Kansas Municipal News
Reno County is in need of medical personnel, especially nurses
Finding employees to fill openings in Reno County is difficult, but in some professions this task is daunting. The medical field is in need of some specialty doctors and technicians, but nurses are their top priority. Hutchinson is not alone in this matter. It is a global issue. The World Health Organization calculated that about 27 million people work in nursing or midwifery worldwide, representing half of the world’s global health workforce. There is a global shortage of nurses who, the WHO said, represents more than 50% of the current shortage in health workers.
Source: Hutch News
Topeka high schools launching esports programs for communities
Working with Highland Park High School social worker Fred Willer, [Ryan] Rockwell is hoping to start esports and gaming communities at each of the local high schools, using the Gamers HQ gaming lounge, 2027 S.W. Gage Blvd. in Topeka, as a hub for it all. … While esports has blossomed into competitive professional and collegiate-level leagues and teams, high schools aren’t quite there — yet, said [Fred] Willer. It can be difficult for schools on tight budgets to afford the necessary computers, consoles and setups needed to host teams, but that’s why he loved Rockwell’s idea to have Gamers HQ step in to provide a space and equipment for students from local schools.
Source: CJonline
McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden graduates FBI National Academy
On Thursday, Dec. 8, McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Golden began training at the FBI National Academy 10 weeks ago, in mid-October, and successfully completed the training this week. Golden’s training included classroom instruction, physical fitness, and more. Golden has dedicated over 15 years of law enforcement service to the McPherson community. He joined the McPherson Police Department in October 2006 as a patrol officer.
Source: McPherson Weekly News
Harvey County group holds event to welcome potential manufacturer
That was the message around 50 members of local business development groups, government and civic clubs aimed to convey Friday to the leadership of GAF Materials, a large-scale roofing manufacturer considering Newton. “All the stars are aligning,” Harvey County Economic Development Director Beth Shelton said. “We have the opportunity to seize the day or fumble the ball.” Shelton said she could not think of a better fit for Newton than GAF, which is considering locating a quarter-mile-long facility on 230 acres at Southeast 12th and Hillside at the Kansas Logistics Park.
Source: Harvey County Now
Sedgwick County installs new tornado sirens
Drivers along Main Street in Cheney may have noticed two new tornado sirens in town. The sirens are part of a new, multi-year effort by Sedgwick County Emergency Management to replace all of the sirens within Sedgwick County. Other communities that have new sirens so far include Andale, Mt. Hope, St. Marks and Bentley. Beta tests were done last year with a couple of sirens in Wichita. The county is moving away from electric sirens and back to mechanical sirens, according to Jonathan Marr, deputy director for Sedgwick County Emergency Management.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers
Goddard amends Sunday alcohol sales times
The Goddard City Council approved an ordinance at its Nov. 21 meeting to amend the times the public can purchase prepackaged liquor and cereal malt beverages on Sundays in the city. The Kansas Legislature first enacted a law giving local cities the option to allow Sunday sales in 2005. The 2021 legislature passed a bill expanding the start time for retail sales on Sundays from noon to 9 a.m. Sunday sale hours are allowed until 8 p.m.
Mayor Larry Zimmerman said he was aware that not having the earlier start time for Sunday sales had lost some sales for local businesses.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers
Housing survey results in for Clearwater
Bill Lampe, director of housing for South Central Kansas Economic Development District, presented the results of the Clearwater housing survey to the city’s council on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The survey is conducted to grade the condition of homes in order to help the city qualify for grants to improve local housing. The survey determined that 43 percent of Clearwater’s housing is in top “A” condition. A majority of homes received a “B” rating with 49 percent of homes falling into this category. Houses rated in “C” condition made up seven percent of the survey and one percent of homes received the lowest survey rating of “D.”
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers
Wichita to start landlord incentive program to provide more affordable housing
The City of Wichita will be starting a landlord incentive program to help provide more affordable housing for people who are on Section 8 and Housing First programs. The city’s Director of Housing and Community Services, Sally Stang, said the program will provide one-time bonuses to landlords who join the program. First-time landlords will receive a bonus of $1,000, and landlords who were previously involved with housing programs for at least six months will get a $500 bonus. The program also covers damages and vacancy costs, up to $2,000 in damages or deductibles for a zero to one-bedroom home or apartment. The program will offer up to $3,500 for homes or apartments with two or more bedrooms. Stang said there is a perception that tenants on voucher programs are more likely to cause damage or not fulfill their lease obligations.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Shawnee County heading into new year planning renovations, Gage Park sales tax
Shawnee County is gearing up for numerous renovations and improvements around the county as we near the end of 2022. Shawnee County Commissioner Kevin Cook stopped by 27 News Friday morning to give us the details. People in Shawnee County voted in November to pass a ballot measure to pay for improvements to Gage Park. This will add a sales tax at an increment of .02% of a penny to improve the park, the Topeka Zoo and the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. In August, commissioners voted to approve more than $10 million for the Shawnee County Jail.
Source: KSNT 27 News
When trains block roads, states can’t do anything. Supreme Court could change that
No one’s above the law, although the nation’s railroads come close at the state and local level. Over the past quarter century, multiple courts have ruled that only the federal government can impose rules affecting railroad operations. Most notably, states can’t limit how long a train can block motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic at a public crossing, the courts have said. Yet because Congress has passed no laws addressing the subject, there are no limitations. So trains now block some crossings for hours, or even days. The state of Ohio recently asked the U.S. Supreme Court to settle this vexing problem by hearing its appeal of a lower court ruling that nullified the state’s law setting a time limit on how long trains can block crossings. Ohio argues that public safety is at stake.
Source: KC Star Local News
Sedgwick County Emergency Management K9 and handler find missing child
A K9 and her handler with Sedgwick County Emergency Management found a missing child Friday night. Around 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, the Mulvane Fire Rescue says they were asked to assist the Sumner County Sheriff in locating a missing child in the rural portion of their fire district. “Four units from the fire dept and multiple Mulvane Police officers circulated the area,” Mulvane Fire Rescue said. While Mulvane first responders circulated the area on the ground, Sumner County deputies searched the area from the air by using a drone.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for December 9, 2022
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.
Salina hosting forum on homelessness next week
Homelessness is a topic of concern for many people in Salina, and the city is providing a time for people in the community to learn more about what it and other agencies in the area are doing to address the situation. An open forum on homelessness has been announced by the City of Salina, scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the Salina Grace Community Resource Center, 142 S. Seventh St. The Salina City Commission has been invited to attend the forum to learn along with the public, and the city said there will be time for public comment as part of the meeting’s agenda.
Source: Salina Journal
Lawrence has no plans to close unsanctioned homeless camp near depot
Lawrence officials don’t have plans to close or clean an unsanctioned East Lawrence homeless camp despite concerns that it is growing and is producing large amounts of trash near the Kansas River. A spokesman said City Hall leaders don’t yet believe they can feasibly shut down the camp because they don’t believe there are enough alternative shelter locations available in the city.
Source: LJWorld
Lawrence school board to review teacher salary comparisons, possible increases to pay schedule
The Lawrence school board will soon receive a report that compares the district’s teacher salaries to other nearby school districts and proposes various ways to change the district’s pay schedule to increase salaries. As part of its meeting Monday, the Lawrence school board will receive the report of salary comparisons for teachers and other certified staff. The report is a follow-up on a previous discussion about salaries in the district, in which board members were told the Lawrence salaries were lagging behind some nearby districts.
Source: LJWorld
Sedgwick County commissioners will earn over $100,000 each after voting for a raise
Sedgwick County commissioners will receive a 6.9% raise in 2023 after they voted to increase their base salary. Starting next year, the five commissioners’ annual pay will climb from $95,000 to $101,527. That’s less than the $113,626 a year that Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple makes but significantly more than the other six Wichita City Council members’ $49,064 annual salaries. County commissioners David Dennis, Jim Howell and Sarah Lopez voted for the raises while Pete Meitzner and outgoing commissioner Lacey Cruse voted against them. “The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners collectively acts as the chief executive office for the county organization that has nearly 3,000 employees and an overall annual budget of $530 million,” Howell said in a text message. “Unlike Wichita council members or other commissioners across the state, Sedgwick County commissioners are full-time.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Stray cat population grows in Topeka
Stray and outdoor cats have been a part of the Topeka community for a long time, and pet organizations are working to keep the number of cats under control. Shelters say they’ve received an increase in calls about stray cats. They are appreciative for the help, but say they want people to be absolutely sure it is a stray cat before bringing them in. The National Library of Medicine says 10% of indoor cats who ran away were found within two blocks of their home. “Indoor cats who get out tend to get really spooked and they’re going to just hide nearby, really close by,” Director of Business Development at Helping Hands, Grace Clinton said. “And so if you think that it’s an outdoor cat, if you find a cat and you’re worried that somebody’s owner is looking for them, talk to your neighbors because it probably lives on your street somewhere.” There is a large number of outdoor cats, and most of them prefer to stay outside. Cat colonies form in a community naturally. This is what vets consider to be large groups of homeless cats. And if cats are removed to limit their number, it could only make it worse.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Flu, RSV, COVID spiking in Kansas and Missouri. Hospitals reaching capacity
Flu-like illnesses like COVID-19, RSV, the flu and other viruses are on the rise in Kansas City and beyond. This week’s data shows COVID-19 cases continuing to increase in all five counties and two cities that make up the metro area. Data reported on Tuesday shows that there have been 1,643 new cases reported in the metro in the past week. That’s higher than the 1,309 cases reported the previous week and 997 the week prior. Local experts have warned of an increase in viral illness around the metro as flu season coincides with an RSV outbreak and colder weather causes more residents to gather indoors. Children’s Mercy Hospital is already at capacity with sick patients, and other hospitals are starting to feel the strain as well.
Source: KC Star Local News
Ending source of income discrimination in Lawrence will be a key step toward solving housing crisis, panelists say
Only about 10% of Lawrence landlords participate in housing voucher programs, and right now, 51 households with vouchers in hand are actively searching and struggling to find housing. Gabby Boyle, prevention specialist at the Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center, and Mariel Ferreiro, landlord liaison for the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, shared those statistics and context alongside other local housing experts Thursday evening during a panel at the Lawrence Public Library. Ferreiro explained that the housing authority administers transitional vouchers, which allow people to build rental history and acclimate from experiencing homelessness, and housing choice vouchers. Those subsidies provide landlords guaranteed monthly rent payments — but fewer and fewer landlords are accepting them. Lawrence’s Human Resources Commission recently advanced proposed changes to city ordinances that include creating a protected class based on source of income. If passed, the ordinance would prevent landlords from denying housing because someone’s rent money comes from housing assistance such as vouchers, settlements, benefits, subsidies, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers and more.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Johnson County Commission approves nearly $4 million grant for homelessness services
The Johnson County Commission voted Thursday to approve nearly $4 million in federal funding to go toward services to help people experiencing homelessness and prevention efforts. Commissioners voted 5-1 to accept a grant of about $3.97 million from the American Rescue Plan to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, which the county will have 10 years to spend. Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara voted against the measure, and Commissioner Janée Hanzlick was absent. For the last decade, Rita Carr, the director of community planning with United Community Services, or UCS, of Johnson County, said the number of people experiencing homelessness, staying outdoors or living in their cars has risen.
Source: KC Star Local News