Kansas Municipal News
Hutchinson’s new city manager starts work
Hutchinson’s new city manager’s career in public service started with one of the most essential ingredients for any municipality − water. That passion remains vital today. Kendal Francis, who holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Kansas State University, has served as city administrator or manager for Lakin, Coffeeville and most recently Great Bend. But before thinking about obtaining his master’s degree in public administration and wanting to manage a city, Francis worked as a water treatment plant operator in his hometown of Beloit.
Source: Hutch News
Flags Be Lowered to Half-Staff in Honor of Longtime Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan
In accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities immediately until the day of interment, in honor of former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan, who passed away Tuesday. Stephan entered the Kansas attorney general’s office in 1979 and held office for 16 years. “Today, I’ve ordered flags statewide be flown to honor Kansas’ longest-serving attorney general, Robert Stephan,” Governor Laura Kelly “I had the utmost respect for General Stephan’s advocacy and public service, and I appreciated his sage counsel. My condolences go out to his family.” This flag order will be updated when the date of internment is determined.
Municipal Bond Trends for January 4, 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 officials see higher rates for ‘some time’ ahead
Federal Reserve officials are committed to fighting inflation and expect higher interest rates to remain in place until more progress is made, according to minutes released Wednesday from the central bank’s December meeting. At a meeting where policymakers raised their key interest rate another half a percentage point, they expressed the importance of keeping restrictive policy in place while inflation holds unacceptably high.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Governor Kelly speaks in Wichita on food tax reduction plan
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made an appearance at a Wichita child care center on Wednesday to talk about her plan to bring the sales tax on groceries to an end. The governor said she is proud of a bill approved last year to phase out the state sales tax on groceries, but she said it doesn’t go far enough or fast enough. She talked about her “Axing Your Taxes” plan that will be submitted to the Kansas Legislature in the upcoming session. One phase of the plan will completely eliminate the sales tax on groceries. Another phase of the plan will eliminate the sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products, and Kelly said this will save Kansans over $20 million over the next three years.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Pandemic has caused pet overpopulation
Animal shelters like Caring Hands Humane Shelter have been bursting at the seams with an oversupply of animals due to medical effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Director Cynthia Sutcliffe said the shelter had a population lower than normal during the early months of the pandemic in 2020. Many residents adopted a pet during the months when people were cooped up at home. She said another consequence of the pandemic was that all supplies related to spaying neutering were diverted to medical use for humans for about six months. She said veterinarians were unable to obtain surgical equipment. Caring Hands couldn’t even order gloves other than those used for cleaning.
Source: Harvey County Now
Harvey County Commissioners send bitcoin-mining decision back to planning commission
The Board of Harvey County Commissioners voted Tuesday to have the Harvey County Planning Commission rehear its Dec. 6 decision that denied a rezoning request for Print Crypto to operate a bitcoin mining operation at a Butler Rural Electric Cooperative substation at 8399 S.E. 84th St. Commissioner Randy Hague first suggested that the rezoning request go back before the planning commission after a long hearing, during which lawyers for Butler Rural Electric and Print Crypto argued that the bitcoin operation could operate noiselessly with a conditional-use permit.
Source: Harvey County Now
Funds beings raised for new water slides at Holton Pool
Even though most Holton-area residents have been concerned with how to stay warm in recent days, Holton Parks and Recreation Director Mike Reichle and the Jackson County Community Foundation are hoping some will give Holton’s municipal swimming pool some thought this winter. The recently-established “Beautify Holton” fund, established by Reichle and Jessica Rogers along with community foundation leaders, has so far raised more than $16,000 toward the purchase of a water slide at the city pool — a drive that began with a donation of more than $8,000 from a local business owner and augmented through the foundation’s “Giving Day” this past October.
Source: Holton Recorder
Park City moving forward with creating downtown development
Assistant Park City Administrator Dana Walden says it’s always been a dream of the city to build something like a downtown area. “This is a pretty new city, we’re only going to be 43 years old this year and so as park city developed, there was not this central hub, not a downtown.” City officials bought the 48 acres of land back behind its back in 2019 with this type of project in mind. It’s taken a bit of time to get it started but work will get started in June under the name “Park Centre.” Walden says “this will change the face of Park City.” Park Centre will feature retail and food locations, several different housing options like apartments and condos, and a park that will include a farmer’s market that will act as a central gathering place for residents.
Source: KAKE – News
Salina city manager appoints new police chief
There’s a new police chief in Salina. On Wednesday, it was announced that City Manager Mike Schrage had appointed C.J. Wise as the police chief. Wise has spent more than 25 years in law enforcement, most recently working in the Edmond, Oklahoma, police department, where he has been since 1998. Wise holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Management and Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2019.
Source: KSN-TV
Local law enforcement to discuss Fentanyl crisis at town hall event
Local law enforcement is hosting a town hall event to discuss the Fentanyl crisis within the Wichita community. The Wichita Police Department (WPD), the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), and local partners are meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Sedgwick County Extension Center, 7001 W. 21st Street North. The event is free and open to the public.
Source: KSN-TV
Small earthquake reported west of Elmdale
A small earthquake in Marion County caused minor shaking in western Chase County on Wednesday. The US Geological Survey says an earthquake developed about eight miles east-southeast of Lincolnville shortly after 10 am. Weak shaking was reported near Elmdale from the magnitude 2.2 quake. No damage or injuries were reported.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Survey finds most Leawood residents want to keep city’s pit bull ban
A survey found nearly 60% of Leawood residents want the city to keep its controversial pit bull ban in place. City officials say, given those results, Johnson County’s last remaining municipal dog breed ban will remain in place for now but could be modified moving forward. Esther Campbell, project manager with Olathe-based marketing firm ETC which conducted the survey, told the city council Tuesday that a majority of respondents voiced a preference for keeping the ordinance as is.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Lenexa unveils design for new ‘community-friendly’ skatepark
Beginners, spectators and experienced shredders will all have something to claim in the design for Lenexa’s new skatepark that was unveiled Tuesday night. The new facility at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park is designed to have a flow that puts features more accessible for beginners near the entrance, then moving gradually to tougher features farther in, designer Kanten Russell told city councilmembers.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
City of Topeka looks to add 2 new historic places connected to African-American culture
A new survey from the City of Topeka will focus on African-American culture in the capital city. Gretchen Spiker, a spokesperson for the City of Topeka, said that the Topeka Landmarks Commission will be partnering up with the City of Topeka’s Planning Division this month to begin surveying the city’s historical African-American locations. The project will focus on the documentation of buildings, districts, sites and structures with significance to the development and history of African-American life and culture in the capital city.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Becker retires from Burrton PD after 14 years
For Burrton Police Chief David Becker, retirement means travel, family, and lighthouses. Becker retired after serving fourteen years as the city’s police chief, working his final shift on Dec. 23. Originally Becker planned to wait until turning 65 to retire, but after a massive heart attack a few years ago, he decided to retire early. Becker is 62. “Me and my wife talked it over and we decided to go ahead and enjoy it, we decided to go ahead and enjoy our time together,” Becker said.
Source: Harvey County Now
Newton’s future library took plenty of community involvement
Cari Cusick, library director, said the library is expected to be constructed in 2023 and completed in early 2024. “It’s almost surreal that it’s finally, finally happening,” she said. “A decade of work preceded it. It’s pretty amazing to see this.” … The building will be 25,000 square feet and set on the east side of Military Park. It will feature children’s, teen and adult areas, updated seating areas and an indoor/outdoor seating area to connect the library to Military Park. There will be a drive-through window for book drop-off, as well as service during business hours. It will also feature study rooms and meeting rooms. Cusick said there was a large demand for meeting rooms and private study areas before the pandemic. Now with more people working remotely, she said there’s an even bigger demand. She said having separated areas for teens to use would also be a big get as well as off-street parking.
Source: Harvey County Now
Municipal Bond Trends for January 3, 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.
New year, lower food tax in Kansas. Here’s what the cut means for your grocery bill
Kansans looking to save a bit more money in the new year are in luck. The first phase of the state’s move to eliminate taxes on food went into effect on Jan. 1, reducing the state’s food tax to 4% instead of 6.5%. The state food tax rate will continue to go down year after year until 2025, when it will reach zero. The Kansas Legislature passed this plan in April.
Source: KC Star Local News
Department of Commerce announces Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) 2.0 Grant Application
The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced $50 million will fund a second round of projects under the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) grant program. BASE 2.0 will continue addressing infrastructure and economic development needs that were delayed or slowed due to COVID-19 in an effort to expand the state’s base of businesses and residents. The additional funds were designated by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee and approved by the State Finance Council in December. Previous applicants that were not funded in round one will be considered for BASE 2.0 and do not need to reapply unless they would like to submit a new application. Awardees from the first round are not eligible for a BASE 2.0 award.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce