Municipal News & Jobs

Wichita’s skyline is about to get an addition with the lighting of the Century II spire. It has been nearly 10 years since the last time the community saw it with lights. The lighting will happen on Sunday, June 1, during the Riverfest’s “I Choose Wichita” evening events. “Lighting the Century II spire after nearly a decade is a powerful symbol of unity and celebration,”; BreAnna Monk, Wichita Festivals president and CEO, said in a news release. “It’s an honor to mark the moment at Family Movie Night — a bright reminder of Wichita’s spirit.”
Source: KSN-TV

The Topeka Lodging Association is sounding the alarm on tourism in the capital city. They say a big part of that is due to Hotel Topeka and the closure of Heartland Park Racetrack. Topeka’s tourism taxes is $50,000 off track for 2025, 15% less than expected. They say most of the shortfall comes from Hotel Topeka, which the city purchased next to the Stormont Vail Event Center.
Source: KSNT 27 News

As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, the city of Winfield has launched a new online interactive cemetery map that officials call “a powerful tool designed to provide residents, genealogists, and visitors with easy access to burial information from the comfort of their homes.” The digital map is now live and available to the public through the City’s website. Users can search for loved ones, locate burial plots, and view cemetery layouts with enhanced clarity and convenience.
Source: Local – Cowley Post

A guaranteed income program for single mothers has been on county leaders’ minds for some time. But in its 2025 session, the Kansas Legislature passed House Bill 2101, which now prohibits any city or county from using tax dollars to fund such programs unless the Legislature gives its prior approval. Now, the county appears to be taking a more concrete step toward developing the guaranteed income program idea.
Source: 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.

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 resolution regarding a countywide 1% retailers’ sales tax to fund the county hospital cited K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 12-187(b)(1), a general tax provision, rather than K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 12-187(b)(5), which specifically addresses funding health care services. …Here, the ballot question was phrased in such a way that the electors understood a “yes” vote was a vote to approve a countywide 1% retailers’ sales tax to fund the county hospital.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions

The House passed a massive tax and spending bill that leaves the municipal bond tax exemption untouched after months of market speculation. It now heads to the Senate, which will shape the legislation to its own priorities.
Source: Bond Buyer

The city of Plevna, with a population of fewer than 100 residents, does not carry insurance on its municipal buildings. Many residents are also facing property damage at their own homes, leaving limited local resources to fund repairs to public structures.
Source: KSN-TV

Recovery is just beginning in Grinnell after an EF-3 tornado struck the town. Community leaders say financial donations will be key.
Source: KSN-TV

The first order of business for Brian Wells, who will become Marion city administrator June 16, will be getting to know the community and council and then deciding the best paths to take from there, he said in an interview last week.
Source: Marion County RECORD

A major manufacturing plant in Wamego will stay open under new ownership. A Caterpillar Inc. spokesperson confirmed plant workers were informed the facility will stay in the Caterpillar family and pass into the hands of a subsidiary of the company: Solar Turbines. The facility currently employs hundreds of workers locally who will now get to keep their jobs.
Source: KSN-TV

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.

Treasury yields moved higher on Wednesday as investors feared a new U.S. tax bill could worsen the country’s deficit following a Moody’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating. At 6:57 a.m. ET, the 30-year Treasury bond yield was up over 6 basis points at 5.03%. The 10-year yield was more than 5 basis points higher at 4.537%. The 2-year yield advanced just over 2 basis points, reaching 3.994%. One basis point is equivalent to 0.01%, and yields and prices move in opposite directions. Investors are keeping an eye on discussions around U.S. President Donald Trump’s budget bill as some Republicans said they wouldn’t support the bill without larger deductions for state and local taxes. The bill could increase the U.S. government’s deficit — which has become a cause for alarm in the past week.
Source: Bonds

Municipals were little changed Tuesday as U.S. Treasury yields rose out long and equities ended down. The two-year ratio Tuesday was at 72%, the five-year at 72%, the 10-year at 73% and the 30-year at 90%, according to Municipal Market Data’s 3 p.m. ET read. ICE Data Services had the two-year at 70%, the five-year at 71%, the 10-year at 73% and the 30-year at 90% at 4 p.m.
As the second half of the month gets underway, munis are seeing small gains of 0.1%, bringing year-to-date returns to negative 0.96%. This compares to 2024, when returns for the month were 1.02% at the midway point of May, said Jason Wong, vice president of municipals at AmeriVet Securities.
Source: The Latest

A vibrant transformation is in store for the parking structure outside of Merriam Plaza Library and the Merriam Community Center. The Merriam City Council last week unanimously approved a $50,000 contract with New Orleans-based artist duo Milagros Collective for a vibrant, colorful mural to span the stairs in and around the parking structure at 6040 Slater St. This is part of the city’s larger public art master plan, which is an overarching effort to bring more public art to Merriam’s streets.
Source: Johnson County Post

With Memorial Day on the horizon, Riverview Cemetery is getting a little extra attention—but for Sexton Marcus Lynn, the work never really stops. Home to more than 13,300 graves, Riverview is managed by Lynn and one other full-time city employee. While other departments help when they can, much of the weekly upkeep is Lynn’s responsibility.
Source: KSN-TV

Recovery efforts continue in Grinnell after a tornado hit the town on Sunday. The destruction has nearly leveled the west side of town. From above, the scope of the destruction becomes clearer. The Gove County Sheriff says it will still be a while before rebuilding begins. Debris won’t be cleared out for at least a week, but the sheriff hopes to have the town cemetery prepared for Memorial Day weekend.
Source: KSN-TV

A disaster relief center has been set up in Plevna after a tornado entered the town late Sunday night into early Monday morning, leaving behind damage to buildings, vehicles, and trees. Ten minutes away in Abbyville, a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) serves a different purpose than the relief center. It’s much more focused on getting families and homeowners set up for long-term relief than providing food, water and supplies. The goal is to take people in and assess their needs.
Source: KSN-TV