Municipal News & Jobs

A new Amazon facility is up and running in the Wichita area. Last week, the company opened a last-mile facility in Bel Aire that has about 150 employees, plus more than 130 drivers for the delivery service partners. The location is about the size of three football fields, according to Amazon.
Read more: KSN-TV

Golden Waves Grain announced it plans to build a baking production facility in Goodland, bringing about 140 new jobs to the city. The facility will house grain milling operations and a large-scale commercial bakery under one roof. Tony Adams, the CEO of Golden Waves Grain, says Goodland is the perfect place for the project because of the city’s access to hard red winter wheat. “We may ask some of the farmers who are investors to look at some different types of wheat that would coordinate with the hard red winter wheat that we’re growing, or expand on some of the hard red winter wheat, so that’s a possibility, but right now the wheat that they grow is one of the reasons we have put this project in Goodland,” Adams said. He said the company will need about 2 million bushels of wheat each year, and the Goodland area produces about 65 million.
Read more: KSN-TV

Real property tax exemptions cost local and state governments more than $1 billion in forgone tax revenue during 2024, a new state audit reports. Acknowledging that their conclusions should be interpreted as rough estimates because they rely on significant assumptions, state auditors reported that local government lost a $1 billion in revenue and the state didn’t collect  $12 million in property tax revenue. The auditors noted that just a  few of those exemptions are were for economic development projects. The auditors found that between 6% and 42% of Kansas counties’ real property was exempt. Eighty three of the state’s  105 counties had 20% or less of their real property exempt from property taxes. The audit estimated that $54 billion, or about 15%, of the $366 billion in appraised property values across Kansas have been exempted from real property taxes. There are seven broad categories for real property tax exemptions in Kansas, including those for the government, education, public service and nonprofits, energy and utilities, economic development and agriculture and other that don’t fit neatly into a category.
Read more: Sunflower State Journal

A proposal capping property tax assessments moved out of Senate committee on Wednesday as the Legislature takes its first steps toward addressing property taxes ahead of this year’s elections. The Senate tax committee approved a constitutional amendment that would cap the taxable assessed property value at 3% with several limited exceptions, including new construction or improvements and if there is an error calculating the tax assessment. The cap would transfer if the property is sold or transferred. For tax year 2027, the final taxable assessed values hall not increase by more than 3% compared to the assessed value of the property for tax year 2022. The amendment, if approved by two-thirds of the Legislature, would have to be ratified by Kansas voters during this year’s primary election on Aug. 4. The amendment is an attempt to respond to constituent complaints about rising property taxes, something lawmakers addressed nominally last year but couldn’t agree on a broader proposal to hold down property taxes.
Read more: Sunflower State Journal

The city’s new full-time planner will look to guide a slew of developments around town as they move from blueprints to buildings. Kyle Kobe is in his first weeks as the new city planner, but he has experience working with Eudora thanks to his time at Professional Engineering Consultants, where the city was one of his major clients. Kobe, who lives in Olathe, is originally from Edwardsville and has spent nearly his whole life in Kansas. He said growing up he often found his mind wandering to how cities were laid out and fit together, which pushed him to pursue a graduate degree in urban planning from KU. “I drove through all these towns, and I just found myself thinking, ‘Why is that there and not there?’” he said. “At the time, I was looking for, you know, what is my calling? I kind of just took a leap like, ‘Hey, this seems like the right thing for me,’ and it’s worked out ever since.” He hopes he can leverage those skills to help Eudora during a period of growth.
Read more: The Eudora Times

In a 4-3 vote, USD 365 school board members decided Jan. 13 to close Greeley Elementary School, the Anderson County Review reported. The vote came after a Jan. 8 contentious public hearing, where board members were accused of having already made up their minds to shutter the school despite public comments to the contrary, the Review said. Board member Robert Shilling, Westphalia, said he spent time visiting with Greeley residents about the issue. Shilling said the overriding sentiment was that their opinions were not valued, the Review reported. The board’s decision sets in motion a plan outlined by Ryan Most, superintendent of schools, to close the school effective at the end of this school year, restaging the 43 students in Greeley to Garnett Elementary School. Superintendent Most said that 51 percent of Greeley Elementary’s K-6 students currently live in Garnett. The superintendent projected that continuing enrollment declines in USD 365 for the 2026-2027 school year will result in a districtwide loss of $242,000 in state aid.
Read more: The Iola Register

Allen County has launched a new emergency alert system, Genasys, replacing CodeRED with a cheaper, more customizable platform for public safety notifications. Allen County residents now receive emergency notifications through a new alert system, Genasys, following the county’s transition away from the long-used CodeRED platform. County commissioners unanimously approved the change in August 2025, with the new system officially going live Oct. 1. CodeRED remained active during the transition period and was fully discontinued on Jan. 3. The switch was made at the request of Allen County Emergency Management Director Jason Trego, who said the new system offers improved functionality at a lower cost. Trego noted that the county maintained both systems briefly to ensure continuity of service.
Read more: The Iola Register

Projected increases in electricity load growth are as high as 99% by 2035, a data point that pushed regional energy regulators to create a plan to stabilize and expand grid capacity and transmission, a legislative committee learned Thursday. Part of that process includes building a controversial transmission line that will travel through four Kansas counties. Justin Grady, director of utilities for the Kansas Corporation Commission, told the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee that a proposed 133-mile, 345 kilovolt transmission line to be built by Evergy will travel through western Sedgwick, Sumner, Cowley and Chautauqua counties. The project is part of Southwest Power Pool’s annual plan to support projected growth in electricity usage across its 14-state coverage area, Grady said. SPP is one of seven nonprofit organizations approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to oversee transmission infrastructure, ensure utility system reliability and manage the wholesale electricity market.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

A real estate company has filed a lawsuit against the City of Lawrence challenging an ordinance that bans discrimination based on where a potential tenant’s rent payments would come from, such as housing vouchers. The case was filed in federal court Thursday by Tower Properties Company, which is based in Overland Park and owns Harper Square Apartments at 2201 Harper St. The company is asking the court for a permanent injunction to prevent the city from enforcing the ordinance. The Lawrence City Commission in February 2023 approved the ordinance change, which created a protected class based on renters’ source of income, which could include housing vouchers, settlements, benefits, subsidies, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers and more. It also bans discrimination based on prospective tenants’ immigration status or their status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking. The ordinance went into effect in June 2023. Tower’s lawsuit is not the first legal challenge the city has faced regarding the ordinance.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Pending finalization of an employment contract, Matthew (Matt) Stiles will be joining Saline County as its new County Administrator, effective April 13. Stiles is currently City Administrator in Hillsboro, and has past experience as City Administrator in South Hutchinson, Assistant City Manager in Bel Aire, and project manager in Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center. He will take over from current County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes, who is retiring. Saline County Commission Chair Monte Shadwick said they were fortunate in having an impressive and highly qualified group of applicants, each of whom brought valuable skill and insight. “ Matt, however, stood out for his approachable leadership style, and strong communication skills, along with his past success in advancing economic development efforts, Shadwick said in a statement.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

The new city library in Frontenac was all abuzz with activity on Wednesday as a film crew from “CBS Mornings” shot footage, interviewed patrons, and was given a walking tour by Library Director Seth Nutt. The library is to be featured during a series highlighting unique American stories. Called “USA to Z,” the series is being produced as part of the nation’s 250th birthday. But the library wasn’t just randomly picked out of a hat. Aubrey Gelpieryn, a producer for “CBS Mornings,” has familial ties to the city — her mother grew up here. And her grandmother and aunts still live in Frontenac.
Read more: -Morning Sun

The city of Newton is considering buying the historic Newton Depot for $500,000 with plans to turn the property into a redevelopment opportunity. The train depot at 414 N. Main St. sits at the entrance of downtown Newton and serves as the busiest Amtrak station in Kansas for its line that travels from Chicago to Los Angeles. Built in 1930 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the depot was most recently used for leased offices but has also housed restaurants and lodging, according to the city. Newton’s City Commission approved an agreement at its Tuesday meeting for an option to purchase the depot, which it said is one of the “most important civic landmarks” in Newton.
Read more: Wichita Business Journal

The future of the Yates Center Police Department is decidedly murky after City Council members voted Tuesday evening to substantially downsize the department later this year. In a surprise vote, the Council voted 3-2 with one abstention to shrink the force down to a single position held by a police chief who would be on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Law enforcement duties after hours would fall under the Woodson County Sheriff’s Department. The changeover is scheduled for April. However, that change may not come. 
Read more: The Iola Register

