Kansas Municipal News
Fed’s Raphael Bostic expects rate cuts to happen in the third quarter
Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic expects policymakers to start cutting rates in the third quarter of this year, saying Thursday that inflation is well on its way back to the central bank’s goal. Bostic, a voting member this year on the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, asserted that the goal ahead is to calibrate policy to be not so restrictive as to choke off growth while still acting as a bulwark against persistently elevated prices. However, he said a “golden path” scenario of tamping down inflation while promoting solid growth and healthy employment is getting closer than many Fed officials had expected. “Because I’m data dependent, I have incorporated the unexpected progress on inflation and economic activity into my outlook, and thus moved up my projected time to begin normalizing the federal funds rate to the third quarter of this year from the fourth quarter,” Bostic said in prepared remarks for a speech to business leaders in Atlanta. While the remarks help illuminate a timeline for rate cuts, they also serve as a reminder that Fed officials and market participants have different expectations about policy easing. Current pricing in the fed funds futures market points to the first cut coming as soon as March, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch measure. The implied probability for a quarter percentage point reduction has decreased in recent days but still stood around 57% Thursday morning. Pricing further indicates a total of six cuts this year, or one at every FOMC meeting but one from March forward. Bostic said he’s not dead set against cutting earlier than the third quarter, implying a move in July at the earliest, but said the bar will be high.
Source: Economy
Grant to improve election security
To bolster election security in Barton County, the County Commission Tuesday morning accepted a $94,096.91 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Security Grant. County Clerk Bev Schmeidler said the funding, which requires a 10% local match, will help with election equipment storage, a new trailer to haul supplies to polling locations, rolling bags to haul gear and other needs. “We had the opportunity to go out for a grant offered through the Secretary of State’s office for federal HAVA funds,” Schmeidler said. Since the money can be used for anything to improve election security, “there is quite a list of things that we asked for.” Although the commission accepted the entire $94,096.91 Tuesday, they only authorized spending just over $74,000 of that this week. First, it Ok-ed a bid from Brentwood Builders of Great Bend for $59,700 to remodel the County Clerk’s Office in the Courthouse. This includes making the early voting room more secure, adding an area for secure storage, tamperproof doors and a cabinet to charge and store electronic voting pads. Second was the larger trailer at $12,200. “Ours is at capacity,” she said of the one they use now. Lastly were the rolling security bags at $2,820.15. These are used to transfer supplies to voting sites. As for the balance of the grant, Schmeidler said she will come back before the commission to seek approval for the purchase of secure locks, a server and other electronic items needed for the effort.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
City of Claflin hosting rabies clinic
The City of Claflin is hosting a rabies clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 20. The clinic will be held at the city shop, 710 Front St. in Claflin. Services will be provided by Hoisington Vet Clinic staff. As a reminder, all dogs in the city limits must have current proof of rabies vaccination and must be licensed by March 1. A $5 penalty will be assessed to dog owners after the March 1 deadline. Cost of dog tags is $5 for spayed or neutered dogs and $7.50 for dogs not fixed.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
JoCo clears $500K to help tenants pay rent, avoid eviction
A new round of incentives for landlords aimed at preventing homelessness and evictions won approval Thursday from the Johnson County Commission. Commissioners voted to expand pilot programs on eviction mediation and housing choice vouchers — both programs that have seen success in getting low-income renters into stable housing. The commission voted to add $500,000 to the eviction mediation project. But this time, the money will go to direct aid to tenants in arrears rather than mediators. Eviction mediation began in September in district court and will run through December of this year. Commissioners last year authorized $146,000 to pay court-certified mediators $250 for each Friday eviction court trial date.
Source: Johnson County Post
Municipal Bond Trends for January 18, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Johnson County police scanners will soon go silent. What will that mean for transparency?
For 13 Johnson County police agencies and hundreds of listeners to police radio scanners and phone apps, Jan. 23 will be “Encryption Day.” Law enforcement officials see it as the day they take back control over how much of their operations — including sensitive private information on the people they encounter — will go out over airwaves to be noted by anyone with the right technology. Scanner listeners, including some local crime journalists, see it differently. To them, “Encryption Day” will be the day the lights dim over police transparency, the day their desktop scanners become expensive paperweights and phone apps all but useless in finding out what’s going in real time with local law enforcement. “Once encryption happens, there is no expectation of accountability to the public about any agency’s action. At least not in any meaningful way,” wrote Cartherine Kost, administrator of the Johnson County KS Community and Police Scanner Group, in an email to the Post. “The public has the right to know what is happening in their communities. We have the right to have oversight of our governmental affairs. Encryption is one less way that we as citizens will be able to observe agencies and demand accountability,” she added. Encryption — which blocks listeners from hearing what police and dispatchers say over the radio — is nothing new. Most local agencies already use some encryption on certain tactical channels. The primary channels on which initial calls go out, however, have remained audible for members of the general public to hear if they have scanners. That’s what’s about to change. Lenexa’s police department recently announced over the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that 13 agencies will begin encrypting their primary channels. Those agencies include Blue Valley School District Police, Shawnee Mission School District Police, and the city police departments of Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Merriam, Fairway, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, Mission and Westwood.
Source: KCUR News
Johnson County allocates additional funds to SLFRF-backed pilot programs
The Landlord Incentive Pilot Program provides financial incentives when landlords rent to a family with a federally funded voucher for available units. Three county programs developed with federal Coronavirus funds received an additional boost in funding to help qualified community members with affordable housing, child care licensing and rental assistance. On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved $950,000 in allocations from the interest accrued on the county’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The United States Department of the Treasury, directed by the U.S. Congress, distributed these funds to cities, counties and other governmental bodies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds were intended to offset economic losses from the pandemic and to invest in community infrastructure. “These federal dollars have allowed our organization to pilot new and innovative ways to support those in our community who can benefit from some additional assistance,” said BOCC Chairman Mike Kelly. “At the same time we have been good stewards of these resources, ensuring they are being used strategically to improve the quality of life for our constituents.” The BOCC authorized the following: $200,000 to the Landlord Housing Voucher Incentive Program; $250,000 for childcare licensing fees; $500,000 to create a Rental Assistance Program as Phase 2 of the Eviction Mediation Program.
Source: Johnson County Kansas
Wichita selling more public housing units, holding open houses
If you are looking for a fixer-upper, the City of Wichita is selling off more of its public housing units. You can see the homes during open houses this Sunday, Jan. 21, and next Tuesday, Jan. 23. The open houses are from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, and from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23. The homes are part of a group of 37 homes scattered throughout Wichita that were recently approved for sale by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Anyone can bid on the properties. Questions may be directed to city staff at HousingDevelopment@wichita.gov. The city has reserved dates in February for more potential open houses, but the list of houses available may change. Any changes to the schedule, such as for bad weather, will be posted on the city’s Public Housing website.
Source: KSN-TV
Over 30 people begin firefighter certification in Girard at Firefighter One Academy
More than 30 men and woman took their first step to becoming certified firefighters. The Firefighter One Academy had their first class last night at the Girard Fire Department. It’s lead by an instructor from the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute. Students will meet twice a week for the next four months. Last night they began hazmat awareness, which goes for the next month. After that, they will learn firefighter skills. “This is real exciting for us. I believe this is probably one of the biggest fire one classes that’s been hosted in this area in a long time so we’re real excited for the turn out, really happy the guys are going to have an opportunity to get their certifications,” said Daulton crays, Capitan Girard Fire Department. “So material wise I’m pretty familiar with everything but it’s going to be nice to actually get the certification and be able to have that piece of paper saying that I’m certified to do this job to the fullest extent,” said Prestyn Kalgren, Firefighter One Academy Student. At the end of the academy, students will earn their hazmat awareness, hazmat operation and fire one certification. Those are the base level certifications for to volunteer or be a full time fire fighter.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Humboldt readies for winter gas prices. A revised plan helps avoid market fluctuations
Almost three years out from the “perfect terrible storm,” Cole Herder, Humboldt administrator, says the city is on much better footing should it find itself in another prolonged deep freeze. Beginning Feb. 9, 2021, much of the country’s middle section was held in the icy grips of a polar vortex. To make matters worse, clouds hung low blocking the sun and the winds did not blow, forcing municipalities to forgo their reliance on wind and solar to help power utilities. Sensing chaos, natural gas utility producers took advantage of the surge in demand. Prices surged from $3 to more than $600 per unit in a matter of days. “This week is like hitting the jackpot with some of these incredible prices,” Roland Burns, the Texas CFO of Comstock Resources, a natural gas company, said at the time. “Frankly, we were able to sell at super premium prices.” It wasn’t his finer moment. From Mississippi to Montana, municipalities were slammed with unprecedented gas hikes. “The market went crazy and some people got rich,” Herder said in his understated manner. For Humboldt, the previous month’s average rate was $2.58 per unit. That February, the average unit rate was $117.08. When all was said and done, Humboldt’s next monthly statement was for more than $1.6 million. The city purchases its gas from the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency, which purchases and stores gas for about 50 small-sized cities across the state and is transferred via through the Southern Star pipeline. Humboldt typically spends $40,000 to $80,000 a month during the winter for gas. That February, its gas bill was $1,644,415.87, more than four times what the city typically budgets for an entire year’s use of natural gas.
Source: The Iola Register
City commissioners say KSU should continue paying for fire services
Manhattan city commissioners Tuesday said Kansas State University should continue to pay for fire services. City staff asked commissioners to consider updating an agreement with K-State that since 1994 has allowed the university to receive fire services on property located outside city limits. As previously reported, to pay for those services, the city had been withholding an increasing amount every year, now around $225,000, in city/university fund revenue instead of transferring money to that fund. However, the new agreement calls for the city to provide fire services to K-State for free in exchange for the university allowing the fire department’s headquarters to remain on its property. Along with the headquarters building, the fire training facility on Denison and Kimball avenues sits on property that belongs to K-State. The city plans to remove the training facility and give back that part of the property to the university. The new agreement recognizes that both parties benefit from the relationship. The city would get rent-free land, and the university would get free fire services. However, mayor Wynn Butler said charging the university for fire services makes sense, as most of the university buildings aren’t taxed, and property tax goes toward funding the fire department. Commissioner Karen McCulloh said she’d like to see the city/university fund board restart.
Source: themercury.com
Shawnee County Commission and Topeka City Council come together for a common cause
The Shawnee County Commission and Topeka City Council had never held a joint meeting to focus on a specific issue during Kevin Cook’s 11 years on the commission. That changed Wednesday[as] members shared ideas for dealing with this community’s problems regarding homelessness in a joint meeting at Topeka’s Great Overland Station.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for January 17, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Lawrence City Commission approves new historic resources code, adds 2 locations to historic register
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved the replacement of the Conservation of Historic Resources Code with an updated version. Lawrence established the historic resources code as article 33 of the city code in 1988. This chapter, designed to conserve historic resources, mandated a review every five years. However, it had not been reviewed since its inception. In 2014, the Historic Resources Commission was advised to assess and suggest changes. A subcommittee identified significant modifications, leading to a complete revision proposal. The biggest changes in the revised chapter encompassed aspects such as allowing administrative review for most projects and streamlining the approval process with added flexibility and emergency procedures. In July 2023, the Historic Resources Commission held a public hearing, approved the revised chapter and forwarded it to the Lawrence City Commission for consideration. “It may not be exactly what we want, or what I want, or what the community wants, but progress is important,” Vice Mayor Mike Dever said. “Perfection is very difficult to achieve, but I think this is real progress.” The commission also unanimously approved adding two places to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places: the Historic Kansas River Bridge Stone Pier and the Henry Waters House at 1124 New Jersey St.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Burrton considering selling natural gas
The City of Burrton is considering selling off its natural gas, but City Clerk Kim Ryan said the decision wasn’t final. Ryan said the city had received interest from both the Kansas Gas Service and Black Hills Energy. The Kansas Gas Service set the original deadline for Feb. 4 but extended it for a later meeting. Ryan said the city plans to have a meeting on Feb. 5 and expects a decision to be made by the middle of February. According to Ryan, the city is considering selling because of all the state regulations. “You almost need a couple of full time people to run it,” Ryan said. “We don’t have that manpower.” Ryan said the current supervisor who knows how to manage it plans to retire in 2026, and finding a replacement would be challenging. Cost was another reason Ryan said the city is thinking of selling. “It’s costing more to run it than [it’s] making,” Ryan said. Burrton, like Halstead and Hesston, has struggled with high gas prices during the cold temperatures seen in recent winters. In 2021, gas bills increased by 10 to 20 times the normal rate for that time of year.
