Kansas Municipal News
Municipal Bond Trends for June 6, 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.
Municipal Bond Trends for June 5, 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.
Spring 2023 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) Grant Recipients Announced
Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland today announced the recipients of the spring 2023 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants. A total of 17 projects from across the state are receiving nearly $918,000 in matching grant funds. The Patterson Family Foundation and Department of Commerce paired up to provide grant funding to assist rural communities in revitalizing underutilized and dilapidated downtown buildings and turn them into economic drivers in the community. A total of 30 applications were received during the spring HEAL grant round. The spring 2023 HEAL grant awardees include:
- Belleville Chamber/Main Street, Republic County – $75,000
- City of Halstead, Harvey County – $64,300
- City of Hillsboro, Marion County – $74,999
- City of Osawatomie, Miami County – $75,000
- City of Spearville, Ford County – $70,000
- City of Sterling, Rice County – $75,000
- City of Wathena, Doniphan County – $54,520
- Edwards County Economic Development (Kinsley), Edwards County – $45,599
- Edwards County Economic Development (Lewis), Edwards County – $33,008
- Grow Hays, Inc., Ellis County – $75,000
- Grow Clay County (GCC), Clay County – $25,000
- Logan County Community Foundation, Logan County – $25,000
- Miltonvale Economic Revitalization Improvement Team (MERIT), Inc., Cloud County – $9,600
- Ness County Chamber of Commerce, Ness County – $48,250
- Point Forward, Inc., Crawford County – $75,000
- Rush County Economic Development, Rush County – $17,462
- South Central KS Economic Development District, Reno County – $75,000
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Way to remove governing body members passes
As a means to protect the City of Great Bend and assure all residents are equally represented, the City Council Monday night approved an ordinance outlining how it can fill vacancies on the governing body (made up of the council and the mayor), specifically those created by a “non-functioning” member. “The city currently has no clear definition of what creates a vacancy or any procedure to address the situation where a person is elected to a position on the governing body but fails or refuses to accept the office, take the oath and/or attend meetings,” City Attorney Allen Glendenning said. This either leaves a portion of the citizenry not fully represented or leaves the city with only the cumbersome, lengthy and expensive processes of ouster or a recall election.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Superintendent narrowly escapes burning van
A USD 415 Hiawatha School minivan went up in flames Friday afternoon and the Superintendent of Schools narrowly escaped the burning vehicle. Hiawatha Fire Chief Patrick Sheldon reported that the call came in at 2:49 p.m. of a report of a vehicle fire located at the intersection of First and Oregon in Hiawatha. Upon arrival, crews found a Dodge minivan located on the east side of First Street with its engine compartment fully engulfed with flames. Chief Sheldon said crews brought the fire under control within a few minutes and left the scene by 3:20 p.m.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com
The high plains drought is so bad that Kansas is importing wheat from Europe
Kansas is “the wheat state,” the officially adopted moniker that embraces its place as the country’s breadbasket. Tall white grain elevators, some decorated with wheat murals, loom over tiny farm towns. For decades, Kansas led the nation in wheat production, and the U.S. led the world in wheat exports. But this year’s meager wheat harvest turns that proud tradition on its head. Kansas flour mills will likely buy wheat grown in Eastern Europe. It’s like Texas importing oil, West Virginia hauling in coal, or the Saudis shipping in sand.
Source: KAKE – News
Olathe receives $18 million in federal aid to eliminate dangerous railroad crossing
As part of President Joe Biden’s 2021 infrastructure law, the Federal Railroad Administration is awarding Olathe nearly $18 million in federal funding to build an overpass over the crossing at Woodland Street and Northgate Road. The project is part of a broader effort to eliminate dangerous railroad crossings and, in Johnson County, expand 119th Street between Kansas 7 Highway and Interstate 35. The four lane bridge will span over the BSNF rail line in the area and Mill Creek and include a direct connection to the existing trail system for bikes and pedestrians.
Source: KC Star Local News
What does an ozone alert mean for Kansas City? What to know about air quality this week
Kansas City’s under an ozone alert, meaning there’s a higher amount of pollution in the air than usual, which can be harmful to people with respiratory issues. The alert includes Leavenworth, Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas, as well as Clay, Platte and Jackson counties in Missouri, according to the National Weather Service. What does that actually mean? Here’s what we learned from the Mid-America Regional Council, who issues the alerts.
Source: KC Star Local News
Kansas cities to see railroad crossing improvements
The government is spending millions to reduce the number of train-vehicle crashes in three Kansas cities. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration announced it has awarded more than $27.5 million to the state of Kansas in the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. Wellington will receive $8.8 million to build a corridor allowing trains to travel through the city without ever coming in contact with other traffic. The project will fund the development and construction for the elimination of all six grade crossings along the BNSF Railway. The City of Wellington and BNSF Railway will contribute a 36% non-federal match to the project. The route carries around 96 trains daily.
Source: KSN-TV
USD 253 Emporia offering ‘behind the scenes look’ at district operations through new podcast
USD 253 Emporia is now providing a look behind the scenes of the district with a super new podcast that is currently available. The Supercast features USD 253 Superintendent Dr. Allison Anderson Harder on the district’s website. Anderson Harder says the podcast both allows the district to highlight its various departments while also shining a spotlight on many district staffers who are often hidden in the background. USD 253 Director of Community Relations Lyndel Landgren says the podcast also allows the district to expand on many items that can’t be fully covered in a traditional news release.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
In car-centric Johnson County, this Mission man is thinking up a more walkable future
A Mission man is being given the chance to make his corner of car-centric Johnson County more pedestrian-friendly. Josh Thede was recently named one of 18 Kansans receiving a fellowship from the 2023 Kansas State Walking College aimed at making local communities more walkable. (He’s not the only Johnson Countian, either: Chris Gralapp of Olathe was also selected.) The program, a partnership between AARP and America Walks, works to identify local leaders and give them training and resources to better advocate for more “walkability” and pedestrian safety in their cities.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Johnson County explores property tax rebate pilot for seniors, veterans
Five cities in Johnson County as well as the state of Kansas already offer property tax rebate programs based on income. Johnson County is considering adding the county to that list, with a pilot program for people 65 and older, along with disabled veterans. The Board of County Commissioners discussed a countywide program during a budget-writing session last week. The idea, proposed by Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick, would return a portion of property taxes on year-round owner-occupied homes with assessed values of less than $384,600.
Source: Prairie Village Post
County needs EMS workers
A staffing shortage within the Chase County Emergency Medical Service is taking center stage as the county begins shaping its 2024 budget. Scott Harris, Chase County EMS director, told commissioners last week his workers’ request for 2024 was not necessarily for more dollars, but for more employees. “We cannot keep up this pace,” Harris told commissioners, according to the Emporia Gazette. “I know my guys are tired.” Harris said each year before he brings his budget to the commission, he asks his staff what changes they would like to see, the Gazette reported.
Source: The Iola Register
Lawrence City Commission to weigh in on proposed plastic bag ban
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider next steps for a proposed citywide ban on single-use plastic bags, as well as a full-time code compliance official to enforce the ban. The Sustainability Advisory Board has long discussed options aiming to reduce the use of plastics in the city, which in turn could help prevent some pollution from the bags, contamination through microplastics from bags’ degradation, and animal deaths from eating the bags, among other concerns. A previous draft of the ordinance would have required establishments to charge customers 15 cents per single-use disposable bag. The current draft ordinance would instead make the bags prohibited within city limits.
Source: The Lawrence Times
New Interactive Map Shows Train Derailments in Communities Across the US
Today, the National League of Cities (NLC) launched an interactive map showing the frequency of train derailments across the country. The map allows users to see an overview of derailments and dive deeper into details on specific incidents. “With rail tracks running through the middle of thousands of cities, towns and villages, derailments are a big concern for residents who want to keep their families and businesses safe,” said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities. “Our new rail map shows what local leaders already know to be true – train derailments and safety issues are happening far too often and in far too many places. Every day in the U.S., an average of three trains derail with as many as half potentially carrying hazardous substances. Communities are calling on Congress to move legislation to ensure that rail moves safely in America.”
Source: NLC
Wall Street Backs Off Bets on Fed Rate Cuts
Persistent strength in the economy has wrong-footed bets that the Federal Reserve will make large interest-rate cuts this year, potentially undermining a key element of support for the 2023 stock rally. Derivatives markets show investors now expect the Fed’s target rate to sit at 5% at year-end, according to Tradeweb, up from just above 4% last month. Previous expectations that rates would fall before December helped boost markets this year, particularly shares of large technology companies. … Friday’s jobs report was just the latest setback for investors who have repeatedly underestimated U.S. growth in the face of rate increases. Inflation has also proved far more stubborn than investors had guessed it would be 12 months ago. Last summer, year-ahead inflation bets projected a rapid fall to the 2% inflation range beginning in the middle of 2023. The latest reading of the consumer-price index was 4.9%.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets
Governor Kelly Announces 14 Rural Communities Receiving Funding for the Creation of New Murals
Governor Laura Kelly today announced 14 communities will receive funding through the Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural and Public Art grant program. The $76,071 in grants awarded will allow communities to create 38 new murals and public art projects that engage community residents and create a place for the community to gather and enjoy. Since 2021, the Office of Rural Prosperity has funded more than 43 murals in 25 communities. “Our Rural Mural program continues to gain momentum as a way to showcase and celebrate small towns across Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
La Crosse Celebrates the Grand Re-Opening of its Grocery Store with State and Local Support
When the La Crosse grocery store closed in August of 2022, Rush County Economic Development jumped to action to restore this critical service in their county. Brad Penka let us know that, with its closing, it left the entire county without a grocery store within a 25-mile radius and would be a huge burden on the families of La Crosse and Rush County. With the collaboration of many different entities and groups, a new owner was found, grants were applied for, funds were gathered, and we are excited to announce their Grand Re-Opening on March 1, 2023! The Rush County Economic Development applied for and was awarded a TEFFI:SEED grant in the amount of $49,125. This grant was made possible by the Kansas Department of Commerce and is being managed in partnership with the Office of Rural Prosperity.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Chase County discusses worker shortage during meeting Wednesday
Short-staffing was the headline of the Chase County Commission meeting Wednesday morning at the Courthouse. EMS director Scott Harris presented commissioners with a budget request, telling commissioners that this year, his crew’s requests were very specific. Harris said each year before he brings his budget to the commission, he asks his staff what changes they would like to see. While previous years elicited the response of more money, Harris said this year, his staff was focused on increasing staffing.
Source: Emporia Gazette
UNBOUND Gravel brings unprecedented impact to Emporia community
As more than 4,000 gravel enthusiasts and their support crews descend upon Emporia for the 17th annual UNBOUND Gravel weekend, local economic development and tourism experts say the continued impact on the area is undeniable. The value of that impact was upwards of $6 million in 2018. Visit Emporia director LeLan Dains said while he doesn’t have firm numbers to cite just yet, the financial impact has only increased five years later.
Source: Emporia Gazette