU outlines the city’s intent to incentivize development on the property through a 10-year, 85% tax abatement. In return, the developer commits to fund upgrades to public streets, water and sewer infrastructure.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
City of Wichita says no road pre-treatment ahead of snowy weather
With just two days away from a winter storm heading toward KAKEland, the City of Wichita says it will not have crews laying down pre-treatment ahead of the drastic changed conditions. “We are watching the forecast and will change, if necessary,” said interim assistant director of public works with The City of Wichita. Nelson says that the rain would wipe away the work that crews would have to do ahead of time so you won’t see the ‘brine’ solution placed in the streets ahead of Saturday.
Source: KAKE – News
UG Commission approves temporary cold weather shelter at Reardon Center
The Unified Government Commission on Thursday night voted unanimously to approve a temporary cold weather shelter at the Reardon Center. Several community members and social service workers spoke in favor of the shelter, warning that people left outside during the coming cold weather this weekend could lose limbs or their lives. Mayor Tyrone Garner told the group he was in favor of helping the homeless. However, he had unanswered questions about the plans to place the shelter at the Reardon Center, and that is why he had delayed the shelter’s opening.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Bulky trash day no longer inspires folks to ‘swap’ in Overland Park. Here’s what’s replacing it
They often became unlikely community gatherings. We’re talking about those “bulky trash pickup” days organized and financed by the city of Overland Park. Every other year, depending on which side of Antioch Road they lived on, people placed unwanted furniture, appliances and other large items at curbside for pickup. Neighbors would come by, see something they liked and haul it off before the city did. Scrappers did the same. Conversations happened. Now those days are history. The Overland Park City Council recently approved a new trash collection ordinance, mandating that haulers provide a curbside bulky item pickup at least once a year as part of their service to residents. Residents will now work with their hauler to schedule the annual pickup.
Source: Joco 913 News
Lawrence Public Library leaders say eliminating late fines has improved access, not resulted in more late books
Two years after the Lawrence Public Library decided to eliminate fines for overdue books, library leaders say the change has not adversely affected the turnaround of materials and has improved overall access to the library. The library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to eliminate late fines for overdue books and other media beginning in January 2020. LPL Executive Director Brad Allen said that eliminating fines has not affected the timeliness of book returns, the waiting period for holds or the percentage of lost items, but has improved access to the library for people with low incomes.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Active COVID cases top 1,200 mark in Douglas County; community now in code red phase
Active COVID cases in Douglas County soared past the 1,000 mark, health leaders announced on Wednesday, but the spate of new cases did not produce an increase in hospitalizations. As of Wednesday, Douglas County had 1,216 active COVID cases, which was up from 987 active cases on Monday. However, inpatients being treated for COVID at LMH Health remain virtually steady at 15 patients, down one from Monday’s figures. The new numbers, though, put Douglas County firmly in the code red transmission category, which is triggered anytime active case numbers top 1,000. The code red designation — the highest of three alert levels — is expected to lead to discussion about whether Douglas County commissioners should implement a new mask mandate for residents.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for December 29, 2021
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.
Kansans getting scam texts tied to COVID
Kansans are getting scam text messages that appear to be coming from the Kansas Health Department and Department of Revenue. The texts may mention something like “Kansas Covid-19 Vaccine Driver License Waiver Validation,” and include a link. The link appears to be a KDHE website, though it ends with .com, while real state pages end in .gov. The website you are taken to resembles a state website, and you are asked to put in personal information like your date of birth and social security number. If you get a message like this you are urged to report it as spam and delete it.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
County group working hard to help those impacted by fires in western Kansas
While many in Marion County and surrounding areas experienced some damage on Dec. 15 from the extreme winds, the damages paled in comparison to what western Kansas faced when the storm caused fires to spread throughout the central and western part of the state. According to the Kansas Forest Service, 400,000 acres burned in 11 counties in western Kansas with smaller fires in other counties. Many in Marion County are doing something about it. Jonas Frantz and Kelly Novak of Tampa, KS have gotten together and organized efforts to get supplies and money to those who need help in western Kansas, and they will take help from anyone who wants to contribute. “I just thought our fellow farmers could use help, contacted Kelly about donating some hay and we started working together to get something done,” said Frantz.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
Morrill resident discusses concerns over law enforcement
The Brown County Commission met for regular session Tuesday morning and heard concerns from a Morrill resident. Lee Wymer expressed his concerns about a specific person who continues to violate the law by speeding around town, spinning and screeching tires during the middle of the night. He said law enforcement has been contacted several times and a county deputy has responded, however the individual has not been able to be caught. Wymer said the individual spots the officers and ceases his activity once law enforcement presence is there, however when the officers leave town the person starts back up. “He knows the game and he plays it well,” Wymer told commissioners.
Source: County Government | hiawathaworldonline.com
Ark City joins Winfield, county in pursuit of opioid compensation
Arkansas City commissioners will participate in a nationwide class action lawsuit to recover resources lost due to opioid abuse and addiction. The decision, made last week during a commission meeting, makes Ark City the latest local government to join a major lawsuit in hopes of getting monetary compensation for costs associated with the proliferation of opioids. Opioids are commonly used to treat moderate to severe pain, but they have been found to be highly addictive. City Attorney Larry Schwartz told commissioners that the Kansas Attorney General has put a team together to help communities and county governments litigate the lawsuit.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Sedgwick County backs off mask mandate, emergency orders
Action taken by the Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly in mid-March led the Sedgwick County Commission to reassess its emergency public health orders tied to the coronavirus pandemic. With the stipulations of Senate Bill 40 presenting a number of obstacles to keeping the county’s health orders in place, the commission ultimately moved to rescind them immediately and approve a resolution recommending – but not enforcing – many of the same health and safety guidelines. That included wearing of masks and social distancing – with business organizations encouraged to keep such requirements in place – as well as individuals becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 once eligible. Both motions were approved on a 3-2 vote after a good deal of discussion regarding what the new legislation could do, as well as the lack of enforcement.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Flags at Half-Staff for 7001 Kansans Lost to COVID-19
In honor of the more than 7,000 lives lost due to COVID-19, and the families they left behind, Governor Laura Kelly today directed flags be lowered to half-staff throughout the state effective immediately to sundown Friday, December 31, 2021. “It is with great sadness that I am ordering flags to half-staff for the seventh time since the pandemic began,” Governor Kelly said. “We have the tools to stop this virus and prevent further unnecessary deaths of our loved ones. Whether you are considering your first shot, or your third, I urge all Kansans to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Wyandotte County Administrator Doug Bach to retire in January
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas announced that County Administrator Doug Bach will be retiring next month. Bach has served as county administrator since March 2014. Before that, he served as deputy county administrator from 2003-2014 and in several other leadership roles across multiple departments, including the finance, community development and police departments, among others. “I am honored to have served with the many hardworking, talented individuals across the Unified Government,” Bach said. “Together, we have tackled many challenges and are now well-positioned to rebound from this pandemic stronger than ever.”
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
McPherson County places moratorium on solar energy
McPherson County won’t be seeing any commercial solar energy projects anytime soon. The McPherson County Commission has passed a resolution placing a moratorium on commercial solar energy projects in the county. “Effectively, this would prohibit any commercial solar energy projects in McPherson County for a two year period from the time of adoption,” Brian Bina, county counselor said. “This will allow the county to undertake any studies or information the county needs to utilize to set up an appropriate program, if at all, for the approval of these projects.” Bina advised there are currently no massive commercial solar energy projects underway throughout the state. This is one of the reasons McPherson County would like to gather more information and see more studies before considering the appropriateness of wind energy development in McPherson County.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed
County Commission honors outgoing Louisburg mayor
County commissioners presented outgoing Mayor Marty Southard with a plaque and a proclamation during the Louisburg City Council meeting Monday, Dec. 20, for his dedication and service to the community. The proclamation declared Dec. 20 as Mayor Marty Southard Day in Miami County. County commissioners Rob Roberts and Phil Dixon made the presentation to Southard.
Source: The Miami County Republic