Kansas Municipal News
Fairway disputes ‘Save the Shawnee Indian Mission’ flyers
The city of Fairway is pushing back against flyers bearing the message “Save the Shawnee Indian Mission” that began appearing in local residents’ mailboxes last week. Thousands of flyers paid for by the Shawnee Tribe started showing up at homes around the Mission site in northeast Johnson County, detailing the tribe’s argument that the historic site is in “distress” and that it should be transferred to the tribe for restoration.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Future of Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival is in doubt
The Walnut Valley Festival is on the ropes and it’s up to us to save it. ….Bart Redford, executive director of the Walnut Valley Association: “We’re definitely having this year’s festival and then we’ll just have to see where we’re at after that.” The music festival that draws thousands to Winfield every year is tapping financial reserves to stay in business, and that can’t continue forever, he said. “We need a few years of some good crowds, so we can kind of replenish our reserves,” Redford said. “I think it’s doable.”
Source: The Iola Register
Municipal Bond Trends for February 24, 2023
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Fed’s Mester says she has hope that inflation can be brought down without a recession
Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester said Friday that interest rates likely need to keep moving higher to get inflation back to acceptable levels. In a CNBC interview, Mester said she sees the central bank’s benchmark interest rate having to rise above 5% and stay there for a while. The fed funds rate, which sets the level that banks charge each other for overnight borrowing but spills over into many forms of consumer debt, is currently in a target range of 4.5%-4.75%. “I see that we’re going to have to bring interest rates above 5%,” she told CNBC’s Steve Liesman during a “Squawk Box” interview. “We’ll figure out how much above. That’s going to depend on how the economy evolves over time. But I do think we have to be somewhat above 5% and hold there for a time in order to get inflation on a sustainable downward path to 2%.”
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Fed Rate Policy Is Shaking Up the World of Muni Debt
Demand is down for municipal bonds, which just erased nearly all of their January gains amid fears of rate increases. The markets’ bumpy start to 2023 is causing whiplash even in the historically placid realm of state and local government debt. Municipal bonds this month have erased nearly all of their January gains after fears of rate increases cooled investor appetites. … Most bonds in the $4 trillion muni market are backed by state and local taxes, and prices for the ultrasafe securities tend to move in line with Treasurys. Demand rarely flags because the bonds have a perk coveted by high-income investors: Interest is generally exempt from federal and state taxes. A tax-free yield of 5% equates to a taxable yield of around 8% for investors in the top tax bracket, according to data from Nuveen Asset Management. … But after more than a year of investors and traders trying to predict what the Fed will do, heads are spinning even in the muni market. Over the past two months, debt maturing in one year has been trading at higher interest rates than debt maturing in three years, according to ICE Data Services. Market professionals say they can’t remember that happening for such a prolonged period in more than a decade.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets
After 47-year career in public works, Wichita director Alan King will retire in March
Alan King is retiring after 11 years as Wichita’s director of public works and utilities. Mayor Brandon Whipple praised the outgoing director for his service during his State of the City address Thursday evening. “The city has benefited so much from Alan King’s knowledge, particularly as we are upgrading our aging infrastructure. Once in a while, we have a boil [water] order and Alan King is that steady hand, that steady voice that makes sure we get back to business as quick as possible,” Whipple said. “Alan, I hope you enjoy your retirement, but I also hope just as much that you keep your cell number the same because there’s a chance that we may have to call you.” King’s last day on the job is March 3.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Does your Johnson County tap water taste funny? Here’s why
For any Johnson Countian who may have noticed a funny taste or smell to their tap water lately, WaterOne has an important message: your water is absolutely safe to drink. The different “flavor profile,” as WaterOne officials put it, is due to seasonal temperature changes in local river water, and technicians are already making adjustments for it, said Mandy Cawby, WaterOne customer relations director.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Municipal Bond Trends for February 23, 2023
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Wichita mayor delivers State of the City address
Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple delivered a progress report Thursday evening on the city’s efforts to boost the economy, improve public safety and provide opportunities for all of its citizens. In his State of the City address, the mayor said the city is working with Wichita residents to build a vibrant community. The mayor said the city has turned the corner on the COVID economy from 2020, and now has an unemployment rate of three percent. He said the city has restored or created over 32,000 jobs and now has the most robust job market it has had in decades. He said Wichita is leading the state in economic growth and is getting attention from companies around the world. He talked about recent announcements from Bombardier, Novacoast and other companies in setting up their headquarters in Wichita.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Derby adding new position on legal team
Due to some continuing shifts within the city of Derby’s legal division, staff proposed creating a new full-time assistant city attorney position that was approved by the Derby City Council at its Feb. 14 meeting. Currently, the legal division includes the city attorney (with Jacqueline Kelly just hired to the position), a part-time assistant city attorney and part-time city prosecutor. With the part-time assistant city attorney position vacant for over two years and the current city prosecutor recently giving notice, the decision was made to combine the roles into one full-time position to help attract potential employees. Replacing the part-time positions with a full-time position will cost the city $13,202.07 in 2023.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Tax credits may help with courthouse project
Barton County may be able to receive additional funding for the $4.2 million courthouse renovation, Chairman Shawn Hutchinson announced Thursday when the Barton County Commission hosted a Great Bend Chamber of Commerce coffee. “There’s a potential we could get $1.2 million back in tax credits,” he said. That is possible due to Great Bend Economic Development Inc.’s efforts to have the downtown area declared a historic district.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Wind farm zoning trial set
Trial has been rescheduled for May 1 in a lawsuit filed 2½ years ago by a company that lost its bid to install wind turbines south of US-50 in an area within a Flint Hills wind farm moratorium. Trial was postponed from Dec. 5 because a lawyer for the plaintiffs had surgery. Although lawyers for both the company and Marion County have filed a multitude of papers in the case, it has not been resolved. Many of the filings ask the court to make a decision without a trial.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Garden City firefighter passes on shield number to son in same department
A Garden City firefighter has passed on his shield number to his son, who is now in the same department. According to the Garden City Fire Department Facebook page, the father, Battalion Chief James Southern, joined the GCFD in March 2003. “[He] never thought he would see the day he and his son worked in the same department simultaneously,” the GCFD said. According to the GCFD, his son, Anthony Southern, would grow up to finish an enlistment in the Army and complete his Firefighter I certification.
Source: KSN-TV
Integra is bringing thousands of jobs to the area, but are there enough workers?
Integra Technologies’ semiconductor manufacturing plant is expected to bring 2,500 of jobs to the Bel Aire area, but are there enough workers? What could it mean for other businesses? It’s no secret that many industries have been struggling to attract workers and fill empty positions. Some business experts believe Integra will be able to fill this need, but it will take partnerships and will stir up some competition. “Anytime you are bringing in a major employer that many folks added to the labor pool, it’s a concern for everybody,” said Dr. Lary Straud, Associate Professor of Management at Newman University.
Source: KSN-TV
Loud booms in central Kansas believed to be military training, sheriff says
Residents in Barton and Rush County have heard some loud booms in the area, some that reportedly shook a car and opened a front door on Thursday. A KSN viewer in eastern Rush County reported hearing two loud booms and that a friend of theirs from near Olmitz said they heard the same a few days prior. Two other viewers stated that this wasn’t the first time hearing the booms over the past week as well. KSN reached out to both Rush and Barton County.
Source: KSN-TV
Pittsburg has a new EV charging station — near a local landmark
Many gathered in downtown Pittsburg for the celebration of the new EV charging station at the Colonial Fox Theatre. Pittsburg native and Pitt State graduate Kelly Burgess gifted the first, fast level three dc charging station in Southeast Kansas. This new charger gives electric vehicles a healthy charge in just two hours. The charging installation is supported by the Switch Energy Network where drivers can create and activate the station from their smartphones. The nearest station that would compare to this one is in Joplin.
Source: KSNF/KODE
This JoCo city is next to weigh antisemitism measure
Roeland Park is the latest Johnson County city considering adopting a non-legally binding definition of antisemitism that would guide the city’s response in the event of an act of hate. The item came up this week on the city council’s agenda, two weeks after Leawood adopted what is believed to be the first such municipal resolution against antisemitism in Johnson County. It also comes in the wake of multiple incidents at local high schools — including one at Bishop Miege in Roeland Park — in which students used antisemitic and racist language in acts that were investigated by police.
Source: Prairie Village Post
World-renowned pianist performs at Pratt library
Steven Spooner, a Professor of Piano at the Peabody Institute at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, made a stop at the Pratt Public Library on cold February 15 night, warming hearts and souls with his engaging pianistic abilities. “I’ve never been to a piano concert like this before so I didn’t know what to expect, but he was pretty good,” said local piano player and artist Patrice Egging. “I was particularly impressed with how soft he could play, and his expression. I was also impressed with his humility. I told him I felt like he was inspired by the spirit.”
Source: Pratt Tribune
Grant helps Winfield fire department with equipment
Winfield Fire Department and EMS has received an award of personal protection equipment worth $36,400 from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The award, made Tuesday in Wichita, is for eight sets of new bunker gear and nine pairs of boots, all to help replace outdated gear and provide protection against burns, smoke inhalation and other dangers faced on the job. Winfield Fire Chief Vincent Warren and EMS coordinator Brad Klein accepted the award.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Dog park plans slowed by ADA requirements
Catapla Park in Arkansas City is still going to the dogs, it’s just taking longer than expected. The city announced its plan last October to revamp the small park into a safe place for pet owners to let their pets get some exercise, but so far no progress has been made. Municipal Planner Nick Rizzio said Tuesday that the goal for the project had been to keep the cost minimal and have it completed before the end of the year. The project will be more expensive than he had anticipated due to the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for parking spaces, sidewalks and an entrance and exit for each gate. He said the cost is still being evaluated.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler