Kansas Municipal News
Gov. Kelly Announces Nearly $5 Million for Nine Short Line Rail Projects
This week, Governor Kelly announced nine short line rail maintenance and rehabi Six SLRIF recipients will use the funds for major track rehabilitation and rail replacement, while three projects were awarded funds for siding extensions and storage tracks. These projects aim to support rail enhancements that will expand carload capabilities, reduce truck traffic, increase operating speeds, and improve operating efficiencies. State funding for the nine projects will be enhanced by a 30% match from each recipient, resulting in a total rail infrastructure investment of nearly $6.5 million. The program received 19 applications requesting more than $18 million in program funds in this third and final round of funding for the program through IKE, the state’s 10-year bipartisan transportation program. SLRIF made available $5 million each for state fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Winfield EMS receives award
State Rep. Webster Roth, R-Winfield, stopped by the new fire station Monday to congratulate the Emergency Medical Service on winning the Career Service of the Year Award from the Kansas EMS Association in August 2022. The award was given for the service’s development over the last eight years, EMS coordinator Brad Klein said in an earlier CourierTraveler story. EMS has been part of the Winfield Fire Department since 2014, and all five of their vehicles have been updated. The 28 members of the team are all certified in both EMS work and firefighting. Roth said he wanted to do something to honor the Winfield EMS, so he was on hand to give Klein the award.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
‘I’m the lucky one here’: Muhlig looks to exciting opportunity with USD 252
Ryan Muhlig knows he has some big shoes to fill, stepping into his new role of Superintendent of Schools for USD 252 Southern Lyon County. And he couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity. “How lucky am I that Southern Lyon County opened up, because it’s a phenomenal district,” he said. “And Dr. Argabright; what huge shoes to fill.” Muhlig, who is currently the principal at Colby High School, was hired by the board of education on Feb. 24. He officially begins his position on July 1, following the retirement of Dr. Mike Argabright at the end of the 2022-23 school year.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Train derails in small Kansas town; nobody injured
Train derailed in the tiny town of Riverdale Saturday evening. According to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, a Union Pacific trail derailed shortly after 5:00. Nobody was injured in the incident. Two intersections were blocked as a result of the derailment, one at 80th Ave. and the other at Western Ave. The train was reported to be carrying grain. The Senior Manager of Communications for Union Pacific said the derailed cars have been cleared and work has begun on track repairs.
Source: KAKE – News
Local public health officials fear a Kansas bill would undercut work to contain diseases
Kansas Republican lawmakers want to take over powers from state and local public health officials to fight the spread of contagious diseases. The Kansas Senate passed a bill to shift those powers from local health officials to state lawmakers last week. It now goes to the House. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a similar bill last year. If the legislation became law, public health officials could still make recommendations on things like wearing masks and closing businesses. But only the Legislature would have the power to issue public health orders.
Source: KAKE – News
De Soto approves $200 million, 800-apartment project near Panasonic EV-battery plant
Prairie Village-based Flint Development plans to build a $200 million, 800-unit multifamily project to support the $4 billion Panasonic Ltd. electric-vehicle battery plant in De Soto. On Thursday, the De Soto City Council approved two Flint Acquisitions LLC requests for industrial revenue bonds and for property tax abatements: $135 million in bonds and a 10-year, 80% abatement to finance the costs of acquiring and constructing Flint Meadows East — a three-building, 634-unit apartment complex — and $90 million in bonds and a 10-year, 75% abatement for the 248-unit Flint Meadows West.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Andover to release draft of 10-year plan, wants public’s reaction
The City of Andover has been looking at what needs to be done to improve the community over the next 10 years. It held a public survey, community meetings, workshops and other events before coming up with a plan of action. And next week, it will release the final draft of that plan so the public can comment on it. The City will use the plan to guide decision-making and development. The 10-year Comprehensive Plan includes the framework for consistent planning of neighborhoods, commercial corridors, the transportation network, and public open spaces.
Source: KSN-TV
Small quake reported west of Elmdale
A small earthquake developed about 10 miles west of Elmdale early Sunday. The magnitude 2.5 quake was reported shortly after 5:30 am in far eastern Marion County, about 35 miles due west of Emporia. No injuries or damage have been reported — and as of 10 am, there have been no reports anybody felt the quake.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Sublette planning a weekend of celebratory Centennial events is June 2, 3, and 4, 2023
Sublette will observe its 100th anniversary of incorporation this year, and a weekend of celebratory Centennial events is being planned for June 2, 3, and 4, 2023. Featuring the theme, “Sublette, Kansas – 100 Years of Growing in the Heartland,” the Centennial celebration will include many special events involving different aspects of the community from the beginning to the present. Although more details will be announced over the next few months, a basic schedule has been lined out that includes a Summer Fest celebration on Friday evening, June 2; a full day of activities on Saturday, June 3; and a wrap-up event on Sunday, June 4. The Summer Fest plans include a vendors’ market, a barbecue cook-off, an ice cream contest, extended hours for downtown businesses, food-booth fundraisers and possible food trucks, wagon rides, a barrel train, a beer garden, and a street dance.
Source: City of Sublette
Kansas tops list again for economic development deals per capita
Kansas has been recognized again by a national magazine for attracting new economic development activity to the state. For 2022, Kansas ranked first in the nation in private investment per capita with 138 deals, earning Site Selection Magazine‘s Governor’s Cup for the second straight year. “Our trophy case is getting full, but believe me: This new era of economic growth is just getting started,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a release. “We will continue our efforts to build a strong workforce, attract young people to the state and maintain a stable economy so that companies in Kansas and around the world know that we are a reliable partner.”
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Fed says more rate hikes are needed to curb inflation
The Federal Reserve said further interest-rate hikes would be required to restore price stability. “The committee is strongly committed to returning inflation to its 2% objective,” the Fed said in its semi-annual report to Congress released Friday. Officials expect “ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate in order to attain a stance of monetary policy that is sufficiently restrictive.” The Fed report, which provides lawmakers with an update on economic and financial developments and monetary policy, was published on the central bank’s website ahead of Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony before the Senate Banking panel on Tuesday and the House Financial Services Committee a day later. U.S. central bankers are waging their most aggressive action against high inflation in a generation. Officials lifted their benchmark lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point at the start of February, bringing the target to a range of 4.5% to 4.75%. That was a step down from the half percentage-point increase at their December meeting, which followed four consecutive jumbo-sized 75 basis-point hikes.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Kansas town comes in second place second year in a row for ‘best historic small town’ contest
The town of Abilene fell short of coming in first place for the second year in a row in USA TODAY’s “Best Historic Small Town” contest. Visit Abilene Kansas made the announcement on Friday, March 3, more than a month after Abilene was named as a finalist in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Contest. While first place went to San Elizario, Texas, Abilene’s tourism director is still excited to see that the town placed so highly again in the contest.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Topeka offers free trip to Capital City for New York City residents
Residents of New York City could be visiting the capital of Kansas for free following remarks from NYC Mayor Eric Adams earlier this week. Bob Ross with the Greater Topeka Partnership said Visit Topeka and Kansas Tourism have partnered together to offer a free trip to Topeka after NYC Mayor Eric Adams mentioned the Capital City during a recent speech. … The offer was extended to all residents of the Big Apple including the five boroughs of The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island, according to Ross. NYC residents are eligible for the chance to win an all-inclusive three-day, two-night stay in Topeka. The visit will include roundtrip airfare for four people out of nearby Kansas City. This will also include hotel accommodations, tickets to local attractions and $500 in gift certificates to local restaurant and retail spots. “We look forward to welcoming the Mayor of New York City to Topeka one day,” said Sean Dixon, president of Visit Topeka. “The mayor, like many New Yorkers, may not realize everything Topeka has to offer. We decided to do something about that by partnering with Kansas Tourism to offer residents of New York City the opportunity to try out Topeka, and the great state of Kansas, for themselves!”
Source: KSNT 27 News
Bar-hopping, liquor on Sundays: Kansas pushes to change alcohol laws
Kansas lawmakers are moving forward with several bills to rewrite alcohol laws in the state. The Kansas House voted 116 to six to pass House Bill 2059 on Thursday. The proposal could change where people drink alcohol in the state. In some cases, it could mean buying a drink at a local bar, then walking down the street with your drink in hand. “Local governing bodies are best situated to interact with stakeholders and make decisions on how best to build out and police common consumption areas,” said Representative Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville, who carried the bill. The bill makes changes to the Kansas Club and Drinking Establishment Act’s provisions related to common consumption areas to remove the requirement that a city or county require that the portions of common consumption areas on public streets or roadways be blocked from motorized traffic during events. Supporters of the legislation said the change would allow cities to designate larger and more open areas for events with common consumption area permits and to attract additional patrons.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Tammy Baird ready for new title, new responsibilities at USD 386 Madison-Virgil
As her education career has developed, Tammy Baird says she didn’t consider being a superintendent until recently — and it wasn’t originally her idea. After serving as Madison-Virgil’s junior-senior high school principal the last two years, she applied to be superintendent and was approved by the board as part of a short interview process earlier this week. The biggest immediate challenge facing Madison-Virgil is recruiting and retaining teachers. She wants to push to have the district in a good financial and academic position so students can be successful after high school. She says Madison-Virgil is a “fantastic” district because of the community and board support.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Salina looks at opioid settlement funds
Hundreds of millions of dollars has already been awarded to the state of Kansas related to the opioid crisis, and with some of that money coming to local communities within the state, Salina is looking at options for how it will spend its share. The Salina City Commission discussed these settlements during a study session Monday, with several groups, including first responders and the main addiction treatment center on hand to give their thoughts on what the current state of the crisis in the community and how the funding could be used locally. “Hopefully, by the end of this (study session), we’ll have some good conversation about how we can utilized these funds to best suit Salina and the citizens,” said Debbie Pack, the finance director for the City of Salina. … As there are still some ongoing court cases surrounding the settlements, the amount the city will receive is still unknown but there is some guidance on how the funds can be used based on the Kansas Fights Addiction Act, passed by the state legislature in 2021. … Some options for the city would be to contract with or grant funding to nonprofits, charities or other entities, or pool the funds with other subdivisions to cooperatively expend the funds.
Source: Salina Journal
“Bittersweet” retirement for Fort Scott police chief
A local police chief officially retired on Tuesday. He spent his last day on duty celebrating with hundreds of family, friends, and colleagues. “We’ve been blessed. And I’ve been blessed to serve in a community like this,” said Travis Shelton, Retired Chief, Fort Scott Police Dept. After 26 years of serving the Fort Scott community, chief Travis Shelton officially retired today at 5 o’clock. His retirement party is nothing short of sharing memories, laughs, hugs, and handshakes. The gathering included Shelton’s childhood friends, who came from Drexel, Missouri to Fort Scott to celebrate him.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Emporia drinking water finishes fourth at international contest
Emporia’s drinking water is among the best in the world — at least as judged at the internationally-known contest in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Emporia’s tap water finished tied for fourth with Miryang-Si, Gyeongsangdam-do, Republic of Korea, in the international contest. Gold went to Clearbrook, British Columbia, Canada, while silver was claimed by South Muskoska, Ontario, Canada, and bronze went to St. Paris. Ohio. Water samples were rated by appearance, taste, mouth feel and aftertaste.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Municipal Bond Trends for March 2, 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.
Why I love Winfield
A couple of weeks ago I sat in a restaurant in Wichita catching up with some of my friends who live in the city. “Are you all enjoying living in Winfield?” one of them soon asked. The three of us are similar in many ways, young working professionals with elementary-aged children and parents living close enough to engage in our kids’ lives. My immediate affirmative responses drifted to conveniences so often craved in my current life stage. My kids’ ability to attend a school a few blocks away. The experience of a college basketball game and bluegrass festival practically in my backyard. My five-minute commute to a doctor appointment, the pharmacy, the grocery store, church, work, and a skating rink.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler