Kansas Municipal News
Many Park City residents welcome proposed sales tax
The city of Park City is proposing a new 1 percent sales tax to its community and according to Mayor John Lehnherr, the community has responded positively. The sales tax will help with some of the city’s needs such as adding additional law enforcement and helping fix the roads. Lehnherr said the city conducted a recent study and found that 88 percent of Park City’s revenue comes from outsiders visiting. He said because they are near the interstate with four exits, people stop in to dine, shop, and get fuel. Lehnherr added leveraging this 88 percent can also be a benefit to the community. “This is a way where we can bring revenue into the city that’s from outside folks stopping here and using our services but we can lower the mill levy and ease the tax burden on our residents,” he said.
Source: KAKE – News
Girard Fire Department hosts annual community event
The Girard Kansas Fire Department today hosted its annual event with the intention of making it a recurring tradition. Organizers say the event aims to provide an opportunity for the public to view the department’s equipment and raise awareness about the needs of different departments. It also serves as a platform for the public to ask any questions they may have. Participants had the opportunity to enjoy bounce house and offer tours of the fire trucks and police cruisers. “The goal is to keep the public informed on what we do here and our equipment and where we are,” said Chris Wilson-Chief of Police in Girard. “Since where public safety this equipment belongs to the public. So we want them to be able to come and see the equipment we got and that were keeping it up for them.”
Source: KOAM News
The Kansas tax subsidy law that gave millions to Panasonic and Integra projects is ending
In February of last year, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed APEX (Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion) into law. It allows for tax incentives to be given to for-profit companies when they select Kansas as the site of their billion-dollar megaprojects. Through APEX, Kansas was able to secure a $4 billion Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto and a $1.8 billion Integra semiconductor plant in Wichita. But now, it’s unclear if the Kansas legislature will extend the law past its expiration date, putting the prospects of future development deals in limbo. Dylan Lysen of the Kansas News Service says some influential conservative lawmakers are worried the state is giving away too much money for these projects.
Source: KCUR
Dolly Parton to visit Kansas to celebrate Imagination Library program
Singer, songwriter and philanthropist Dolly Parton is set to visit Kansas next month to celebrate her Imagination Library program. The Office of the Governor announced the plans for the visit for Monday, Aug. 14 in a press release. This was accompanied by an announcement that every child in Kansas from birth to the age of five can receive free books every month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. In total, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 200 million books worldwide since it was launched in 1995. “I am pleased that we have reached this amazing milestone – being able to provide the gift of reading for children and families across Kansas,” said Governor Laura Kelly.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Pittsburg City Hall updates accessibility
The front entrance to City Hall is now open after an extensive exterior renovation and accessibility improvements. “The previous steps to the front entrance were deteriorated and the exterior needed updated and preserved,” said City Manager Daron Hall in a statement. “With the help of our team, we were able to protect the structure, improve the aesthetics, and increase safety and accessibility to this important public asset.” The city partnered with Sprouls Construction Inc. and Echelon Architecture and Design to make City Hall more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Façade improvements were also included in the project, as well as landscaping by In the Garden.
Source: www.joplinglobe.com
Derby moves to hybrid vehicle leasing approach
Like the average customer walking onto lots right now, the city of Derby is having a tough time buying cars at the moment. A little over a year after entering into a fleet leasing agreement with Enterprise, challenges remain, which has led to city to reassess its approach and shift gears to a hybrid model. The city will still continue to lease hard-to-find vehicles through Enterprise (police units, one-ton trucks, etc.) but will also look to purchase some through its own authority as needs – and availability – arise. Staff noted changing the approach has little to do with the efforts of Enterprise and more to do with national supply and demand issues the city and so many others continue to face.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Municipal Bond Trends for July 21, 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.
Wichita sues developers, alleging broken promises to repay incentives for shopping center
After awarding Wichita developers Dave Burk and Dave Wells millions of dollars in economic incentives in the past two decades, the city of Wichita is now suing them, alleging broken promises to repay a $2.5 million loan to redevelop the Ken-Mar shopping center. Burk, best-known for his redevelopment of Old Town, and Wells, president of Key Construction, have been partners on dozens of projects in downtown Wichita and are two of the most prolific campaign donors in city politics. The two developers owe the city more than $1.8 million for a loan it gave them in 2011 to redevelop the Ken-Mar shopping center on the northwest corner of 13th and Oliver, according to the lawsuit. From 2013 to October 24, 2019, Burk and Wells repaid the city $717,000. After that, the payments by Burk and Wells stopped. They were expected to continue paying until 2029.
Source: Wichita Eagle
As Lawrence works on land development code update, residents speak out about accessory dwellings, downtown, fear of change and more
The steering committee working on new rules for where and how Lawrence should grow is getting plenty of feedback from members of the public — about topics as diverse as density, downtown development and the fear of change. Since last August, the city has been in the process of updating the Land Development Code, which dictates city growth along with changes that could affect the aesthetics and function of existing neighborhoods and commercial areas, for the first time since 2006. The Land Development Code Steering Committee has now passed the halfway point of a series of community input meetings taking place this week to gather input about the first revised section (or “module”) of the code, which is related to zoning districts and uses. By the time the steering committee met late Thursday afternoon, there’d been six such meetings, with more yet to come on Friday.
Source: LJWorld
Fed Seen Hiking Final Time to a 22-Year Peak in Economist Survey
Most economists expect the Federal Reserve to lift interest rates one more time next week as it ends a 16-month hiking cycle that has been the most aggressive fight against US inflation in 40 years. The Federal Open Market Committee will raise rates a quarter point at its July 25-26 meeting to a range of 5.25% to 5.5%, the highest since 2001, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg. With price pressures diminishing last month, almost all economists expect no change to rates at the September meeting and just one-fifth of the group predicts another hike by the November meeting. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues have signaled plans to hike rates further following a pause in June that was intended to slow the pace of increases as they approach a level believed to be restrictive enough to return inflation to their 2% target.
Source: Bloomberg
New Kansas Panasonic plant may lead to rate hike for Evergy customers
Evergy could ask for additional rate increases due to the massive Panasonic battery plant development in De Soto, Kansas. Evergy said rates for serving Panasonic are not yet set and must be approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission. At full production, the future Panasonic plant is expected to have the same power usage as a small city and require two new substations, upgrades to others and 31 miles of transmission lines. The infrastructure and energy needed to power the plant could mean rate hikes for Evergy customers in Kansas. The power company filed documents with the Kansas Corporation Commission saying it may ask for an abbreviated rate case next year to help pay for infrastructure to meet Panasonic’s demand for electricity. Evergy expects Panasonic to be roughly double the size of its current largest customer.
Source: KSN-TV
Parsons to vote on Public Safety Sales Tax renewal
The time is near for voters in Parsons to head to the polls in a special election to decide whether or not to renew a public safety sales tax. The current half-cent sales tax isn’t new, and has been in place for more than a decade. On August 1, the Public Safety Sales Tax will be the sole item on the ballot. Officials say it’s imperative that the tax stays in place for the betterment of the city. “It’s something that’s essential in the city’s budgeting process. It’s also a sales tax, which we feel probably one of the most fair taxes out there because it’s passed across the board to anybody, residents, non-residents, anybody that shops here, stays in our hotels, stay overnight visit on their way through. They’re helping support the city through this one half cent sales tax,” said Jim Zaleski.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Wichita turns 153 years old today
Wichita is turning 153 years old today. On July 21, 1870, The City of Wichita was officially born, just three months after the establishment of Sedgwick County, Kansas. 124 people signed the petition to Judge Reuben Riggs of Sedgwick County to incorporate the town of Wichita. Judge Riggs granted the petition, and the town of Wichita was born. This weekend, on Saturday, July 22, from 1 to 5 p.m., there will be a birthday celebration at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum.
Source: KSN-TV
Emporia commissioners take action on homelessness
Emporia City Commissioners met Wednesday to discuss a new resolution to help the city confront homelessness. All five members of the Emporia City Commission voted in approval of Resolution No. 3700 during a meeting on Wednesday, July 19. This creates the Homelessness Advisory Board. A statement on the city’s social media said the commission created the Emporia Task Force on Homelessness in response to the rising number of unhoused people in the city and the lack of adequate community resources that fit their needs. “This Task Force was entrusted with the responsibility of identifying the requirements of unhoused and at-risk individuals, suggesting solutions to bridge service gaps, and devising strategies to provide both temporary and permanent housing options for those without homes.”
Source: KSNT 27 News
More Johnson County cities offer low-income residents property tax rebates
More cities in Johnson County are easing property taxes for low-income residents struggling to stay in their homes. As home appraisals skyrocket across the county, Prairie Village, Shawnee and Merriam approved tax rebate programs last year, following the lead of Mission several years ago and Roeland Park a few years ago. Now, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners is planning to launch a pilot program next year that would offer property tax assistance to residents over the age of 65 and disabled veterans who meet income requirements. And more cities — Lenexa, Olathe and Overland Park — are considering whether to fund similar initiatives to help low-income homeowners.
Source: Joco 913 News
Shawnee County park development gets the official thumbs up
Families in Shawnee County will soon have a new park to play in. Thursday morning, Shawnee County Commissioners gave Shawnee County Parks and Rec the final approval to start negotiating contracts to build phase one of the family park plan. Family park, located at southwest 21st Street and Urish Road features open space between its aqua center and a golf course on the other side. A master plan for more development to the park came out back in 2021, and with this approval the park could break ground as soon as this fall. “We think this is another destination park that will attract families, and even business to Topeka,” Tim Laurent, Shawnee County parks and recreation director said.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Topeka Metro to offer free bus rides to area high school students
Topeka area students won’t need a ticket to ride city buses this school year. For the 11th year running, Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority announced it will offer high school students free rides on fixed bus routes. This comes after the Topeka Metro board of directors approved extending the program on Thursday. All high school students with a valid student ID can ride fixed bus routes for free. They only have to present their valid student ID for the upcoming school year. The Kids Ride FREE! promotion, which offers local youth free transportation within the city limits, remains in effect through Aug. 15.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Landfill that has caused conflict in rural Kansas town issued cease and desist order
A landfill that has provoked friction among residents in Easton, Kansas, has been ordered to temporarily close. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a cease and desist order Wednesday to the business running the landfill, Flat Land Excavating, saying it is out of compliance with its height and volume limits and must apply for a permit modification. The site, about 45 miles west of Kansas City, has been the source of animosity between the landfill’s owners Shawn and Christina Britz and nearby residents. Since the couple got a special use permit and took over the landfill in 2019, local and state officials have fielded dozens of complaints: unauthorized waste, operations outside permitted hours, litter and mass instability at one of the slopes that rose nearly 50 feet and was nearly vertical.
Source: KC Star Local News
Manhattan wants residents’ opinion on the city’s parks
Manhattan city leaders want to hear from residents about their ideas and concerns about the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Manhattan officials want to speak directly with residents about topics relating to parks and recreation. Manhattan Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Stewart announced in a press release the city will hold public discussions this summer and fall where citizens can talk to him directly. “Park and Rec It” are discussions open to the public for residents to chat with Stewart about recreational programs, parks, trails, facilities or any other related topics citizens are interested in or concerned about. “Manhattan has a strong passion for parks and recreation, and I would like the opportunity to engage directly with as many citizens as possible,” Stewart said.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Garden City gets update on Sports of the World project
Representative from GC Investments updated Garden City Commissioners at the commission’s meeting Tuesday on the construction status of the Sports of the World STAR Bond project’s multisport indoor facility. H.J. Swender, GC Investments representative, said they are excited about the project, it’s moving along nicely. “So far, although it doesn’t look like we’ve done much, we’ve done quite a bit out there,” he said. “We’ve poured 15 columns and 17 crossties and only have about 14 more crossties last time I heard, so we’re coming close.” Half of the steel for the building is already on site and they’re hoping that within the next 14-21 days to have steel starting to up in the air, Swender said.
Source: Garden City Telegram