Municipal News & Jobs

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The city of Topeka plans to consider a $292,500 settlement for a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by a retired fire captain. This would be the fourth discrimination settlement paid by the city since June 2023.
Read more: CJonline

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

A proposed 45,000 head swine farm 30 miles north of Salina won’t need the approval of the Ottawa County Commission due to its business structure, according to a Sept. 18 opinion from the Kansas Attorney General.
Read more: CJonline

Crews begin replacing 20 miles of water pipe line across the entire city, this coming Tuesday. This is a grant-funded project and it’s goal is to take rusted and corroded steel pipes, and replace them with new PVC pipes that are supposed to last for the next hundred years.
Read more: KSNF/KODE

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $250,000 is available under the Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) grant program to support new upper-floor housing in commercial buildings in Designated Kansas Main Street communities. “Rural downtowns are full of history and character — and many have unused upper-floor spaces that could be utilized for additional housing options,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These funds give our community leaders the resources to turn these historic assets into vibrant, livable spaces — and increase the number of customers within a short walk of downtown restaurants and shops.”
Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce

The entrepreneurial energy of Central Kansas will take center stage this Thursday at 7:00 PM as the third annual Ignite Rural Business Competition lights up the Crest Theatre in downtown Great Bend. Hosted by Great Bend Economic Development (GBED), Ignite Rural celebrates the innovation and resilience of rural entrepreneurs. This year’s competition features five local finalists vying for $95,000 in total prize funding to help launch or expand their businesses.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

Buhler residents gathered Monday morning at the Buhler Adult Community Center to discuss the city’s current housing-related needs and goals for the future. The informational session and forum were hosted by Buhler Community Foundation Coordinator Lauren Meadors on behalf of the Hutchinson Community Foundation. In Hutchinson Community Foundation’s recent “Love Where You Live” survey, the top priority given by Buhler residents was attracting new businesses, and the second ranked priority was removal or renovation of housing blight.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

When Sedgwick’s EMS director position came open last summer, Zane Hansen, the city’s fire chief since 2019, stepped up to fill the role. “Great to see somebody with hometown pride take over,” City Administrator Kyle Nordick said about Hansen’s willingness to take the position. “It seemed like he would be the right fit instead of putting the city through the process of trying to go out and find somebody. We already had somebody in-house that the team was familiar with, and so there’s that level of comfortability, as well.” Hansen, who’s lived in Sedgwick his entire life, not only brings familiarity to the EMS employees but to the community as a whole. He said a lot of people have thanked him for taking on the responsibility of EMS director.
Read more: Harvey County Now

This small town is moving forward with plans for major developments even though Panasonic may delay full production at its new electric vehicle battery plant. The newest developments include plans for hundreds of housing options with apartments, homes and a hotel, in addition to the opening of a data center and an expansion to Merck Animal Health’s facility. De Soto is a town of about 6,500 people, so the planned hiring of 4,000 people at Panasonic, in addition to new housing and other businesses coming to town, means at least an additional 60% of people spending time at local businesses and using roads and other town infrastructure. Some residents are coping with the changes to the town’s character and desire for more information about environmental impacts from new development.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Lawrence elected officials and civic professionals speaking during a panel Monday identified trends they say disrupt the public discourse necessary to make progress. Amber Sellers, Lawrence city commissioner; Kelly Jones, Lawrence school board member as well as candidate running for reelection in November; Patrick Kelly, Douglas County Commission chair; and Rich Lockhart, chief of the Lawrence Police Department shared reflections on their roles as public officials. Kyle Velte, University of Kansas School of Law faculty member, added legal perspectives and knowledge. The League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County hosted the panel event, “Bringing Civility Back to Civic Discourse.” Co-Vice President Sonja Czarnecki moderated the discussion, taking questions from the packed audience in addition to prewritten prompts.
Read more: The Lawrence Times

Kansas farmers are harvesting millions of acres of corn that power the state’s economy — but as the Ogallala Aquifer shrinks, its future looks uncertain. It’s harvest time in Kansas. Across the state, combines have begun shaving down and chopping up over 6 million acres of corn. Isaac Yara is a truck driver, so he sees almost nothing but those corn fields hauling grain across the high plains. This season is a busy one for him. Why are those signature corn fields so ubiquitous in rural America, including western Kansas where the crop relies on the shrinking Ogallala Aquifer to thrive? That’s because in western Kansas, there is a huge demand for it. The major corn industry is connected to most of the jobs, like truck driving, the cattle industry and farming. But the problem is, corn is not as well suited as other crops to this region. All of the economic infrastructure and pressure makes growing corn a simple choice for now, but in the long term it might not be a sustainable option.
Read more: The Iola Register

Iola officials were notified last week that the city must conduct more tests among its residents whose homes may have lead water lines or fixtures. Iola will test its water more frequently for lead over the next year as part of an edict handed down from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Toby Ross, water plant superintendent, and Mitch Phillips, the city’s water distribution superintendent, spoke about a recent KDHE notification, directing the city to ramp up its testing after three homes tested above the EPA threshold of lead in their drinking water over the summer. The threshold, mind you, is 15 parts of lead per billion units of water, a number infinitesimally small, Ross noted.
Read more: The Iola Register

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released the minutes from its Sept. 16-17 meeting where it voted to cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point.
Read more: cnbc.com

McPherson County is commissioning the design of an official county seal that will be displayed at the McPherson County Building at Maple and Marlin when it opens early next year. The County Commission Monday approved a scope of work agreement with BowerComm, carrying a $3,500 budget. The seal is envisioned as an art piece that conveys the county’s identity and values while avoiding the pitfalls of being overly cluttered, cartoonish or confused with a logo. This seal could at some future time become widely adopted across county communications. Concept sketches are expected to be available within three weeks with the final design approval by Nov. 15 to align with building construction.
Read more: Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

Activation of warning sirens within the Arkansas City limits is now the responsibility of Cowley County Emergency Management after Ark City commissioners unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding Tuesday transferring that authority to the county. That responsibility had been carried out by the city’s Emergency Management Coordinator, a position cut from the budget next year to save costs. “We’re still responsible for the sirens, the maintenance, all the costs of that,” City Manager Randy Frazer said. “It just the operation of when they are set off is on the county.”
Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results

Over the last several years, the Emporia Police Department has adopted the targeted usage of drones in emergency and non-emergency situations. The drones were most recently used during a narcotics investigation on State street, to arrest Christopher Diaz on counts of ​​Distribution of a Controlled Substance and No Drug Tax Stamp.
Read more: www.emporiagazette.com/*

Sunshine from the front bay windows of the Peabody Township Public Library brushes the desks and chairs and books inside with a natural warmth no electric light can match. This scene, or something near to it, has repeated itself every afternoon since the library opened in 1914. The bay windows, set beneath patterned stained glass transoms, are on either side of the front door. The wooden chairs are the same chairs the first patrons used all those years ago, although they have since been refinished. Over the circulation desk is a black-and-white photo of Emma Christ, the librarian in charge at the opening. On behalf of a civic committee, Miss Christ wrote to Andrew Carnegie asking him to fund a new library building in this railroad town in east-central Kansas. And he did.
Read more: Homepage

A landfill is more than a final resting place for garbage; it’s a carefully engineered operation guided by environmental science and strict regulations from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Environmental Protection Agency, she said. The sprawling, 89.2-acre permitted waste footprint serves Barton as well as surrounding counties, demonstrating a vital commitment to public health and the environment. “Landfills are very important,” said Hamby, who has been with the Solid Waste Department for 15 years, three as director. “Without landfills, waste would accumulate in unregulated dump sites, ditches and city streets.”
Read more: gbtribune.com

Corporations that see Kansas as flyover country are quick to see opportunities for energy projects – from oil to wind and solar. Even when these projects are successful, they may not be beneficial to Kansas, depending on your point of view.
Read more: gbtribune.com

Hallbrook North — a $765 million development of high-rise office buildings plus a hotel, child care building and apartments proposed near State Line Road and Interstate 435 — got a unanimous thumbs up from the Leawood City Council on Monday night. The development by VanTrust Real Estate is the largest to date proposed for Leawood, said City Administrator Diane Stoddard. It comes with a $125 million ask for a variety of incentives, which councilmembers also appeared to view favorably. As Monday’s meeting ended, councilmembers also unanimously voted to move forward on the incentives by establishing a redevelopment district. Actions and public hearings on the specific incentives will follow in the next couple of months.
Read more: Johnson County Post

A focus group meeting was held for USD 379 on September 30th at Lincoln School, with about 32 people in attendance. The meeting was ran by HTK Architects, the firm that was hired to run the bond issue. Architects Maria Kutina, principal in charge, and Noah Mediavilla, project manager, started with a presentation about the bond issue process, which includes research, vision, program, collaboration, and resolution/voting.  Kutina also spoke on the current climate of public schools, which have come to require bonds in order to afford asset maintenance. 
Read more: KCLY Radio

The Kansas City Police Department has struggled to recruit new officers for years, especially after protests against misconduct and racism. But Chief Stacey Graves says a record number of new recruits graduated into the department in August, and next year’s class is similarly robust.
Read more: kcur.org

One detail was unspoken during the Wichita City Council’s recent debate over stronger enforcement of an ordinance against homeless encampments: Cleanups are far more frequent than they were prior to the updated ordinance, according to a Journal analysis of public records, and they have been occurring, on average, at least daily since stricter enforcement began in March. After the council voted to crack down on illegal camping in the city last December, formal encampment cleanups are up from an average of 14 a month to 38 a month – a 171% increase compared to last year. Despite the acceleration, some council members are dissatisfied. Mayor Lily Wu unexpectedly expressed her frustrations with visible homelessness at a recent City Council workshop.
Read more: KLC Journal

Freeman Health System has decided against building a new hospital in southeast Kansas following its feasibility study. According to Freeman, the original purpose of the hospital was to fill a gap in quality healthcare services in the region. Freeman says the study considered multiple factors, including the impact of pending legislation, including the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and evolving challenges in rural healthcare. Both of those variables contributed to the final decision.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is inviting Kansans to share their ideas and discuss transportation priorities during a series of local consultations scheduled throughout October.
Read more: www.koamnewsnow.com

A new museum dedicated to farm toys has opened at the Dickinson County Heritage Center in Abilene, celebrating the state’s agricultural roots and history. The Farm Toy Museum features nearly 2,000 miniature farm implements, including tractors, combines, and plows, with a significant portion of the collection donated by John Gruber and his wife, Kathy. “You know it’s very unique in the fact that as far as we know, other than Dyersville, Iowa, we are the only farm toy museum kind of in the Midwest area that we are aware of,” said Austin Anders, Director of the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
Read more: KSN-TV

Sedgwick County and city leaders met with the Kansas Department of Transportation on Wednesday to discuss transportation priorities, including the proposed Northwest Expressway. The Northwest Expressway project would connect Maize, Goddard, and southwest Wichita. “We’ve already invested over $20 million into buying the right of way for the Northwest Expressway. We want to make sure that the state realizes this is important to the people in Sedgwick County,” said Ryan Baty, Sedgwick County Commission Chair. Baty said another important discussion was on the aging infrastructure of Interstate 135, or Wichita’s Canal Route, “a six-mile stretch through the heart of Wichita.” KDOT is working on plans to repair and ensure the long-term durability of the route, which is made up of many flyovers, bridges, and overpasses.
Read more: KSN-TV

The first Buc-ee’s convenience store in Kansas is now set to break ground late next week. The project has experienced several delays since June. The $95 million project was expected to start last Wednesday, but the company wanted to work on an official groundbreaking ceremony. Construction on the 74,000 square foot store was originally scheduled to begin in late June. The groundbreaking for the new Kansas City, Kansas store will be next to Kansas Speedway at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.
Read more: KSN-TV

A Kansas community is rallying to help save its local drive-in theater. A Kanopolis couple purchased the Kanopolis Drive-In theater last year. The drive-in opened for the season on May 23. The theater had been operating throughout the season, that is, until Thursday, Oct. 2. The Kanopolis Drive-In’s projector broke down, and the cost to replace it is steep. The theater will need to raise at least $100,000, on the low end.
Read more: KSN-TV

Newman Regional Health was awarded a $485,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation to expand health care access to rural communities. The grant will be used to launch Newman’s two-year Telehealth for Rural Health Equity: Expanding Specialty Access Through Infrastructure Innovation program, which aims to serve residents in seven counties across east-central Kansas.
Read more: KSN-TV

A small town in southeast Kansas is getting a big new resource. Members of the healthcare and education communities in Humboldt gathered together Wednesday, October 8, for the opening of a new life services facility, holding a ribbon cutting ceremony and walkthrough of the Cubs Community Care Center, which officials say showcased their new community spaces and virtual learning opportunities. The building is a collaboration among Humboldt Schools, Southeast Kansas Mental Health, Ashley Clinic, and Allen Community College.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

A small town fire station is teaching kids the importance of fire safety. Staff from the Columbus fire department gave Park Elementary school students fire prevention and response tips. The kids were taught how to escape simulated smoke-filled rooms, use fire hoses, and how to work a smoke alarm. Today’s class was one of many; the Columbus Unified School District plans to send it to the station for Fire Prevention Week. The school’s principal, Matthew Crain, whose daughter recently went through the demonstrations, says the information has kids excited and better equipped.
Read more: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

The Lawrence Police Department (LKPD) shared that its beloved K9, Cheeseburger, had passed away. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the LKPD shared that Cheeseburger had died in the morning, surrounded by his family. “Our family is forever grateful that the department and community of Lawrence trusted us to care for Cheeseburger in his retirement,” the LKPD wrote on social media. The LKPD said that Cheeseburger spent the last 2.5 years of his life to the fullest with toys, treats, car rides and love.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

Officials from Sunflower Wind faced stiff questioning from county commissioner Clarke Dirks Plant manager Jase Sherwood and project manager Danny Sears-Greer told commissioners about repairing and replacing the blades, but Dirks had extensive questions. He wanted to know how much the blade and debris weighed and debris removed from the site so he could determine how much of the blades original material had not been disposed of.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Five Hillsboro Police officers will receive a lot more in retirement effective Jan. 1 because of Hillsboro City Council action Tuesday. Hillsboro police officers do not contribute to Social Security because they are in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. Under the change they will switch to the KPERS affiliated Kansas Police and Fire retirement.
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Marion’s new economic development director, Megan Jones, wants to develop a business plan for the city to follow. Jones, hired two weeks ago at an annual salary of $55,000, thinks her experience of working and owning Bill and Essie’s BBQ with her husband, Daryl, for a little more than one year will help in her new position. “I am assessing and planning,” she said. “I don’t want to jump off the diving board without knowing how deep the water is.”
Read more: Marion County RECORD

Zoning has been a hot topic for numerous years across northeast Kansas, and now, the Nemaha County Planning Commission has developed a zoning code titled, “Land Development Code of Nemaha County, Kansas.” This zoning code, which has been in the works for multiple months — or even years — is now scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 27, in Seneca at the Nemaha County Community Center, located at 1500 Community Drive in Seneca.
Read more: The Sabetha Herald

While it appears there are more homeless visible around Hutchinson, it’s an issue not unique to Hutchinson or Reno County, local and state housing experts said, but a growing problem nationally and statewide. Based on signals in the economy, it could get worse. Local officials, agencies and churches haven’t been idle, working for decades to find solutions to age-old challenges. But the reasons for homelessness are myriad, and the solutions complex. The Tribune will take a deeper look at some of those issues and community responses in a series of articles beginning with this broader look.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is attempting to court a nuclear power plant into the Hutchinson area. Chamber President and CEO Debra Teufel was presenting to Hutchinson City Council about ways the chamber is attempting to bring in jobs and workers into the city when she mentioned a communication she’d had with City Manager Enrico Villegas. The communication she had with Villegas was about the nuclear energy company Terrapower, and a memorandum of understanding they signed with Evergy and the Kansas Department of Commerce to bring a new, modular nuclear energy site into Evergy’s territory.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Reno County Director of Information Technology (I.T.) Tim McClatchey received a proclamation recognizing October 2025 as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in Reno County by the County Commission. “All of I.T. staff work very hard to keep us safe,” McClatchey told commissioners. “I just wanted to spread that awareness further, not just in the county but to the community.” Each October the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Cybersecurity Alliance lead national awareness campaigns emphasizing the importance of data protection, he said.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Last October, the city of Partridge broke ground on what would become their new library and community center building. In the two weeks since they opened, they’ve welcomed over 100 guests and–this Tuesday–representatives from the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

The plot of land on the southeast corner of East Avenue F and South Elm Street will soon belong to Jim and Heidi Unruh. The Hutchinson Land Bank Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to give the Unruhs this property after the Unruhs submitted an application that included a site plan that accommodates the needs of their wheelchair-dependent daughter. Interfaith Housing and Community Services is working with the Unruhs to construct a new house on this property.
Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

A cycling and trails enthusiast passed through Iola this weekend as part of his “Ride 4 Resilience” to raise money for cancer research and a group dedicated to preserving and building upon the state’s recreational trails. Mike Scanlon wants people to know Iola has a pretty cool trail system. Scanlon, executive director of the newly-formed nonprofit Kansas Trails Inc., was in town last weekend riding the Lehigh Portland trails.
Read more: The Iola Register