Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Manhattan, USD383 to split costs related to rotating planned middle school rec centers

The City of Manhattan and USD383 will share the costs to re-orient the planned Middle School recreation centers to accommodate planned additions at the schools that include storm shelters. The City Commission approved the decision 4 to 1, Mayor Pro Tempore Usha Reddi opposed.

The cost of the change will be at most $500,000 (a guaranteed maximum price from McCownGordon) — though city administration believes it will total less than that — to be split 50/50 between the district and city. The two recreation centers will be rotated about 45 degrees in order to allow for multiple entry points into the storm shelters. The new additions at Anthony and Eisenhower Middle Schools were planned, but their designs began being crafted after the city’s recreation center designs as the district had to wait for the results of the bond vote.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

El Do commission talks future of splash parks

The future of El Dorado’s splash parks was a hot topic at the most recent city commission meeting — and whether the city can keep the facilities open.

The problem in front of the city is vandalism to both of the city’s splash parks, and at the most recent city commission meeting staff discussed what could happen if the vandalism can not be stopped.

It would mean at least a temporary closure of the North Main Spray Park and the Graham Park Spray Park. Currently both are open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No admission fees are charged for the spray parks.

(Read more: andoveramerican.com)

Director of Communications at KDOT named

Jeanny Sharp has been named the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Director of Communications by Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz. In her new position, she will lead the communication team members at Headquarters in Topeka and at the District offices across the state.

Previously she was Public Affairs/Communications Director for the Kanas Department of Corrections. Before joining the State of Kansas, Sharp was in the print, digital and special event media business. She served as editor and publisher of The Ottawa Herald for more than 16 years. Most recently she was the marketing solutions director for The Hutchinson News as well as Regional Sales Director for GateHouse Media for numerous publications in central and western Kansas.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

SBA grants a disaster declaration for May tornadoes in Kansas

TOPEKA —The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Governor Laura Kelly’s request for a SBA disaster declaration as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred May 28, 2019.

Tornado damage in Northeast Kansas photo courtesy Westar Energy

“I am pleased that Kansas has been granted this request by the Small Business Administration,” Kelly said in media release from her office.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Property rezoned to build possible event center near Great Bend

Great Bend has approved rezoning regulations to allow a potential event center to be built just northeast of city limits.

Randy and Debbie Deutsch entered an agreement to purchase real estate at 154 NE 20 Road and 176 NE 20 Road, just to the southwest of Barton Community College. Deutsch plans to use the site as a business for Distinctive Draperies and as a wedding venue site.

Deutsch wants to turn the single-family dwelling into her offices and storage for weddings, inventory and retail. They plan to rent out the main kitchen to be utilized as a catering kitchen.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Great Bend votes to terminate contract with Chamber of Commerce

Less than two minutes were spent Monday night going over the decision to terminate the contract the City of Great Bend has with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce for economic development.

After a brief explanation for the decision from Mayor Joe Andrasek, the City Council voted 6-0 to eliminate the contract that keeps the Chamber in charge of the economic development for Great Bend.

“The committee understands that change can be difficult; however, is not promoting change simply for the sake of change,” said Andrasek.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ellis, Osborne, Smith Center, etc each receive $1M grant for new pools

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce is awarding a special series of Community Development Block Grants to 11 communities across Kansas.

The eligible activities in this category included a single pool of water. This can be the construction or reconstruction of a city Neighborhood Center (i.e. pool) and can include a maximum of two diving boards.

Only items necessary for a viable safe facility will be allowed (i.e. bath house, life guard chairs, a few benches/tables, fencing, necessary accessibility items and items needed for cleaning and disinfecting).

(Read more: Hays Post)

Tax cut could yield same revenue

Cut tax rates but generate the same amount of money. Or keep the mill rate the same and have more tax money to spend.
That’s the confusing but enviable dilemma county commissioners will attempt to resolve next week as they prepare their 2020 budget.

Once they decide whether to preserve rates or revenue and which new spending projects to approve, they’ll decide how much of whatever is left to give to employees as raises.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Council authorizes sale of $3.125 million in bonds

With resurfacing of three streets completed, Hillsboro city council members took steps Tuesday to work on nine additional streets.

Council members approved an ordinance to designate as main trafficways Wilson St. from 1st to C Sts., 1st St. from Adams St. east to the city limits, Grand Ave., D St., Washington St. from 1st to 2nd St., Lincoln St. from 1st to 3rd Sts., Jefferson St. from 1st to 3rd Sts., Kennedy St. from A to C Sts., and C St. from Adams to Kennedy Sts. The designation will allow resurfacing work on the streets.

After council members approved the designation, they voted to authorize the sale of $3.125 million in municipal bonds to fund the street work.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Clapp Golf Course to close after 106 years

WICHITA, Kan. (WBJ) –

Clapp Golf Course will close Aug. 2 after 106 years, as the Wichita City Council authorized its Park Department on Tuesday to continue to look at ways to transform the southeast Wichita land into redesigned green space.

A year ago, the Council voted to keep the course open while a transformation committee began to look at uses for the property at 4611 E. Harry.

“This is probably one of the most difficult things I’ve had to tackle in my years on the Council,” said James Clendenin, who represents District 3 in which Clapp resides.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Wichita considering 6-level parking garage in downtown Delano District

WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) –

The Wichita city council is concerned about parking downtown with the addition of the new baseball stadium and tomorrow morning the council will apply for a federal grant to help build a parking garage.

Jack Kellogg owns Hatman Jacks and his shop has been in the Delano District for years. He like many business owners says a parking garage will definitely be needed when the new baseball stadium is finished.

“I certainly think that parking garages are very adequate to supply certain needs, such as the ballpark, i think it’s great,” says Kellogg.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Wichita and Sedgwick County Fire departments consider merger

SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) – There is a new move to join the Wichita and Sedgwick County Fire Departments.

The idea is something that has been in the works for a few years now, some of the benefits mentioned are cost savings and efficiencies when responding to calls.

Today, veteran firefighter Brad Crisp was named Deputy County Fire Chief for Sedgwick County Fire District One.

He will be leading a review of county fire services and the feasibility of consolidating the two departments.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Grants Awarded for Community Pools in 11 Cities

The Kansas Department of Commerce is awarding a special series of Community Development Block Grants to 11 communities across Kansas.

The eligible activities in this category included a single pool of water. This can be the construction or reconstruction of a city Neighborhood Center (i.e. pool) and can include a maximum of two diving boards.

Only items necessary for a viable safe facility will be allowed (i.e. bath house, life guard chairs, a few benches/tables, fencing, necessary accessibility items and items needed for cleaning and disinfecting).

The city should consider an appropriate size based on population and ability to maintain. Facilities may be designed to allow for extra features in the future but cannot be part of the application (for example: If a slide is wanted that the application does not allow, the Neighborhood Center can be designed to allow the installation after the project is closed).

Grants are being awarded to the following communities:

The City of Baxter Springs will receive $960,000 in CDBG funds to rebuild the city swimming pool and provide ADA improvements to the bathhouse. Matching funds will be provided in the amount of $640,000 in city funds.

The City of Blue Rapids in Marshall County is awarded $763,411 in CDBG funds. The City will use $508,942 in bonds for their matching funds. The funds will be used to demolish and rebuild a zero-entry swimming pool.

The City of Caldwell is being granted $961,000 in CDBG funds to construct a fundamental pool. The City will supply $672,143 in matching funds secured with bonds.

The City of Caney will receive $1,000,000 in funds from the CDBG program. Bonds will be used by the city to provide $1,208,000 in matching funds. The city has chosen to construct their almost 4,000 square foot neighborhood center to include a bathhouse.

The City of Clyde is granted $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to assure the bathhouse complies with ADA, as well as, the construction of a zero-entry pool. The City employees will demolish the existing structure with force account labor estimated at $16,620 and $682,980 in bonds will be used to complete the project.

The City of Conway Springs will create their 19,250 cubic feet neighborhood center through a CDBG grant for $892,121. Also, matching funds in the amount of $594,748 will be made available. This improvement includes a diving board, lifeguard chairs and ladders.

The City of Ellis in Ellis County will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a new basic swimming pool with one diving board and fencing. The City is also contributing $850,500 of their local funds.

The City of Moundridge will use $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to establish their 4,000 square feet neighborhood center. The City will provide $1,375,768 in bonds to match the grant funds.

The City of Osborne is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to construct a pool with benches and shade canopies. The City will provide matching funds in cash for $22,000. The total of $1,108,109 was collected from fundraisers, donations and other grants. In addition, the city employees will supply force account labor estimated at $23,977.

The City of Smith Center will receive $1,000,000 in CDBG funds and provide $700,206 in matching funds from the city. The monies will be used to demolish and reconstruct a 125,000 gallon zero-entry pool.

The City of Yates Center in Woodson County is being awarded $1,000,000 in CDBG funds to complete a new swimming pool and bathhouse. This facility will meet all accessibility requirements and is located at 310 West Chellis. The City will provide matching funds in the amount of $729,155.

Source.

T-Mobile sues Wichita to force City Council to allow Riverside cell tower

International telecommunications titan T-Mobile is suing the Wichita City Council, seeking a federal court order that would force the city to allow a cell phone tower in the Riverside area.

The suit alleges that the city violated the federal Telecommunications Act by rejecting two attempts to place a cell tower at two different sites in Riverside.

Both tries resulted in a public outcry from residents, who say a cell tower would harm aesthetics and reduce property values in their historic neighborhood.

In the filing, T-Mobile and tower builder APC Towers III claim that Wichita’s rulings have been unreasonable.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Mission Hills adopts non-discrimination ordinance with legal protections for LGBTQ individuals

Mission Hills on Monday became the seventh city in the Shawnee Mission area to pass a non-discrimination ordinance that provides legal protections for individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Mission Hills passage of the ordinance comes a month after Westwood Hills adopted its own non-discrimination ordinance.

The ordinance applies to any employers in the city with four or more employees, city hall and related city boards, and any city contractors.

Sedgwick County considers discount card program for country’s heroes

It’s a way to give back to our country’s heroes. Sedgwick County Commissioners will consider a discount program for veterans and active military personnel.
The program will provide a discount card, similar to a driver’s license, which could be used at participating businesses.

According to officials, the county plans to partner with veteranbargains.com — a website ran by a Wichita veteran.

There are more than 120 businesses that already offer discounts to heroes. If the program is approved, the county plans to go to each listed business to confirm it is willing to participate in the discount card program.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Seward County employees reward students with scholarships

Monday, two local students were given some financial help with their higher education.

The Seward County Employee Committee rewarded its annual scholarship in the amount of $400 each to two of this year’s six applicants.

Deja Webber and Kyle Benton were this year’s recipients. Webber is the daughter of Demetria Ward and Darell Webber and granddaughter of Steven Bailem from the Seward County Sheriff’s office.

(Read more: Liberal First)

Commission wants uniformity in NRPs

OSWEGO — The city of Oswego may revisit its neighborhood revitalization plan in the coming weeks after Labette County commissioners asked about making NRP plans uniform across the county.

Commissioners discussed the plan that provides property tax rebates for improvements to residential and commercial structures within certain areas of Parsons, Oswego and Chetopa. These three communities are the only ones in Labette County that have NRP programs in place.

The city of Parsons has four neighborhood revitalization plans. One works for commercial properties in the northern part of the city in the area of the U.S. 400 and U.S. 59 junction. The older program will expire this year and allows commercial and residential property owners in specific areas to get 90% tax rebates on additional property tax tied to improvements. The third and fourth programs relate to historical structures. The NRP encourages property owners to build new structures or add to existing structures by giving them tax relief for five years.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Topeka City Council approves 1 cent sales tax for development of Villa West Shopping Center

Topeka’s mayor and city council voted Tuesday evening to levy a 1 cent sales tax increase upon customers of the planned Sherwood Crossing redevelopment at the site of the former Villa West Shopping Center.

The mayor and council also voted to allow a second shift to be put in place for city water division employees while granting them pay raises for a three-year period totaling 17 percent instead of the 11.5 percent suggested by the city’s administration.

Mayor Michelle De La Isla and the nine council members voted 10-0 to form the Sherwood Crossing Community Improvement District, for which the additional 1-cent sales tax will be levied in the shopping center at the northwest corner of S.W. 29th and Wanamaker.

Ordinance changed; Harper Camperland to install large propane tank

The City of Great Bend did not allow large above ground propane tanks within city limits until Monday night when they altered ordinances around after receiving a request from Harper Camperland. Harper fills up LP cylinders in their RVs that they service or repair. They currently drive the customer’s larger motor vehicles to Moeder Oil for propane service.

Great Bend Fire Chief Luke McCormick says that will change with the new tank Harper wants to install.

“The newer transferring systems will be in place,” said McCormick. “They will have to meet regulations that are monitored by the State Fire Marshal’s Office as far as who can fill it and how they go about doing that.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Cowley College Sumner County campus providing labor pool

Janet Grace, campus operations officer for the Cowley College Sumner campus, met with Sumner County Commissioners this week to apprise them of how the facility is doing, along with its training of a skilled labor pool.

“This is the first time a community college has crosses lines in Kansas,” third district Commissioner John Cooney said. He was referring to a community college in Cowley County, supported by Cowley County taxpayers, opening a facility in Sumner County.

Cowley College President Dennis Rittle and the Sumner County Economic Development Commission were instrumental in pushing for the Sumner County campus, Cooney said.

Kingman County judge Mathis to retire

KINGMAN – After nearly 27 years on the bench, District Magistrate Judge Roseanna Mathis will retire Aug. 2.

Mathis has served as a magistrate judge in Kingman County since 2012, after serving as a judge in Morton County for 20 years.

Then Roseanna Volden, she was first elected to the bench in Elkhart in 1992 and re-elected four more times.

She resigned as Morton County magistrate judge in 2012 and moved to Kingman County. Later that year, she applied for a vacant district magistrate judge position there and was selected. Voters retained her in two subsequent elections.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

USD 475 Board of Education approves development agreement with the City

Another step was taken on the new Junction City High School project Monday when the USD 475 Board of Education approved the development agreement with the City of Junction City on related infrastructure improvements.

It covers a one mile section of Blue Jay Way on the east side of the new school site, a one half mile water main extension, and overages on a nearby roundabout on K-18 at Blue Jay Way.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Rental Electric Scooters A Go In Wichita

Rental electric scooters have the green light in Wichita.

The Wichita City Council unanimously passed a city ordinance and electric scooter pilot program at its meeting Tuesday. The ordinance and pilot program regulate the use of scooters, particularly to address clutter issues that other cities have experienced.

“The advantage that we have is we’re really not out in front on this particular opportunity,” Mayor Jeff Longwell said earlier this month while discussing the pilot program. “Other cities have tried it and seen lots of different problems.”

(Read more: RSS Feed)

Ellis County cuts, eliminates funding to outside agencies

Last week there was a full house when outside agencies made presentations to ask the Ellis County commissioners for budget money for 2020.

But on Monday evening, only a few showed up to hear what the commissioners had decided.

Funding for two agencies was completely eliminated, while the other 13 each lost as much as half of what they requested.

