Kansas Municipal News
Lenexa updates it fence code
Planning to install a new fence, wall or retaining wall at home? The City of Lenexa recently updated its code related to these types of projects. Under the new code, fences along the side street on corner lots may be installed 15 feet from the property line as long as they are 4 feet tall and open-style (50% or less opaque). If a fence is taller than 4 feet or is privacy-style, it cannot be installed in front of the required setback. When a fence is located within 3 feet of or directly on top of a retaining wall, the height of the fence plus the height of the retaining wall shall not exceed 10 feet. Retaining wall tiers are limited to 10 feet per tier. Additionally, there must be at least three feet of horizontal space between tiers of a tiered wall.
Source: City of Lenexa
Debt ceiling deal spares state and local pandemic aid
The White House and Republicans reached a deal over the holiday weekend that will avoid the nation’s first breach of its debt limit and leave untouched leftover pandemic aid allocated to cities and states. A House vote on the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 is set for Wednesday to move the bill ahead of a U.S. default as soon as June 5. The House Rules Committee is set to take up the legislation Tuesday afternoon. “The agreement prevents the worst possible crisis: a default for the first time in our nation’s history,” President Joe Biden said Sunday night at a White House press conference. It “takes the threat of a catastrophic default off the table.” The 99-page bill would cap discretionary spending for six years — but with a sequester mechanism in place only for the first two years — as well as rescind enforcement funding for the Internal Revenue Service and streamline energy infrastructure project permitting.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Municipal Bond Trends for May 26, 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.
Panasonic project brings focus to Johnson County’s rural roads
The massive project to build a new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition plant in De Soto has re-ignited interest in the future of western Johnson County’s rural road system as officials consider a new set of planning guidelines for the area. The county planning commission unanimously recommended changes in its comprehensive rural plan Tuesday that remove land annexed by De Soto from its planning jurisdiction. Now that it is in De Soto, the city will set its own guidelines. The remaining unincorporated land will be in a “rural policy area,” meaning it will be planned as agricultural, with a rural character, limited development and a low density of one residence per 10 acres.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Michelin announces $100 million investment in Junction City
Tire manufacturer Michelin announced it will be investing over $100 million into Junction City to increase production of tracks for agricultural equipment. Over the next five years, around 200 new jobs will be added to increase the output of Camso agricultural rubber tracks, according to a press release from Michelin. Camso is a brand under the Michelin Group that specializes in off-road tires, tracks and systems…. In March, Michelin announced it would invest more than $20 million to expand its facilities in Emporia, Kansas as part of its investments in North American production, according to the press release. Michelin currently employs about 175 people at their facility in Junction City. The new investment will add around 200 jobs between 2023 and 2026.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Hillsboro mourns the death of former mayor
The Hillsboro community recently mourned the loss of former Mayor Delores Dalke and many showed up to pay their respects at the heavily attended funeral at Ebenfeld Mennonite Church last week. Dalke died on May 12, at the age of 82, on what would have been her 61st Wedding Anniversary to her deceased husband John Foster Dalke. She served Hillsboro as the oldest and only female mayor for 27 years before leaving the position in January of 2018. Between her role as mayor and her service on many boards and commissions, Dalke contributed much to making Hillsboro what it is today. Son Matt, who spoke at her funeral, believed that his mother was an extremely special person. He said, “She always made sure that she went out of her way to help others. She was a mom to all of her children’s friends. She believed in developing relationships and strived to help those in need. So many have reached out to me since my mom became ill to tell me how she helped them with financial assistance and/or emotional support or when they were in dire straits. Many of these people I have never met, but Mom made a huge difference in their lives and they are forever grateful. I feel that is a true testament to the person she was.”
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
Effecting change at the neighborhood level in Pittsburg
In my last article I talked about how the growth in Pittsburg will lead to significant changes and it is important to look for ways to participate in defining Pittsburg’s future. There are many ways to engage through city advisory boards, committees, or initiatives, but one of the most direct ways to impact where you live is in your own neighborhood. I’m sure there are aspects of your block that you would like to see improved – maybe there is an empty house that is in disrepair, street signs that need replaced, or maybe you’d like to have a neighborhood cleanup or block party. Whatever you’d like to see, they are more likely to happen if the people in the neighborhood work together.
Source: Morning Sun by Jay Byers / Deputy City Manager
Local Governments Escape Ruling that Could Have Upended Property Tax Laws
A Minnesota county violated the Fifth Amendment when it sold and kept the excess proceeds from an elderly woman’s home, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a unanimous decision. “A taxpayer who loses her $40,000 house to the state to fulfill a $15,000 tax debt has made a far greater contribution to the public fisc than she owed,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion. “The taxpayer must render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but no more.” The case, Tyler v. Hennepin County, centered on how much autonomy state governments have regarding property that is seized lawfully from owners who are delinquent on their taxes. The Fifth Amendment specifies that governments cannot take private property without justly compensating its owner. So the question was whether Hennepin County improperly took the profits it made from selling the woman’s house. In Roberts’ decision, the court blocked states from allowing counties to keep surplus funds from the homes they sell after residents fail to pay property taxes.
Source: Route Fifty – All Content
‘Somebody Somewhere’ finds big heart in the ‘Little Apple’ of Kansas
“Somebody Somewhere” is an emotional comedy on HBO and streaming on MAX that takes place in Manhattan, Kansas. It follows Sam, played by Kansas native Bridget Everett, as she returns home in search of herself. Along the way she meets chipper and compassionate Joel, played by Jeff Hiller. Hiller’s acting career spans almost 20 years — many of his roles have been bit parts. He says his success on this show comes from years of playing “someone that we all know.” “I love being able to play a character, honestly, that has a last name,” Hiller said.
Source: KCUR News
Spring Hill police ask for votes to help pay for K-9 Loki’s kidney surgery
The Spring Hill Police Department is asking you to cast a vote to help to support its K-9 officer. K-9 Loki, a Belgian Malinois/Shepherd mix, joined the Spring Hill department in 2021 after being donated by the Olathe Police Department. Loki was initially purchased by Olathe police from a kennel in Pennsylvania, but a medical scan showed Loki had an underdeveloped kidney that would need to be removed. When Olathe police notified the kennel of Loki’s condition, they were told a replacement dog would be given to the department free of charge, but if Loki was returned, he would be euthanized. To prevent Loki from being put down, Spring Hill police adopted him as a replacement for K-9 Niko, who was set to retire later that year.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for May 25, 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.
Municipal Bond Trends for May 24, 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.
Communities Across Kansas Receive Nearly $3.2M CDBG Grant Funding
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced 10 communities received almost $3.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Grant awards were made in three categories: Water and Sewer, Commercial Rehabilitation, and Housing. The three programs, which provide crucial funding for community development projects in Kansas, received a total of $3,193,740. “CDBG grants are tailored to assist in funding broader needs of communities across our great state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These programs play a vital role in the health and well-being of cities and counties throughout Kansas.”
The Water and Sewer Program is designed to support communities by upgrading and expanding their water and sewer infrastructure. The following cities and counties have been awarded Water and Sewer grants for a total of $2,299,990:
- Belle Plaine; $476,760; removing nitrates from potable water sources
- Herndon; $152,583; repairing lagoons
- Miami County; $305,126; building a lift station to pump sewage
- Osage City; $470,801; rehabilitating sewer mains and manholes
- Palco; $417,960; constructing a new water treatment plant
- Wakefield; $476,760; constructing additional lagoons
The Commercial Rehabilitation program provides funding to assist private property owners in the rehabilitation of blighted structures in downtown commercial districts. The following cities have been awarded Commercial Rehabilitation grants for a total of $593,750:
- Atchison; $250,000; repairing a historic property downtown
- Independence; $250,000; rehabilitating a historic downtown building
- Meriden; $93,750; rehabilitating a local bar and restaurant
Finally, the CDBG Housing program provides funding to support the rehabilitation of housing units and the demolition of blighted structures in communities across the state. One city received a Housing grant award this round:
- Holyrood; $300,000; rehabilitating eight homes and demolishing three
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas farmers brace for worst wheat crop production in 60 years as drought cuts yield
With wheat fields about a month from harvest, Kansas farmers are bracing for what is projected to be the worst wheat crop in 60 years or more. “Wheat farmers have been living this every day,” said Marsha Boswell, a spokesperson for the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. “They’ve seen the effects of the drought since the crop was planted last fall. They’ve seen fields that didn’t emerge until the last couple weeks. “What’s even more heartbreaking than that is the few fields that looked good a couple weeks ago are going downhill in areas that have missed out on recent rains. I think most farmers are just wanting to forget this year’s crop and move on to next year.”
