Municipal News & Jobs

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and Kansas schools contemplate precautions to make sure students can learn in person this fall, one possible option stands out above the rest — requiring eligible students and staff to get vaccinated. But whether schools are willing to consider such an option remains to be seen, likely because it’s unclear whether they are even allowed to. “The short answer is we don’t exactly know because this issue has never been tested,” said Mark Tallman, associate director of advocacy and communication for the Kansas Association of School Boards. “There is no specific authority for school districts to require COVID vaccination.”
Source: LJWorld.com.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

The Reno County Commission voted Tuesday to place a question of whether to expand the county commission from three to five members on the Nov. 2 ballot. However, the board also agreed to ask the governor to allow the county to leave the two new seats vacant for a year, until the following year’s general election. The delay in seating the new commissioners would allow people to run for the office, rather than having partisan precinct committees select who would be on the ballot, which is the process spelled out in state law if there were a special election.
Source: Hutch News.

A proposal for a $5.7 million “tiny home transitional village” could hold up to 200 beds for the homeless at the former site of Topeka’s tent city. Each tiny home costs less than $5,000 and could last 20 years, said Barry Feaker, executive director of the Topeka Rescue Mission, when he presented the plan to city council Tuesday night. The units would be around 64 square feet, have electricity and a heater and air conditioner. He said it’s too early in the process to estimate when something could be completed — Tuesday was the first time he presented the full plan to city council.
Source: CJonline.com.

Unless they hear from more Douglas County residents interested in the idea, county commissioners will not move forward with an election to increase the number of seats on the commission. As part of its meeting Wednesday, the commission discussed increasing the number of seats from three to five, which would require holding a public election. Commissioners said they had gotten limited feedback from the community on the topic, and unless that changed they did not think it warranted an effort to ensure the question got on the November ballot.
Source: LJWorld.com.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

For the new superintendent of Pretty Prairie, communication is key. Trained in leadership and communication at Fort Hays State University, Ashley Anderson hopes to implement changes through all channels from parents to staff to the board. Along with sending a weekly report to the board, she will report to all schools as well. During her short tenure, she had the website made more customer friendly, which makes it easier for social media posting, and she is requesting more information be sent to parents. She is also making sure the calendar is up to date.
Source: Hutch News.

Just like in the days of yore, Texas longhorn cattle are about to take over the streets of Abilene. The Sander Ranch Longhorns will be part of Abilene’s Central Kansas Free Fair parade on August 5 at 4 pm, and will be part of the opening of the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo August 4-7. The majestic beasts will go down the parade route, and mill around the arena prior to each night of rodeo. They are owned by Wes Sander of Woodward, Okla., who has had longhorns since 1998. A Woodward, Okla. rodeo committee member, he wanted a way to promote the rodeo. He bought 50 head of longhorn steers, broke to drive. He used them in a cattle drive with great success, garnering publicity from across the state. They “were a huge hit,” he said.
Source: Abilene RC.

The Board of Reno County Commissioners voted Tuesday to clarify that they are not paying for the Scott Blvd. bridge, but they are willing to help with anything they can not involving money. It is County Counselor Joe O’ Sullivan’s legal opinion that they can’t pay for the bridge. “There are three statutes that are used to fund county road and bridge maintenance and replacement, not only for bridges and roads on county roads, but also bridges on township roads and connecting link roads maintenance, which the statute makes the county’s responsibility.” Nevertheless, the commission is okay with Public Works Director Don Brittain helping South Hutchinson as he has attempted to before, to do as much as they can without laying out any specific county funds for replacement.
Source: Hutch Post.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.