Even High Plains Mental Health Center, which all three commissioners have repeatedly praised for doing important work, had $20,000 shaved from its $280,000 request.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Kansas faces future budget woes even with a revenue surplus

Kansas’ tax collections have beaten expectations nearly every month for the past two years and the state expects to end June with close to $1 billion in cash reserves, but the budget problems that followed a former governor’s notorious tax-cutting experiment aren’t necessarily a thing of the past.

The steep income tax cuts that former Governor Sam Brownback championed to try to stimulate the Kansas economy contributed to persistent and severe budget shortfalls that caused some GOP legislators to rebel and gave the state’s new Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, a potent issue to successfully campaign on last year.

(Read more: WIBW News Now)

Reno County Commission approves resolution over wind farm protest petitions

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission adopted the resolution to formally recognize the validity of protest petitions received for the NextEra wind project. The resolution confirms that 46% of those petitions were valid. This resolution makes it official. Next week, the commission will also put into resolution form the official vote declining the conditional use permit for the wind project.

One thing that doesn’t appear likely is the commission pushing for a temporary moratorium of wind projects in the county, something requested by some residents of the area last year and rejected by the commission. Commissioner Ron Hirst commented that he would like to see a moratorium while the planning commission puts together overlay zoning in the county. Some areas of the county are not currently under any type of zoning. The other two commissioners don’t appear to support that.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Lawrence hosting public reception for outgoing City Manager Tom Markus

The City of Lawrence will soon host a public reception for outgoing City Manager Tom Markus.

The reception will take place Tuesday from 5 to 5:45 p.m. in the lobby of City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., according to a city news release. The reception will fall between the presentation of Markus’ recommended 2020 budget, happening from 3 to 5 p.m. in the City Commission room, and the City Commission meeting, which will begin at 5:45 p.m. in the City Commission room.

Markus, who began his position in March 2016, announced in September that he planned to retire this year, and Tuesday will be his last commission meeting. Incoming City Manager Craig Owens will begin his employment with the city on July 1.

Lawrence City Commission to consider bike boulevard designs, additional $250,000 for project

City leaders will soon consider designs for Lawrence’s first bike boulevards as well as a change that would significantly increase the project’s budget.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider approving the final conceptual designs for the 21st Street and 13th Street bicycle boulevards and a potential $250,000 increase to the project’s budget. The budget overage would bring the total cost of collecting public feedback, designing the boulevards, and constructing the boulevards to $717,000, according to a city staff memo to the commission from Engineering Program Manager Amanda Sahin.

Opportunity zone officially designated

The Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas set in stone a new opportunity zone during its monthly meeting Friday at Trusler Business Center.

RDA President Kent Heermann mentioned in his comments that Emporia had gained an opportunity zone. This is a concept that came up at a previous RDA meeting in Nov. 2018 when the parameters for the local opportunity zone were laid out.

According to Heermann, the zone is located in census track five. He said it started at the corner of Neosho Street and Sixth Avenue and stretches southeast to the edge of Emporia and into Lyon County.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Kansas, Missouri teamed up to lure USDA jobs to KC. Now, the competition begins

Kansas and Missouri leaders have enticed the federal government into shipping hundreds of high-paying jobs from Washington to Kansas City through an unusual level of cooperation between the two states.

But now it’s time for the competition to begin.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Thursday that it would be relocating two research agencies—and hundreds of jobs—to the Kansas City region. But the USDA didn’t specify which side of the state line will be the new home for the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

(Read more: Government & Politics News |)

USD 428 provides resources to report bullying

In May, the USD 428 Board of Education received the first reading of the Bullying Prevention Plan. In June, the school board passed the revised plan to reflect current bullying prevention guidelines.

USD 428 Assistant Superintendent John Popp says there are not many changes except the district now provides more resources to those that feel they’re being bullied. Many cases of reported bullying may be labeled something else once examined.

“Almost every situation that comes to a principal or teacher is that a kid is being bullied,” Popp said. “Many times when we investigate we find out it is two kids that have a conflict. Less than half or a third is actual bullying.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

This might be the last summer Kan. swimmers enjoy this enormous pool

By CORINNE BOYER

Every summer since 1922, locals and tourists have flocked to Garden City’s Big Pool. Once promoted as “the world’s largest outdoor free concrete municipal swimming pool,” it holds around 2 million gallons of water. “Holds” might now be an overstatement.

The Big Pool leaks. A lot.

Garden City’s Big Pool, nearly a century old, loses 200,000 gallons of water a day.
CORINNE BOYER / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE

Around 200,000 gallons of water from the pool seep into the ground per day — even after renovations that replaced pipes and sealed cracks in the concrete.

Even for a pool of its size, the water loss is “excessive,” according to Fred Jones, Garden City’s water resource manager. “It’s kinda to the point where we feel like it’s probably nearing the end of its service life.”

As the pool’s centennial nears, concern over costs and repairs have grown. The city has been asking residents this year about replacing it, though nothing’s been decided yet.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Reno County Commission to formalize validity of wind farm protest petitions

HUTCHINSON – After the Reno County Commission failed to get a unanimous vote for a conditional use permit for the Next Era Wind Energy wind farm near Haven, that topic will come up again Tuesday.

No new decisions are expected other than adopting the resolution determining the validity of protest petitions received opposing the project. Last week, commissioners agreed 46 percent of those petitions were valid. On Tuesday, the commission is expected to pass a resolution making that official. Next week, commissioners will also put into resolution form the official vote to decline the conditional use permit for the wind project.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Here are 3 KC-area office properties likely to draw USDA’s attention

Soon after the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it was relocating more than 500 jobs to the Kansas City area, the questions about where in the metro area the jobs would land began.

With speculation rampant, the Kansas City Business Journal began to look — and ask — around about the most likely locations for the new office based on what we know about the selection process.

Here’s a look at the three properties (in no particular order) that can accommodate the USDA’s need for 120,000 square feet of Class A office space by the Sept. 30 deadline:

Kans for Kids announces grand opening

The new sign is up at 169 S. Main Street in Hoisington for Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer.

Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation announces the grand opening of their new office at 169 S. Main, Hoisington, on Thursday, June 27 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The 501-c-3 organization, founded by the Duane Reif family in 1994, has operated out of the Reif home for the past 25 years. According to director Debbie Reif, the organization had outgrown the small space in their home, “The time had come that we needed to find a space for Kans for Kids to continue to grow and thrive in. The opportunity arose to purchase the old Subway building from the City of Hoisington. It’s absolutely the perfect place for Kans for Kids.”

The grand opening will include hourly giveaways (need not be present to win), cookies, bottled water and a live remote radio broadcast by Eagle Radio from 11-1. Also featured will be the unique work of Jeff Clawson, Larned. Butterflies, angels and snowflakes cut by a press from aluminum cans and made into magnets will also be available for a $3 donation to Kans for Kids.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

City Council takes second vote on electric scooters

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Electric scooters are back on the agenda this week, as Wichita City Council makes their second vote to bring the popular trend to town.

Last week, the vote was delayed after a resident raised concerns about the ordinance and how it would impact people with privately owned scooters.

But they will be making their next vote on Tuesday

An ordinance would allow scooters on slower streets, but not sidewalks.

Newton creates housing incentive program

The Newton City Commission on Tuesday created a housing incentive program — one designed to help reduce the risk of losses by builders of spec homes that stay on the market.

Under the program, the city will provide builders with assistance to pay interest payments on new homes — homes that, according to a housing study and a work group, often sit on the market so long that interest payments on loans for materials and construction eat up the profits seen by builders when the home sells.

The commission looked a recently completed housing study that showed which demographics are expected to grow in population in the next few years and what types of housing may be needed over the next few years.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Sewing skills thrive in Pratt County

PRATT — Sewing and quilting are not lost arts in Pratt County thanks to the efforts of Sue Buhler, longtime seamstress and sewing instructor, who last week helped seven Pratt area girls learn the craft during a quilting camp.

The quilting campers, ages 9-11, met from 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Pratt County Extension Office for their lessons. Each individual helped put together a lap quilt, which they donated to residents at the Pratt Rehabilitation and Residence Center, and they each made a quilted drawstring backpack.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Seward County to review salary proposal

Recently, Seward County commissioners hired the consultant firm, The Arnold Group, to complete a compensation study in order to have a fair and consistent documented compensation system that compares market data relevant to the community and other municipalities.

Commissioners likewise budgeted $400,000 for 2019 salary adjustments for county employees, and the commission hosted a work session Friday to review the findings of the compensation study.

“This study took into account nine compensable factors, market data from both municipalities and private sector employees with like positions, population, skill set and educational requirements, as well as the past three years overall turnover summary,” information in the packet for Monday’s regular commission meeting said.

(Read more: Liberal First)

Wheat Harvest will be later than expected

Wheat this season isn’t the typical amber color that most farmers see this time of year and with heavy rainfall, it may be putting good crops in danger.

Wheat harvest typically starts in early to mid June, but not this year ”We’re about two weeks behind,” Farmer Kyler Millershaski said.

Too much rain has put farmers behind.According to the National Weather Service, May has been the third wettest month in history.The weather not only has delayed harvest, but increased the chance they could lose their crops.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Athletic bond projects: High school gym remodel continues

The doors to the Derby High School gymnasium closed nearly two months ago for bleacher replacement.

Now reaching the midpoint of the summer, the project is nearing its completion date and will be ready when school starts in August.

USD 260 director of finance and operations Joe Dessenberger said the district saved money during the project by handling different parts of the remodel in-house.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Walmart to lease portion of former Amazon facility, on short-term basis, at the Coffeyville Industrial Park.

Montgomery County Action Council director Trish Purdon announced Monday morning that Walmart has agreed to lease a portion of the now-vacant and former Amazon.com facility at the Coffeyville Industrial Park. The lease agreement is on a six-month basis, which will give Walmart time to determine if the facility is worthy of a long-term commitment.
Walmart will use about 60,000 square feet of the nearly 1 million square feet facility as a distribution facility. Exact job numbers are not yet known, Purdon said. However, anticipated job numbers will be minimal as the corporation uses the facility for short-term use.

Some Kansas towns in process of spraying to ward off mosquitoes

With the official start to summer approaching and mosquito populations growing, crews in some Kansas cities are in the process of spraying to try to keep mosquitoes at bay.

There’s an emphasis on mosquito-prevention measures as medical professional say they’re likely to see cases of West Nile Virus across Kansas this year. , recognizing that many counties are at a “moderate risk” for the virus.

McPherson is one city spraying for mosquitoes this week. It’s a heightened concern following May’s torrential rains and flooding.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Small Cities Month

NLC is celebrating small cities and the inspiring, challenging, and community-building experiences that define life in a small city, town or village. More than 80 percent of NLC members are jurisdictions with populations for 50,000 or less. As part of NLC’s Summer of Love, we want to highlight the stories and experiences that connect residents to their hometowns during July, Small Cities Month.

This year’s theme is: Why I Love My Small City: Stories of Resilience, Courage and Community.

Join the celebration. Tell NLC how your city, town or village is responding to challenges on housing, infrastructure and supporting economic development. Or how as a leader you are promoting civic engagement and building community across all generations. NLC will be posting blogs and content on social media, and highlighting your stories on the NLC website.

Here’s how you can get involved.

Share Your Story

Submit a 75-word blurb about how your city shows love for its residents through its housing and infrastructure programs, civic engagement and intergenerational services. Your city could be selected to be featured on the NLC Facebook page.

(Read more: www.nlc.org/contents/rss-feed)