Kansas Municipal News
New Superintendent hired after busy month for South Brown County School District
The South Brown County School Board met seven times over the course of the month of May after the resignation of Superintendent Jason Cline. The district has hired Dr. Rebecca Kramer as the district’s new superintendent starting July 1st, 2023. A 28-year educator, Kramer most recently served as the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at the Seaman Public School District in Topeka. Dr. Kramer, who graduated from Jefferson West High School, received her Bachelor’s degree in Education and Masters in Educational Leadership from Washburn University, moving on to earn her Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Kansas.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com
Kansas Office of Broadband seeking help with online speed test
Kansas Office of Broadband needs your help to identify gaps in internet coverage across the state. They need to know where you have connection, as well as what speeds you’re experiencing. Let’s make sure our communities have the resources they need to thrive in the 21st century. Head over to broadbandks.com to take a quick speed test and survey to help figure out where we need upgrades. It only takes a few minutes and it’s a big help. Join in helping the Kansas Office of Broadband bridge the digital divide and ensure reliable broadband internet for everyone. Take a few minutes to complete their online speed test and survey at www.broadbandks.com.
Small Kansas airports fighting to get SkyWest Charter
SkyWest submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) almost a year ago requesting commuter authority. “We are pleading with the DOT to take action and allow SWC to serve the airports in our region,” Corey Keller, the director of public works for Dodge City. The Department of Transportation has not approved that application yet. Small Kansas airports such as Dodge City, Salina, Hays and Liberal say getting this application approved is crucial to their airports and communities. Keller says without SkyWest Charter (SWC), the next steps are unclear. “If SkyWest charter is not approved, there’s the possibility of, you know, no air service, so going to rebid looking for other airlines, and there’s just not a lot out there right now that can provide a good, reliable, safe service. So, the biggest impact is the possibility of losing a good air carrier like we have right now,” Keller said.
Source: KSN-TV
Ozawkie celebrates its unusual heritage
Ozawkie, Kansas, celebrated its heritage this weekend. The small town put on its third annual festival that recognizes the original town of Ozawkie. The town was moved to its current spot after Kansas decided to make the Perry Lake dam in 1965. The festival included food vendors, face painting, games, old memorabilia from the original town and a special performance by Topeka High School’s marching band. The festival also gave local businesses a chance to sell their products.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Washunga Days set for this weekend in Council Grove
Council Grove will be the center stage for Washunga Days Friday and Saturday. The event will take place along the Neosho Riverwalk. Even with activities going into full force on Friday, there’s a free community event that’ll kick things off Thursday according to event organizer Jesse Knight.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Split Shawnee council agrees to put parks and pipes sales tax up for renewal vote
Shawnee voters will be asked to renew the city’s special sales taxes during the upcoming general election this November. After a prolonged back and forth Monday night, the Shawnee City Council voted 4-3 to renew the 1/8-cent sales sales tax, often referred to as the “parks and pipes” tax. Previously, the council seemed poised to pursue a new tax in lieu of a renewal. Such a step — had the council opted to take it — would have allowed the city to use revenue from the sales tax for some parks operations in some situations.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Marshall County to get updated 911 system
Marshall County is preparing to switch to the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council’s New Generation Call Handling System. Michelle Reinhart, a terminal access coordinator for the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, led the discussion about the new system at Monday’s county commissioners’ meeting. … Marshall County is the one of the last two counties in the state to join the system. “We are excited,” Reinhart said. “It’s $18,000 a year. It will come out of 911 monies. We will never replace another piece of equipment. We will never update mapping again.” An automatically updated statewide map will enable dispatchers to locate 911 callers more quickly. Additional location-gathering tools are included in the system.
Source: The Marysville Advocate
Sedgwick County firefighters take additional steps to protect both themselves and drivers
A new digital alert system is protecting firefighters and drivers alike. Sedgwick County firefighters have begun using HAAS Alert Service’s Safety Cloud to not only protect themselves but also to protect drivers. The digital alert system lets drivers know 30 seconds ahead of time when there is an emergency situation ahead. “Digital alerts are found to be 90 percent effective in reducing collisions compared to just lights and sirens,” said Vice President of Communications for HAAS Alert Brock Aun. According to Aun, most firefighters said they would rather go into a burning building than stop on the side of the road. “They can control a fire but they can’t control drivers,” he said.
Source: KAKE – News
Local businesses in Pittsburg brace for economic impact as students leave for summer
Perla Garcia, owner of a local business by Pittsburg State, would have felt the impacts of students not being in town if it wasn’t for one thing – she sells ice cream. While the students are her main clients, the frozen goods keep her busy when the warmer temperatures come around. But summer doesn’t work in every business’s favor. With only 20% of the 5,600 Pittsburg State students being local, businesses in the city need to find strategies for when the non-local students leave. The Kelce Business and Economic Research Center estimates that there’s a decline of more than 22.8 million dollars in student spending during the summer, in Pittsburg. Knowing that, business owners adopt different strategies to minimize the economic impact — from selling seasonal items like ice cream to changing their business hours.
Source: KOAM News
Pittsburg commission asked to rescind support of US-69
During the public comments segment at the beginning of Tuesday evening’s city commission meeting in Pittsburg, a half-dozen residents came forward to plead their case and ask the commission to rescind its 2001 support of a new US-69 bypass along the route proposed by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). The proposed new route, known as the West Alignment, has been a heated topic in Crawford County in recent weeks. Beginning a few miles north of Arma, the new bypass would run roughly parallel to 200th Street to US-400. Access to this bypass would be limited. The current kerfuffle was sparked by a $13 million grant from the federal government to be used in improving US-69 secured by Senator Jerry Moran. KDOT has begun to move forward on one of the key access points to the new bypass, extending US-160 west two miles from its current junction with US-69 near the state park in Frontenac. This extension runs through newly constructed homes and runs dangerously close to the small community of Capaldo. Concerns that this road will sit for 20 years, largely unused, while KDOT comes up with the $1 billion to finish the project have earned this extension the sobriquet of the “highway to nowhere.”
Source: Morning Sun
Chanutes 150th anniversary event planned
Chanute’s 150th celebration and downtown block party is coming up. The downtown block party to celebrate Chanute’s founding is planned for 2-8 p.m. Saturday, July 1. The city of Chanute was established in 1873. “It’s an afternoon of free, family-friendly activity,” said Mayor Jacob LaRue on Monday. “So it’s awesome what’s going to happen.” Inspyral Circus will perform and kids can participate in rock painting and a kids dash for cash. There also will be food trucks at the event. SEK Princesses will appear 4:30-6 p.m.
Source: The Chanute Tribune
0.25% sales tax question will be on November ballot in Chanute
Voters in November will decide the fate of renewing a 0.25% sales tax question that would benefit economic development and infrastructure efforts in Chanute. On Monday, the Chanute City Commission unanimously approved a resolution in order to place the question on the upcoming November ballot. “I think it hits all the points we’ve been discussing,” said Mayor Jacob LaRue. “I think it’s nice to have a consensus on the question.” If the sales tax question is approved, it will help the city maintain municipal buildings and further economic development initiatives in Chanute.
Source: The Chanute Tribune
Municipal Bond Trends for June 15, 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.
Installation of permanent pickleball courts approved in Salina
One of the fastest-growing sports in the world has already made its way to Salina, but players here will now have a permanent outdoor place after pickleball court overlays are coming to Oakdale Park. The move comes after approval by the Salina City Commission to award a bid for the project in the amount of $444,762 and approval to accept donated funds to pay for it. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hammond said pickleball has already been happening on the south courts in Oakdale Park, with temporary nets placed and lines painted for that use, but a more permanent option was wanted.
Source: Salina Journal
Reno County Commissioners look into changing fireworks regulations
All five commissioners asked the county administrator, Randy Partington, to draft a new plan for fireworks rules. The county already has rules for fireworks only going off from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. from June 30 to July 4. The commissioners want to keep those regulations but strike some of the other restrictions and go to “lawful state fireworks” rules. Reno County Counselor Patrick Hoffman said that fireworks emitting a shower of sparks more than sixfeet are prohibited under the current county resolution. Commissioners directed Hoffman to draft anupdated resolution allowing such fireworks.
Source: Hutch News
Nitrates found in Yoder water again
Nitrate levels have once again risen above allowable limits in the Yoder area. Residents are asked again to limit water usage, especially for infants under 6 months old and those who are pregnant. Reno County Public Works is currently in discussions with the City of Hutchinson regarding the purchasing of water for Yoder. The last nitrate level test, in Rural Water District 101, was collected on June 6, 2023. The level tested at 11.2 mg/L, which exceeds the Kansas and Federal (EPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 mg/L for public water supply systems.
Source: Hutch News
Municipal Bond Trends for June 14, 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.
Walmart to Build $257M Case-Ready Beef Facility Create 667 New Jobs in Olathe
Governor Laura Kelly today announced Walmart will build its first-ever fully owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe. The retailer will invest $257 million in the plant and create 667 new permanent jobs. Construction of the facility will also create 1,000 design, fabrication, and construction jobs. “Thanks to our work to make Kansas a top food and agriculture state, companies continue to invest in our communities and create high-paying jobs for Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Walmart’s innovative new facility will support a more prosperous future for Olathe, for the Kansas City metro, and for our state as a whole.” The opening of the 330,000-square-foot facility will further Walmart’s efforts in creating an end-to-end supply chain for high-quality Angus beef while increasing transparency and capacity in its supply chain to deliver high-quality products for its customers in the Midwest.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Harvey County pledges $250000 for grant application with IdeaTek
After much discussion, the Harvey County Commissioners approved a motion to commit $250,000 in matching grant money to partner with IdeaTek in applying for the Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connection (LINC) grant through the Kansas Department of Commerce. The motion also included providing a letter of support. It was approved by a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Becky Reimer voting against. During the weekly commissioners meeting, Ethan Kaplan, a representative from IdeaTek, requested that the county partner with them in the application in order to enhance their chances of being successful. Kaplan told the commissioners that the total project, which includes three towers and 460 homes, will cost $5.25 million. The grant request is $4.6 million, and the required match is $460,000, but IdeaTek is including $650,000 in matching funds to improve the chances of their project being selected. The addition of the county’s pledge of $250,000 will bring total matching funds to $900,000 and give IdeaTek and Harvey County a strong chance at being successful in their application, according to Kaplan.
Source: Harvey County Now
Wichita temporarily drops aptitude test for police officers amid recruiting slump
The Wichita Police Department has temporarily lowered its standards at a time when it is struggling to recruit officers, a move that appears to conflict with a report that found a lack of minimum standards was sowing discontent within the ranks. The Wichita City Council has approved funding for more officers than the department has been able to recruit and hire. But the police union says lowering entry standards isn’t the answer. At issue is an aptitude test given to police recruits as an entry exam that was recently — and quietly — eliminated by the department after consultation with new Human Resources Director Jason Hood. The change wasn’t announced until the city released a dashboard tracking its progress on a list of changes recommended by national police consultant firm Jensen Hughes.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle