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Municipal News & Jobs

Municipal News & Jobs2026-08-07T10:07:18-05:00

Kansas Municipal News

Kansas to increase wastewater testing for covid-19

The state is expanding its testing of wastewater to predict the coronavirus. The testing helps show where the virus is commonly found and how it spreads across the state. KDHE plans to expand water testing to 95 rural counties and Johnson and Wyandotte County to help predict the next spike in coronavirus cases. According to the state’s top doctor, the testing can help identify the virus up to a week before it shows in the case numbers.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Derby’s next plan for the future puts deeper emphasis on mixed-used development, walkability

A 40-year comprehensive plan being developed by Derby city leaders takes input from residents gathered through community events and online engagement. It’s a roadmap designed to help guide city decisions and policy, as well as a helpful tool for developers to find inspiration for growth. It replaces the last one adopted in 2006. “There’s been a lot learned and a lot done in communities all over the country and really all over the world that we’re learning from people’s mistakes, capturing the best practices and trying to accomplish that here in Derby,” city planner Scott Knebel said.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Gardner city council discusses, amends social media policy

Gardner’s social media policy was amended by the council at their Oct. 5 council meeting. The changes to the policy give the city administrator and public information officer more authority to oversee social media for boards, commissions, committees, the city Council and mayor. … Amended language to the policy includes allowing the city administrator or public information officer to contact an elected or appointed official requesting they stop commenting on a particular issue.
Source: Gardner News

Wichita State releases 2021 employment forecasts for Kansas and Wichita

Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research has released updated employment forecasts for Kansas, Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City. Total employment in Kansas increased to 1,423,200 workers in 2019, with 0.5% growth, as unemployment declined 3.2%, its lowest level since 1978.  Nine consecutive years of declines in unemployment ended in the second quarter of 2020, as employment fell 8% in the second quarter of 2020.  This was the single largest one-quarter drop in state history, with a reduction in employment of more than 113,000 workers. 
Source: KSN-TV

Renowned architect Moshe Safdie remembers Exploration Place as ‘a seminal project’

World-renowned architect Moshe Safdie probably could be forgiven if he didn’t remember many details of his time in Wichita designing Exploration Place two decades ago. After all, the 82-year-old has gone on to do acclaimed, massive international projects in many more exotic places, such as Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport and its Marina Bay Sands development, Brazil’s Albert Einstein Education and Research Center and Israel’s Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Still, Safdie not only has what he called vivid memories of his time in Wichita, he regularly checks back on Exploration Place.
Source: Carrie Rengers: Business Columns & Blogs |

Shawnee County makes $93,000 investment in mail-in ballot equipment

Shawnee County Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a ballot sorting machine and scanner to aid the elections office with the “record number” of mail-in ballot requests. Election commissioner Andrew Howell said at the Oct. 8 county commissioners meeting, 701 N. Kansas Ave., the county already received over 20,000 requests for mail in ballots, which is a sharp increase from the 8,000 requests in 2016. Howell said the sorting machine will increase the efficiency of ballot sorting, and the scanner will help the county match signatures on ballots with election office records. If any signature is not similar, election office staff will review the signature to determine its authenticity.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Saint Luke’s to close community hospitals in Overland Park

Saint Luke’s Health System says it will close its two community hospitals in Overland Park at the end of the year. Both hospitals opened just a couple of years ago. The health system, which took over management of Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola in July,  said declining patient volumes were behind the decision. “Overall, our community hospital model has performed remarkably well and has allowed us to effectively expand access in a critical segment of our market,” Bobby Olm-Shipman, CEO of Saint Luke’s South and East, said in a statement.
Source: The Iola Register

South central Kansas could provide new Space Command headquarters

At the start of September, four Kansas cities were announced as potential sites for the new U.S. Space Command headquarters – with Derby and Wichita among that short list. The U.S. Air Force announced its search for a new location for Space Command – currently operating out of Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. – back in May, distributing screening information to governors across the country. Criteria in order to be considered included being within the top 150 metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S., being within 25 miles of a military base and scoring at least 50 points (out of 100) on a livability matrix created by the American Association of Retired Persons.
Source: Derby Informer | News

After repeated warnings, Topeka police make camping violation arrest

Topeka police on Wednesday arrested a man they said repeatedly refused to stop violating a city ordinance by camping beneath the Interstate 470 overpass that crosses over Wanamaker Road, where he was blocking the sidewalk. Eugene Frank Richardson, 63, was being held on a $500 bond Thursday after being booked at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday into the Shawnee County Jail in connection with unlawful camping in public infrastructure, according to jail records. The arrest came in connection with an alleged violation of an ordinance Topeka’s mayor and city council approved last December banning camping in some locations.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Casino in Park City moves forward with construction

Construction for a casino in Park City is right on schedule. …managers expect to open in mid-January.  The Wyandotte Nation purchased the land of about 100 acres nearly 30 years ago. Some people in Park City tell us the opening of Crosswinds Casino could not have come at a better time. “I do think it would bring in some money and give a lot of jobs which this town needs bad,” says Debra Cimmiyotti, Park City resident.
Source: KAKE – News

Over 70,000 Kansas families may finally get broadband through $50M in COVID grants

After years of unreliable service, more than 70,000 households across Kansas could finally gain access to high speed internet. The access will come from 67 public and private projects funded by nearly $50 million in federal coronavirus relief grants, Gov. Laura Kelly announced at a news conference Thursday. An additional $85 million will be spent over the next 10 years on improving statewide internet access through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy program, Kelly said.
Source: KC Star Local News

Seeds for this tree have been to the Moon; now it’s planted in Hutchinson, Kansas

Last week, Hutchinson’s “moon tree” finally took its place on 11th Avenue. The seeds traveled to the Moon, became trees growing across the U.S., and descendants are still planted today in all corners of the earth. Locally, Hutchinson’s young tree waited patiently in Carla Stanfield’s office at the Cosmosphere — the coronavirus pandemic pushed back plans to plant the tree during the Apollo mission anniversary events this spring. “Alright, little moon tree,” the public relations coordinator laughed as she patted soil around the root ball. “You get to be a real tree now.”
Source: News – The Hutchinson News

Plumbers frustrated by amendment that could take away business

Plumbers filled the aisles at Topeka City Council to voice frustration over a quickly approved change to the International Plumbing Code in August. Last month, plumbers said, a change in plumbing code that could take away business from plumbers was approved too quickly. The amendments allow for other contractors, such as excavators, to do work that was exclusively done by plumbers, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Sept. 13.
Source: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal

Hutchinson OKs code to allow enforcement of mask rule

The Hutchinson City Council adopted updated municipal codes on Tuesday that will enable enforcement of age restrictions on buying e-cigarettes and open the door to local enforcement of a mask mandate – if Reno County should adopt one. City attorney Paul Brown explained to the council that the city considers updates to the Uniform Public Offense Code for Cities annually. There were only a few recommended changes to the code this year since the Kansas Legislature didn’t change any laws last session.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Federal judge tosses challenge to Kansas electioneering law

A federal judge dismissed Wednesday a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of state law restricting electioneering at polling places. The suit was brought by the state chapter of the ACLU on behalf of groups who contended their free speech rights were limited by the law, which bars promoting a candidate within 250 feet of a polling place. It argued that some local election officials, notably former Johnson County Election Commissioner Ronnie Metsker, who was named in the suit, were using the law to stamp out other political speech, including non-partisan activism, near polling places. In dismissing the case District Judge Holly Teeter noted that all 50 states had similar laws, which also limit the displaying of signs and other campaign materials near election sites.
Source: State Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal

JoCo finalizes $35 million COVID-19 aid package that includes help for small businesses, renters

After months of research and meetings, Johnson County leaders have settled on a $35 million package of pandemic relief that includes small business grants, rent and workforce assistance, as well as money to improve digital access. The county’s aid package also takes aim at aging and mental health needs, as well as arts, business and child care. The spending will account for about a third of the $116.3 million the county got in federal pandemic relief funds through the CARES Act, along with another $7 million from the state to address economic struggles caused by the pandemic.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Wichita updates guidelines for economic growth

Wichita city council members have approved some changes and updates to the city’s policy to promote and encourage economic growth and development. The policy covers incentives, tax abatements, financing districts and other programs offered by the city.   Council member Bryan Frye said the policy will make incentives more available to small businesses, and he feels the city will see its greatest growth with small businesses.   Frye said the policy will also allow the city to leverage state and federal incentives to encourage more investment in Wichita.    He said another feature of the policy will encourage more development of office space. Council member James Clendenin said he sees a potential for the policy to encourage more investment in areas of the city that have been declining, and he said developers should begin looking at opportunities in these areas.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Houses selling in days as inventory reaches record tightness in Newton

If you want to buy a house in Newton, good luck. Two years ago, local realtors bemoaned the tightness of the housing market with only 70 homes up for sale. Today there’s 32 homes not under contract in the city of nearly 20,000. For context, there’s 8,237 units in Newton. “I get hit up and people say there’s an awful lot of (for sale) signs up,” local realtor Arlan Newell of J.P. Weigand said. “Well, half of them are sold.”
Source: Harvey County Now

Kansas legislators, governor extend COVID-19 disaster declaration to Nov. 15

Gov. Laura Kelly and legislators on the State Finance Council avoided political fireworks Wednesday to authorize extension until Nov. 15 of the statewide disaster declaration instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. An official declaration is necessary to sustain work of state agencies collaborating with counties to deliver personal protective equipment, operate a 65,000-meal per day food pantry, support temporary housing and transport testing materials. Lack of a declaration could impede the state’s ability to handle 870,000 test kits scheduled to be sent to Kansas by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said Kansas National Guard Maj. Gen. David Weishaar.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ellinwood Fire Department damaged when speeding truck hits it

Authorities said a truck hit the Ellinwood Fire Department late Tuesday night. The driver was heading westbound on U.S. 56 and going over 100 mph. The building and two fire trucks were destroyed. The driver was transported to a Wichita hospital with a broken hip.
Source: KSN-TV

USDA Invests $781,127 in Rural Health Care in Barton County

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $781,127 to provide telemedicine software and equipment to ensure equitable health care access in central Kansas. … “Collaboration and strategic planning are at the heart of Barton County’s success, and this project speaks to our administrative ability to put long-term planning into action,” said Sue Cooper, Barton County Grant Coordinator. “Living in rural Kansas means we need to act cooperatively for the prosperity and well-being of our residents.” This Rural Development investment will help Barton County and three other Kansas counties establish telehealth programs that connect vulnerable populations to vital services that address public health needs and substance use disorder treatment. The grant will connect existing county services to critical healthcare providers. The interactive equipment will allow Barton and Ellsworth County jails remote access to nursing and physician services and decrease the costs associated with transporting inmates. Clients of the Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, and Stafford County Health Departments will access public health services remotely. Central Kansas Community Corrections and the Twentieth Judicial District Juvenile Services will be able to provide vital counseling, treatment, and educational programs that address substance use disorder. The program will create regional access to essential healthcare services and improve patient outcomes.

USDA Invests $40,000 in Community Infrastructure in Norton

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $40,000 toward new patrol vehicles and equipment for the City of Norton Law Enforcement Department. … The city of Norton will use a $40,000 grant to assist with the purchase of two new patrol vehicles and related equipment. The vehicles will provide law enforcement services for nearly 3,000 people in the Norton area. This public safety partnership is made possible by the additional contribution by the City of Norton of $35,000.

USDA Invests $501,956 in Distance Learning in Labette County, Will Benefit USD 506

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $501,956 to provide interactive video conferencing equipment to allow access to students in rural Kansas. … This Rural Development investment will help Labette County provide interactive video conferencing equipment to Unified School District 506. The equipment enables the distribution of high-quality curricular instruction allowing access for students in rural Kansas.

USDA Invests $50,000 in Community Infrastructure in Caney, Kansas

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $50,000 toward a new ambulance for the city of Caney, Kan. … The city of Caney will use a $50,000 grant to assist with the purchase of a new ambulance. The ambulance will provide emergency medical care for over 2,200 people in the Caney area. This public safety partnership is made possible by the additional contribution through a commercial lender of $129,083.

Lawrence City Commission votes to prohibit certain Airbnbs and other short-term rentals

City leaders voted Tuesday to prohibit most Airbnbs and other short-term rentals where the property owner lives elsewhere. As part of its regular meeting, the Lawrence City Commission voted 3-1, with Mayor Jennifer Ananda absent and Vice Mayor Brad Finkeldei opposing, to prohibit non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in neighborhoods that are zoned for single-family homes, allowing them only in residential areas zoned as multi-family and in specific types of properties. City code already allows short-term rentals where the homeowner rents out a room or section of the house, or where the owner rents out the entire house while continuing to live there most of the year. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the commission also voted to expand the definition of owner-occupied short-term rentals to include duplexes and properties that have accessory dwelling units — such as mother-in-law suites or converted carriage houses — as long as the person operating the rental lives in one of the dwellings on the site.
Source: LJWorld.com.

JoCo museum’s Latino initiative aims to uncover roots of population with rich culture

Latino communities have been part of the Johnson County community for a long time, and the county’s museum is aiming to include their stories. In addition to the stories, the Johnson County Museum’s Latino Collecting Initiative is looking for photos, ephemera and other artifacts from families and organizations. Last fall, when the museum hosted its first Hispanic heritage event, Curator of Collections Anne Jones asked people to share their stories. “We really did not get a lot of response right away. I think one of the challenges is there are some folks … we need to make a connection with,” she said. “We can’t sit back on our haunches and wait for people to call. We have to go out and find stories.”
Source: Joco 913 News

Both Reno County and Hutchinson Regional Medical Center reach new positive COVID-19 highs

Both Reno County and Hutchinson Regional Medical Center are experiencing their highest levels of COVID-19 infection since the pandemic arrived in the county in March, health officials reported on Tuesday. The hospital had 13 patients confirmed with the Sars-CoV-2 virus admitted to ICU or the hospital’s COVID ward, including two people who are on ventilators, reported hospital vice president Chuck Welch. “We’ve had spikes in the past,” Welch said. “We’ve talked about the nature of the different courses of how different people are affected and how infections fluctuate quickly. From Tuesday to Tuesday, we can go from 10 to two. But as of the report today, this is the most in-house patients we’ve had.”
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News

Kansas is a state full of sun, but ranks 43rd in solar generation

Kansas is one of the 10 sunniest states and has comparable solar power potential to Florida, averaging more than 200 sunny days a year. Yet, Kansas ranks 43rd in solar generation this year, with only 0.23% of the state’s electricity coming from solar, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, a nonprofit trade organization. The state also has little investment in solar generation on the utility-scale, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In a study done for the state Legislature on electric rates, an engineering firm found that solar has many positives for the state, consumers and utility companies, including reducing carbon emissions, lowering bills, and reducing transmission line losses, as the electricity would be locally generated.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

KDOT boosts rural towns, farmers with grants for small railroads

The Kansas Department of Transportation awarded $5 million in grants to 13 small rail road related projects. On Oct. 6, Gov. Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced the recipients of KDOT’s Short Line Rail Fund program. Four projects were awarded to short line railroads and nine projects were awarded to grain elevators. The program is a partnership between the public and private sector, as applicants are required to provide 30% in matching funds. This year’s selected projects will improve and/or construct nearly 15 miles of track totaling a $7 million investment. “This will help a lot of small towns and small elevators,” said Ron Seeber, president and CEO of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association. “This will allow farmers to get their products onto the rail car and have it sold more efficiently.”
Source: News – The Hays Daily News

Economic forecast out Wednesday as Wichita looks to grow small business

The Economic outlook for greater Wichita 2020 comes out this week and it is expected to show the 4th quarter will start moving in the right direction. City leaders approved a first look at an incentives package for businesses Tuesday. But it’s not the big job creation entities they are targeting with the incentives. “Think small,” said council member James Clendenin. “In a big way.” Clendenin says small businesses are a big push for the city right now to grow the economy and add jobs. Incentives will differ based on how many jobs will be created by each small business and what investments will be made.
Source: KSN-TV

$105,000 city of Emporia grant will expand coronavirus testing

A grant of $105,000 from the city of Emporia will make a collaboration between Newman Regional Health and the Lyon County Public Health possible. The partnership will enable expanded coronavirus testing capabilities for asymptomatic close contacts of coronavirus positive individuals. “Testing is an essential tool in the fight against COVID-19,” said Jennifer Millbern, Environmental Health Director for Lyon County Public Health.  “This partnership allows us to quickly identify cases from close contact exposures and break the chain of transmission of the virus.” In accordance with CDC recommendations, Lyon County Public Health’s disease investigation and contact tracing will identify situations that have the potential to turn into an outbreak.
Source: KSNT News

Merriam streamlines solar installation permit process for residents

Merriam residents wanting to add solar installations to their homes will no longer have to go before the planning commission. Three months after the initial discussion, the Merriam City Council last week approved amendments to its solar installation ordinance. The amendments streamline the solar panel collection systems permitting process, meaning residents have more opportunities to take advantage of solar energy. Councilmember Whitney Yadrich, a key player in getting the solar installation ordinance reviewed and ultimately approved, told the Shawnee Mission Post the city is “actively creating equity opportunities” for residents — and she’s ready to see where the city goes next.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Getting ‘uncomfortable,’ OP City Council weighs systemic racism and city policy

Overland Park city councilmembers spent some time reflecting at a workshop Monday on how they can address systemic racism in city policies. As the one-and-a-half hour session ended, they offered a variety of ideas from writing a comprehensive plan to getting more diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. “I think it’s very good that we’re having this discussion,” said Councilmember Chris Newlin. The workshop, which took place before the regular city council meeting Monday evening, was led by Shannon Portillo, associate professor of the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Lawrence City Commission supports extending downtown program that allows expanded outdoor dining, sales

City leaders expressed strong support Tuesday for extending a program that has allowed downtown businesses to repurpose sidewalks and parking near their storefronts for outdoor dining and other uses. As part of its regular meeting, the Lawrence City Commission directed city staff to draft changes to city code that would extend the temporary downtown right-of-way program well beyond its original expiration date of Oct. 31. All four commissioners present — Mayor Jennifer Ananda was absent — agreed that they would like to see the program extended through the end of 2021, and some said they would be interested in making it a permanent option.
Source: LJWorld.com.

USDA Invests $50,000 in Community Infrastructure in Rice County, Kansas

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $50,000 toward new and improved fire engines for Rice County Rural Fire District No.1. … Rice County will use a $50,000 grant to assist with the purchase of six engine/pumpers and build two additional engine/pumpers out of the vehicles being replaced. These vehicles will be used in Rice County and portions of Ellsworth and Reno Counties. Through mutual aid agreements with surrounding communities these fire engines could serve as far as 150 miles from Rice County. The new fire engines will provide fire protection services for the nearly 11,800 people. This public safety partnership is made possible by the additional contributions of the Rice County Rural Fire District No. 1, contributing $600,000, and Rice County, contributing $777,247.

Kansas coronavirus hospitalizations set new pandemic record

Kansas health officials report a new pandemic record for average daily hospitalizations. The state had an average of 26.29 new coronavirus hospitalizations per day for the seven days ending Monday. The previous high was 23.86 for the seven days ending Friday. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also reported that the state saw 1,597 new confirmed and probable cases since Friday, an increase of 2.5%, bringing the total cases to 62,708. The state health department also reported eight new COVID-19-related deaths since Friday, bringing the total to 706.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Kansas’ rural legacy needs participation

The state’s Office of Rural Prosperity and the Kansas Sampler Foundation announced an important partnership over the summer that may have gone overlooked by some. Kansas Power Up and Go is targeted at young professionals and aims to collect information about how they want to live and work — all with the goal of revitalizing our state’s rural areas. It’s a most worthwhile goal. After all, Kansas is a state with a storied legacy of farms and frontier families, folks braving the odds to create new lives for themselves on the plains. Our state’s history is one of determination and bravery, and of embracing this unique, windswept place.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Tourism takes a hit in Wichita metro area from COVID-19

Visit Wichita is reporting tourism is down roughly $18 Million. But there is room for optimism as some of it is bouncing back after taking a hit from COVID-19. The Allen House in Wichita, a rare Frank Lloyd Wright home completed in 1918, is seeing tourism come back. But they have taken a hit on both fundraising and fees from visitors. “It’s coming back, yes,” said Amy Reep, Ops Manager at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Allen House. “We are doing events, but won’t have a couple hundred people at a time here to enjoy the home.”
Source: KSN-TV

Committee to review Topeka police policies

The Police and Community committee will begin reviewing police training procedures as it highlights four key areas of police policy to focus on. Committee members Karen Hiller, Sylvia Ortiz and Mike Padilla all agreed to review Topeka police’s use of force training, standard interactions and bias profiling, escalation and de-escalation tactics, and duty to intervene. Ortiz said these are the first four topics and is not the full scope of what the committee will review. “We have good officers, we have bad officers. We have good individuals, we have bad individuals,” said Ortiz, who also serves as the committee chair. “I am just tired of the back and forth and pointing of the finger… Let’s dig into this and see what the outcome is going to be.”
Source: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal

More Kansas counties enter COVID school red zone — but case rates improved statewide

More Kansas counties have moved into the red zone of the school reopening criteria due to high numbers of coronavirus cases. The addition of more counties to the list comes as the Wichita area and statewide rates for new cases compared to population improved last week. Sedgwick County is one of 75 counties in the red zone of the incidence rate, Kansas Department of Health and Environment data shows. That is 10 more counties in the worst school reopening zone than a week ago. Only three of the state’s 105 counties are in the least-restrictive green zone, which had seven counties last week.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

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