Municipal News & Jobs

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.

In direct conflict with Lawrence’s goals for renewable energy, state lawmakers have passed a bill backed by the natural gas industry that prohibits cities from making any rules or requirements that would limit the use of natural gas or propane. The Kansas Gas Service sponsored the bill, and private gas companies such as Black Hills Energy have also expressed support for the bill, saying that the bill is “preserving energy choice,” as the Journal-World previously reported. … Both the City of Lawrence and Douglas County have submitted testimony against the bill. Jasmin Moore, the sustainability director for the city and county, said the language of the bill is very broad about what actions would be prohibited, and that many things might “have the effect of” limiting natural gas use. She said that includes efforts toward energy efficiency, improving building codes, and encouraging energy conservation.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Garden City has a lack of housing. The shortage is at all levels – from rentals to single family homes. The shortage is not just in one area. Lona DuVall, president/CEO of the Finney County Economic Development Corporation, said the shortage is due to little housing construction over the past 20-25 years. The area is now feeling the full impact. … It wasn’t until the Rural Housing Incentive District tool came available a little over 10 years ago that it was affordable to develop the land the community had because of the lack of infrastructure, DuVall said. Until then, housing construction was basically at a standstill. … DuVall said the housing shortage has an effect on both community growth and economic development. You can’t have one without the other and people are needed for both.
Source: Garden City Telegram.

After delays, the City of Lawrence is preparing to roll out a new water billing method that aims to encourage conservation by charging higher rates for irrigation or for other accessory uses. The new billing structure goes into effect April 1 and includes three inclining residential rates and a structure that intends to bill the higher rates only for accessory usage. Households with relatively stable water use all year will pay the lowest rate, while the city will charge those that water their lawns or otherwise use larger-than-average amounts of water 10% to 15% more for those extra gallons.
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.

Shawnee County’s solid waste employees will lose an incentive program that the union said was a key recruiting tool but will get additional protections against sick-leave-misuse discipline. The American Federal of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union that represents solid waste employees, and the county couldn’t agree to the terms of their contract. The two sides appealed to the commissioners.
Source: CJonline.com.

The tiny city of Denison, Kan., came to the brink of insolvency so fast last month that its leaders hadn’t figured out how to begin the bankruptcy process. “We don’t even know how to go under,” said Vickie Wold, the city council president. “How the city fails, what happens here—we’re just hoping and praying.” Denison has fewer than 200 residents, and in a typical February, the city pays about $4,000 to provide them with natural gas to heat their homes. Last month, the bill came to $242,498. “We can’t write that check,” Wold said. “There’s no way we can pay that, and we can’t pass it on to these people, some of whom are struggling to keep their utilities paid as it is.” Many cities in the Midwest are facing a similar crisis. A variety of towns large and small operate their own municipal utilities, providing services such as gas, electricity and water to residents. Some small towns exist as political entities primarily to provide those services.
Source: Wichita Eagle.

What will Garden City look like 10, 20, 40 years from now? That question was on everyone’s minds at a public meeting for the Garden City Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Plan Tuesday at the City Administration Center. … the purpose of the meeting Tuesday was to get input from the community on what they want Garden City and the downtown to look like 10-20 years in the future. The project, an update to the plans from 2013, was kicked off in December and they’ve been gathering information on the conditions of Garden City, kind of a community assessment of where the city is now and how it compares to other communities, both the pros and the cons…
Source: GC Telegram.

Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday said she would sign into law the Back To School Act, which would require all Kansas schools to offer an in-person learning option for every student by the end of the month. This provision, however, would only be for the rest of the school year, after lawmakers in the Kansas House shot down a previous version of the act that would have mandated that option for perpetuity.
Source: CJonline.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.

Every American town, large or small, used to have at least one locally-run department store within its downtown district. These retailers were often reflective in size and merchandise selection of the communities that they served. The golden age of the department store is long past, yet one rare example remains open and healthy in Lawrence, Kansas. Weavers has anchored downtown Lawrence since 1857. The store is a commercial destination and carries a wide assortment of merchandise, from cosmetics to housewares. It caters to residents, visitors, and students at the University of Kansas main campus. As an independently-run department store in 2021, Weavers is a very rare breed. Fifty years ago, 22 such stores operated throughout the state of Kansas. Today, barely a half dozen are still open for business across the entire country.
Source: Forbes