Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Sedgwick County health officer urges use of masks, ban on large sports tournaments

With the Wichita area’s COVID-19 rate on the rise, Sedgwick County’s top medical official is recommending a partial travel ban, limits on restaurant occupancy and more widespread use of protective face masks. The county health officer, Dr. Garold Minns told commissioners he didn’t have current exact numbers on hospitalizations for COVID, but has spoken with hospital officials in the county and it’s not looking good. One told him: “Our numbers are up significantly and I am concerned … we can still handle where we’re at, but I don’t like the trajectory of that curve,” Minns said.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Kansas COVID mask order may last at least through July 4 weekend in Sedgwick County

Sedgwick County commissioners may have to wait until next week — after the Fourth of July holiday weekend — to decide whether to overturn or alter an order expected from the governor to mandate masks to combat the coronavirus. Gov. Laura Kelly has announced she plans to issue an executive order requiring protective facemasks when people shop or gather in public, to take effect on Friday morning just after midnight. That puts the commissioners in a conundrum. A law passed in a recent special session of the Legislature gives the County Commission the authority to locally overrule any restrictive orders the governor issues in connection with the COVID pandemic
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Topeka mayor stresses importance of honoring mask mandate

It is “extremely important” for Topekans to show they care for their neighbor by honoring a requirement expected to take effect Friday that masks be worn in public spaces where social distancing can’t be maintained, Mayor Michelle De La Isla said Tuesday. The wearing of masks is a public health issue, not a political one, the mayor said. “It’s not about fear,” she said. “It’s about the science, and making sure that we take care of each other.” De La Isla and city manager Brent Trout spoke at their monthly news conference about Gov. Laura Kelly’s announcement Monday that she plans to sign an executive order this week, taking effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, requiring the wearing of masks in public spaces where social distancing can’t be maintained.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Shawnee County to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month

The COVID-19 pandemic has given people a greater appreciation for many of life’s little gifts — things many took for granted not so long ago. Parks and recreation facilities are among those, primarily because they provided relief and space for people to focus on their own mental, physical and emotional needs during safer-at-home periods. Beginning Wednesday and throughout July, people are invited to celebrate those recreational spots during national Parks and Recreation Month, which since 1985 has recognized the importance parks and recreation play in health and overall well-being. “During July, we’re calling attention to the important role that parks and recreation plays in the economic, physical and environmental well-being of our community,” Tim Laurent, director of Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, said Tuesday in a news release.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Mulvane lifting spirits with Positivity American Flag

People in Mulvane are coming together to put out a little positivity. City leaders came up with the idea to try and make something good during this COVID-19 pandemic. “This one says be kind, you never know how bad someones day might be,” said Amanda Ford. Amanda Ford, the Director of the Mulvane Chamber of Commerce thought of the idea to lift of spirits, so she pulled out the chicken wire from last year’s float and put together the positivity flag made of red, white and blue tags. “We kinda started spreading the message about it and a lot of customers really enjoyed the idea of it,” said Sam Conrad, the night shift manager at Lil’ Deuce Scoop a local ice cream shop. “And we would say hey fill out a positivity tag before you leave and they would be all about it.”
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Merck plans $100M expansion at De Soto manufacturing facility

Merck Animal Health said it plans to invest $100 million to expand and enhance its manufacturing facility in DeSoto, Kansas. The company is a division of Merck & Co. based in Kenilworth, New Jersey. It announced Monday in a news release that it plans a technology expansion of its vaccine production facility this year plus an additional $66 million investment in the coming years. The site develops vaccines for swine, cattle and horses. The post Merck plans $100M expansion at Kansas manufacturing facility appeared first on News Radio KMAN.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Gov. Laura Kelly mandates mask use in public spaces

Beginning Friday, Kansans in public spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained will be required to wear masks. Gov. Laura Kelly announced at a news conference Monday she plans to sign an executive order this week that would mandate mask use in public spaces statewide. She said the order would go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, in advance of the Fourth of July weekend. “If we want a healthy Kansas economy, we need healthy businesses and healthy Kansans,” Kelly said. “Therefore, I’m announcing that beginning 12:01 a.m. July 3 every Kansan in a public space must wear a mask. “This doesn’t change where you can go or what you can do. It just means if you’re around other people, you must wear a mask.” Kelly said enforcement should occur at the local level, and she encouraged city and county officials to take the order seriously.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Park City addresses rumors about Amazon distribution center coming to area

Is Amazon coming to the Wichita area? It’s a question some continue to ask as rumors circulate about possible interest from the company in building a warehouse in south central Kansas. In May, the Wichita Eagle reported that Amazon would create a new distribution center near 39th North and Webb Road… but no one from Amazon has confirmed if this is part of the company’s expansion plans. Another possibility surrounding the rumors for an Amazon warehouse is in Park City. Park City Assistant City Administrator Dana Walden said for now, the rumors are just that, and nothing has been confirmed. “Everybody is excited about the prospects of the potential for someone that is a big player coming to the Wichita area, Sedgwick County area,” Walden said. “If we had some facts about someone coming our direction, and working in our community, we would be very much onboard with working with them and getting that information out.”
(Read more: KWCH News)

Topeka Metro Bikes program to end July 30

The Topeka Metro Bikes program will be discontinued effective July 30. The board of directors of the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority voted 7-0 Monday afternoon to make that move. The TMTA board last June had approved cuts that included discontinuing Topeka Metro Bikes effective last December. But board members voted last October to give Topeka Metro Bikes an extension through June 30, which will be Tuesday. On Monday, Topeka Metro general manager Bob Nugent told TMTA board members that a company with which Topeka Metro had been working to provide the bicycle sharing program had pulled out on short notice. Nugent said he subsequently spent “quite a bit of time over about a month” unsuccessfully looking for alternatives.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Municipal Bond Trends for June 29, 2020

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 and Beth Warren.

NAACP Youth, Hutch police gather for bridge building, barbecue

Friday afternoon, Rice Park shimmered with heat waves and color as children played lawn games, picked out face painting designs and jumped in a bouncy house. But the relaxed environment also served as a meeting space for Hutchinson police officers and NAACP Youth members to bring their families to learn the names and stories of the others. The Bridgebuilders BBQ was a new event hosted by the youth and HPD as a way to foster connections. “There’s some team building activities, but we just wanted to all have fun together,” said Heather Jobe, NAACP Youth sponsor.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

State leaders, educators discuss safety and logistics of teaching during COVID-19

In a roundtable conversation with Gov. Laura Kelly, Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers and Rep. Cindy Holscher, educators across the state of Kansas outlined the shortfalls and successes of the 2019-2020 academic year and discussed support mechanisms they’ll need to continue teaching through the pandemic. In March, Kansas was the first state in the country to shift all K-12 schools online as the COVID-19 crisis escalated. Kendra Preston, a middle school teacher in the DeSoto School District, said the decisive action allowed educators to act with certainty as they prepared for online instruction. “Yes, it was a challenge, but it allowed districts and teachers to come together and make a plan to move forward,” Preston said. “We were able to brainstorm and collaborate and put forth what we believe was the best plan of action for our students for an extended period of time instead of going week by week.”

(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

City of Topeka to resume utility disconnections

The city of Topeka announced Monday it is resuming utility disconnections starting next week. According to a news release from Molly Hadfield, the city’s media relations director, utility accounts not in good standing may be subject to disconnects. The city encourages customers who are having trouble paying bills or who would like to make payment arrangements to call the utility department’s customer service line at 785-368-3111. The city has several resources available for those struggling to make payments, according to the news release.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Even Overland Park feels pandemic’s economic pain. Will it force change on taxes?

If any city were immune to the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, you might think it would be Overland Park. The city proudly noted in its 2020 budget document that Money magazine in 2018 named it one of the Best Places to Live, “based on great schools, low crime, shopping and restaurant options, healthcare access and a strong job market.” In 2018, the city boasted $800 million in public and private investments, a record, and 2019 wasn’t far behind.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Kansas town bans fireworks due to dry conditions

A small town in southwest Kansas has banned the discharge of fireworks due to dry and windy conditions. The City of Liberal said in a release Monday the city and Seward County “have experienced extremely dry and windy conditions throughout the entire month of June.” The forecast of continued hot, dry and windy conditions led to the decision to ban shooting off fireworks of any kind within the city limits. Violations are punishable by a fines of $100 to $1,000.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Municipal Bond Trends for June 26, 2020

As local cases rise, Johnson County looks to stockpile 3 month supply of personal protective equipment

As COVID-19 cases spiked this week, the Johnson County Commission gave its blessing to an effort to stockpile a three-month reserve of personal protective gear. The commission unanimously agreed to set aside up to $14.9 million of its $116 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to build up its supply of masks, gowns, face shields and other protective gear. At the same meeting, Public Health Director Sanmi Areola, PhD, reported an increase in cases that he said cannot be attributed to a higher testing rate.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

KDHE deploys mobile unit to assist with COVID-19 testing for underserved populations

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on Friday announced that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has deployed a Mobile Testing Unit to assist communities with COVID-19 testing for underserved populations. “In order to combat the spread of COVID-19 and safely reopen Kansas, our public health experts must be able to track the scale and scope of this virus,” Governor Kelly said. “Working with local communities and public health officials, this mobile unit helps us reach the vulnerable populations that are experiencing barriers to testing access.” The KDHE is working with local health departments and other health organizations to identify places throughout the sate that would benefit from the mobile-testing service.
(Read more: KWCH News)

Kansas Supreme Court: Suit against Capitol Police officer may proceed

The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that a man and a woman may move ahead with legal action they are pursuing against a Capitol Police officer seeking damages for injuries suffered in 2010 in Topeka when a car he was chasing struck the pickup truck they were in. The high court announced Friday that in a 4-3 vote it had approved that ruling regarding lawsuits filed by Scott E. Bennett and Shelby Montgomery after both were hurt when a car driven by Robert R. Horton struck a pickup being driven by Bennett, who had Montgomery as a passenger. Horton was fleeing during a chase initiated by Capitol Police officer Patrick Saleh near S.W. 20th and Topeka Boulevard, according to the petitions in the suits Montgomery and Bennett filed in 2012. The Capitol Police are part of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Wyandotte County orders people to wear masks in public

Wyandotte County has ordered people to wear masks in public, beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. The mandatory health order was issued to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County, according to the Unified Government Health Department. Wyandotte County is currently in Phase 3 of the Ad Astra reopening plan, at least until July 6. There is no end date on the mask-wearing order, but it will be up to local health officials to decide when to lift it. “The seven-day rolling average of positive cases continues to be on the upswing,” said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer of the Unified Government Public Health Department, in a news release.
(Read more: Wyandotte Daily)

Shawnee County mulls creating infectious disease division manager’s job

The Shawnee County Health Department’s capacity has been stretched to its limits by the COVID-19 pandemic, says director Linda Ochs. She is asking county commissioners to create a job in her department for an infectious disease division manager… That move would mark the first step in creating a health department division devoted to infectious diseases, Ochs told commissioners in a recent memorandum. She said the job’s salary and benefits would be paid “with various potential grants for COVID-19 response and health department reserve funds.”
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)

Wind farm expansion begins

Enel Green Power started construction on the 199-Megawatt expansion of the Cimarron Bend wind farm, on June 18. At an investment of over $281 million, the 74 turbines expansion is set to increase the wind farm’s capacity from 400 MW to 599 MW, making it the largest wind farm in Enel’s North American portfolio. “As Kansas’ wind leader, Enel Green Power is proud to step forward to generate new jobs and economic growth for Kansas during this challenging time,” said Georgios Papadimitriou, Head of Enel Green Power in the U.S. and Canada. “Most importantly, we remain firm in our commitment to protect the health and safety of our workers and host communities as we execute this expansion safely and sustainably.” Construction on the expansion, is slated to be completed by the end of 2020.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)

Minneola Artist Repaints Fire Station Flag

Local artist Galen Rankin, recently finished repainting a picture of the American flag, emblazoned on the door of the Minneola fire station. Considered an unofficial landmark, the original rendition of the flag was painted 20 years ago, by the local 4-H Club led by Margo Rakes and was enjoyed by local citizens and travelers driving on Highway 54. Over the years though, the weather and the passage of time had taken its’ toll on the flag, constituting its’ faded state. In response the Minneola city leadership, approached Galen Rankin, and commissioned him to repaint the flag, which he accepted. “Carol Sibley told me to go down and check it out, and see what I think,” said Rankin.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)

Six Riley County EMS employees test positive for COVID-19; nine firefighters in quarantine

Riley County health officials have confirmed an outbreak of at least six positive cases of coronavirus at Riley County Emergency Medical Services. Three additional tests were pending as of Sunday. According to the health department, positive cases have been confirmed at two out of four EMS stations in the county, with a third likely. All emergency medical and fire services are said to be fully supported and operational. There have been no changes in response posture for the community. The initial infections have been tracked to community spread, and not from exposure to patients served by EMS. The health department says the close living quarters for emergency personnel caused the transfer between staff members. “Thankfully, none of the cases have been severe,” said Riley County EMS Director David Adams.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

About half the nation’s State Fairs called off due to COVID-19 so far

Oklahoma and New Mexico on Friday joined 23 other states that have canceled state fairs for this year. Research by The News found 16 states, including Colorado, Arkansas and Missouri, that according to press reports or postings on the fair websites, were still planning to have their events in some form, though many of those are later in the year. Another half-dozen states — including Kansas and Nebraska — are pending decisions. The Kansas State Fair Board will discuss on Tuesday whether to go forward with this year’s fair, scheduled for Sept. 11 to 20, and if so, how.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

ACPD officer shortage leads to critical operations

The annual DARE Camp and National Night Out in Arkansas City are being canceled due to a shortage of police officers, Chief Dan Ward told city commissioner on Friday, and school resource officers are needed on patrol. Ward said he doesn’t have the staff resources to support those programs this year. … “We are facing a staffing shortage, and that is increasing daily,” Ward said. Ward said he has 16 patrol officers but six are currently unavailable, or 37.5 percent of the local force. Three officers are in training at the academy and will not return to patrol until late October.
(Read more: Cowley CourierTraveler)

Univ. of Kansas Hospital Authority vs. Franklin County: Whether a government agency has an obligation to pay a person’s medical expenses

SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 22-4612 requires certain government agencies to pay the medical expenses incurred by persons in their custody.
2. K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 22-4612 conveys the legislature’s intent to hold government agencies liable for medical costs incurred for the treatment people receive while in their custody. This statute, in conjunction with K.S.A. 22-4613, is rooted in the principle that government agencies have a duty to treat people in their care humanely.
3. The test for determining whether a government agency has an obligation to pay a person’s medical expenses is whether a person is in the agency’s custody when the decision was made to obtain medical treatment.
4. A formal arrest is not always necessary to show a person is in custody. Instead, whether a person is in custody turns on the facts of each case.
5. A party seeking summary judgment must show that there are no disputed issues of material fact and that judgment may therefore be entered as a matter of law—essentially, that there is nothing the fact-finder could decide that would change the outcome. The district court’s task does not change simply because all parties have filed summaryjudgment motions on stipulated facts. Each motion must be separately and independently reviewed under these summary-judgment standards.
6. Under K.S.A. 8-2104(d), when a person is stopped by law enforcement for felonious traffic offenses, law enforcement has a legal duty to arrest the offender—to take the offender into custody and bring him or her before a judge. The officer conducting the stop has no discretion whether to take the offender into custody.
Read the full opinion.

Columbus celebrates addition of new bicycle park

After months of planning and generous donations from the community, the city of Columbus is celebrating a brand new addition to Reeves Park. Dozens gathered today for the unveiling of Ian’s Place, a state-of-the-art bike park. The addition features an elevated tunnel, obstacle cones, a custom-made sunflower sculpture, and even musical equipment. The project was a collaborative effort between city and community leaders to bring a safe and fun place for kids to ride their bikes in town. Daniela Rivas, Columbus City Administrator, said, “I really hope it bring community. Columbus is an amazing, an amazing community um and we find that we lack uh places where our kids can just let loose and have fun and this is exactly what Columbus needed.”
(Read more: KSNF/KODE)

As local cases rise, Johnson County looks to stockpile 3 months of personal protective equipment

The Big Well reopens

The Big Well Museum in Greensburg reopened June 1, after being closed down since March 18 due to COVID-19. The museum is now open for regular business hours but safety precautions are in place in the form of signs to encourage social distancing. Many visitors wear masks as well. “All the visitors have been respectful of the signs we have up,” said Caitlin Matile, Manager of the Big Well Museum. During the shutdown, Matile was able to do some maintenance around the museum. She painted the stairs and deep cleaned the entire building. Although Matile was able to tackle some projects during the shut down, she was excited to be able to see her staff as well as museum visitors.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Idea for pocket park in downtown Parsons is blossoming

A group dedicated to the beautification of Parsons hopes that the city commission will look favorably on a proposed downtown pocket park. Rod Landrum, representing SEK Point of Pride, has been working with city staff to develop the empty lot where the Parsons Theatre stood before it was destroyed by a fire. The city-owned property is on the south side of the 1800 block of Main Street, just east of a Commercial Bank building.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Municipal Bond Trends for June 25, 2020

After demands for reform, Wichita police chief addresses policy changes

Organizations with demands for Wichita police reform had mixed feelings about Thursday’s announcement of changes at the Police Department. The Wichita Racial Profiling Advisory Board and Project Justice ICT were two of the groups that submitted demands to the Wichita Police Department in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Floyd died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes last month. Floyd’s death has led to widespread protests and demands for police reform. On Thursday, Police Chief Gordon Ramsay announced the department’s response to demands by the groups. The 16-page document, available at wichita.gov/wpd, addressed 16 demands.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Kansas communities see dramatic spikes in coronavirus cases

A spike in reported coronavirus cases has prompted a northeast Kansas community to take a step back in reopening its economy and led the commanding general of a nearby U.S. Army post to restrict soldiers’ visits to a popular bar and restaurant district. Riley County’s health officer this week issued an order reimposing a 50-person limit on public gatherings, limited bars and restaurants to 75% capacity and mandated that they screen employees for coronavirus symptoms daily. Those restrictions are set to remain in place through July 6. But an even more dramatic increase in Crawford County in southeast Kansas tied to an outbreak at a bacon-processing plant isn’t prompting local officials to go back to previous restrictions.
(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

‘Napa Valley of the Midwest’ at Somerset Ridge in Paola

Surrounded by thousands and thousands of grapevines, Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery boasts being the “Napa Valley of the Midwest.” Believe it or not, the Midwest has a rich history of producing wine, and you’ll want to come out and taste it for yourself. “We had customers in last weekend, and they sent a note to their friends in California saying, ‘Sorry, you can’t be with us. We’re out in Ka-Napa!’ And what a great name is that? Ka-Napa!” said owner Cindy Reynolds. “Ka-Napa” may seem new, but the Midwest has a rich history of producing wine.
(Read more: KSNT News)

Reno County eligible for rural development funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development has announced $2.7 million in funding for Kansas counties affected by natural disasters through the agency’s Rural Communities Infrastructure and Equipment program. “President Trump and USDA Secretary Perdue continue to prioritize rural America through resources and funding opportunities to help communities rebuild,” said U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall. “These grant dollars will be valuable tools for our municipalities and nonprofits to support community growth and recovery efforts.” Reno County is eligible for grant funding that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis in grants of up to $50,000. Funding will be provided on a graduated scale; smaller communities with the lowest median household income are eligible for a higher proportion of grant funds. More than 100 types of projects are eligible for funding and must be in eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
(Read more: Kansas Agland – The Hutchinson News)

Johnson County Election Office prepares for in-person voting with PPE, hand sanitizer, disposable pens

On Election Day — Aug. 4 for the primaries and Nov. 3 for the general — in-person voting will look different, Schmidt said. All 170 polling places will be open, but social distancing will play a factor in ballot-casting. Poll workers — who are currently going through small-group election training — will be given personal protective equipment kits that includes masks, face shields and gloves. Additionally, hand sanitizer will be available at several points, Schmidt said. Voters will be given the option to choose a paper or digital ballot. No matter which they decide, they will be given a double-ended writing utensil that has a pen on one end and a stylus on the other. The ink pen will be used for those who fill out paper ballots and the stylus end will be used to sign in and vote on the touchscreen.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Wichita releases draft document on police reform issues

The city of Wichita has released a 16-page document outlining a response to recent protests and calls for reform after fatal officer-involved shootings across the country. Mayor Brandon Whipple, city council members and police chief Gordon Ramsay talked about the document at a city hall news conference Thursday. Mayor Whipple said it’s a response to demands and grievances from several community groups on policing policies. The mayor said he, the council and Chief Ramsay are united in addressing the wishes of the various groups and there will be more discussions. He said the council is not necessarily in full agreement with every response in the document, and he said the goal is to have more dialogue, more action and more listening.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

New mayor find his way in Haviland

Aaron Stokes was elected Mayor of Haviland last November and took office in January. Stokes has used his first six months in office finding his footing and figuring out how to navigate his new role. “I think the temptation is to try to do right away, but it’s more important to listen right away,” said Stokes. Stokes first thought about running for mayor because he feels that participation in local government is very important, especially for someone who is younger. Being the mayor is a way that Aaron feels he can give back to the community. During these first months of his term as mayor, Aaron is in a listening phase, but he has a vision for what he would like to do, which primarily revolves around the quality of life that residents of Haviland have.
(Read more: Kiowa County Signal)

New sculpture in Prairie Village memorializes ‘freedom of roaming on bicycles’ for ’50s kids

A Prairie Village native whose formative years in the city included the “exhilarating sense of freedom roaming on bicycles” in northeast Johnson County has donated a new piece of public art. The sculpture on the southeast corner of the intersection of 71st Street and Mission, catty-corner from the Village Shops, is entitled “Fifties Freedom in the Village” and depicts a young boy on a bike pointed toward the sky with the help of a ramp elevated by books.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Hillsboro hospital bankruptcy case ends

After 17 months in bankruptcy court, Hillsboro Community Hospital has emerged from bankruptcy protection. At the request of the bankruptcy’s trustee, a judge dismissed the case Thursday. Trent Skaggs, chief executive officer of the company that now owns the hospital, said he was unaware of what might happen to any hospital debts not resolved during bankruptcy. He said Tuesday his company bought the hospital without responsibility to pay pre-bankruptcy debts.
(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Fuel coming back to Tampa

When Tampa’s last service station closed last year, residents were without a local option to fuel their vehicles. Agri Trails Co-op is stepping in to fill the void and will be installing a fueling station just to the east of its seed plant. A firm date for completion has not been set, but property has been acquired and tanks ordered. When finished, the site will provide 24-hour access to gas and to clear and dyed diesel. It will accommodate everything from cars to combines and semis.
(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Municipal Bond Trends for June 24, 2020

Defund police? Privatize Century II? Wichita braces for $50 million city budget hole

Wichita’s city leaders are bracing for massive cuts — $50 million — to make up for the revenue shortfall expected through 2022. The city’s budget is taking a hit because of layoffs at some of Wichita’s largest companies and other economic fallout of the COVID-19 global recession. The airlines industry, which is closely tied to Wichita’s aviation-dependent economy, has taken one of the biggest hits. Wichita’s aviation companies and largest employers, Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation, have announced mass furloughs and layoffs. With widespread layoffs, canceled events and lost wages, the city is bracing to miss out on sales taxes, user fees, interest earnings and other revenues until at least 2022.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Pandemic’s effect on Wichita’s pro golf tournament isn’t hurting sales

The Wichita Open golf tournament was supposed to be played last week at Crestview Country Club. Instead, Covid-19 forced the Korn Ferry Tour to refigure its schedule and place Wichita’s 31st edition of the tournament in late September. More time for finding sponsors. The tournament announced Wednesday that two more ambassadors have joined the seventh-year program, making the total number of sponsors a record 36. The Auggie Navarro Scholarship Foundation and Central Power Systems and Services are the two newest ambassadors.
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)