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Kansas Municipal News

KDOT will use $45 million from feds to help fix bridges across state

Kansas transportation officials want to help local governments pay for repairs to bridges. “This is really to address what I consider one of the big issues that will be coming to our state in the coming decades, and that is the backlog of bridges on the local system that will need to be addressed,” said Calvin Reed, acting secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation. … Through a new federal program in the bipartisan infrastructure law, Kansas has been allocated $45 million a year to address bridges. State officials decided the best way to spend the money is on local bridges. But local officials won’t actually get the federal money, Reed said. Instead, KDOT is doing an internal funds swap, with the state agency using the federal money on state-owned bridges while displacing an equal amount of state funds to go to the local bridge improvement program.
Source: Salina Journal

USDA Announces More Than $49 Million to Strengthen Rural Kansas Water Infrastructure

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas State Director Christy Davis today announced that USDA is investing $49.1 million to help rural utilities build and improve clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems in rural Kansas. … The details of the Kansas projects are:

A $6,400,000 loan will help complete rehabilitation work on the water and wastewater systems in Perry. The project will rehabilitate approximately 24,000 linear feet of the collection system, upgrade approximately 15,000 feet of lines and other equipment, repair lift stations, and install backup generators. It will help provide the city with safe and reliable water and sewer systems for years to come.
A $2,225,000 loan will help rehabilitate 39,000 feet of the sewer collection system in Mankato. It will correct existing deficiencies and help provide a safe and reliable sewer system.
A $7,843,000 loan and a $3,015,000 grant will help build Phase 2 of this water project for Neosho County Rural Water District #4. This phase includes construction of a booster pump station and a 400,000-gallon elevated storage tank, installation of 39 miles of lines, and replacement of 78 miles of lines. It will help provide customers with adequate water pressure for years to come.
A $13,300,000 loan and a $3,393,000 grant will help refurbish the water system in the City of Girard. Improvements will help replace 42 miles of mains; install new valves, meters, and hydrants; and construct a new water softening treatment plant. This project will allow the city to provide safe and reliable water to its residents and the surrounding community for years to come.
A $9,494,000 loan and a $3,493,500 grant will help replace distribution piping, valves, hydrants and meters for the City of Humboldt. Improvements will also be made to the supply intake system and repainting three water storage towers. Previously the city received funding from USDA in the form of a Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households grant in the amount of $27,500, which was used complete the pre-development planning.

Amtrak gives timeline for Newton station upgrades, future expansion

Amtrak will provide upgrades to the Newton station, and an expansion of service remains very much on the table. Amtrak officials met with representatives for the City of Newton on Wednesday to discuss plans and left generally impressed with the preparations the city has made. “You’re ready to go, and to have a fruitful and substantive discussion with us” Derrick James, Amtrak director of government affairs, told those present, including Mayor Leroy Koehn, Commissioner Rod Kreie and City Manager Kelly McElroy. James reviewed plans the city drew up for upgrades to the station and surrounding area and discussed how they would work with Amtrak plans to provide upgrades to the station, as well.
Source: Harvey County Now

Oberlin, Hugoton to vote on school bond issues Tuesday

Voters in two Kansas school districts will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 29, to decide whether to support school improvements in their towns. Residents in USD 294 Oberlin will vote on a $29.15 million issue to replace a 96-year-old elementary school and update the 84-year-old Decatur County Junior and Senior High School with additions and renovations that would also house the grade school. The district said the bond would be financed over 30 years. Hugoton USD 210 will vote on $35.6 million in school improvements on Tuesday. The high school would see classroom renovations, security improvements and a new student activity center/gym. The grade school would see renovations to classrooms and kitchen/cafeteria, enhanced security and a new band room/storm shelter.
Source: KSN-TV

K-State local foods program to offer fellowships for Kansas communities

A Kansas State University program that aims to improve the health of Kansans by increasing access to locally grown foods is giving the effort a big boost this fall. Over the next two years, the K-State Research and Extension Local Food Systems team will offer 34 paid fellowships to Kansas communities interested in helping to build the state’s local food network. Program coordinator Amanda Lindahl said the 320-hour paid positions not only provide jobs for local residents, but also dedicated time and energy for a local foods system project. “We hope that this elevates the capacity of the system, facilitating access to resources, to move progress forward toward a more resilient and sustainable Kansas local food system,” Lindahl said. Lindahl said more than 90% of the Kansans’ food dollars are spent on food shipped from outside of the state.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Marysville city administrator takes Mulvane job

Marysville City Administrator Austin St. John has accepted a new position as Mulvane city administrator effective Oct. 6. Mulvane’s city council voted to hire St. John on Monday, said Marysville Mayor Jason Barnes. “I’m sad to see him go,” Barnes said Friday. “From what I understand it’s more money and he and his wife have family in that part of the state.” St. John was hired in 2016…
Source: The Marysville Advocate

‘Getting myself back’: Allen County Drug Court changes lives

Four graduates of the Drug Court program shared powerful stories about addiction and recovery. One woman credited the program with saving her life. Their stories were markedly different in many aspects, but with similar themes. The four most recent graduates of Allen County Drug Court — an intense, supervised recovery program drug offenders can complete as a means to escape a life of addiction — shared stories at a ceremony Thursday. Graduates Ashten Wilson, Amanda Sharp, Jacob Bancroft and Tabitha Valentine each described, in varying tones, how tough circumstances in their younger years eventually led to drug addiction and eventually legal woes. Each shared the hopelessness that followed before the life raft that is Drug Court — launched in 2011 at the suggestion of former Allen County Sheriff Tom Williams — eventually gave each a new lease on life.
Source: The Iola Register

SEED grants available for rural quality-of-life initiatives

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced on Tuesday that $275,000 will be available through a second round of Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grants. The SEED program supports economic development and revitalization efforts in smaller counties across Kansas through investments in quality-of-life initiatives. “SEED grants help improve community appeal and have already been game-changing for more than 60 cities across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “The Kelly Administration is committed to developing community assets and investing in new opportunities that will support growth in rural areas throughout Kansas.” The grants will be administered through the Kansas Department of Commerce to communities in 78 designated counties with a population of 5,000 or less.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Rural communities face attorney shortage

The Kansas Rural Justice Initiative Committee visited Great Bend and held a public meet-in-greet Thursday evening at Dry Lake Brewing in advance of the committee’s business meeting Friday at the Holiday Inn Express. At the community welcome, residents of Great Bend and the surrounding area were invited to meet committee members, learn about the committee’s work, and share their thoughts, said Lisa Taylor, public information director with the Office of Judicial Administration. “Rural justice. We can’t just sit in Topeka and talk about rural justice,” said Kansas Supreme Court Justice K.J. Wall, who chairs the committee. He and committee members present Thursday night heard stories of counties with a dwindling number of lawyers and a growing need for legal services.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Supreme Court to conduct special evening session in Dodge City

The Kansas Supreme Court will conduct a special evening session Tuesday, Nov. 14, in Dodge City as part of its ongoing outreach to familiarize Kansans with the court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary. The court will be in session from 6:30 p.m. to about 8 p.m. at Dodge City High School, 2201 W. Ross Blvd. It will be the Supreme Court’s first time to hold a docket in Dodge City in the court’s 162-year history. The public is invited to attend the special session to observe the court as it hears oral arguments in two cases to be announced soon. After the hearing concludes, the justices will greet the public in an informal reception.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Municipal Bond Trends for August 25, 2023

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.

Fed Chair Powell calls inflation ‘too high’ and warns that ‘we are prepared to raise rates further’

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday called for more vigilance in the fight against inflation, warning that additional interest rate increases could be yet to come. While acknowledging that progress has been made, the central bank leader said inflation is still above where policymakers feel comfortable. He noted that the Fed will remain flexible as it contemplates further moves, but gave little indication that it’s ready to start easing up anytime soon. “Although inflation has moved down from its peak — a welcome development — it remains too high,” Powell said in prepared remarks for his keynote address at the Kansas City Fed’s annual retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “We are prepared to raise rates further if appropriate, and intend to hold policy at a restrictive level until we are confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward our objective.” The speech resembled remarks Powell made last year at Jackson Hole, during which he warned that “some pain” was likely as the Fed continues its efforts to pull runaway inflation back down to its 2% goal.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Protect Rural JoCo LLC vs. City of Edgerton (Kansas Court of Appeals opinion): Standing to challenge annexation

Synopsis of the Court: Protect Rural JoCo LLC (and others) appeal the district court’s dismissal of their petition challenging two annexation ordinances passed by the City of Edgerton. The individual appellants own properties around but not within the annexed area. They allege that the City violated K.S.A. 12-520(g), which precludes cities from annexing a narrow corridor of land to enhance future annexations of land. But the City successfully moved to dismiss Appellants’ claim for lack of statutory standing. Finding no error, we affirm.
Source: Kansas Court of Appeals

Salina Public Schools scramble to fill roles

Salina Public Schools is coming up with unique solutions to fit the needs of applicants and the district as a shortage of classified staff has left some departments scrambling. Like most schools, a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic for Salina was fewer applicants for teaching positions the past three years. Then, a shift started to take place. Having enough teachers is still a concern, especially for math, science and substitutes. But at the tail end of last year, and during the first few weeks of 2023-24, vacant positions in cafeterias, overnight custodian and paraprofessional roles have created more problems. “We need help,” said Tiffany Snyder, director of recruitment and retention at USD 305. “We’re really feeling the pinch of staff just trying to keep up.”
Source: Salina Journal

Shawnee County bans unauthorized camping and requires leashes for dogs on county property

Shawnee County commissioners on Thursday banned unauthorized camping on county-owned property and required leashes for dogs in the county’s parks and on its trails. … The measures don’t take effect immediately, as home rule resolutions don’t become effective until they are published in the official county newspaper, which is the Topeka Metro News, said Amanda Monhollon, the county’s public information officer. … The measures had support from Lynn Cress, vice president of the Kaw Valley Bicycle Club. Cress said an increase in homeless camps along the Shunga and Landon trails have made those trails unsafe for club members to ride alone, especially women and children. “Passing a leash law that covers parks and rec properties goes a long way to providing tools for enforcement, and we thank you for your efforts,” Cress said. “However, the proximity of homeless encampments near the trails continues to be a health and safety issue for all involved.”
Source: CJonline

Homeless issue remains top concern at Pittsburg city commission

In a two-hour city commission meeting on Tuesday, the homeless population remains a top issue in the community, being brought up for a third time during the public input session. Pittsburg resident Kevin O’Connell made another visit to the commission, this time to outline what is laid out in a circulation petition. O’Connell is asking for the maximum legal enforcement of current laws, wanting the city prosecutor to push for jail time for repeat offenders. He asked local charities to be held more accountable in their role in attracting more homeless individuals.
Source: Morning Sun

Wichita’s population report card: Forecast shows slowest growth among working age

The working age population within the Wichita metro area is only projected to grow an average 1% over the next 50 years. That’s according to an analysis of the latest population forecast released earlier this month from the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University. The findings could have major implications for the local and statewide labor market, particularly as companies have major hiring demands on the horizon.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Municipal Bond Trends for August 24, 2023

Kansas submits 5-year, $451M internet extension plan

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development has submitted the state’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Five-Year Action Plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The required action plan details how universal connection will happen in Kansas, and the planned use of the $451 million NTIA has allocated to the state. Submitting the Five-Year Action Plan is a step toward securing federal funding for the state’s broadband initiatives. The plan outlines the path to making high-speed internet available to all Kansans, with a focus on unserved and underserved areas.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

City of Lenexa takes over historic cemetery

The City of Lenexa recently took control of the historic Lenexa Cemetery, which predates the city itself by roughly 30 years. It’s a move meant to make sure the necessary work around the cemetery can continue, but the first steps are already making it easier for residents and people who have loved ones buried there to navigate the space. “We pride ourselves on the service we provide and so the cemetery is just another service we can provide our residents,” said Lenexa Recreation Superintendent Marisa Shartzer.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF