Kansas Municipal News
Hutchinson’s interim city manager looks forward to helping city thrive
Hutchinson City Councilmembers voted to hire Mary Grace Clements as the Interim City Manager late Friday afternoon. … Clements is most likely the first female city manager in Hutchinson, at least for the past 40 years. A native upstate New Yorker, she has lived around the country, most recently serving as vice president for Allegiant Airlines and executive director of the Reno County Historical Society. She has lived in Hutchinson since 2015.
Source: Hutch News
Kansas is sending $2M to Topeka entities to make up for a ‘bureaucratic snafu’
Kansas taxpayers will be reimbursing Shawnee County taxpayers for a “bureaucratic snafu” that meant three months worth of a dedicated sales tax went uncollected. The $2 million will go to the Gage Park Improvement District after the Kansas Department of Revenue failed to implement on time a voter-approved sales tax increase. “Once it comes in, the authority wants to talk about how to allocate it and to make sure we make a difference with it, because the community, I think, passing the sales tax wants to see something fairly soon that’s making a positive change in Gage Park,” said Rep. Fred Patton, R-Topeka.
Source: CJonline
Council gives OK to bid on Hotel Topeka during next week’s auction
The city of Topeka will attempt to purchase a well-known local hotel. The city’s mayor and council voted 7-2 Tuesday afternoon to authorize the city to take part next week in an auction in which it will have a chance to acquire The Hotel Topeka at City Center, 1717 S.W. Topeka Blvd. … ‘Today, the city of Topeka has stepped up and ensured that our future as a convention destination isn’t left to chance,’ said Sean Dixon, president of Visit Topeka. The hotel, built in 1997, will be up for auction next week.
Source: CJonline
Kansas Launches Broadband Speed Test and Comprehensive Expansion Plan
The Kansas Office of Broadband Development is developing a comprehensive strategic plan to expand broadband infrastructure statewide and ensure every Kansan has access to reliable high-speed internet. To assist in this and provide accurate data for the plan, the department is calling on residents to participate in an important online speed test and survey. The data collected ultimately will help guide the allocation of state and federal resources to areas in need. “Accurate, comprehensive data is critical to our state’s efforts to bridge the digital divide across Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Thousands drawn to Florence
The population of Florence swelled more than tenfold this weekend as motorcycle riders and race enthusiasts — not to mention friends and supporters — crowded into town for the Flint Hills Bent Rims’ 2023 Florence Grand Prix. The 501 registered racers came from Kansas, Colorado, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Vermont, Arkansas, and other states to compete. Bud Lee, who placed third in 1972 and now lives in Wichita, was one of this year’s official starters, firing a shotgun to signal the beginning of each heat.
Source: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin
Half of Wichita’s splash pads are closed just as the season begins
From major road improvements to park upgrades, Shawnee’s next 10-year infrastructure plan, or capital improvement program list, lays out nearly $260 million in projects across the city over the next decade. Dozens of separate projects are on the list, and they will eventually be paid for from a variety of funding sources, including property tax and sales tax revenues, county funds and potentially support from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Overland Park hosting town halls about sales tax vote
The June 22 mail-in election seeks voter approval to raise the city’s dedicated sales tax from one-eighths cent to three-eighths cent. The extra tax revenue would go toward the city’s aging infrastructure. Most notably, city officials say funds raised by the tax would allow the city to reduce its reliance on chip seal, the controversial road resurfacing method.
Source: Prairie Village Post
REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs and Segregation – what’s next?
In 2022, the Johnson County Museum’s special exhibit “REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs and Segregation” took visitors on a deep dive into the history of redlining and how it both shaped and was shaped by Johnson County and the region. Visitors learned the history of systematic disinvestment of some neighborhoods and populations in favor of others, most often on the basis of race, and how the legacies of redlining policy continue to impact Kansas City and communities around the nation today.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Chingawassa Days to celebrate 25 years
Chingawassa Days is a 25-year, time-honored tradition in Marion and it is happening the first week of June. “Chinga started back in ’97 and was just an idea that someone wanted to do something for our community to bring the community together in a big way. And it just started, you know. I think they started with just like a picnic on Friday and they had a little local band and it’s kind of just a community gathering,” said committee chairman Clayton Garnica. He went on to say “Over the years, you add different community members on and it just sparked from there and has grown bigger and bigger. And basically, it is what it is today. Um, yeah. So ,it was just an idea really that someone, or a group, not necessarily one person just wanted to do something for the community to bring everybody together. And that’s, kind of just how it started.”
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
Reno County may sell gas generated from landfill
Reno County is asking for proposals from companies to utilize the landfill gas that is generated from the Reno County Landfill. County commissioners approved the plan on Tuesday, the Hutchinson news reported. The county hopes this will be a win-win situation, with the landfill complying with state and federal requirements, an end-user benefiting from the landfill gas and the county benefiting from the revenue in sales. A request for proposals is due Sept. 1.
Source: The Iola Register
Perry Lake staff ready for 840,000 summer visitors
If there is such a thing as a normal year, Perry Lake Project Manager R.J. Harms believes this might be one as the Corps of Engineers prepares for 840,000 visitors at the lake this summer. “We had the high water in 2019 and that caused so much destruction. . . We are just now getting that behind us,” he said. “We had an extra 30 feet of water that year and it stayed with us a long time,” he said. The high-water year was followed by the pandemic and a whole lot of damage to repair and structures to replace. Needless to say, the manager is hoping for something near normalcy. Both of the marinas are under new ownership and there is a privately-operated restaurant on the lake, Harms said.
Source: JeffCountyNews
First plan of attack on Wichita park with thick brush and poison ivy: Goats
The city of Wichita plans to unleash up to 130 goats on a city park for two weeks to test whether they’re a long-term, eco-friendly way to clear thick brush and poison ivy without using heavy equipment or chemical spray. The goats are part of a multi-phase project aimed at cleaning up an area of Sim Park that connects the new city-backed River Trail Village patio home development to the city’s attractions along the river — Botanica, Old Cowtown, the Wichita Art Museum, the Mid-America All Indian Museum and the Keeper of the Plains. “We’re looking over at Riverside, right next to Sim Golf Course where we have a lot of vegetation and an area that has a lot of homeless encampments — or had some. They just removed them all,” Troy Houtman, director of parks and recreation, told the Wichita Park Board in April.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Rides, music, ‘most unusual’ fun: This Johnson County event means summer’s starting
Old Shawnee Days is often considered one of the area’s unofficial starts of summer. But it’s really so much more. “How can you not be excited about Old Shawnee Days? It is a great family-friendly event with a little something for everyone,” said Kate Kinkaid, media and publicity chairperson for the event. Old Shawnee Days will be held from Thursday through Sunday at Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St. The free event includes everything from a carnival to live music and food vendors to a parade.
Source: KC Star Local News
Lawrence releases wastewater into Kansas River following pump failure; stream advisory issued
The city released wastewater into the Kansas River Wednesday morning after heavy rain led to a pump failure in a wastewater pump station near Bowersock Dam, according to a social media post from the city. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a stream advisory for the Kansas River near Lawrence as a result, according to the post. “Early this morning, we advised KDHE about the need to directly send wastewater into the Kansas River due to a pump failure after a hard night of rain,” according to the post. “The pump failure resulted in wastewater that contains elevated bacteria levels being discharged into the Kansas River.”
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for May 31, 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.
USD 428 Education Foundation supports classroom innovation with mini-grants
The Great Bend USD 428 Education Foundation wrapped up the school year by announcing winners of mini-grants to enhance learning opportunities. In 2023, teachers from across the district received $23,488.75 in mini-grants, funding innovative ideas and exciting enrichment opportunities. Foundation members expressed thanks to the individuals and corporate supporters make the grants possible.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Commissioners give tax exemption to Scorpius in Hesston
Harvey County Commissioners voted Tuesday morning to grant a tax exemption for Scorpius Industries, LLC (Scorpius), a small engineering design and fabrication business in Hesston that specializes in custom-designed parts and assemblies. After outgrowing its current facility, Scorpius plans to build a new facility outside of Hesston at 8501 N. West Road. The county commission previously approved Conditional Use Permit 23-01 for the construction of the facility at this location. In its letter requesting a 10-year abatement, Scorpius owner Shane Denson said that capital investment for the project would be $875,000. They expect to create seven new jobs over the next five years.
Source: Harvey County Now
Attack of the miller moths in Harvey County en route to the Rockies
Like any other moth, miller moths are attracted to light. However, they also seem to be attracted to one other thing: bugging residents of central Kansas. Miller moths are the adult form of the army cutworm larvae that destroyed so many lawns in the summer of 2020. “The full army worms two or three years ago were a big problem […] those can cause huge damage,” Jason French, a manager at Stutzman’s Greenhouse, said. “The miller moth itself in the home gardening industry doesn’t cause much issue, though it’s a pest.”
Source: Harvey County Now
Wichita Riverfest a few days away, tents already setup in Downtown
Wichita Riverfest is three days away. If you’ve noticed, part of the road by Main and Douglas is already blocked off and there are tents set up. “This is the biggest party Wichita throws every year,” said Jen Remsberg, Director of Marketing and Communications for Riverfest. Wichita’s yearly party is just a few days away. People are gearing up and excited to see RiverFest 2023. “I’m always excited to see what’s going on, the food, the people, just good vibes,” said Wichita resident Tiayla Maholmes. “There’s so many different activities. There are something for everyone. We love the concerts, the food, and all of the people-watching that you do,” said Cindy Marion, a Wichita resident.
Source: KAKE – News
Municipal Bond Trends for May 30, 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.