Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Supreme Court issues opinion justifying law enforcement’s search of a vehicle as it explores a range of cases raising constitutional issues.
Read more: www.derbyinformer.com – RSS Results in news,news/* of type article

Bourbon County Commissioners reviewed a proposed noise ordinance during a special meeting Thursday night, ultimately agreeing to have the county counselor review the ordinance and discuss the matter further during their regular meeting Monday.
Read more: Fort Scott Tribune Headlines

The Overland Park Police Department and other local first responder agencies have rolled out a new program designed to help individuals who are neurodivergent better communicate with first responders in emergencies. The idea is to allow individuals who are neurodivergent — that is, people who have autism or other neurological function differences, like ADHD or ADD — to voluntarily place reflective stickers provided by the police department above the lock on a front door. That way, if a first responder comes to their residence, they will be better informed of the needs of the individual they are trying to help. Additionally, the police department started a blue envelope program, which is intended to provide the same kind of information but at traffic stops. (An individual can hand a blue envelope to a first responder and provide information about an individual’s specific needs.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Residential streets around Prairie Village are peppered with lawn signs with vague political slogans about the issues facing city hall. Some blue signs with a yellow stripe plead with neighbors, “Stop the drama. Vote no.” Across the street, there might be a house with a red sign that says, “Less division, more consensus. Vote yes! A better way for PV.” The signs refer to the single question that will appear on Prairie Village ballots this year, and it’s seemingly a big one. “Shall the City of Prairie Village, Kansas abandon the mayor-council form of government?”
Read more: Johnson County Post

The national morning show Fox & Friends featured Abilene, Kansas, this morning in its Main Street U.S.A. segment, sharing with more than 1.3 million viewers why Abilene continues to shine as one of America’s Best Small Towns to Visit. Former Abilene resident and Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy returned home to highlight the people, places, and pride that make Abilene special. More than 200 residents lined the streets for the live broadcast, which showcased the community’s historic downtown, locally owned businesses, and patriotic spirit.
Read more: KCLY Radio

It’s just about lunch time at the Goddard Senior Center when a familiar face walks in. Melvin Ormiston is here for a fresh meal and the smiles and conversation that come with it. “I started coming here about six months ago,” said Ormiston, whose wife passed away last year. “It gets me out of the house, and most of the meals are very good.” Ormiston is one of thousands of senior center members in Sedgwick County. The centers date back to the early 1980s, when voters approved a ballot initiative by nearly 2-to-1 to fund aging services. Today, those centers provide services like meals, exercise classes and social events for people 55 and up. Members of the Sedgwick County Commission agree senior centers are essential services worth funding. What they haven’t been able to agree on over the years is how to fund them. With funds lagging behind inflation in recent budgets, officials are looking into new options for divvying up money to the county’s 19 senior centers.
Read more: KLC Journal

Pittsburg police, the Crawford County Mental Health Center, and the federal government team up to keep drugs off the streets. PPD was one of 4,500 nationwide sites for the bi-annual “Drug Take Back Day.” These events give people with unwanted or unused medication a chance to safely dispose of it. The drugs are collected on site, temporarily stored by the police department, and then collected by the DEA for incineration. And the “safe disposal” aspect of the day goes beyond keeping them out of the wrong hands.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

The Bourbon County Commission is considering a new ordinance that would limit noise in the county. This is the latest attempt to regulate noise surrounding a Bitcoin mining facility in Bourbon County. The facility holds several containers worth of computers constantly solving math equations to mine Bitcoin. The operation is powered by an industrial-sized generator with noise that ranges up to 80 decibels constantly — and a low-frequency hum which can be felt in the surrounding areas.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

A long running sales tax in Parsons is up for renewal in the November 4 election. The half cent sales tax which in question generates 1 million dollars a year for housing. City administrators say historically, the community has voted to keep this tax in place because it allows for lower property tax rates, helping with housing costs.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

A southeast Kansas police department is making its reality television debut. The Parsons Police Department is working with camera crews from the CW show 24/7 to document the day-to-day life of a handful of police officers in the city. Officers say the show’s producers are pleased with the content they’ve gotten so far, and plan to showcase Parsons in nine episodes of their upcoming season.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

LaHarpe residents will be asked to bring back a sales tax that would help fund upkeep of city streets. For 10 years, the city had a 1% tax before it expired earlier this year. But the tax expired after voters rejected a similar measure last November that would have extended the tax at a 1.5% rate for the next decade. The lost funding could not have come at a worse time, Mayor Mae Crowell said, because the city’s costs are skyrocketing.
Read more: The Iola Register

Basically what it’ll be able to do is pull opportunities for jobs, economic growth, feed into our database and basically be able to reach out directly (to alums) about opportunities.
Read more: CJonline

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

Allison Weil, a 911 dispatcher for Hutchinson-Reno County, was named the 2025 NiCE PSAP Telecommunicator of the Year. Her nomination stemmed from a call where she guided a young boy whose mother was having seizures.
Read more: Hutch News

The City of Coffeyville’s Public Service Team is excited to announce a brand-new service to assist residents with their fall cleanup — the Leaf Pick-Up Program, running now through the end of November. Residents who would like to take advantage of this service will need to complete the Leaf Removal Request Form, located on the City’s website. Here is the direct link to the form: www.coffeyville.com/forms.aspx?FID=99. (www.coffeyville.com) This new service makes disposing of fall leaves easier than ever. The Public Service crew will use a new leaf vac and leaf box to collect leaves piled along the curb. Residents do not need to bag their leaves — simply rake them into a pile by the curb, and the Public Service Team will take care of the rest.
Read more: Coffeyville, KS – News Flash

Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Secretary Calvin Reed today announced in Lindsborg nine new modernization and expansion highway projects. These projects, which represent a total investment of more than $442 million, are moving into the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE) construction pipeline. This is the fourth round of projects moved to KDOT’s construction pipeline under the Kelly administration’s bipartisan 10-year IKE program. 
Read more: Ad Astra Radio

Coffey County has declared a strong interest in becoming the home for the TerraPower Natrium reactor that is expected to be built in Kansas. The Coffey County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution of support and says that they will send letters of interest to both TerraPower and Evergy, the two companies involved in the construction of the new reactor.
Read more: www.emporiagazette.com/*

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is updating a process that allows people to legally take home deer killed in car crashes or other roadkill. But there are a few requirements to know before you get the call to salvage any game animals on the side of the road.
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV

The top state lawmaker in the Sunflower State expects a stadium proposal from the Kansas City Royals at an upcoming Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) meeting. In an interview with FOX4 Friday, Republican State Senate President Ty Masterson said it was his understanding the only site the Royals were considering on the Kansas side of state line was the old Sprint campus, now known as Aspiria.
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV

The big ball of twine in Cawker City. The giant Van Gogh painting in Goodland. The Big Brutus electric shovel in West Mineral. All are included on an elite list of quirky roadside attractions in Kansas that are famous for being unusually large. And all reside in Kansas towns that are unusually small. Now, a small town near Wichita is attempting to join that list, and it has until 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, to raise enough money to pull it off. The community foundation in Belle Plaine, a town of around 1,450 that’s 26 miles south of Wichita, is brewing a plan to bring down the town’s 112-year-old water tower — the closest thing the town has ever had to a skyscraper — and turn it into something a bit more ornamental.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

A split Wichita City Council rejected proposals Tuesday to protect tenants from income discrimination and to establish a registry of landlords with serial housing code violations. The proposed ordinances were defeated 4-3 after hours of passionate public comment from landlords, property owners and tenants. However, the council did vote 4-3 to move forward with consideration of an updated property enforcement code. The regulations, which would mandate sanitary conditions in rental units, are set to return to the council on Dec. 9.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

Douglas County commissioners voted to allow a proposed solar farm to begin environmental testing on land in Grant Township amid pending litigation and opposition from the township board. The county’s next step is to seek judicial review on the action. The 5-0 vote to approve all requests for environmental testing will now move to judicial review, as the commissioners want to ensure they are not violating an injunction that is currently prohibiting construction or land modification for the solar farm.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday voted 3-1 to end an impasse and approve raises for the firefighters union at the rate city staff members offered — less than the raises the union and an independent fact-finder had recommended. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical employees and City of Lawrence negotiators had agreed on most, but not all, aspects of the union’s 2026 contract. An impasse on wages reached the commission for a public hearing and final decision on Tuesday.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Marshall County voters will face a special question on the November 4 general election ballot regarding the sale of liquor by the drink in public establishments. The measure asks voters to decide whether to eliminate the current food sales requirement for venues that sell liquor by the drink. This change would allow establishments to sell alcoholic beverages without needing to meet a minimum percentage of revenue from food sales.
Read more: The Sunflower State Radio Network

The Riley County Jail has been operating close to its maximum capacity for several years, and this year has exceeded its population limit, with the average daily population increasing by 12% to 15% since 2019. Riley County Police Department Lt. Jason Deehr told the Riley County Law Enforcement Agency Board Monday that while the jail’s bed count for inmates is 147, its actual operational capacity according to the jail’s classification is 120. Deehr presented a graph showing the average daily population for 2025 as about 125 inmates. Though RCPD Director Brian Peete told the board Riley County enjoys a low crime rate and Maj. Brad Jager said crime is trending down, Deehr said the jail’s population trend is “exceeding national standards by far.”
Read more: themercury.com

While the sale of the Halstead Hospital, Halstead Inn, and Nun House was through a private transaction, Halstead city leadership, as well as representation from the Harvey County Economic Development Commission met with the new owners at certain points during negotiations while they were doing their due diligence regarding a potential purchase of the properties and provided background or other information related to the community or as requested, according to Halstead City Manager Ethan Reimer.
Read more: Harvey County Now

How should large, portable buildings, such as prefabricated sheds and workspaces, be valued and assessed for taxes in Jackson County? That question was discussed at a recent Jackson County Commission meeting with Kate Immenschuh, the county appraiser and zoning officer. More than 300 new agricultural structures in the county were identified from December 2021 to December 2024 through EagleView aerial imagery. Read more: The Holton Recorder

Community and municipal leaders, elected officials and water professionals from around Johnson County and the state of Kansas gathered Friday, Oct. 17, at the 2025 Johnson County Water Summit for a morning of learning and collaboration. The summit featured welcome remarks from Commissioner Becky Fast, Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, and Whitney Wilson, WaterOne Board Chair. It took place from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., in Overland Park.
Read more: Johnson County Kansas

Cities across Johnson County have spent the last several years and millions of dollars removing doomed ash trees that were dead or dying from emerald ash borer infestations. Now, some local foresters and arborists are warning that another illness could pose a threat to mature trees that line streets and provide shade in local yards. Oak wilt is a fungal infection that can rapidly wipe out an oak tree after it becomes infected. It harms a tree’s vascular system, tricking it into blocking its own water vessels, and the disease can spread to other trees through insects or underground root connections.
Read more: Johnson County Post

A multibillion development pipeline could reshape Western Wyandotte County. Here’s a look at six major real estate developments planned around the Kansas Speedway.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, alongside city officials, is exploring the possibility of bringing a next-generation nuclear power facility to Hutchinson, which could boost local economic growth and infrastructure. This interest follows TerraPower’s September 23 announcement of a memorandum of understanding with Evergy and the Kansas Department of Commerce to build a Natrium nuclear reactor somewhere in Evergy’s Kansas service area.
Read more: KCLY Radio

Companies are racing to roll out nuclear reactor designs that would be faster to build and could meet rising demand for energy from AI data centers. Two nuclear companies have proposals for new reactors in Kansas. Plus: Data centers are fundamentally changing the landscape for electric utilities in Missouri and beyond.
Read more: KCUR

A town hall meeting held Wednesday evening brought together leaders from the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public Schools. The goal was to give government representatives a chance to hear from the public on how the three agencies can collaborate. In attendance was Vernette Chance, a retired teacher, who says her biggest concern is special education.
Red more: KSN-TV

A potential change in the way Fort Scott handles public sales tax could mean more resources for first responders. First responders and city officials in Fort Scott are pushing for a reallocation of public sales tax funds, which will be voted on in the upcoming November elections.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Two different generations of Pittsburg residents are helping the city grow. City officials say they’ve been making a push to attract younger working professionals to Pittsburg, with new construction projects and high-quality businesses. More recently, the city reported an uptick in retirees moving to the city from out of state.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

A discussion to control the noise surrounding a Bitcoin mining facility in Bourbon County is tabled for now. A representative from Evolution Tech, the company behind the facility, was scheduled to make an appearance at today’s Bourbon County Commissioners meeting after several recent noise complaints. However, Commissioner Samuel Tran told us the company postponed its appearance. Tran says Evolution Tech has sought legal counsel to prepare for any questions commissioners or the public might ask.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

The Topeka City Council gave the Chief of Police permission to let officers in the department wear their uniform while off-duty. This new ordinance only applies to officers who are working security assignments on other jobs. The Topeka Police Department believes that communities will be safer if law enforcement, while working for private companies, are able to show the public that they are trained officers with the department.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Jackson County leaders are expressing their skepticism about the size of a proposed new solar facility in the local area. Jackson County’s Board of County Commissioners met on Monday, Oct. 20 to discuss plans for a new 500-megawatt renewable energy facility called Jeffrey Solar. The solar farm would be installed west of Holton and take up around 6,600 football fields of space. NextEra Energy Resources is the driving force behind the project, which promises to deliver a big investment into the county along with new jobs. However, NextEra’s plans are getting some pushback from county commissioners. “I have a trust issue,” said Jackson County Commissioner Keith Kelly. “You are talking about a large company, you’re talking about a small community, we don’t have a bank of attorneys, or funds, I don’t think any of us are in favor of anything larger than 2,000 acres.”
Read more: KSNT 27 News

After almost two years the Peabody City Council will start enforcing its rules on camping on owned properties. Scott Spunaugles and wife Kathy Crawley, received permission in January 2024, to live in a camper on their property in the 600 block of Sycamore St. for six months while remodeling their house. The council asked them to come back July 8 and provide an update.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Looking at economic data for Reno County, perhaps what’s surprising is that more people aren’t homeless. The latest data shows nearly 13% of households in the county—or more than 3,100 of them—were living at or below the federal poverty level last year. Other measures show an even larger number of people in our community who, while not classified as poor, don’t earn enough to feel economically secure.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The Haven City Council discussed food truck permits and kids riding electric scooters through town at high speeds, among other items, during its Monday evening meeting. The city’s current food truck policy requires vendors to apply for a permit to operate at any time for one year from the date of application, if approved. Food truck employees have to pass a Police Department-run background check, and any employees the vendor adds throughout the year have to pass as well. The permit has a one-time $50 fee, and the pink paper permit has to be posted on the truck. Previously, the council addressed concerns about local restaurants with set hours being able to compete with food trucks that can operate at any time.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Mayor Michael Padilla has been named the 2025 Kansas Mayor of the Year by the League of Kansas Municipalities and the Kansas Mayors Association. The award is selected by fellow mayors, recognizing Padilla’s commitment to Topeka’s growth and well-being.
Read more: CJonline

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.

Provalus looks for small towns where incomes are low and people are eager for positions that will teach them 21st-century skills.
Read more: Wall Street Journal

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.