Kansas Municipal News
Mobile library unveiled in Goddard
On Oct. 17, the Goddard Public Library officially unveiled its new mobile library. The converted recreational vehicle will help the library expand its outreach. “We do a ton of outreach in the area,” said library director April Hernandez. The library does outreach activities through the Goddard School District, not just in the city itself. Hernandez said the mobile library will make it much easier to perform those services. The library has loads of crates and other items that previously needed to be loaded and unloaded for each event. Staff members thought it would be good to have a dedicated vehicle.
Source: Times-Sentinel
Municipal Bond Trends for October 28, 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.
Enforcing fowl in Hutchinson: What to do with chickens
Holly Wright first thought about raising chickens when food prices started to go up during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She researched for several months before investing in them, she said, since it required building a coop and run, and buying feed, and then she and her husband started their flock in their yard on East Second Avenue. A few months ago, she spotted a story about the city discussing changes in a city ordinance related to the birds after Councilwoman Sara Bagwell asked for a review to allow larger backyard flocks.
Source: Hutch News
Maple Hill city council opposes closure of Maple Hill Elementary under USD 329 bond proposal
The Maple Hill City Council is opposing a plan from USD 329 Wabaunsee to close Maple Hill Elementary School as part of a multimillion-dollar bond issue on the Nov. 8 ballot. City council members approved a resolution at their Oct. 10 meeting that states the council is “unanimously opposed to any effort” of the USD 329 school board to close Maple Hill Elementary, as district officials look to consolidate all facilities into one central campus. The resolution states in part that the city council believes a pre-K-through-fifth-grade attendance center is “a vital attribute” in attracting new residents to town and developing the local economy.
Source: themercury.com
Doggone project soon gone: Pet owners in Overland Park will receive permanent tags
If you own a pet, you know the drill. You properly license the dog or cat before receiving a tag that’s good for one year. That’s the easy part. Then comes the epic struggle to replace the old tag with the new one on the animal’s collar. It may take pliers or fingernails of steel, if you can get the dang things to move at all. But with a new licensing procedure that will take effect in January, Overland Park hopes fewer people will be growling in frustration. And the city will save some money, too.
Source: Joco 913 News
Kansas history tied to railroad development
In territorial Kansas, a fifth of all land was granted to railroad companies. The grants shaped settlements and business development in the state. Leo Oliva of Woodston talked about the railroad’s impact on Kansas development at a program last week at Marion City Library. Railroad companies chose where to lay tracks and sold land close to tracks at higher prices and land farther out at lower prices.
Source: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin
Prairie Village to take single-family districts out of housing discussion
Single-family housing districts in Prairie Village have been temporarily removed from the conversation on the city’s housing recommendations. Moving forward, the city’s discussion is now narrowed down to focus on commercial, multifamily and mixed-use districts. This takes any consideration of multifamily housing within single-family housing districts — one of the most controversial aspects of a special task force’s recommendations — out of the equation for now, unless attainable housing cannot be addressed otherwise, per a planning commission work session on Tuesday.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Municipal Bond Trends for October 27, 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.
Free expungement clinic planned for Riley County residents needing a clean slate
Riley County residents looking to clean up their criminal record are invited to a free expungement clinic at the Manhattan Public Library Friday. Attorneys will be on hand to help individuals review if they have any convictions that can be expunged. Deputy Riley County Counselor Craig Cox says there will be a prosecutor available from the County Attorney’s office as well as a judge. “A person can walk in and we’ll review the criminal history. Depending upon the nature of the conviction, for most misdemeanors you have to wait three years after you’ve completed your sentence. For most felonies, it’s a five year wait and for most serious driving violations, it’s a one year wait,” he said. In many cases, past criminal convictions can hamper a person’s ability to gain employment, or in some instances prevent them from getting an interview. In some instances, a past driving violation can also prevent someone’s ability to renew a driver’s license.
