Kansas Municipal News
Local leaders don’t want other communities to make Lawrence’s homeless problem worse, and they’re asking the state to act
When a small community in Kansas has a homelessness problem, what’s stopping it from just dropping people off on the streets of a bigger city like Lawrence? … The law the city is asking for would prohibit any organization that receives state funding — including local governments — from dropping homeless people from one county off in a different county…
Source: LJWorld
On new e-bikes, Lawrence police officers approach their work from a different perspective
Because the bikes aren’t what people typically associate with police presence, Officer Steven Alvord said they often go unnoticed by motorists, which makes for a very different dynamic when officers are on patrol…. the bikes, he said, are “stealthy.” And that means motorists might commit traffic infractions, like running a stop sign, right in front of a bicycle officer without even thinking about it.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for December 12, 2024
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.
Kansas broadband internet disparities persist despite huge investments
KHI developed an interactive digital divide dashboard to provide an overview of computer ownership and broadband availability in each of the state’s 105 counties. … The challenge of responding to the state’s technological divide has been more difficult in rural communities due to insufficient infrastructure that elevated the cost of adding high-speed internet service.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Topeka, Shawnee County leaders vote for downtown innovation center
Some Topeka and Shawnee County leaders are in favor of an innovation center coming to the downtown area. The Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) between Topeka and Shawnee County met Wednesday and approved Innovation Center 2.0. It’s a catalytic project to help meet the needs of the area’s growing innovation ecosystem. The center is a “bold step forward in developing downtown Topeka’s ASTRA Innovation District”, according to a news release from GO Topeka. The innovation center is being planned to be located at 220 SE 6th Street.
Source: KSNT 27 News
New police chief gets situated with Topeka
Before we know it, the capital city will officially have its new Police Chief in Chris Vallejo. Vallejo doesn’t officially start until Jan. 20 2025, but he’s currently in the capital city looking to get situated before starting his role. After being named one of the final four candidates to be the next chief, Vallejo, who is coming from Austin, TX, ultimately beat out TPD major Russ Klump for the job. While Vallejo said he understands policing, he said he wants to better understand policing in Topeka. So, for the first couple months he plans on “observing, listening and learning”.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Private wells in Kansas: Safe location and maintenance guidelines
Water supply to rural residences and agricultural operations without rural or public water systems is usually obtained from a private well or surface water supply. In Kansas, more than 73,000 individuals rely on private wells for a water supply. When public and rural water systems that use well water are added to the private well numbers, 34.6% of the Kansas population relies on groundwater for their water supply. Municipal and rural water systems must maintain water quality standards specified by local, state, or federal requirements; however, owners of private wells are responsible for the water quality of their wells. Permanent contamination of groundwater can decrease property values, affect human and animal health, and involve legal liability.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Heartland Flyer extension costs estimated at $311 million
On Wednesday, the Kansas Department of Transportation provided an update based on a recent feasibility study evaluating a passenger rail extension from Oklahoma City to Newton. “Right now, since we’re trying to facilitate the first connection to the Southwest Chief,” Mark Alvarez, rail project coordinator for KDOT, said. “Perhaps in the future, it’s something that can be explored.” The current timeline would mean an early morning hour layover for passengers in Newton if they transfer between Heartland Flyer and Southwest Chief trains. Local proponents of the project had hoped for evening service, which would have boosted Newton’s downtown. According to the discussion, the extension conference project is still on track, with an estimated completion date set in 2029.
Source: Harvey County Now
County commission discusses sales tax for hospital
The Jackson County Commissioners said Monday that they would support Holton Community Hospital administrators and the board of directors if they wanted to pursue a special sales tax for the hospital. During Monday’s commission meeting, Carrie Lutz, HCH CEO, and Marilyn Watkins, a member of the HCH board of directors, learned that the commissioners were not planning to pursue an additional sales tax for the county to help offset property taxes. A special public meeting was held earlier this fall to discuss the possibility of increasing the county’s current sales tax rate to help offset a mill rate increase.
Source: Holton Recorder
Prairie Village poised to renew home grant programs with tweaks to who is eligible
A few more Prairie Village homeowners could become eligible for the city’s property tax rebate and home improvement grant programs under changes the council is considering enacting for 2025. The set of three resident rebate programs in Prairie Village are up for renewal for next year. The Prairie Village City Council last week during a council committee of the whole session forwarded the renewal motions with some proposed changes to the full city council for final approval. The three programs include a property tax rebate program aimed at lower-income households, as well as two separate programs aimed at incentivizing homeowners to make exterior improvements and sustainability upgrades to their properties.
Source: Johnson County Post
2 fire districts in southern Johnson County want to join forces — Here’s why
The two fire districts serving the southern half of Johnson County may be consolidated in 2026 — a move county commissioners and fire district representatives say will make financial planning more efficient in the county’s fastest-growing area. In a joint meeting Tuesday, the commission, which oversees Fire District 2, met with the governing board of Fire District 1 and approved a resolution to combine their functions. It comes with a 60-day protest period and final action by the county commission in the second quarter of 2025.
Source: Johnson County Post
As HaysMed loses doctors, concern about future grows
Doctors are leaving HaysMed, the only level three trauma hospital in Kansas west of Hutchinson. The departures have been entwined with controversy. Two of the doctors leaving, Dr. Jerod Grove and Dr. Robert Rodriguez, filed suit over non-compete clauses in their contracts. Representatives with HaysMed said these departures are normal, and their staffing has been steady in the past year. I spoke with several patients of the doctors who filed suit, who say their departures are robbing them of quality care.
Source: KSN-TV
Sedgwick County approves use of remaining COVID money
On Wednesday, the Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners approved plans to finish spending federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) before the end of the year. ARPA was passed in March of 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The act provided emergency grants, lending, and investment to help change the course of the pandemic and deliver relief to businesses and communities. The approximately $16 million Sedgwick County has left to spend will be used to reimburse costs within the sheriff’s office, wages, and overtime pay.
Source: KSN-TV
Sedgwick County nonprofit aims to address day care woes
There’s a push to bring a new type of child care to Sedgwick County. A nonprofit, oneCOMMUNITY, is aimed at working with employers to give more affordable child care to their workers. The executive director of the nonprofit, Brent Lewis, is the husband of Sedgwick County Commissioner Sarah Lopez. The goal is to work with employers instead of parents to come up with day care solutions they say will help with employee retention and attendance.
Source: KSN-TV
Olathe educators says district’s new cellphone rules have been ‘non-issue’
Olathe Public Schools’ new cellphone policy is going well four months after its approval, three administrators said Thursday. Principals representing the elementary, middle and high school levels addressed the Olathe Board of Education at its last meeting of the semester Dec. 4, providing an update on the personal electronic device policy that was approved in August. “Overall, it’s really been a non-issue,” said Olathe Northwest High School Principal Chris Zuck. “It’s probably not the kids’ favorite policy that we’ve ever put in place, but the strengths — or maybe some of the successes — have included some more instructional time and engagement in classrooms.” Under the policy, students of any age can have their cellphones in their bags, in their locker or kept “on their person” provided they “are not visible during the school day.”
Source: Johnson County Post
City commission approves contract for extra solar energy
The City of Holton gets its electric power from a variety of sources, and following action by the Holton City Commission, the city will add a solar energy source to its power portfolio, starting in 2027.
Source: Holton Recorder
Governor Kelly Announces More than $8M Toward Closing the Digital Divide
Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday that the Kansas Office of Broadband Development will begin accepting applications on Feb. 3, 2025, for funding from the National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) Digital Equity Capacity Grant program. There will be a total of $8.2 million available in funding. The program promotes partnerships to enhance digital opportunity efforts and expand workforce skills, education, and other resources.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Riley County considers policy for incentivizing ‘affordable’ housing
Riley County’s budget and planning committee on Monday presented a policy for incentives intended to entice developers build affordable housing. The committee members proposed Reinvestment Housing Incentive District policy. The RHID captures the increase in property taxes created by the development for up to 25 years. Brittany Phillips, county budget and finance officer, presented an overview of the RHID policy at Thursday’s county commission meeting. The county commissioners did not take votes on the matter Monday, as it was their first time looking at the proposal.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Governor Kelly Announces Flora Food Group Investing $90M, Creating 100 New Jobs in Hugoton
Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that Flora Food Group, a global food company, has purchased a manufacturing facility in Hugoton. This capital investment of around $90 million and the expected creation of approximately 100 new jobs over the next several years will elevate the workforce in Stevens County. The facility will be the hub for Flora Food Group’s creams and cream cheese products for the United States, Canada, and the rest of the Americas region over time. Its existing New Century facility will continue to serve as the U.S. hub for Flora Food Group’s butters and spreads products. The intention is to bring back a fully operational facility and jobs to the Hugoton community.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Sedgwick County asking four cities to take over road maintenance
Sedgwick County Commissioners have passed several resolutions asking the cities of Wichita, Kechi, Park City and Goddard to annex rights-of-way along certain roadways and take over maintenance of the roads. Commissioner David Dennis said there has been situations where cities have annexed land, but they haven’t annexed adjacent roads, so county taxpayers are having to pay for maintenance of roads that should be handled by the cities.
Source: 101.3 KFDI