Kansas Municipal News
Pittsburg schools launches internet service
As we move further into the digital age, access to the internet is becoming more and more necessary. The pandemic has only highlighted the need, since many students now require it to effectively get an education. Kelynn Heardt, Pittsburg High School Principal, said, “What this has provided is a way for our students to connect without interruption in the their school day.” Access to the internet has been a struggle for many during the pandemic. Families in the Pittsburg Community School system were some of those facing this problem. Dr. Brad Hanson, Pittsburg Community Schools Assistant Superintendent, said, “We surveyed and we found that approximately 20 percent of our families did not have good quality internet service.” So the district decided to do something to make sure students in need could have access to an education, even if they’re learning remotely.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Main Street’s Mural Crawl celebrates downtown art installations
Emporia Main Street is inviting the community to celebrate downtown’s interactive murals with the Main Street Mural Crawl. The murals, located in four places along the retail corridor along Commercial Street, offer the public a place for a fun photo opportunity while encouraging a walk downtown. “Emporia Main Street has been wanting to bring more public art work to downtown for a while,” said Community Development Coordinator Jessica Buchholz. “We know that public art increases pedestrian traffic, which then results in an increase of potential consumers in our retail corridor.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
New mural goes up in downtown Wichita
A new makeshift art gallery will showcase local artists’ work in downtown Wichita. Bokeh Development, Harvester Arts, and the Wichita Community Foundation joined forces to collaborate with area artists in a series of pieces that will help bring attention to the former pop-up park. “In an effort to sort of create buzz here and keep people looking at this site in anticipation for what’s going to be next,” Kristin Beale, program director at Harvester Arts. “We want people to be able to engage with art without having to go into a museum or a gallery,” said Beale. “This is all about bringing the art to the people, and for the people”
Source: KSN-TV
Doctors return to rural: After traveling to Peru to learn how to speak Spanish, a couple takes their skills to an underserved western Kansas community
A western Kansas couple is breaking down language barriers, learning to speak Spanish to better serve their community. The United States Census Bureau found that nearly 55% of people in Dodge City speak Spanish, and with a 62% Hispanic demographic on top of that, the demand for more Spanish-speaking doctors became all the more real for Zach and Serina Harvey. It became a need they aimed to fill. After graduating from chiropractic college in 2016 the Harvey’s moved to Peru for three years. The couple studied Spanish while treating patients at a small clinic.
Source: KSN-TV
Iola’s Civil War fort and the widow’s wild ride
Although Humboldt was the more prominent military center in the area, along with other sites like Fort Belmont in Woodson County, at one time Iola’s “fort” had a force of 400 men and filled the area roughly demarcated by Madison, Jefferson, Broadway and South Streets. In the northeast corner of the block stood the Parsons building, which was essentially a Civil War military headquarters (1861-1865), and where many were sworn into service. The structure had initially been intended as a community safehouse in the event of attacks from hostile indigenous forces, but eventually concerns seem to have shifted from incursions by native people to pro-Southern militants.
Source: The Iola Register
‘There’s big hope’: Topeka’s Walmart Distribution Center construction helping struggling hotels
The construction of a new Walmart Distribution Center is one of very few things keeping Topeka hotels together. From fewer cars in the parking lot, to fewer people in the lobby and fewer guests filling the rooms, Topeka hotels are taking a hard hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. “At the beginning, the occupancy was, of course, we were low, low occupancy,” said Farid Elias, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Topeka. “People were scared. They didn’t know what’s going on with the virus, how they can avoid it.”
Source: KSNT News
Johnson County ‘Phase 2’ vaccine registration now available online
Many Johnson Countians wanting to get the COVID-19 vaccine now have a way to tell county health officials. The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment on Friday launched an online survey that allows people in Phase 2 of the county’s vaccine rollout plan to let the county know they’d like to receive the two-dose vaccine when they become eligible.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Sedgwick County announces Phase II vaccination plan
Sedgwick County announced Friday that the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccine should begin in the next few weeks, as vaccines become available in the county. Dr. Garold Minns, Sedgwick County Health Officer, in consultation with local medical providers and the Sedgwick County Health Department, is finalizing the Phase II vaccination plan. It is expected to follow the guidance from the CDC and local medical professionals, with vaccines available to people 65 and older first. Individuals with medically verified high-risk factors would follow. Vaccines from the county, when available, will be by appointment only through a registration portal. Additional vaccination and scheduling options will also be offered in the future.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita will offer rent, utility assistance with federal funding from stimulus bill
Wichita residents who need help paying their rent and utilities because of the coronavirus-related economic downturn can apply to a new city program that will cover back payments and future bills. Applications are not open yet, but could be by late January or early February, said Sally Stang, director of housing and community services for the city of Wichita. The city expects to receive at least $12 million in federal funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, also known as the economic stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in December. The same bill extended a federal eviction ban until Jan. 31.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Olathe school district superintendent is retiring
John Allison, superintendent of the Olathe school district, will retire at the end of this school year, he announced Thursday night. And the district has already named his successor. The school board appointed Brent Yeager, assistant superintendent for learning services, to replace him starting in July. He’s the second Johnson County superintendent to announce his retirement in as many months. In December, Shawnee Mission Superintendent Mike Fulton announced that he also plans to retire in July. The district has yet to name a replacement.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Powell sees no interest rate hikes on the horizon as long as inflation stays low
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell affirmed his commitment to keeping interest rates low for the foreseeable future even as he expressed hope for a strong economic recovery. “When the time comes to raise interest rates, we’ll certainly do that, and that time, by the way, is no time soon,” the central bank chief said Thursday during a Q&A session presented by Princeton University. During the wide-ranging discussion, Powell spoke about how the Fed handled the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as his expectations for what is ahead.
Source: Economy
Wichita taskforce, WSU to study litter as part of debate on banning plastic bans
This spring, volunteers will begin collecting litter around the city to determine how big of a problem plastic bags pose and whether they should be banned locally. A decision is at least a year away. The Wichita City Council created the Wichita Single-Use Plastic Bag Taskforce in February 2020 to assess the possibility of banning plastic bags. The task force will use the litter study, which it announced Thursday, to help make its recommendation to the city. …The project will identify locations to pick up litter, organize volunteers in the litter collection and categorize and count the type of trash and where it came from. WSU’s center will then identify significant sources of litter and develop recommendations to reduce litter.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Muni bond provision outlook is bright in new Congress
The Senate’s flip to a Democratic-majority makes an infrastructure bill likely to pass in the coming months, and key lawmakers support including important municipal bond provisions. … A Democratic Congress and White House mean a solid chance for some sort of infrastructure bill to break through, sources say. This comes as the Chamber of Commerce launched an initiative on Wednesday with over 130 organizations to push for an infrastructure package by July 4. … Municipal bond provisions are set up for success in the next Congress. Last summer House Democrats passed the Moving Forward Act, which has expired and will need to be introduced in the new Congress but which contained numerous bond provisions. Among those were expanding the use of tax-exempt private activity bonds, permanently reinstating Build America Bonds and reinstating tax-exempt advance refunding bonds. Those provisions were headed by House Ways and Means Chair Richard Neal, D-Mass, who will continue to chair that committee in 2021.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Wheat market soars, topping price highs – Experts explain why
It’s a bull market in grains. Farmers are watching as the wheat market soars above $6 and the one question many are wondering is, how high will it go? Being pulled by strong soybean and corn prices, wheat is not far behind, topping price highs that haven’t been seen in nearly six years according to the Kansas Wheat Commission. All major U.S. wheat classes have been climbing in the markets for weeks. “In the 40 or 45 years that we’ve farmed, I’ve seen this happen like once,” said Vance Ehmke, Lane County Farmer. Poor crop conditions and low acreage has led to a lack of supply but a surge in demand.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for January 14, 2021
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.
Kansas Senate passes bill removing tax lid; instead, requires notice if exceed “revenue neutral rate”
The Kansas Senate on Thursday passed legislation to require local governments to notify residents by mail and hold public hearings before increasing property tax collections. The tax bill removes a controversial lid on yearly mill levy increases and instead establishes a “revenue neutral rate,” which adjusts the effective tax rate to account for increases in assessed property value. Cities and counties that fail to follow the rules will have to refund taxpayers. Other provisions in the bill, which passed 31-1, ban counties from increasing property values as a result of normal maintenance and give treasurers the authority to offer a payment plan for property taxes.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Legislation: Senate Bill 13 and its Supplemental Note.
Governor Kelly releases proposed state budget
Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has outlined a proposed annual budget that includes a tax increase and two other major initiatives likely to be rejected by the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature. Kelly on Wednesday outlined a $20.9 billion spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. Among other things, it would protect a previously promised increase in spending on public schools. But the governor also proposed expanding Medicaid and cutting the state’s annual contribution to pensions for teachers and government workers, and GOP leaders oppose both ideas. Kelly wants to impose the state sales tax on online music and movies purchases, and Republicans criticized the idea last year.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Kansas governor says state almost done with Phase 1 of vaccinations
Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday said the state of Kansas is almost done with Phase 1 of its vaccination plan, which includes doses for health care workers and people in nursing homes. Kelly made the comments before she toured a mass vaccination clinic in Wyandotte County. The tour came a week after Kelly updated the state’s phases for vaccinations, to make them more simple with Phases 1-5, versus a tiered system using letters and numbers. She also said as Kansas moves into its next phase, which includes vaccinations for people 65 and older, counties are free to keep moving through subsequent phases based on their own needs and supply.
Source: KMBC.com
Merriam wants resident feedback on future of city, including changes to Town Center, downtown
The Merriam 2040 comprehensive plan is approaching final draft form, but there’s still time for residents and other stakeholders to provide input. Since July 2019, the city along with a Midwest-based consulting firm Confluence have been working on a 20-year plan to help guide future infrastructure, development and redevelopment of Merriam. A virtual public meeting on Wednesday provided an overview of the draft and offered the public a chance to provide some feedback on what’s been created so far. Board presentations will be made available at both city hall and the Merriam Community Center, and the boards will be accompanied by notecards for the public to provide feedback.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Shawnee council unanimously adopts new city code for homeless shelters
Shawnee’s city code now includes homeless shelters, crisis shelters and emergency disaster shelters. After extensive and lengthy discussions Monday night, the Shawnee City Council unanimously adopted the new regulations that allow shelters in almost any part of the city. Shawnee’s regulations are more lenient than what city staff have seen in other communities, said Stephanie Malmborg, deputy community development director. “We pretty much across the board allow shelters in some capacity anywhere,” Malmborg said. “No other communities that I’ve seen anywhere have that flexibility, at least according to the codes that we researched.”
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
College ramps up for spring
Allen Community College is ramping up for the spring term, poised to navigate the challenges brought about COVID-19. According to vice president Cynthia Jacobson, “we’re doing better than we did to start off last semester” regarding the virus. Currently, there are 10 positive cases on the Iola campus, and 15 in quarantine. The college has been widely testing incoming students, and will continue to do so in order to limit viral spread.
Source: The Iola Register
Garden Plain bond refinancing saves city money after receiving 6 very competitive bids
Yesterday, Garden Plain received competitive bond bids from 6 underwriters. The best bid nearly doubled the savings the city had been anticipating.
| Bid 1 | Bid 2 | Bid 3 | Bid 4 | Bid 5 | Bid 6 |
| 1.0216% | 1.3270% | 0.9555% | 1.3331% | 0.9553% | 1.0541% |
Contact the Municipal Bond Advisors at Ranson Financial Group to seek competitive bids on your next bond issue.
Municipal Bonds hold steady
The growing demand for tax-exempt bonds with attractive yields that began in 2020, continues to be a theme into the early part of the new year on the buy side of the municipal market. “The entire story year to date is the continued vibrant demand for bonds with yield,” Tom Doe, president of Municipal Market Analytics, said on Wednesday. “Credit concerns have been pushed aside, presumably because of optimism for a return to normal with vaccine rollout and the support from the Biden relief packages.”
Source: Bond Buyer.
How a group of Kansas researchers’ plan to make U.S.’s rural communities more viable
A group of Kansas researchers believe they have a solution that will help rural communities thrive, simply by helping them optimize how they use their community’s already abundant wind energy opportunities. The projects will create “cheaper energy” that can be used to treat water and maintain agricultural systems, while building on the region’s current use of wind energy. … the five-year project will build an online virtual tool that will take information about rural communities, such as its’ population size, number of available acres, average wind speed and amount of money the community has available to invest in projects. The tool will use the data to assist community leaders, groups of farmers, or even state governments in deciding whether they want to invest in these community projects, based on whether the projects will be economically sustainable.
Source: Wichita Eagle.
Kansas COVID-19 hospitalizations fall from last month’s peak
Coronavirus hospitalizations have fallen in Kansas from their high last month and staffing is under less strain as the shaky vaccine rollout gains momentum, although overall case numbers remain stubbornly high. Kansas Department of Health and Environment data shows that 889 adults were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases as of Tuesday, down 30% from a high of 1,282 on Dec. 2. It was the lowest COVID-19 patient count since early November, when the numbers began creeping steadily upward. Dr. Lee Norman, head of the state health department, said a call he had this week with officials at small, rural hospital was “really encouraging.” “There’s ICU beds available. The majority of ventilators are available, and — very encouraging — the staff are coming back off isolation because of illness or quarantine,” Norman said during a Statehouse news conference. “It’s really gratifying to see our health care workers get a little bit of a reprieve right now.”
Source: LJWorld.com.
Committee to study possibility of directly electing Lawrence mayor, plus other potential changes to city governance
Lawrence city leaders are moving forward with creating a committee to study potential changes to the city’s form of government, potentially paving the way for a citywide election to decide on any changes. As part of its study session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission discussed alternative structures to the city’s current commission-manager form of government, including having a directly elected mayor, election by districts, or changes to the number of commissioners, among other possibilities. Commissioners agreed that they would each suggest two community members to take part in the committee, and the commission would set some parameters for the discussion.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for January 13, 2021
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.
Where will Marion County’s 200 wind farm tower builders stay?
Where workers will stay when construction gets under way for a wind farm in the south part of the county is anyone’s guess. Few RV campsites are available in the county. Building permits are not yet granted for the Expedition Wind Farm project, but developer Blake Johnson said Expedition hopes to start tower construction in early spring.
Source: Marion County RECORD
Valley Center adopts official flag
The City of Valley Center has an official city flag. For the first time in its history, the city council on Jan. 5 adopted a design to be used to make city flags. The design was developed by a Valley Center High School student and revised through public input and city council discussions. The city is now exploring options to have the flags made.
Source: Ark Valley News
Kansas women feed healthcare workers across the state
What started as a simple way to give back has grown into a state-wide effort. “I thought it was a one time deal, thank you for saving my mom’s life, you know, but so many, just the response has just been crazy,” said Amy Scharosch. The craziness began in November of 2020. That’s when Scharosch, a Wichita native now residing in the Kansas City area, said her mother and father contracted COVID-19. “My parents got very sick with COVID, and my mom was hospitalized,” she explained.
Source: KSNT News
Republic and Washington Counties still being considered for wind farm
NextEra Energy Resources is still considering a wind farm project in Washington County, but the wind farm company is still gathering information. “We are in the early stages of developing a wind project in the area,” said senior communication specialist Conlan Kennedy. “We are evaluating both Republic and Washington Counties for this project, but we have not finalized an exact location at this time. We are currently assessing the land and wind resources in the area and speaking with community leaders about the potential project. We intend to reach out to landowners with more information soon.
Source: www.backroadsnews.com/rss.xml
Utilities installing solar power operations in Missouri, Kansas
Two area utilities are adding solar power to their portfolios of electrical generation to meet the needs of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. The first of solar electrical generation operation will come online in the next two weeks when Liberty Utilities completes its first 2.2-megawatt solar farm near Prosperity, east of Webb City and south of Carterville in Jasper County. In Kansas, Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative is building two 1-megawatt solar arrays in two locations in Crawford and Neosho counties, including one next to the Greenbush Education Service Center on Highway 47 between Girard and St. Paul.
Source: www.joplinglobe.com
Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy honored for courage, bravery
A Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy was the recipient of a Medal of Valor for his courage and bravery. Sgt. Travis Spiker was given the honor Monday. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Spiker was helping officers in Holton at a domestic incident. The victim, a woman, was in his patrol car waiting for the situation to resolve. Suddenly, the suspect started shooting at law enforcement at the scene. The sheriff’s office said in the hail of bullets, Sgt. Spiker was able to get into his car and drive the woman to safety.
Source: KSNT News
Municipal Bond Trends for January 12, 2021
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.
Goddard STAR bond project expanding
Following the success of the new ballfields opened in Goddard as part of a STAR bond project, the city is expanding on those efforts with the STAR bond phase two addition. In phase two, approved at the end of December, developer Goddard Sports LLC will introduce five additional competitive synthetic turf baseball/softball fields – geared toward younger athletes – as well as an outdoor sand sports complex (including three sand soccer fields) southwest of the current baseball fields. Completion of phase two is expected in late 2021 and is estimated to cost $12,587,792. It is also projected to attract between 351,000 and 422,000 visitors per yer and generate direct and indirect employment of 56 full-time equivalent jobs with an annual payroll of $1.9 million.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Kansas lawmakers resume debate on property tax restrictions
Under this bill, modeled on longstanding Utah law, municipalities would be forced to set a property tax rate that is “revenue neutral.” If they wish to exceed this rate, they must provide notice and hold a hearing before voting on the increase. The proposed bill also repeals the local property tax lid. Eric Stafford, director of government affairs for the Kansas Chamber, argued the bill itself would accomplish what the tax lid was meant to accomplish by forcing the budget to remain neutral.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Wichita schools will bring elementary students back, send middle and high to hybrid
Most elementary school children in Wichita will return to in-person classes this week while the majority of secondary students are set to start hybrid classes in two weeks. The Board of Education on Monday adopted the in-person classes proposal made by Wichita Public Schools administrators, citing educational equality concerns for students as suburban districts hold in-person classes. The decision does not affect the approximately 40% of students whose parents opted for remote learning.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
USD 232 in De Soto becomes first JoCo district to bring older students back to school full-time this semester
Middle and high school students at USD 232 in De Soto are going back to full-time, on-site learning Feb. 1. Citing the benefits of in-person over remote learning, the rising numbers of D and F grades, the detriment to students’ mental health, and growing evidence that the risk of COVID-19 spread within school buildings remains low, the USD 232 school board on Monday unanimously agreed to bring middle and high schoolers back to the classroom in a few weeks. USD 232 secondary students were in remote learning since Nov. 30. Board members stressed that their decision is evidence of their abundance of caution based on the level of risk.
Source: Prairie Village Post
HIllsboro reviews FD compensation
City Administrator Matt Stiles presented a proposal to increase firefighter pay at the Tuesday city council meeting. Currently, the department pays $12.50 per run for firefighters and $17.34 to the chief and assistant chief. The requested increase was to $15 per run for firefighters and $20 per run for the chief and assistant chief. Stiles said the department members are paid semi-annually, for runs from December through May and June to November. Stiles said, in researching how other departments in the state function, most are volunteer and employee hybrid. However, other departments’ volunteer compensation runs from totally volunteer with no payment, to Goessel’s mileage reimbursement “all the way to $30 per run” with pay “average is about $15.69.”
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
Lawrence City Commission to discuss option of directly elected mayor, other possible changes to city’s form of government
Lawrence city leaders will soon discuss the possibility of changing the city’s form of government, including having a directly elected mayor or election by districts. As part of its study session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will discuss alternative structures to the city’s current form of government, as well as potential procedures for making those changes. To inform the discussion, city legal staff will present a summary of all forms of city government, including the possibility of combining elements from multiple forms, and present options for how changes could be made.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Covid-19 Pandemic Drives Municipal Borrowing to 10-Year High
Municipal bond issuance in 2020 was the highest in a decade, reflecting the collapse of interest rates and the increased costs cities and state governments are facing from Covid-19 shutdowns. Bonds for new projects reached $252 billion last year, according to Refinitiv, a small increase from the previous year. The new borrowing drove the total amount of outstanding muni debt above $3.9 trillion for the first time since 2013, according to the Federal Reserve data from the third quarter…. Despite the increase in availability of muni bonds, investor demand remains strong. Central bank rate cuts have left investors clamoring for yield. Muni bond investments produced steady returns last year in a low-interest rate environment.
Source: WSJ.
Amid tension and national tumult, Lenexa’s new police chief aims to build trust in law enforcement
Leaning over the desk of her new office at headquarters, Lenexa Police Chief Dawn Layman looked darkly up at the television. She has only been police chief for a few weeks now. Still, the seasoned law enforcement officer with 31 years of experience — with 27 of those coming in Lenexa — watched with disappointment last Wednesday as the siege at the U.S. Capitol unfolded before her eyes.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Fed’s Bostic sees possible interest rate hike as soon as the second half of next year
Interest rates could rise sooner than forecast as the economy recovers more quickly than expected from the throes of the Covid-19 damage, Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic said Monday. While most of his colleagues don’t see a rate hike coming through until at least 2023, Bostic said that he thinks the emergency measures the Fed has taken to combat the pandemic can start to be rolled back within the next two years if not sooner. … At their December meeting, members of the Federal Open Market Committee submitted their individual expectations for the next several years. The median expectation for the Fed’s benchmark lending rate was to stay in its current targeted range of 0% to 0.25% through 2023, with a longer-range estimate of 2.5%.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Municipal Bond Trends for January 11, 2021
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.
Lenexa proposes regulations for homeless shelters
As winter bears down on Shawnee Mission, Lenexa has proposed regulations for homeless shelters within city limits. The need for such regulations came to light after Project 1020, a cold-weather shelter, requested approvals to operate out of a church last winter. At the time, Lenexa did not have homeless shelter regulations within its city code. After the city denied the request and the church sued the city in federal court, the city agreed to allow the shelter to operate temporarily while staff develops new code. Lenexa is now working through a months-long process to refine the city code, first introduced to councilors on Jan. 5. Under the proposed regulations, shelters could operate in the city as long as they met certain conditions.
Source: Prairie Village Post