Kansas Municipal News
County’s jail housing costs on rise; Officials consider cutting costs by keeping inmates elsewhere
Housing a healthy inmate costs $100 a day at the Shawnee County Jail but about half that at the Anderson County Jail in Garnett, 75 miles southeast of Topeka, says Shawnee County Commissioner Kevin Cook. Speaking at a work session focusing on the budget of the county’s corrections department, Cook suggested Shawnee County try to save money by keeping some of its inmates in the Anderson County Jail. After learning later that the Anderson County Jail houses only 48 inmates and therefore might not be of much help, Cook said Shawnee County could still cut costs by keeping some inmates at other jails in northeast Kansas that might be willing to take them.
Source: CJonline
Inflation rose just 0.2% in June, less than expected as consumers get a break from price increases
Inflation fell to its lowest annual rate in more than two years during June, the product both of some deceleration in costs and easy comparisons against a time when price increases were running at a more than 40-year high. The consumer price index, which measures inflation, increased 3% from a year ago, which is the lowest level since March 2021. On a monthly basis, the index, which measures a broad swath of prices for goods and services, rose 0.2%. … Traders are still pricing in a strong possibility that the Fed will enact a quarter percentage point rate hike when it meets July 25-26. However, market pricing is pointing toward that being the last increase as officials pause to allow the series of hikes to work their way through the economy.
Source: CNBC
The bus stops here: Wichita cracks down on fights, underage drinking, nudity on party buses
The city of Wichita plans to start requiring licenses for party bus operators in an effort to curtail reckless passenger behavior that police say oftentimes crosses the line into criminality. “Underage drinking, fights, disorderly conduct, violent crimes that include shootings, and other unsafe behavior,” said Travis Rakestraw, special investigations captain with the Wichita Police Department. “By requiring a city of Wichita license for a party bus to operate, it will help control any businesses not willing or able to control its customers.” The City Council voted 7-0 Tuesday to establish a new ordinance requiring entertainment vehicle operators to pay a $100 annual licensing fee and agree to a code of conduct for acceptable party bus behavior. Kansas already regulates commercial vehicles, requiring inspections and insurance, but there are no state-level regulations for onboard activity.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical recognizes service of pioneering firefighter
Lexie Engleman was one of the city’s first female firefighters, and now her name is on the training room at Station No. 1. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) recently dedicated the training room to Engleman, who served the department nearly 30 years until she retired as a captain at age 60 in December 2010, according to a news release. Family, friends, other LDCFM retirees and current staff members joined Engleman to celebrate the recognition. A plaque with Engleman’s portrait will hang in the room. The plaque says that when Engleman joined the Lawrence Fire Department in June 1981, she became one of the first female firefighters in the city’s history.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Newton city manager submits resignation
Newton City Manager Kelly McElroy has announced she will leave her position in October after seven years of service to the Newton community. McElroy has been city manager since January 2020. She joined the Newton staff in October 2016, first as community development director, city planner and historic preservation officer, and later as assistant city manager. “It has been an honor and pleasure to work for the City of Newton and the community,” McElroy said. “I am very proud of our staff team that has strong ambition, creativity, and servant leader hearts. The leadership the City Commission has provided us over the past several years has been invaluable. We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals serving, focusing on big picture endeavors, and leading the community into a rapid growth mode.” As city manager, McElroy led the City through the COVID-19 pandemic, construction of a new public pool, the new Railer Field at Centennial Park, a new Newton Public Library, remodel of the Law Enforcement Center, the City’s Sesquicentennial celebration, and a surge in new residential, commercial and industrial development in the community.
Source: City of Newton
Municipal Bond Trends for July 11, 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.
Parks & Rec planning survey for comprehensive plan, potential indoor waterpark
The Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department is nearing the start of a comprehensive master plan that will take a deep dive into overall planning of the department’s future. Director Aaron Stewart says a community survey is due to come before the city commission next month, with an early fall rollout likely. Stewart says once the survey is completed, Parks & Rec should have a better understanding of the community’s needs and wants, including a measure on how much the community is willing to support funding of a potential indoor waterpark. Stewart estimates such a project would carry a roughly $40 million price tag.
Source: 1350 KMAN
One expanded gambling proposal disqualified from consideration
Boyd Gaming’s “Diamond Jo” proposal was disqualified. The Gaming and Racing Commission adopted a policy change it said better reflected what the state legislature wanted. Since Boyd Gaming already operates the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane its application was taken out of the running to prevent a potential monopoly in one of the state’s gambling zones. The decision leaves one proposal in the running-Ruffin Holdings’ “Golden Circle”, to be built at the old Wichita Greyhound Park location at 77th North and Hydraulic.
Source: KAKE – News
Dodge City named Most Charming Small Town in Kansas
A popular travel publication has named Dodge City the Most Charming Small Town in Kansas. TravelMag announced Tuesday that Dodge City had won the award. The small town in southwest Kansas also won the award in 2022 from a publication called Trips to Discover. TravelMag says it surveyed more than 100 travel experts to identify the 20 most charming towns in the Midwest. It only considered towns with populations of less than 100,000 residents. “We are thrilled to receive this distinction from TravelMag,” said Megan Welsh, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for Dodge City. “This recognition allows us to reach new audiences who may not have considered us as a vacation destination before. We look forward to welcoming these visitors and sharing the unique experiences Dodge City has to offer.”
Source: KSN-TV
Humboldt Council clamps down on big rig parking
The ordinance to restrict semi-trailers from parking along city streets has been on the books for decades, Humboldt Council members learned Monday night, but never enforced. That willingness to turn a blind eye caught up with them when “just one guy,” turned into several parking their rigs in front of people’s homes, causing a problem for fellow residents. Last month, Council members ordered City Attorney Fred Works to draft an ordinance banning the parking of large vehicles along city streets.
Source: The Iola Register
USD 259 has a new superintendent
Kelly Bielefeld has been named the new superintendent for the USD 259 school district. “We believe in the value of every single student. We take everybody and we do our best to get them ready for their future,” said Bielefeld. Bielefeld is just starting his new position in the district and he celebrated beginning his tenure by touring College Hill Elementary School where he was introduced to students, staff, and a new game: 9-square. At an initial news conference today, Bielefeld detailed his plans for the upcoming school year.
Source: KAKE – News
This area Route 66 stop is gaining notoriety
If you love Route 66, you aren’t alone, it’s one of the most traveled roads in the whole world. And one stop along the Mother Road is getting notoriety for what you do while you’re there. Aaron Perry was already thinking about starting his own Route 66 business in 2018 when he drove by an old service station near the Kansas-Missouri border on the Mother Road. “And I jokingly tell people it got dark, a beam of light shone down, angels played harps, and we ended up with an old Texaco in Galena Kansas,” said Aaron Perry, Owner, Gearhead Curious.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Hundreds of old oil and gas wells in Johnson and Miami counties need capping
Oil and gas wells that are in some cases over a century old, abandoned and emitting methane, are targeted for being plugged up as part of a comprehensive federal investment in infrastructure that may eventually include 378 wells in Johnson and Miami counties. U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids toured some of those wells this week in Johnson County, as part of an effort to call attention to President Joe Biden’s economic priorities. Haaland, Davids and Susan Duffy, chair of the Kansas Corporation Commission, stopped at the Virginia Sue Field of Dreams near 183rd Street and Pflumm Road in Bucyrus to visit three of those sites on Monday. Kansas has already received $25 million to plug wells and is eligible to receive another $25 million in federal grants in another round of funding, Haaland said.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Tour De Kapellen bike ride spotlights history of Ellis County
Three-hundred cyclists rode across Ellis County Saturday to visit several Volga German Chapels and experience the culture. This is the fourth-annual Tour of Chapels, including stops at St. Catherine Church in Catharine, The Basilica on the Plains in Victoria, Holy Cross Church in Pfeifer and St. Francis Church in Munjor. Cyclists chose from a 15-mile casual ride to a 100-mile ride across the county that began at Hays Municipal Park. The ride concluded in the Municipal Park with meals and refreshments as The Joe Dolezal Polka Band performed.
Source: Hays Post
Can county stop strays?
Stray animals are commonly found in rural parts of Seward County, but with kennels already full of animals found in Liberal, the city’s animal shelter has adopted a policy of not accepting animals from rural areas of the county. The issue was brought to light at the June 13 town hall meeting hosted by the Seward County Commission, and the commission addressed the problem at its June 20 regular meeting. After the town hall meeting, Administrator April Warden researched what other Kansas counties were doing with their local animal shelters, and she got an array of responses. “We had anywhere from $9,000, $7,500, $4,500 the counties are contributing. They have a memorandum of understanding within the cities, and most of them said it’s usually the sheriff’s office,” she said. Warden said sheriff’s office officials would get called out for stray animals in the county, and they would bring those animals to the shelter.
Source: Liberal First
Ellis County Celebrates Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library 200 Millionth Book Milestone
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is turning over a new chapter in the Imagination Library legacy — celebrating 200 million books gifted globally since inception in 1995. The early childhood book-gifting program mails a high-quality, free book each month to children from birth to age five. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation, which sponsors the program, and local partner, Ellis County Imagination Library, are excited to celebrate with every child and family enrolled locally. In July, 921 children who live in Ellis County were enrolled in the Imagination Library, which has been available in the county since 2012. To celebrate this global 200 million book milestone, seven enchanting Dolly bookmarks will be randomly hidden inside Imagination Library books gifted during International Literacy Month (September) to children currently enrolled in the program. (Children must be enrolled by July 31 to receive Imagination Library books in September).
Source: Hays Daily News
Hesston gets into Pizza business but debate comes with extra sauce
The City of Hesston’s going into the pizza business. The City Council approved purchasing a $9,414 Pizza Oven in order to operate a Godfathers Pizza ToGo location at the Hesston City Golf Course. City Administrator Gary Emry discussed the idea as a way to fill the gap left by of D’Angelos closing in Hesston, draw in eaters to the golf course, and make some money. … Council Member Larry Fuqua wanted to know if the City could get a Godfather’s sign. He was told he could. “We could get Larry dressed up as the Godfather,” Mayor David Kauffman joked of possible marketing for the location.
Source: Harvey County Now
Municipal Bond Trends for July 10, 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.
Phase 3 of Manhattan Regional Airports Runway Project has been pushed back
Phase 3 of Manhattan Regional Airport’s Runway Project has been pushed back. Airport Director Brandon Keazer says this is due to recent weather conditions. Keazer says the contractor is working quickly to make up lost time and will most likely finish phase 3 before August 2. Additionally, Keazer says the delay will not affect the start date of phase 4. The Manhattan Regional Airport services will resume early September.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Girard Public Library hosts backyard chicken workshop
The Girard Public Library, in collaboration with the Wildcat Extension District, is hosting an event titled “Backyard Chickens & Incubating Eggs.” Organizers say the presentation was by Adaven Scronce from K-State Research & Extension. The event covered topics such as caring for chickens, housing requirements and design, and the fundamentals of incubating eggs.
Source: KOAM News