Municipal News & Jobs

After getting the go-ahead from elected leaders, Douglas County staff will soon start developing regulations for solar farms in rural areas of the county. As part of its meeting Wednesday, the Douglas County Commission voted unanimously to initiate a text amendment to the zoning and land use regulations for rural Douglas County for the development of standards for “solar energy conversion systems,” or solar farms. Commission Chair Shannon Portillo, noting that Kansas is one of the sunniest states in the U.S., said developing the regulations would support the renewable energy goals in the county’s new comprehensive plan, Plan 2040.
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.

Three special events are coming to Garden Rapids at the Big Pool before in the month of May. Jennifer Cunningham, Garden City Assistant City Manager, informed the Garden City Commission of the events at their regular meeting Tuesday. The first event is on May 22, which will be a staff day. … The second event is on May 28, which is a stakeholders reception for the pool. The third event is the grand opening of the pool on May 29 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. During the two hour window, it will be free to get into the pool, but afterward people will have to pay to get in, Cunningham said.
Source: GC Telegram.

Kansas needs to boost funding for public higher education or else risk jeopardizing federal COVID-19 aid to public schools and universities, officials warned in a memo to legislators Monday. The warning from Budget Director Adam Proffitt comes as legislators wade through a heated debate over how to fund K-12 education. Republican legislators acknowledge the risk that exists to federal relief for both public K-12 education and the state’s colleges and universities.
Source: GC Telegram.

Under the old program, the city would find rundown sidewalks and contact contractors to get it repaired. Now, property owners would contact public works to have an inspector decide whether the repairs qualify for the program. If so, the property owner will pay the contractor and work with public works for reimbursement. … “It is no longer going to be 50-50,” said council member Christina Valdivia-Alcalá at Tuesday’s city council meeting. “You are going to be in charge of the majority of getting your sidewalks fixed. You are going to be in charge of phone calling, you are going to be in charge of paying more, most likely.” Valdivia-Alcalá said this change was well-intentioned, but she is frustrated the changes put more of a burden on residents.
Source: CJonline.com.

The Finney County Commission discussed loaning money to a developer for a potential housing development that would add about 300 units. Lona DuVall, president/ CEO of Finney County Economic Development Corporation, said the project would be made possible through the USDA Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants program. … The requested amount for the development is $125,000 and would be repaid by Nov. 30, 2021.
Source: GC Telegram.

South Hutchinson has a new city administrator. The South Hutchinson City Council approved a contract for Joseph Turner Monday. Turner is currently the city administrator for the town of Sedgwick. He informed that community’s city council of his decision on Tuesday. Turner has been with the City of Sedgwick since July of 2019 and has also worked as Director of Public Works for the City of Goddard.
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.

County leaders will soon consider whether to create regulations for solar farms in rural Douglas County. As part of its meeting Wednesday, the Douglas County Commission will consider initiating a text amendment to the zoning and land use regulations for rural Douglas County for the development of standards for Solar Energy Conversion Systems, or solar farms. Planning staff are requesting the creation of regulations for solar farms because they were recently contacted regarding plans to develop a solar farm in rural Douglas County.
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.

Seventeen sculptures were unveiled Saturday morning as part of the 11th edition of SculptureTour Salina. At 11 a.m. Saturday, tarps were removed from the 17 pieces of art along Santa Fe Avenue created by artists across the nation, including two from Kansas and one from Salina. The Salinan Bob Peck, who has submitted pieces in the tour for a few years, helped unveiled “Santa Fe Strut,” for the 2021 edition. He said he enjoys submitting and coming to this particular tour, and not just because it’s in his city. “It’s always kind of fun to see what everybody else does,” Peck said. “I kind of wonder how they got their inspiration.”
Source: Salina Journal.

The historic American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law on March 12th, delivering $65 billion of direct and flexible aid to America’s cities, towns and villages. After a year of advocacy, the National League of Cities is proud to be a part of this historic victory that will provide much needed relief for local communities across the nation. The U.S. Department of Treasury is in the process of refining the estimates for allocations from the State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds, but estimations for each municipality have been released.
Source: NLC.

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 Emporia City Commission considered the approval of a motion of understanding to allow an electric scooter company to provide public transportation during its joint action/study session Wednesday morning. Mike Butler, account executive for Bird Rides Inc., presented a proposal of what it would look like if the 4-year-old scooter-sharing company were to operate in Emporia. The electric scooters are dockless, rechargeable units that travel at a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour and cost $1 to start a ride and 25-30 cents per minute after that. Discounts would be available for qualifying individuals such as veterans, seniors, students, healthcare workers or people with low incomes.
Source: Emporia Gazette.

Kansas bill signed in late April would bring sweeping changes to provide new funding sources and increased access to rural health care and mental health services across the state. A centerpiece provision of House Bill 2208 would allow Kansas hospitals to take advantage of federal action in December, which created the designation of “Rural Emergency Hospitals.” The similarly named Rural Emergency Hospital Act would enable certain Kansas hospitals to certify under this umbrella, allowing them to lower the number of mandated beds and better control costs.
Source: KS Reflector.

Rain or shine, pandemic or not, disc golf is on. The Dynamic Discs Open is hosting some of the best disc golfers from around the country in Emporia from April 28-May 1. Even amateurs can participate or come to watch the best of the best. The tournament usually sees the best in the world, but COVID-19 restrictions kept it to only U.S. participants. It’s still the biggest disc golf tournament in the world and has four rounds for professionals.
Source: KSN.

A massive solar farm stretching from west of Gardner possibly into Douglas County will, if it comes to fruition, become the biggest in Kansas, a state that has lagged behind in solar energy development. Billy Wilkins, project director for the West Gardner Solar Project, said Tuesday that his company, NextEra Energy, has already gotten signatures from landowners for 2,000 acres of the proposed 3,500-acre, $320 million project. The ground-mounted solar array would not necessarily run contiguously, however. Wilkins said the project would provide setbacks and would likely exclude land that is used for recreation or environmental purposes.
Source: KCUR.

One weekend each Spring, Baxter Springs celebrates its history with its annual Cowtown Days. The annual event kicked-off Thursday. As for the name, Baxter Springs – ever wonder where it came from? Wonder no more. The springs portion of the town’s name comes from a number of natural springs in the region, some of which, according to native American lore, had restorative qualities. The Baxter portion comes from the larger than life John Baxter, the city’s first official resident, who brought his family to the area in 1849 and literally towered over the community and it’s residents.
Source: KSN.

The airline industry has been one of the many industries impacted by the pandemic. But, Pittsburg’s Atkinson Municipal Airport has somehow managed to keep things going. Now — it’s about to receive some help. Daron Hall, Pittsburg City Manager, said, “With the public side of things, people being out and about has obviously taken a huge hit with the shut down.” Air travel took a huge hit more than a year ago as a result of the pandemic.
Source: KSN.

In many rural communities, people often have to quite a distance in order to receive the healthcare they need. But this will soon change for folks in Labette County. Oswego, specifically. Brian Williams, Labette Health CEO & President, said, “County commissioner told me it was a dream that started 30 years ago for him to have EMS and healthcare all under one roof.” A dream being made possible thanks to Friday’s groundbreaking in Oswego. “We’re building a rural health clinic along with an emergency medical services building.” Access to healthcare in and around Oswego has been difficult – particularly over the last two years.
Source: KSN.

The City of Lenexa is seeking more than $600 million in federal aid for a pair of road construction projects in Johnson County that failed to get the green light at the state level. Lenexa wants more than $400 million to complete the third phase of the expansive Johnson County Gateway project at the heavily traveled interchange of I-435, I-35 and K-10. The proposal would pay for the construction of a flyover ramp at I-35 northbound and I-435 westbound and improvements to the I-435 interchange at 95th Street among other upgrades to reduce congestion.
Source: KC Star.