Source: Salina Journal
Kansas rethinks workforce needs: Efforts emphasize good-paying jobs without degree requirements
As Kansas businesses struggle to find workers to fill open positions and a series of megaprojects promise to create thousands of more jobs, state and local officials are promoting non-university options to students. ‘A lot of work is going on around the cosmosphere of not only recruiting businesses, but also ensuring that those businesses have talent and then twice-fold keeping our our talent here in Kansas and recruiting talent to and back to Kansas,’ said assistant secretary of commerce Mike Beene. Beene, who oversees the state’s workforce services and is a former teacher, praised the state’s education system — from K-12 to community and technical colleges to universities — but not the state’s ability to keep the talent instead of exporting it. He hopes high school career and technical programs and similar efforts at community colleges and tech schools will reverse that trend.
Source: CJonline
Haysville declared Purple Heart City
Earlier this month, Haysville joined Derby as the second city in Sedgwick County to earn the Purple Heart City designation. During the May 8 Haysville City Council meeting, Mayor Russ Kessler signed a proclamation making the distinction official, while a ceremony was held May 15 unveiling the signage and banners that will be displayed throughout Haysville announcing its Purple Heart City status.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Flame of Hope to pass through Emporia, Lyon County
Emporia Police Department officers and Lyon County Sheriff’s Office deputies will carry the Special Olympics Kansas Flame of Hope through Emporia and Lyon County next week. Officers will collect the torch on May 31 at the intersection of U.S. Highway 75 and Old U.S. Hwy. 50, and bring it into Emporia. Runners will set off at 9:00 a.m. June 1 after a brief ceremony in front of Emporia State University, 1 Kellogg Cir. In total, this leg of the torch run will travel 105 miles as part of an overall 1,600-mile journey for the Flame of Hope across Kansas as part of the ceremonial 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Kansas.
Source: Emporia Gazette
City of Larned receives $1.1 million for new fire engines
The City of Larned on Monday received over $1 million for upgrades to the Larned Fire Department. The City of Larned says the funds will go towards replacing two outdated fire engines, as well as a mobile emergency communications center. The mobile emergency communications center is a dedicated vehicle that can be driven to a location to serve as a command post, which the city says will “allow the city to continue to serve its citizens during times of crisis.”
Source: KSN-TV
Osawatomie seeks national park designation
The city of Osawatomie now has the official support of the Miami County Commission on its quest to gain a national park designation. Miami County commissioners, during their May 10 meeting, approved a resolution supporting the city’s request to establish the John Brown National Historic Park Site. The commissioners also agreed to give $22,000 to the city to assist in purchasing property for parking surrounding the John Brown Ghost Cabin at the Adair Homestead about two miles west of John Brown Memorial Park. The Ghost Cabin commemorates the exact location where John Brown called home during his Kansas abolitionist activities in the Bleeding Kansas years of 1855-56.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
After lean pandemic years, Overland Park is drawing visitors again
Businesses connected to Overland Park tourism have begun to bounce back from some tough pandemic years, thanks in part to money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, said Warren Wilkinson, president and CEO of Visit Overland Park. Wilkinson presented an improving picture of the city’s hospitality industry to the city council’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee last week. In particular, he pointed out that federal pandemic relief funds through the American Rescue Plan that the city spent on advertising in 2021 and 2022 resulted in hotel performance that approaches or in some cases exceeds 2019.
Source: Prairie Village Post