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

In small Kansas towns like Burrton, volunteer departments are often the closest option for people in danger.
Read more: KSN-TV

If Wichita voters approve a 1% city sales tax in March, groceries won’t be exempt. Some supporters of the ballot initiative have pitched excluding transactions on food items from the $850 million plan as a way of reducing its burden on lower-income Wichitans.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen pressed the Kansas Legislature on Tuesday to expand funding for specialty courts tailored to special challenges of defendants and asked lawmakers to collaborate on solutions to the shortage of attorneys in rural Kansas. Rosen, delivering his first State of the Judiciary speech to a joint session of the Legislature, said the state must continue to move forward with initiatives to enhance access to justice, build public confidence in the judiciary and improve efficiency of state court operations. Rosen, with a father and father-in-law who worked at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, said he had a front-row seat in his youth to the Menninger staff’s transformational work on an integrated, multidisciplinary model of treating people with mental illness. As a Shawnee County District Court judge, he became acutely aware of how individuals with mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders too often cycled through courthouses.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

A new initiative announced by the Kansas Department of Commerce could open up possibilities for repurposing vacant and underutilized buildings in Lyon County into new housing. Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced Monday that the Department of Commerce is launching an initiative to identify vacant, abandoned, or underutilized buildings suitable for redevelopment into housing units. Local leaders, community organizations, and property owners are encouraged to submit information about buildings in their area that could be considered for conversion.
Read more: www.emporiagazette.com

Tumbleweeds have taken over the High Plains. They thrive so well that they are part of the culture of the West. But this ample supply of blowing weeds can hurt farm yields, wreak havoc on neighborhoods and cause fire dangers. A minor but significant character in old western movies: the tumbleweed. In the midst of the gunslinging, often a lonely tumbleweed will roll across the screen. Today, if you drive across western Kansas on a windy day, you will often see not a lonely tumbleweed, but a swarm of them crossing the highway or congregating along a fence by the road. In western Kansas, it comes with the territory. In fact, ask people in town and they will tell stories with annoyance or amazement of tumbleweeds blocking their driveways or stacked against their homes. People in urban areas may be surprised by just how prominent this plant is on the frontier today. But it wasn’t always like that. In fact, tumbleweeds are a relatively new phenomenon on the Plains where they have claimed a new home. They weren’t even established in the U.S. in the early days of the cowboy.
Read more: Garden City Telegram

The newest Harvey County Drug Court graduate, Zack Walters, has been sober since April 19, 2024 (625 days and counting), which is his longest streak since he started smoking marijuana as a teenager. The county began drug court in October of 2021 as a way to reduce recidivism and celebrated its first graduate in March of 2023. The program takes 12 to 18 months to complete. Walters’s story is slightly different because he went from the county jail to county employee.
Read more: Harvey County Now

While the Kansas City Chiefs’ plan to move its headquarters and training facility to Olathe has been in the works behind closed doors for years, the news came as a surprise to many Johnson County residents when the NFL team announced it at the end of December. Earlier this month, the Post published an informal survey asking readers how they felt about the Chiefs’ decision to move their operations across state lines. The survey asked a question for Olathe residents specifically, about how they feel about potentially hosting the team’s new headquarters and training facility. While not scientific, the survey’s results give insight into how Johnson County residents are feeling about the deal in its early stages — the main question being: do the benefits of the project outweigh the cost?
Read more: Johnson County Post

The city of Prairie Village helped its Ukrainian sister city purchase four drones, medicine and bed linens in 2025. Last spring, the Prairie Village City Council approved a nearly $23,000 donation to its sister city Dolyna for the purpose of “humanitarian goods.” Dolyna is in the western part of Ukraine in the Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, or district. In late December 2025, Dolyna Mayor Ivan Dyriv sent an itemized list of the goods purchased with that donation — and thanked the city for its help.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The city of Prairie Village’s residential grant and property tax rebate programs are back in 2026 — all with more funding. Last month, the Prairie Village City Council approved updates to its exterior grant, residential sustainability grant and property tax rebate programs. Here’s a look at how to find out if you qualify for any of the programs and, if so, how to apply.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The proposed Hope Ridge Wind Farm in northeast Dickinson County remains on hold after plaintiffs filed an appeal in their lawsuit challenging the project’s approval. The appeal follows a lower court ruling that upheld the county’s decision to grant Enel Green Power a Conditional Use Permit for the wind farm, which would involve about 150 landowners and span more than 50,000 acres. Opponents argue the county’s approval was unreasonable and failed to meet zoning requirements, claims rejected by Judge Lee Fowler of the Fifth District Court, who ruled the process was transparent, lawful, and supported by substantial public input.
Read more: KCLY Radio

Officials in Clay County, Missouri, and in the Kansas legislature have expressed that they are no longer interested in talks with the Royals on a new stadium deal. Is the team starting to run out of options — and will downtown Kansas City win out by default?
Read more: KCUR

Kansas lawmakers are expected to introduce new legislation Wednesday, aimed at regulating electric scooters across the state. A move that follows the tragic death of a 10-year-old boy in Johnson County late last year. The bill comes just months after Duke Ommert, a fourth grader, was killed while riding an e-scooter in his Leawood neighborhood. In the weeks and months that followed, several municipalities moved quickly to tighten restrictions on e-scooters.
Read more: KSN-TV

A debate is underway in Barber County over whether to bring a Google data center to the area. On Monday, county commissioners heard from company representatives, the first time they appeared before the community, and a local resident opposing the proposal. Commissioners asked Google and Fino Advisors — a company helping to develop the plan on the ground — about potential costs and benefits to the land and residents of Barber County. They said the project could bring additional revenue to the area.
Read more: KSN-TV

The City of Hutchinson has hired Scott Cooley as its new downtown revitalization manager. This role focuses on reviving the city’s downtown area through business support, redevelopment and the city’s Kansas Main Street program, which helps cities revitalize and preserve their downtowns. Cooley is basing his work on the 2024 master plan, which highlights housing, retail and dining as key priorities.
Read more: KSN-TV

Kansas lawmakers are officially back in Topeka for a new legislative session, and they’ve got a calendar full of pressing issues they plan to address. The 2026 legislative session kicked off at the Kansas Capitol Building on Jan. 12. Both the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives convened for the first time, and lawmakers were welcomed back into the statehouse. “In many regards, it’s kind of like the first day of school after you’ve been gone for the entire summer,” said Kansas Senator Patrick Schmidt. However, for the rest of the week, lawmakers have a full list of hearings.
Read more: KSN-TV

Under the leadership of Fire Chief Chad Longstaff, the Topeka Fire Department is strengthening its connection with the community. On Jan. 6, Topeka Fire Station 4 opened its doors to neighbors, inviting residents inside for an open house. Community members received a firsthand look at where firefighters eat, work, and sleep during their 24-hour shifts, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into daily life at the station. Station 4 Chief Josh Domann said the event was about more than just a tour; it was about building relationships.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

As Marion looks into privatizing trash service, questions remain. Nisly Brothers Inc. of Hutchinson, the trash contractor for Peabody and several other communities in Harvey County and others, approached Marion officials about privatizing a few weeks ago. Hillsboro and Marion hand trash pickups themselves.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

City Attorney Blaine Finch was appointed interim city manager by the Ottawa commission, following Brian Silcott’s notice leaving the position. Finch has been a former city commissioner, worked as an attorney at the city and in many roles of the Kansas Legislature. He has worked at the Kansas Legislature and the city for over a decade. The vote was unanimous for Finch, with Commissioner Allen absent from the meeting.
Read more: The Ottawa Herald

Data centers are anticipated to expand in the region since the state approved sales-tax exemptions and other incentives to attract large-scale data centers to Kansas last year. Sedgwick County commissioners approved a moratorium to halt new data center applications for zoning or construction permits in unincorporated parts of the county through April 17. The Harvey County Commission this week also approved a pause on data center development, but its moratorium is scheduled through the end of 2028 for unincorporated parts of the county.
Read more: Wichita Business Journal

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

Here’s how affordable housing grants currently work in Lawrence, in a nutshell: In the fall, developers say what projects they want to build. The city picks some it wants to fund. And it gives them sales tax money in the form of a grant. It’s a familiar process for the city and its Affordable Housing Advisory Board. But, as AHAB member Monte Soukup admits, “if we want to try to incentivize or get specific projects, then this process doesn’t really do a great job.” But what if AHAB could say what kind of housing it wanted and tell developers, “Bring me a project”? What if, instead of a grant, it could give a developer a low-interest loan that could recharge the trust fund as it gets repaid? And what if developers didn’t have to wait until the fall to apply?
Read more: LJWorld

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced a new round of Supporting Innovative Growth through New Signage (SIGNS) grant opportunities, building on the program’s inaugural year in 2025 with several updates designed to further increase foot traffic, strengthen business visibility, and drive sales in downtown commercial districts. “Prominent and visually pleasing signage can have dramatic impact — helping people notice a business and get new customers through the door to make a purchase,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “By re-establishing the SIGNS program, we’re doubling down on design quality, supporting local artists and driving further economic growth in small businesses throughout our downtown communities.” The SIGNS program is designed to support communities by upgrading storefronts for multiple businesses at once, recognizing that clear, attractive and strategically designed signage plays a critical role in helping customers spend more money locally.
Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce

As Kansas City prepares for the massive influx of visitors expected during the upcoming World Cup, leaders in Wyandotte County are considering temporary changes that could significantly impact short term rentals. On Monday, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County unveiled a proposal that would allow homeowners in Kansas City, Kansas, to rent rooms or entire homes for a limited time surrounding World Cup events. The plan is designed to give residents more flexibility while addressing the surge in demand for lodging tied to the international tournament.
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV

Lawrence city commissioners discussed City Hall security measures for about 15 minutes during a closed-door executive session Tuesday evening. While we don’t know the exact details of the conversation, safety and security are top priorities as City Hall prepares to reopen. The Mayor of Lawrence, Brad Finkeldei, opened the public portion of Tuesday’s meeting by addressing the incident Monday morning at City Hall that resulted in the deadly shooting of an intruder. “We are committed to supporting Team Lawrence as they take the time they need as operations return thoughtfully and safely,” Mayor Finkeldei said. “I also want to reassure the community that City Hall is safe and we continue to work closely with our professional staff to ensure our public buildings remain secure, welcoming places.”
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV

For many years, Jackson County road and bridge crews have maintained an estimated 50 miles of roads on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation reservation on behalf of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and county commissioners are now seeking reimbursement for that work. Since 2008, the county has spent an estimated $3,657,626.52 on labor, materials and equipment to maintain those roads, according to Scott Kieffaber, county public works director. Kieffaber recently presented county commissioners with a list of road work and repairs completed on those roads since 2008, along with their associated costs. While working with BIA officials to identify which bridges in the county were being maintained by the Tribe, Kieffaber received a map from the BIA showing which roads within the reservation boundaries were designated as BIA routes and which were county routes. After reviewing the map, Kieffaber determined that about 50 miles of BIA routes were being maintained by the county’s road and bridge department.
Read more: Holton Recorder

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced on Dec. 22 that the Kansas City Chiefs are hopping the state line to build a new stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, and that Olathe will be the home of the NFL team’s new headquarters and training facility. Despite the big announcement, the deal for the $3 billion project isn’t finalized, and specifics of the deal remain largely under wraps. At least $1.8 billion in sales tax revenue raised by state-backed STAR bonds — a financing tool that uses sales tax revenues generated by a project to pay for developments — will help pay for the stadium in KCK. STAR bonds are also set to pay for up to $975 million more in costs related to the team HQ in Olathe and a surrounding mixed-use district that’s being promised as part of that. Despite the celebration last month on the part of state, local and team officials when the deal was unveiled in Topeka, some big votes remain for local governments, including in Wyandotte County and Olathe, where the new facilities are slated to go.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Johnson County officials are threatening legal action against a Prairie Village man, saying he reneged on a credit card payment used to secure a hand recount of a much-discussed ballot question to “abandon” city government last November. In a Jan. 8 letter obtained by the Post, Peggy Trent, the county’s chief counsel, told John Cantrell, the Prairie Village resident who requested the recount, that he must repay the county $4,828.46 for the cost of the recount by February 6. If he doesn’t pay by then, Trent warned the county “may pursue any or all legal remedies available.” In the letter, Trent said that after the recount was completed in November, Cantrell reversed his credit card authorization to pay for the recount “without any legal basis to do so.”
Read more: Johnson County Post

The Prairiefire project in Overland Park defaulted on bonds meant to be repaid through a CID. Two years ago, it defaulted on a tranche of STAR bonds, too.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journals