Kansas Municipal News
Employers urged not to require negative virus tests before allowing workers to return
The Shawnee County COVID-19 team on Tuesday spoke critically of the practice by some employers of requiring their workers to test negative for that disease before allowing them to return to work. “The Shawnee County Health Department has been notified that there are employers requiring all employees to have a negative test result before they can return to work,” the COVID-19 team said in a news release put out by Amanda Monhollon, the health department’s deputy public information officer. The release didn’t identify any such employers by name. “Per current testing guidance, it is not recommended for asymptomatic people to be tested for COVID-19,” the release said. “Testing and other related resources are currently focused on those with symptoms of COVID-19 and other high risk groups identified by (the health department).”
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Fairway council votes to close pool for 2020 season, but city staff will continue to monitor situation
A week after Roeland Park and Prairie Village decided to close their pools for the summer, the city of Fairway made the decision to keep the its pool closed for 2020 — though the council asked to leave the door open to looking into potential options that might allow for the pool to open later in the summer. After over an hour of discussion, the Fairway city council on Monday evening affirmed City Administrator Nathan Nogelmeier’s decision to close the pool for the 2020 season. Nogelmeier said the staff recommendation to close the pool was not made because surrounding cities closed their pools, but rather because city staff evaluated several factors and determined that inability to train lifeguards while maintaining social distancing measures was prohibitive.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Shawnee tentatively planning to open Soetaert pool this summer under physical distancing guidelines
As of today, Shawnee is planning to open one of its two pools this summer under physical distancing guidelines and other COVID-19 safety measures. In a presentation to the city council on Monday, Sean Keenan, aquatics manager, said the city lacks adequate staffing for both pools so city staff opted to consider only the Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center for opening. City staff led the decision-making process, although City Manager Nolan Sunderman acknowledged that the situation is tentative and subject to change.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Johnson County Park and Recreation District releases details on phased reopening plans
The Johnson County Park and Recreation District has released details for phased reopening of facilities and resumption of activities following the end of the local COVID-19 stay-at-home order this week. Phase one began yesterday and allows for the use of park courts for singles play and non-contact activities. Phase two is expected to begin next week, and would include the reopening of playgrounds and outdoor entertainment venues. But the majority of activities will remain closed until phase three. District leaders say that phase three could begin June 1 if statewide directives on reopening criteria remain on their current trajectory. However, all of the plans are subject to change pending new orders from the county and state government.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Overland Park planning commission OKs idea of food truck offering regular business downtown
An Airstream trailer with coffee and donuts may become the first food truck to set up for regular business in Downtown Overland Park. The city planning commission gave its blessing Monday to make a test case of the donut truck, which will be at 7512 W. 80th Street, on a vacant spot just east of the Nexus IT building. Plans are for the truck to be open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. Saturdays and Wednesday coincide with Farmers’ Market days, once it’s open again at its downtown space. The concrete pad where the truck will sit will be covered with artificial turf and some landscaping, tables and chairs will be added. The truck will be moved behind the buildings on its off days.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Gov. Laura Kelly not a fan of city, county orders forcing businesses to log customer visits
Gov. Laura Kelly said city or county orders requiring businesses to keep records of consumer visits was unreasonable and an alternative voluntary approach with individuals keeping a journal of their public activity might be sufficient to assist health officials with contact tracing of COVID-19. The Linn County health director issued a May 4 order requiring many businesses to record names, contact numbers and the time and date of interactions with clients, patrons or customers for at least 30 days to help find people potentially infected with the virus. In addition, officials in Kansas City, Mo., developed rules for reopening restaurants Friday that “strongly encouraged” maintenance of records on all customers who stayed in the business more than 10 minutes. “I think that’s going a little bit too far. I don’t see us doing that,” Kelly said Monday during a news briefing at the Capitol. “My gut is that that’s an awful lot to ask of people.”
(Read more: Lifestyle – The Garden City Telegram)
Sabetha’s “Wise Owl” returns home
The refurbished “wise owl” sign made its way back to the corner of Main Street and Old Highway 75. The sign was put in place Thursday morning, May 7. Three years ago, Sabetha’s Chamber of Commerce Director Gina Murchison located the sign at Albany, and the chamber started raising the funds to refurbish the sign. The original sign was installed at the same intersection on July 13, 1960, at the cost of $3,400. The sign remained at the intersection for 28 years until it was taken down – due to its condition – in October 1988. At that time, a new sign was put in its place. To date, the chamber raised $15,000 for the sign. These funds paid for the sign to be refurbished as well as maintained for the future.
(Read more: The Sabetha Herald » Feed)
Great Bend recommends flushing water lines before opening business
As the City of Great Bend begins the reopening process during the COVID-19 pandemic and businesses start to serve customers, the Public Works Utilities Division is urging business owners to take precautions to keep water quality standards. Buildings that have been closed for more than a week need to have the service lines and internal plumbing completely flushed, even if there has been low occupancy. Water that is not being used on a regular basis can have a quality change if the water has been stagnant, especially after an extended amount of time, a news release from the city notes. Flushing the cold and hot lines decreases the risk of bacterial growth, and brings clean and freshly disinfected water into the water lines of the building.
(Read more: Great Bend Tribune)
Kansas City region is home to two of the biggest coronavirus clusters in the U.S.
The Kansas City region is home to two of the largest clusters of coronavirus cases in the United States, according to an analysis of outbreaks across the country. Among the top U.S. clusters of the virus, Lansing Correctional Facility is the 13th biggest while the Triumph Foods meat processing facility in St. Joseph is the 20th largest, according to data maintained by The New York Times. Correctional facilities make up more than half of the top 20 localized outbreaks of COVID-19, the Times’ data shows. At the top of the list Tuesday was the Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio, which has been connected to 2,439 cases.
(Read more: Kansas City Government & Politics News |)
City approves reopening Salina Municipal Golf Course
The Salina Municipal Golf Course will soon be back in business. The Salina City Commission unanimously approved a plan Monday night that will allow the public course to reopen early next week after sitting idle since the end of March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “We are anticipating that we will open on Tuesday of next week (May 19),” Mike Hargrave, the Muni’s general manager and head golf professional, said Tuesday. “And tentatively, right now, our pro shop will be closed on Mondays, but we are going to open the course to walking tee times. Customers will be able to book and pay online, and our members will be able to make tee times as well.”
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
GO Topeka distributes $250K in public grants through the HOST Relief Program
Since May 1, GO Topeka has distributed $250,000 in public grants to 74 Shawnee County small businesses through the HOST Relief Program. Each grant recipient received as much as $5,000 in aid. In April, $1 million in grants were approved by the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) to provide additional small business support through the HOST Relief Program. “These funds were able to let us pay our rent for March and April,” said Kelly Heston, grant recipient and co-owner of Gladiator Fighting Association/Heston’s Gladiator Academy. “This was very much appreciated.” “We encourage all of our local small businesses to apply for these grants,” said Glenda Washington, senior vice president of Women & Minority Business Development, a program of GO Topeka. “We’re still a quarter of the way through this grant program and we want all small businesses, from our local daycares to our neighborhood restaurants, to be able to access the relief available to them.”
(Read more: WIBW News Now)
$9 million in federal funding now available for Kansas businesses (first-come, first-served basis)
Governor Laura Kelly yesterday announced that more than $9 million in federal funding will be made available to the state’s Community Development Block Grant program to support community responses to the COVID-19 crisis. … Grants are available to communities in two categories:
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Kansas cities and counties can find further details and apply for CDBG-CV grants by visiting kansascommerce.gov/cdbg-cv. Applications for CDBG-CV open Tuesday, May 12. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been disbursed.
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Communities who would like assistance researching or applying for this grant can contact Ranson Financial’s grant specialist, Rose Mary Saunders at rsaunders@ransonfinancial.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for May 11, 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.
Shawnee considers final review of strategic visioning, parks master plans
Plans for expanding indoor space and programming at the Shawnee Civic Centre and review of the city’s role in sports development at the Valley of Champions were two key highlights from Shawnee’s parks and recreation master plan, which the governing body and advisory board reviewed last week. During a special joint meeting May 5, the Shawnee city council and parks and recreation advisory board reviewed final drafts of the city’s first parks and recreation master plan and Imagine Shawnee, the city’s first strategic visioning plan. The 10-year parks and recreation master plan serves as a framework for the city’s vision and direction and establishes goals and plans for Shawnee’s parks, trails, open space, recreation and events.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
City, county facilities begin phased reopening as stay-at-home orders are lifted
City offices and facilities in Fairway and Westwood remain closed at this time, but any potential updates can be found on their respective websites as they come. To stay updated with Fairway, click here. To stay updated with Westwood, click here. While Johnson County and state stay-at-home orders have been lifted, the county itself and the cities throughout it are taking the reopening process one step at a time. While the county and some cities, such as Roeland Park and Shawnee, have announced phased reopen plans for city facilities, and noted safety measures to be taken throughout these plans, other cities have yet to announce reopen plans or change procedures used during the stay-at-home orders. Many city halls and other city facilities remain closed, and while most are encouraging business to be conducted online or via phone, email or mail, a few cities have limited access at city facilities.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Updates from Johnson County Community College: Documenting the pandemic
JCCC’s marketing photographer, Susan McSpadden, has made it her mission to document these unprecedented times for our campus community. Each week, she provides a look into how a different area of campus is responding to the pandemic. The JCCC Open Petal Farm is considered an essential operation during the campus closure, with efforts now directed toward growing sustainable produce for local donations. Recipients include area restaurants serving as community kitchens and other local food distribution organizations.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Hundreds line Overland Park streets to honor fallen police officer Mike Mosher in ‘Salute to Blue’ procession
Hundreds of people lined the streets Overland Park Sunday night as emergency service vehicles with their lights on made their way south past the site of the death of Mike Mosher, the second police officer killed in the line of duty in the department’s history. The “Salute to Blue” procession was the first in a series of events set for this week to honor Mosher. A drive-by visitation is set for Tuesday at the Overland Park Convention Center. A private funeral will be held Wednesday. Mosher died Sunday after following a vehicle he’d observed fleeing the scene of a collision. In an address broadcast over police radio channels following the conclusion of the procession, Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez said Mosher was part of the “thin blue line” that keeps society in order.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Johnson County started to reopen on Monday
Leawood stylist Anita Graves-Barker thought she could start giving her clients ever-so coveted haircuts on May 4. But then Johnson County’s stay-at-home order was extended another week. Just as Barker began informing customers they could schedule appointments on May 11, officials announced Johnson County would follow Kansas’ plan for reopening the economy. That pushed back the start date for hair salons even further, to May 18 at the earliest. “Let’s hope this is the last time we need to change our opening date,” she wrote in a message to clients on Facebook.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Linn County businesses challenge county order requiring records be kept on customers, clients
A Linn County newspaper publisher and a La Cygne restaurant owner filed a federal lawsuit Sunday challenging constitutionality of Linn County’s requirement that businesses compile information on customers that might be useful in tracing people infected with the coronavirus. Jackie Taylor, owner and publisher of Linn County News, and Linda Jo Hisel, who operates Nana Jo’s restaurant in La Cygne, are plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Jay Allen, a physician who serves as the county’s health director, and the Linn County Commission. Taylor and Hisel said they went to court to reverse the public health order mandating physicians, attorneys, pharmacists, veterinarians, dentists, bankers, accountants, restaurant managers and other business operators document in-store customer names, telephone numbers, and the date and time of arrivals and departures.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
StoryWalk sure to be fun for all ages in Greensburg
Kiowa County Library has partnered with another county organization to bring the first StoryWalk(R) to Kiowa County. The event will run from May 5 through May 31. The StoryWalk(R) is a literacy and exercise activity for children and families. Pages of a children’s book will be displayed in the windows of local businesses on Main Street. The book for May will be “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. The route begins at Kiowa County Schools (710 S. Main, Greensburg) and continues north. Families are encouraged to read the book as they walk the route.
(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)
Stay-cation takes local bicycler to Stafford County and to Quivira wildlife
Kansas residents may need to re-imagine this year’s vacation, especially if the COVID-19 pandemic lingers into the summer. Since, outside of a few hot spots, Kansas has numerous locations where the pandemic hasn’t been raging (at least based upon current figures), perhaps this is a good year to consider a stay-cation. Some may even want to base their destination on the KDHE map of COVID-19 cases. Here’s my experience from a recent, one-day staycation.
(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)
Kansas receives grant to transform the Kansas early childhood system
Governor Laura Kelly and other early childhood leaders from across Kansas announced today that an $8.9 million grant from the Administration for Children and Families has been awarded to continue efforts to strengthen the early childhood system in Kansas. The funding is the first installment of a 3-year renewal of Kansas’s Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) initiative. “These funds will be imperative in helping to keep up our current momentum as we work to improve our state’s early childhood system,” Governor Kelly said. “This grant is particularly welcome now, as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an additional degree of stress on early childhood in Kansas. With it, we will continue to fight for the health and safety of children and families in our state.”
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)
Brown County hears update on virus topics
The Brown County Commission heard updates Monday morning on county-related COVID-19 coronavirus issues. County Emergency Planning Coordinator Don Pounds advised the commission that he had additional supplies ordered to ready the courthouse for reopening, but there were issues with some supplies. While masks were ordered and have arrived, there were issues with gloves that led him to canceling the order and asking for a refund. In addition, the disinfectants and hand sanitizers needed are in high demand and he is still trying to get all of those ordered and on it’s way.
(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)
Hiawatha joins with HFED to offer CDBG grants
The Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development (HFED) and the City of Hiawatha will be accepting applications for a special round of KS Department of Commerce CDBG grants. The two groups have been informed the State of Kansas will receive $9,029,815 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CDBG-CV funds will be available for non-entitlement Cities and Counties, with awards being made for issues triggered by the COVID-19 virus where no other funds are available. Proposed activities will be grants to micro-businesses (up to 5 employees) and small businesses (6 to 50 employees). There will also be grants available for non-profit clinics and hospitals for Personal Protective Equipment, as well as grants for Meal Programs.
(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)
Wichita begins new water conservation rebate program
The city of Wichita is again offering rebates to residents who purchase water-saving appliances. The program has been offered since 2013, and the city council has authorized $100,000 to fund the program for 2020. It offers rebates to people who have purchased water-saving toilets, dishwashers, washing machines and other devices. The rebates are offered in the form of water bill credits. Penny Feist with the city’s public works department said the program has helped the city meet its water conservation goals. She said customers are limited to five rebates a year, and a list of the eligible appliances is on a city web site, savewichitawater.com
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)
Municipal market gains clarity from Fed lending facility news
After more than two months of extreme volatility, the municipal market gained clarity as to the Fed’s intentions with its news that it would charge a large premium on issuers who choose to access its Municipal Liquidity Facility. Instead, investors turned their heads to the stock market in hopes that strength in equities will continue and governments will start to reopen. Triple-A benchmark yields fell two or three basis points in thin secondary trading. The Fed on Monday essentially said it was standing 10 feet back from the market, allowing it to manage the pandemic-driven crisis itself. Triple-A issuers can use the traditional means of accessing the exempt and taxable markets; however the Fed gave the nod that it is there if needed. The dealer community also said it was on hand to manage the market. “The pricing for the facility is above market under current conditions,” the Bond Dealers of America said. “However, the Fed has said that the facility is intended as last-resort financing, and it is priced as such. We hope the Fed is able to bring the facility online soon.” SIFMA said it was evaluating the proposal and the “dealer community stands at the ready to facilitate where we can be helpful.”
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
Municipal Bond Trends for May 8, 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.
Reno County surprised by latest COVID-19 case count
A jump of 11 cases in Reno County’s COVID-19 late Friday afternoon took local health officials by surprise. “Apparently KDHE (the Kansas Department of Health and Environment) went back into the database and reallocated another eight as probable cases,” said Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti. That brings to 11 the county’s “probable count,” added to 41 confirmed by testing, for a total case count reported by the state for Reno County of 52.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Rising case count could delay Shawnee County’s move to phase two of reopening
Because of the number of new COVID-19 cases in Shawnee County, local officials can’t guarantee the county will move to phase two of its reopening plan on May 18. That is the date presented in Gov. Laura Kelly’s statewide reopening plan, which was adopted by the county, with a few caveats, on May 1. In phase two, businesses such as casinos, theaters, museums, fitness centers, nail and hair salons, and bars and nightclubs would be allowed to reopen — but that may not happen as early as expected. According to Shawnee County health officer Gianfranco Pezzino, there was a “sharp increase” in new cases reported last week — double the number of new cases reported the week before, he said. “We are likely to end the week just about at the same level as where we were last week,” Pezzino said. “It was pretty bad last week, and it’s still pretty bad now.”
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Fed’s Mester says cities and states need more government support
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said Washington will have to step up aid to states and cities struggling with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “The states and the local governments are definitely going to need more help, and I think the federal government should be thinking about the best way to do that,” Mester said Friday in an interview on SiriusXM Business Radio. The Fed is preparing to help by lending directly to municipal bond issuers, but direct transfers can only be done by fiscal authorities, she said.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
Old jail displayed at Edgerton Lake
The structure on a bluff at the southern end of the city lake is the old Edgerton city jail cell, manufactured in 1902. It was actually used to house prisoners in the early 1900’s. The City of Edgerton purchased it from the Pauly Jail Company in June of 1902 for $92.15. The dimensions of the cell is 5 feet x 6.5 feet x 6.5 feet. It has two metal bunk beds on one side, and those can be lowered or raised. At the front of the cage, at the bottom of the cell door, is about an eight inch opening that was used to slide the prisoner’s food to them inside the cell. It is officially known as a “lattice steel cage.” When the jail cell was actually being used in Edgerton, it was not located at the lake, but instead was located in the downtown area.
(Read more: Gardner News)
A growing concern
As temperatures warm, spring comes into bloom and grass begins to grow, it is up to Great Bend Property Maintenance Enforcement Manager Austin Laviolette to lay down the lawn law. “We all want a clean city,” he said. So, now, he just wants to get the word out to owners to keep their properties maintained before things get out of hand. Property Maintenance Enforcement recorded 1,315 total complaints in 2019, Laviolette said. Of those, 381 were reported by citizens with the rest initiated by his staff. “That was up from the previous year, but part of that was that we were being more aggressive.”
(Read more: Great Bend Tribune)
Fox sightings becoming more common in Halstead
It’s been seen all over town—around the levee; at Chestnut and Fourteenth Streets; by the pond near Cedar Brook; in front of Halstead Place; near the fire station, the hospital, and Scout Park; and numerous yards. And now it’s killing. “Last night I walked out the back door and was greeted with the goose freaking out, flapping his wings and kind of gong crazy in circles,” Halstead resident Kayla Straub said, recalling a frightening incident that happened last week. “I could see there was a duck, a duck, a chicken, and a chicken. One duck was still moving. My instinct was, ‘You’re not getting my bird.’ When I came out he didn’t budge.” She’s talking about a red fox that’s become a familiar face in Halstead.
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
Derby employee’s new book a colorful idea
Working for the city of Derby as a multimedia specialist/graphic designer, Justin Miller has gotten to know the community well and become immersed in the city. That exposure led Miller to an idea – an idea he pursued in his spare time during the current COVID-19 pandemic – that manifested itself in the form of a Derby Coloring Book, officially released May 3 on amazon.com. “Attending different events and everything, I thought with everyone stuck at home it would be fun to create something that maybe people could access easily – familiar places that they had been to – to color,” Miller said.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)
Residents along Fort Scott street project to get rebate
Residents in the 500 block of Andrick Street will receive a water and sewer rebate because a street project is taking longer than commissioners believe it should. According to Kevin Allen, the project has been ongoing for eight or nine months. The project involves replacing curbing and guttering to improve drainage and storm water runoff. The work was one of four projects included in a 2019 Road Improvement Program Public Works Director Chad Brown presented the commission in July 2019.
(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)
Olathe Fire using new device to track coronavirus patients’ vitals remotely
The Olathe Fire Station is the first EMS departments in the country to begin remotely monitoring coronavirus patients. The department has teamed up with a global tech company, Masimo SafetyNet. “There have been some hospital systems using it, but we are the first EMS agency,” Olathe Fire Department Medical Director Dr. Jake Ruthstrom said. “It’s very humbling. We appreciate the partnership, and we are excited to use it.”
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)
Ellinwood drive-by parade raises spirits
Residents at Azria Health Woodhaven and Ellinwood Country Living spent time outside Friday afternoon, enjoying a pleasant Spring afternoon as they watched and waved to family members participating in a drive-by parade led by Ellinwood Police Chief Chance Bailey and Ellinwood EMS staff. According to Amber Anderson at Azria Health Woodhaven, the staffs at Woodhaven and Country Place nursing homes organized the drive-by parade. “It is something that our sister facilities have been doing, and we thought it would be beneficial for our residents,” she said.
(Read more: Great Bend Tribune)
City asks for your help deciding future of southeast Wichita park
The City of Wichita says parks and green spaces have never been more important, and they want your help shaping the future of a southeast Wichita park. The L.W. Clapp golf course stopped operating as a golf course last summer, and it reopened as a public park space. The city plans to renovate the park, but the specific additions or changes to the park are not set in stone. That’s where you come in. The city is asking residents to fill out an online survey to decide the park’s direction. It asks participants to rate the importance of things like a community center, dog park, food truck area, and more.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff leaves on high note despite difficult times
It was not the way he planned to go out. But Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff’s response to the novel coronavirus sweeping in during the last weeks of a 40-year career was typical for the respected community city leader. He was set to retire March 27, but in February the Hutchinson City Council asked him to stay a little longer until his replacement was set to arrive. The county’s first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported on March 21. As the virus spread around the region and state it led to local and state stay-at-home orders, resulting in city hall being closed to the public and the sudden need to cut at least $1 million from the city budget in anticipation of shortfalls in sales tax collections.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Local firms may get grants
The city of Parsons and Labette County will both file for grants that would be distributed to local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of Kansas will receive approximately $9 million in Community Development Block Grant funding under the federal coronavirus relief bill. Counties, cities and other localities will likely receive applications sometime next week. The maximum grant that will be allocated to any single municipality under the program will be $200,000. Jim Zaleski, the economic development director for the city of Parsons, said he’ll work with the city and county to file applications requesting the maximum of $200,000.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Parsons Public Library to offer curbside service
Beginning Monday, the Parsons Public Library will begin contactless curbside pick-up on the east side of the library. While the library building remains closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the no-contact pick-up service will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. “While the library is still closed, the library staff is excited to serve our community again,” Samantha Graven, library director, said in a prepared statement. “We are taking extra precautions because this pandemic is still affecting us locally and statewide. Our dedication to the safety and health of our staff and patrons remains our top priority.”
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Hospitals receive federal funding as revenues drop
Revenues at the two local hospital have dropped considerably in the past few months as elective procedures are postponed due to the coronavirus. As a result, both have applied for and received federal aid to help meet payroll costs. William Newton Hospital is projected to lose more than $1 million in revenue between February and April due to the coronavirus, according to figures provided by hospital spokesperson Sarah Johnson. Net patient revenue for March was down 10.4 percent from February, even though there were two extra days in March. Although final numbers for April are not available yet, the hospital estimates net patient revenue for that month will be down about 32 percent compared to February.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
City offices to open with restrictions
Most Winfield city offices will reopen to the public Monday with safeguards in place, after being closed since March due to the coronavirus. All offices, including city hall and the operations center, will reopen with their regular hours, Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said on Thursday. The only exception is the fire/EMS department, which will remain closed at this time due to the sensitive nature of the work performed there. The first floor of city hall, where the customer service department is located will only be accessible through the front door facing Ninth Avenue. The west door facing Millington Street will be unlocked to allow access to the second floor offices, but the door allowing access to the customer service area will be locked, Wall said.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
Louisburg, Spring Hill delay opening aquatic centers
The Louisburg Aquatic Center will not open Memorial Day weekend, May 23, as previously planned, the city of Louisburg announced Thursday, May 7 . “Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and ensuing business closures, lifeguard training has been delayed,” the city of Louisburg said in a post on its website and in a press release. The city of Louisburg said its staff has been working with the city’s training partner to see if and when lifeguard training might occur.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)
City projections estimate multimillion-dollar revenue loss due to pandemic; Lawrence leaders to consider budget changes
Revenue projections estimate the City of Lawrence will lose millions — more than $8 million in the most optimistic scenario — due to the coronavirus pandemic, and city leaders soon will discuss potential changes to the budget as a result. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive updated 2020 revenue projections due to the pandemic and resulting economic slowdown and direct city staff regarding several policy decisions impacting the budget. Those include how much of the city’s savings commissioners are willing to spend down, what service reductions they would consider, and what fee or tax increases they would or would not consider.
Read more: LJWorld.com.