Source: 1350 KMAN
“CID” proposal in Pittsburg aimed at improving shopping area
A number of improvements could be coming to an area of Pittsburg, if a new proposal is given the go-ahead. It’s for a new “CID”, or “Community Improvement District”, for the shopping area in and around where the “Home Depot” sits off North Broadway…. It involves a 7-10ths of a cent sales tax for the next 20 years, or until it generates $3,700,000 in revenue, whichever comes first. “The idea is we get improvements for the community, not just new roofs on the developer’s existing buildings, so they’ll be, the Goody’s building, which has been vacant for 10 years, will become a Marshall’s. That’s supposed to open in November. There’s a new building going just to the south of that, which hasn’t been named where it’ll be, but it’s another national retailer. And then there’s going to be sidewalk improvements and the overall signage and just the general improvements in the area, kind of upgrade the district a little bit,” said Daron Hall, Pittsburg City Manager.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Lawrence’s Human Relations Commission pushes to ban housing discrimination based on source of income
Proposed changes to city codes could open literal doors to many Lawrence community members in need of housing if a city advisory board’s recommendations become law. The Human Relations Commission voted Thursday to advance to the Lawrence City Commission recommendations that call for protections from discrimination that is based on source of income, survivor status or immigration status. The advisory board’s recommended language around source of income would prevent landlords from denying housing because someone’s money comes from housing assistance such as vouchers, settlements and more. In a survey of 115 available rental properties in Lawrence in May 2021, 80% did not accept housing choice vouchers, according to a presentation in the meeting materials.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Man accused of slashing tires on nearly a dozen Geary County Sheriff’s Office vehicles
Geary County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were the target of vandalism early Thursday morning when 11 patrol units had their tires slashed, according to authorities. Those vehicles were parked in the lot at 9th and Franklin Streets in Junction City. Security video showed 36-year-old Justin Nienhaus, of Grandview Plaza, as the perpetrator. He was arrested by deputies in conjunction with Junction City and Grandview Plaza Police officers on 10 counts of felony criminal damage to property as well as two misdemeanor counts thereof, and two counts of felony interference with a law enforcement officer.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Andover tornado recovery work continues
Recovery and cleanup efforts continue in Andover, six months after a tornado moved through parts of Sedgwick and Butler Counties. The City of Andover released an update on what’s been done and what is still being worked on. There have been several volunteer cleanup days recently, and the next is planned for November 5. If you’d like to help, you can sign up to volunteer through the United Way of the Plains.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Perfect day for black squirrel party in Marysville
Black squirrels gathered acorns in City Park and beneath trees across town Saturday, oblivious to the estimated 3,000 area human residents and visitors toasting them as the town’s honored animal. The sunny, warm fall day drew all ages to the downtown area for an array of games, live music, food, socializing and a huge parade down Broadway. It marked 50 years since the town named itself the Black Squirrel City. “I think people got a kick out of the excitement and silliness of our little mascot,” said Mandy Cook, co-chair of the Black Squirrel Fest committee. “I was beyond pleased with how everything ran.”
Source: The Marysville Advocate
Pittsburg officially creates an arts district
City commissioners heard Tuesday from Crista Cunningham, president of the Pittsburg ArtWalk Association, about why the city needs such a district. Cunningham said downtown Pittsburg in recent years has become the "heart of art" as the number public murals and artists visiting the area has increased.
Source: Morning Sun
Key yield-curve indicator points to recession
A so-called inverted yield curve between three-month and 10-year interest rates is considered by Wall Street as a reliable sign of an impending economic slump. A recession warning tracked by Wall Street is growing louder, as another measure of the widely watched “yield curve” signals that the United States is headed toward an economic slump. The yield curve is a way of comparing interest rates, also known as yields, on different maturities of government bonds, from a few months to 10 years or more. Investors typically expect to be paid more interest for lending to the government for a longer time, partly reflecting the risk of locking up money given the usual expectations for rising growth and inflation. But short-term yields occasionally rise above longer-term yields, upending the usual situation in the bond market. It’s called a yield-curve inversion, and it means investors are now effectively demanding more money to lend to the government over shorter periods of time. That is an indication investors expect economic growth to decline soon — perhaps within a year — and that the Federal Reserve will need to cut interest rates below where they are currently to help an ailing economy.
Source: NY Times
Covid relief: Johnson County will use $5 million to provide small business grants
Johnson County was awarded $117 million through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program, and the Johnson County Board of Commissioners have opted to help small businesses with part of the funds. The county will allocate approximately $5 million in recovery funding to provide grants for up to 225 small businesses. Small business owners can qualify to receive a grant if: They employ fewer than 50 people. They can show a loss of revenue of at least 25% when comparing 2019 revenue to 2021 revenue. They can provide proof that the business was established in Johnson County before March 1, 2019.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for October 26, 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 Provides Over $3 Million to Bring High-Speed Internet Access to Communities in Kansas
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas State Director for Rural Development Christy Davis today announced that the Department is providing $3,066,752 million to bring high-speed internet access to two Kansas counties. “High-speed internet is essential for success in education, healthcare, and business in the twenty-first century.” Davis said. “Federal funding makes it possible for communications companies, like Blue Valley Telecommunications, to serve our state’s rural communities.” Today’s announcement is part of a larger national announcement including 24 states and three territories. Details of the Kansas investment are: A $3,066,752 grant will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network to connect 3,000 people, 255 businesses, 14 educational facilities and four farms to high-speed internet in Marshall and Washington counties. Blue Valley Tele-Communications Inc. will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program.
Source: ReConnect Program
Wichita police plan to use a $1.6 million grant to increase surveillance around town
Wichita police are going to be adding more cameras around town. During a news conference Wednesday at City Hall, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran announced $1.6 million in federal grant funds for more cameras and the Wichita Police Department’s Flock automated license plate reading camera system. The camera readers take photos of vehicles and record the make, model, color and license plate number and alert police about specific vehicles they are looking for. Police vehicles have had license plate readers on them since 2014, the department said. The Flock system being put on street lights started as a pilot program in November 2020. It’s helped in investigations of homicides and recovering stolen vehicles.
Source: Wichita Eagle