Kansas Municipal News
De Soto needs more people, not just Panasonic, to lure big-name retailers and grocers, CRE experts say
De Soto already has a pretty good selling point — Panasonic’s $4 billion, 4,000-job electric-vehicle battery plant — but before the city can lure the likes of Target or Walmart to town, it will need to ramp up its population. Almost 1,300 apartments already are planned or under construction, thanks to Prairie Village-based Flint Development, Lawrence-based Alcove Development and other smaller builders, which at least gets the ball rolling on meeting current and future housing demand from the plant, which targets being operational in 2025. But it could take three to five years before residents occupy those spaces and have sufficient income to buy those future retailers’ products.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
New city policy says children can stay at North Lawrence campsite
Children are now allowed to stay with their parents at the city-run campsite for people experiencing homelessness in North Lawrence, according to a new policy. To stay with their children, parents must read the “family contract,” and maintain contact with their children at all times, according to the policy, which went into effect last week. Previously, the city has not allowed anyone under 18 to stay at the campsite. The city announced Monday that it is putting in place new safety protocols at the campsite, emphasizing that there are no visitors allowed other than “community outreach partners” who have been approved by the city.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Kansas Legislature approves K-12 education budget with private school benefits
The Kansas Legislature passed a K-12 education package Friday that fully funds public schools but includes expansion of a tax credit for private school students and allows private school students to participate in public school sports and activities. House lawmakers approved Senate Bill 113, which provides funding for the next three years, by an 83-37 vote, despite criticism from House Democrats who felt the process hasn’t been transparent — especially with a new provision that allows the state first right of refusal over closed school buildings. The bill passed 23-16 in the Senate after lengthy debate.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Legislature narrowly approves bill stripping authority from state, local public health officials
The Kansas Legislature narrowly passed a bill forbidding state and county public health officials from issuing test, isolation and closure mandates to counter spread of infectious disease and blocking the state from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations of children in schools or daycare facilities. The measure was sent Friday to Gov. Laura Kelly on the final day of the 2023 legislative session despite bipartisan opposition. The bill also would require the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to conduct a study of overdose deaths in Kansas with an emphasis on the role of fentanyl poisoning. Proponents seeking to restraint authority of public health officials argued personal liberty interests should supersede government action on behalf of the overall population. Supporters bristled at appointed health professionals directing disease response rather than relying on elected officials with authority derived from voters.
Source: Derby Informer
Kansas lawmakers adopt property tax break for restaurant, child care and fitness club businesses
The Kansas Legislature sent Gov. Laura Kelly a bill bundling elements from more than a dozen bills, including a property tax exemption for fitness, restaurant and child care businesses able to demonstrate they were in direct competition with operations of state or local government. The Senate approved the package Thursday on a vote of 26-13 despite bipartisan complaints Senate Bill 8 was decorated like a holiday tree with special-interest tax policy. The deal previously passed by the House 76-43 contained 18 distinct policy changes. It now goes to Gov. Laura Kelly, and could be added to the Democratic governor’s list of vetoed bills. … Sen. Caryn Tyson, the Parker Republican and the Senate’s top negotiator on tax policy, said the bill was designed to restrain state, city, county, township, university, school district and community college investment in facilities or services that could be provided by private businesses. She said child care, restaurant and fitness businesses shouldn’t pay taxes to government entities using that money to establish functions the free market could handle.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Olathe voters approve two citywide sales tax extensions
Olathe voters have approved the renewal of two citywide sales taxes. With 20,589 ballots cast in Tuesday’s mail-in election, Olathe voters approved an extension of the city’s current 3/8-cent sales tax for street maintenance. Roughly 21% of the 96,802 registered voters in Olathe participated in the election. Unofficial results from the Johnson County Election Office show 16,367 people (roughly 80%) voted in favor of the street maintenance sales tax renewal, while 4,199 (20%) voted against it. Voters also approved a renewal of the city’s ⅛-cent sales tax for parks and recreation maintenance.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Pittsburg pursuing more unified approach to community development
The conversion of an abandoned elementary school into a new day care center is being hailed as an ideal first project for Pittsburg’s new community development corporation, Point Forward. The nonprofit organization seeks to pool the resources and efforts of the municipal government, Chamber of Commerce, public school district and Pittsburg State University to accomplish projects individual members of the corporation might not be able to pull off on their own. A $6 million refurbishment of the old Washington Elementary School building on Locust Street into a fully functioning day care center is exactly the type of project that member entities had in mind when they formed Point Forward in the fall of 2022, according to City Manager Daron Hall.
Source: www.joplinglobe.com
Solar farm proposal reaches Pawnee County
A multinational energy company’s proposal to place a five-acre solar farm in southern Pawnee County has officials looking at spelling out the rules and regulations governing solar energy generation. At present, there are no policies on the county’s books regarding commercial alternative energy production. As the renewable energy source gains ground across the state, more Kansas counties are looking at whether solar farms would be a bankable asset or a risk to traditional agriculture producers.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Andover community shows resilience, rallying together on the first anniversary of the 2022 Andover tornado
Andover Central Park hosted many events on the first anniversary of the Andover tornado. Over 200 people were in attendance for tree planting and a special community prayer breakfast. Many people said they are happy about the progress made to rebuild the city over the past year. “It’s just nice to see the rebuilding. And even where they haven’t rebuilt, it’s cleaned up,” said Lori Loney of the American Red Cross. “It’s come a long way. I mean, homes are rebuilt, people are moving in, the school is amazing,” said Andover resident Megan Henwood.
Source: KSN-TV
What Butler County 911 dispatchers learned from the Andover tornado
Saturday marks the first anniversary of the Andover tornado that destroyed homes and buildings. Behind that day’s response, dispatchers in Andover, Butler County and Sedgwick County. Many say it was unlike anything they had experienced before. The phones were ringing nonstop from about 8 p.m. to midnight. “You just keep doing one thing and go on to the next, and then, it just kept going,” Butler County Dispatch supervisor Marissa Sparks said. … Butler County 911 says, for the most part, everything went smoothly on their end that day, but they still learned lessons on how to work better next time.
Source: KSN-TV
Marshall County voters say no to jail proposal
Marshall County voters said no to a proposed new jail in Tuesday’s special election, which saw very low voter turnout. The total was 718 no votes and 396 in favor, which was 64 percent against the proposal and 36 percent in favor. A total 1,114 ballots were cast — about 16 percent of the 7,060 Marshall County residents eligible to vote in the election.
Source: The Marysville Advocate
Arkansas City EMS takes over after Newkirk ambulance hits deer
The Arkansas City, KS Fire/EMS Department took over for the Newkirk Fire Department/EMS after one of their ambulances hit a deer early Saturday morning. “Continue to use caution when driving, especially at night because deer are still moving about and are on the roadways,” the Newkirk Fire Department/EMS said. The Newkirk Fire Department/EMS says they, unfortunately, encountered one of those deers around 4:30 a.m. while en route to a hospital with a patient in Kansas.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for April 28, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
Municipal Bond Trends for April 27, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
Marion County ponders request for tours
A hotel owner might add courthouse tours to attractions she offers guests. Tammy Ensey, co-owner of the Historic Elgin Hotel, asked county commissioners Monday about arranging regular tours of the courthouse, Marion City Library, trails, and other places. Each tour would last about 3½ hours.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Derby Passes Golf Cart Ordinance
An ordinance that allows golf carts to be driven on some city streets was passed by the Derby City Council. It allows golf carts to be driven if the speed limit is 30 mph or less, the driver has a valid driver’s license and the golf cart is registered as a special purpose vehicle with the police department, is insured and has valid registration displayed. While carts cannot be driven on streets where the speed limit is above 30, they can cross at a crosswalk.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Marion unveils strategic plan
Forty-two people gathered Tuesday at Marion Community Center to hear how the city’s strategic plan has developed and make final comments and suggestions. Misty Bruckner, director of the policy and management center at Wichita State University, led the meeting. Bruckner outlined for audience members key points of the draft strategic plan, eight months in the making. She said the meeting would be the last opportunity for citizens to have a say before results are given to the city council.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Panasonic starts vertical construction on $4B battery plant in De Soto
Panasonic Energy Co. Ltd. started vertical construction this week in De Soto on its $4 billion electric-vehicle battery plant, moving on from about six months of preliminary site work. Workers erected the facility’s first steel beam on Wednesday, according to a release. They finished moving 4.5 million cubic yards of earth, a process that started in November.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
How Topeka officials are learning from Colorado Springs to combat homelessness
A recent trip to Colorado is helping Topeka City leaders find a new perspective on approaching the local homeless situation. The Topeka Mayor, City Manager and other representatives visited Denver and Colorado Springs in mid-April to see how those cities approached the concept of low barrier homeless shelters. Because of the unique way they combat homelessness, Colorado Springs is used to visitors from other states. Officials are unpacking what lessons they learned from that impactful trip, and putting together new ideas for what changes could come to the Capital City.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Lenexa OKs future mural at Old Town activities complex
Lenexa is on track to commission its first-ever public mural project, which would feature a local artist. Last week, the Lenexa City Council unanimously gave the green light to a plan to put a mural on the outside of the future combined Lenexa Community Center and Senior Center building. The mural is listed as the top priority on the Lenexa Arts Council’s project list also approved last week.
Source: Prairie Village Post