Source: Harvey County Now
Joint city-county meeting to focus on homelessness and housing strategic plan
The Lawrence City Commission and Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will hold a joint meeting to review the strategic plan to address homelessness and hear updates on progress. The commissions will not take any binding action but will discuss collaboration between the governing bodies going forward, according to the agenda. Both commissions heard reports on the draft plan in spring of 2023, and city/county staff members held public engagement meetings to gather community feedback over the next couple of months. The plan has since been revised, and the final draft was completed in December, according to the presentation in the meeting agenda. The joint meeting is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St. Douglas County commissioners will then have their regular meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. at the historic courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Waging war on snow, ice
“It’s been pretty mild since I got here,” said Pittsburg Street Supervisor Lonnie Wells, “2011 was the last big storm, and that’s OK with me.” As Wells spoke Tuesday, the City’s trucks were crisscrossing Pittsburg using plows and a mixture of sand and salt to clear the streets of stubborn packed snow. Although the weekend’s snow was not deep, the extreme cold slowed melting and many streets were still slippery. Wells said that once snow is compacted by traffic and temperatures are as low as they have been recently, it becomes almost like ice. “You can’t plow that stuff off,” Wells said. The extreme cold creates specific problems of its own, Wells said. “Our rock salt is only effective once it gets to about 20 degrees,” he said. The sand ($18 a ton) is mixed with the salt ($125 a ton) at a ratio of four to one before it is applied. Wells said the crews try to prepare for winter weather by pretreating streets with a brine solution at least once a week. Wells said he has a crew of seven. His department has five 10-wheeler trucks, two 1-ton trucks and a couple of pickups on which small plows are mounted. Perhaps the most effective tool in the battle against the snow and ice, the Sun, was helping out, as well.
Source: Morning Sun
Why is Wamego dropping its speed limit to 20 mph?
With a few exceptions, the City of Wamego has chosen to drop the speed limit for local streets to 20 mph. KSNT 27 news spoke with City Manager Stacie Eichem for an explanation for why the decision was made and what this means for people driving through Wamego. She said the Governing Body of Wamego approved Ordinance 1800 on Dec. 19, adopting a city-wide 20 mph limit. Language in the ordinance states that a traffic speed study was conducted by Olsson Engineers. A recommendation from this study asked for the speed limit on local roadways to be lowered to 20 mph “in order to better align travel speeds along local roadways with speed limit guidance.” The City of Wamego provided KSNT 27 News with the map below to better explain what local streets will be impacted by the new ordinance. All highlighted streets are exceptions to the rule while those that are not highlighted will be switched to 20 mph. Eichem said city leaders heard complaints from some local residents that traffic was moving too quickly in city limits. Eichem, who shared similar concerns with city leaders, received authorization to start a Safe Driving Coalition which consists of local residents, the Wamego Police Department, USD 320 and the City of Wamego. This is all being done to make the city streets safer for travelers and locals alike.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Appraisal increases match housing market changes
Appraisals in the county have increased significantly, with the county appraiser saying it’s the highest she’s ever seen in the past three years. Real estate agents say there are changes in the housing market that explain these increases. Brad Elliot, a real estate agent in the county, said interest rates increasing in recent years has kept many people from selling. This causes increased competition for the houses that are put on the market and drives prices up. Elliot thinks, with interest rates decreasing again, more houses will be added to the market. People who had been unwilling to move because their interest rates would go up might consider a move now. The Federal National Mortgage Association predicts that interest rates will continue to decrease and will end 2024 around 6.5 percent, compared to the nearly 8 percent interest rates that have been seen. Beth-Ann Kingsley, a real estate agent based in Halstead, agreed that demand was the cause behind the increased prices and values. Kingsley added that construction on new houses slowed during COVID-19, causing construction to get “backed up.” This furthered the decrease in available housing inventory.
Source: Harvey County Now
Markets Expect Rate Cuts Soon. Central Banks Say Not So Fast.
There may be a middle ground between blindly trusting central bankers’ interest-rate guidance and disregarding it completely. On Tuesday, stocks fell, Treasury yields jumped and the U.S. dollar rose against other currencies after Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller warned that any lowering of interest rates this year will need to be “carefully calibrated and not rushed.” Though he is a well-known hawk, many other officials have also recently suggested that investors may be expecting borrowing costs to come down too far and too fast. European Central Bank rate setters made the same point at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, including chief economist Philip Lane. To be sure, Waller’s comments still suggest that monetary policy stands a good chance of being loosened this year. But markets have priced in a lot of stimulus over the past few months, and failed to heed calls for caution.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets