Kansas Municipal News
Southeast Kansas steps up its resources for students
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced a five-year nine-million dollar grant to improve student behavioral health in southeast Kansas. The grant aims to address the behavioral health needs of nearly 40 thousand students. Officials with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas say the grant will impact children without resources. “If someone is struggling to come to school, unready to learn because they don’t have food, we want to help,” said Leah Gagnon, Director of Patient Engagement at the CHC of SEK. “Our community health workers can really step in and be that bridge between the resources and support that we have in the schools and the resources and support that families and students need at home.”
Source: KOAMKOAM
Dog rescued by Geary County Sheriff’s Office becomes national narcotics detector dog
A dog rescued by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) has become a national narcotics detector dog. According to the GCSO, Nova was dumped near Interstate 70, and in 2018, she became a K-9 partner to Captain Justin Stopper. On Thursday, Sept. 22, she became certified through the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association (NNDDA) for meth, heroin, cocaine and marijuana. She also gained certification for articles, such as clothing.
Source: KSN-TV
Sales tax increase could add extra $1M for Parsons
If Parsons voters in November approve increasing the public safety sales tax up 0.5% to 1%, it will generate approximately an additional $1,000,000 for a total of $2,000,000 for the city, according to City Manager Debbie Lamb. The current 0.5% sales tax in Parsons generates about $1,000,000, Lamb told the Sun on Wednesday. The added money from the tax would go toward the construction of a new public safety center for the Parsons Police Department.
Source: Parsons Sun
Overland Park Farmers Market named ‘America’s favorite’ in new nationwide vote
The Overland Park Farmers’ Market is the best in the country, according to a new online poll of thousands of farmers’ markets from around the U.S. The 60-year-old market in downtown Overland Park took home the title of America’s “favorite farmers market” in the 14th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration put on, in part, by the American Farmland Trust. The contest, which lasted throughout the summer before ending on Sept. 19., had farmers markets across the country participate by asking shoppers, farmers, vendors, volunteers and others to vote for their favorite markets.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Text-to-911 service enhancements look to save more lives
The Garden City Police Department, in conjunction with the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council, announces the enhancements made to the Text-to-911 service in Kansas. Text- to-911 has been available to citizens of Finney County since November 2017, for individuals who cannot safely make a voice call to 911 in an emergency. Texting 911 can be done by typing “911” in the field for a phone number. No other numbers need to be used. Texting should be done through your wireless phones text messaging service and not from a third-party texting application. Text-to-911 does require an active telephone service plan with data, or it will not work.
Source: Western Kansas News
Having a rambunctious party in Overland Park could now cost you up to $500
The Overland Park City Council unanimously passed a policy to regulate partying, particularly at short-term rentals, following a fatal shooting in March at an Overland Park property. Council members voted unanimously in favor of the nuisance party ordinance, which regulates gatherings of five or more people that leads to noise complaints, unlawful alcohol or drug use, assault or battery, property damage and littering among other factors. The ordinance would allow officers to cite individuals for criminal conduct and for failing to leave a party once instructed.
Source: KC Star Local News
TPD holds public session on training methods
Thursday night, members of the Topeka Police Department hosted an event to better educate the public about how officers are trained to handle the emergencies they experience on a daily basis. During the session, police instructors outlined the current procedures for training new recruits, and what continued education looks like to veteran officers. The goal of meetings is to open a dialog with the community about the rigorous training Topeka Police officers must complete before they interact with the public. This was the second of two educational presentations about police procedure.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Notice of Public Meetings in Central and Eastern Kansas for Public Water Supply Lead and Copper Rule Implementation
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is holding public meetings to help communities and public water supply systems learn about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Lead and Cooper Rule Revisions (LCRR). Under the LCRR, public water supply systems are required to prepare and maintain and inventory of service line materials. This inventory is to be submitted to KDHE by October 16, 2024.
Public water supply system decision-makers, operators, and the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the inventory requirements and actions that can be taken to reduce lead exposure risks in drinking water. Piping containing lead can become a potential health risk in drinking water. Some homes (typically built before 1988) may have lead service lines that connect to the public water supply system. Young children, infants and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to lead in drinking water and water used for formula because the physical and behavioral effects of lead occur at lower exposure levels in children.
KDHE staff will review the following topics:
- Development of Lead Service Line Inventories
- Public Water Supply System Responsibilities
- Water System Customer Cooperation
- Lead Exposure Health Risks from Drinking Water
- Funding information for lead service line replacement
The meetings will be held:
| October 3, 2022 | October 4, 2022 |
| 1 – 3 p.m. | 1 – 3 p.m. |
| Courtyard by Marriott | Drury Plaza Hotel |
| 3020 Riffell Drive | 400 W. Douglas Ave. |
| Salina, Kansas 67401 | Wichita, Kansas 67202 |
| October 11, 2022 | October 12, 2022 |
| 1 – 3 p.m. | 1 – 3 p.m. |
| Capital Plaza Hotel, Emerald Ballroom | Chanute Memorial Auditorium |
| 1717 SW Topeka Blvd | 101 S. Lincoln Ave. |
| Topeka, Kansas 66612 | Chanute, Kansas 66720 |
Individuals needing accommodations should contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at least five business days before the hearing by phone at (785) 296-5514, fax (785) 559-4258 or TTY 711.
Meetings for other regions of the state will be announced once they are scheduled.
For more information about KDHE’s Lead Service Line Inventory requirements please visit KDHE.KS.gov/LCRR.
Municipal Bond Trends for September 21, 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 and Beth Warren.
USDA Rural Development Announces $6.3 Million for High-Speed Internet in Rural Communities
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas State Director for Rural Development Christy Davis today announced $6,319,640 in funding for high-speed internet access for rural residents and businesses in eight counties in Kansas and Nebraska. USDA is making the investments through the third funding round of the ReConnect Program. … The specifics of this Kansas grant are: A $6,319,640 grant will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. This network will connect 704 people, 17 businesses, and 225 farms to high-speed internet in Jackson, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Republic, Washington, and Riley counties in Kansas as well as Jefferson and Thayer counties in Nebraska. … To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.
South Hutchinson water rates may be going up, relatively little and then a lot
South Hutchinson city leaders agreed Monday to move the city from having some of the lowest water rates in the state to average rates. While it won’t happen overnight, the council did approve a change Monday that will mean an immediate doubling in rates for some. And there was a consensus of the board to explore trying to reach the state average within just three years.That means rates could more than quintuple from current levels.
Source: Hutch News
Fed raises rates by another three-quarters of a percentage point, pledges more hikes to fight inflation
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised benchmark interest rates by another three-quarters of a percentage point and indicated it will keep hiking well above the current level. In its quest to bring down inflation running near its highest levels since the early 1980s, the central bank took its federal funds rate up to a range of 3%-3.25%, the highest it has been since early 2008 following the third consecutive 0.75 percentage point move. … Along with the massive rate increases, Fed officials signaled the intention of continuing to hike until the funds level hits a “terminal rate,” or end point of 4.6% in 2023. The “dot plot” of individual members’ expectations doesn’t point to rate cuts until 2024; Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and his colleagues have emphasized in recent weeks the unlikelihood that rate cuts will happen next year, as the market had been pricing.
Source: CNBC
Governor Laura Kelly Celebrates Goodyear Tire Investing $125 Million in Topeka, Adding 40 New Jobs
Governor Laura Kelly today announced the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.’s decision to invest $125 million and hire 40 new employees at its Topeka plant as part of modernizing its Kansas facility, which has been in operation since 1945. This announcement comes during Governor Kelly’s ‘Prosperity On The Plains’ tour promoting economic development. “Goodyear’s expansion shows that our laser-like focus on creating jobs and supporting manufacturers benefits Kansans across the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, 40 more Kansans will have quality jobs and $125 million will be brought into our communities, reinforcing our state’s ability to compete – and win – in the global marketplace.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Fed rate hike pushes 2-year UST above 4%; munis slow to respond
Municipals were mixed after the Federal Open Market Committee implemented a third straight 75 basis point rate hike as it continues to combat inflation, pushing the two-year U.S. Treasury above 4% while the 10-, 20- and 30-year made gains. Equities ended in the red. The FOMC raised the fed funds rate target 75 basis points to a range of 3% to 3.25%, as expected, and members are leaning toward a rate of 4.4% by yearend and 4.6% next year. The post-meeting statement acknowledges upcoming hikes, saying the FOMC “anticipates that ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate.”
Source: The Bond Buyer
Greater Andover Days festival coming up
Routinely put in the fourth weekend after Labor Day, this year’s Greater Andover Days will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The three-day festival will include fun, food and entertainment for the entire family – with over 5,000 attending annually. Among the attractions planned this year are a food court, KidFest activities, photography contest, golf tournament, pickleball tournament, hot dog eating contest, parade, fishing clinic, car show, carnival, live entertainment and more.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Audit reveals two-thirds of broadband aid allocated to southern Kansas
Nearly two-thirds of $48.5 million in COVID-19 funding earmarked for expansion of broadband services to Kansas homes and businesses was invested in upgrading internet connectivity in the southern half of the state, according to an audit report released Sept. 14. The Kansas Legislature’s auditing arm told a joint House and Senate committee the three southern regions of the state absorbed 35 of 66 grants, or $30.4 million approved by Gov. Laura Kelly and legislators on the State Finance Council. The four northern regions took on the balance of the projects, budgeted at $18.1 million.
Source: Derby Informer
Locals and visitors continue to use Harvey County parks in record numbers
Usage at Harvey County’s three parks remains as high as ever as people continue to opt for outdoor entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Probably the last three years since COVID started have kind of been record years for us,” Parks Director Kass Miller said. Miller said the parks remained full on the weekends, with East Park being the busiest, but the volume of people at West Park has increased, too. He said a majority of patrons were from out of the county. East Park attracts most of its visitors from Sedgwick County, and West Park pulls in a lot of folks from Reno County.
Source: Harvey County Now
Wind Energy rep says proposed regulations would kill project
After more than 40 people got their say, the Harvey County Planning Commission approved 18 pages of regulations governing wind turbines and other alternative forms of renewable energy during a Sept. 14 meeting at the Meridian Center. More than 200 people attended the meeting, and a majority of those who spoke asked for more stringent requirements than those that were approved. A handful of others expressed support for NextEra Energy’s proposal to develop a wind farm in the county, but that project appears dead on arrival based on the 1,500-foot setbacks that were approved. NextEra Energy representative Fiona Bagwell after planning commission meeting said that the regulations as proposed would kill the project. The County Commission has final say on whether the proposed regulations are adopted.
Source: Harvey County Now
Thousands throng to Hillsboro
The streets of downtown Hillsboro had the biggest traffic jam of the year Saturday with 180 arts and crafts vendor booths lining four blocks of Main St. and two blocks of Grand Ave. So many people crowded onto the streets that it was difficult to find a place to walk. Parking spots weren’t easy to find. Lots charged $3 to $10 for use.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Construction gets rolling on Lenexa Justice Center that will house police, court facilities
Construction on the $73 million Lenexa Justice Center has started on schedule at the southwest corner of Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street. The facility is set to open in the spring of 2024. The Justice Center will house the city’s police department, municipal court, information technology server room and communications unit. It also will have space for training and vehicle storage, as well as a firing range. The 117,785-square-foot facility will be located on 36 acres just south of Lenexa City Center. Lenexa chose the site because of its central, accessible location. The area also offers undeveloped land that could be ripe for expansion later. The site borders West Star Development’s Vista Village, which is part of the sprawling 225-acre The Vista master plan.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal