Kansas Municipal News
Iola, meet Iola
Iola Speck, a teenager who lives in England, and her father are exploring the city of Iola this week. A few years ago, they Googled her name, discovered the town and decided it would be “quite cool” to visit…. Iola and her father, Ivan, spent two days in Iola as part of a driving tour around the Midwest. They live in Higham, a village near Rochester in Kent, which is in southeast England. They flew into Chicago last week, where they rented a camper van airbrushed in bright colors. It was sure to get attention, and it would be their home for about two weeks; they slept in the back, taking up residence at “car parks” (the British term for parking lots) at Walmarts in cities they visited. They arrived in Iola on Wednesday afternoon, where they visited the Register’s office. Ivan is a sports reporter, so he appreciates the value of a quirky story and thought Iolans might like to know about Iola’s visit.
Source: The Iola Register
Municipal Bond Trends for August 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.
Lawrence to begin updating development code that determines where and how city grows
The City of Lawrence is preparing to begin a two-year process to update its land development code, dictating where and how the city grows as well as changes that could affect the look and function of existing neighborhoods and commercial areas. The city’s land development code, which has not been updated since 2006, covers building density, parking requirements and land uses, or what type of use can occur where, as well as various other aspects of development. Along with seeking to make the development code more concise and user-friendly, the update will create regulations to implement the city’s comprehensive plan, Plan 2040. Goals in the plan include more density and infill development, more variety in housing options and more walkable neighborhoods with a mix of uses, among other goals.
Source: LJWorld
Salina Fire Dept. joins community commemoration
Since beginning in the role in March, Salina Fire Chief Tony Sneidar has looked for ways to get the department more exposure and involved in the Salina community. The department takes a big step this next month as they commemorate and raise support for firefighters and their families who sacrificed on 9/11. The inaugural Central Kansas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and 5K Walk takes place on the 21st anniversary of that fateful day from 9 a.m. to noon at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. This isn’t the first time that Sneidar has organized a 9/11 stair climb, having done similar events during his time in the Philadelphia Fire Department.
Source: Salina Journal
Roots Festival returns to Paola this weekend
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Roots Festival is set to return to Paola this weekend. The two-day festival will once again fill Paola’s Park Square with music, games, crafts, and barbecue beginning Friday, Aug. 26, and continuing throughout Saturday, Aug. 27. It will be the festival’s 33rd year. One of the highlights of the festival will be the East Central Kansas State Barbecue Championship. About 65 barbecue teams will once again compete at the festival during the championship, which Jon Smail will oversee. It is the 23rd year the festival has hosted the championship.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
A chalk walk: Contest means sidewalks, paved spots in JoCo get a bit more colorful
Overland Park is getting a little more colorful — courtesy of an art supply beloved by children and creative adults. The Chalk the Walk program has encouraged residents of all ages to create their masterpieces on sidewalks, driveways and even paved park surfaces. Those who participate can submit a photo of their creation at opkansas.org/events/chalk-the-walk to enter the associated contest. But if you haven’t done it already, hurry. Submissions close Aug. 28.
Source: Joco 913 News
Municipal Bond Trends for August 25, 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.
This morning’s Powell speech may reveal interest rate plans
U.S. Treasury yields were higher on Friday as investors awaited a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell who is expected to give an indication of the central bank’s hawkishness…. Markets will be watching Powell’s speech at 9 a.m. CT for clues on inflation, the U.S. growth outlook, front-loading and the potential for monetary easing in 2023, analysts at ING said in a note. … Powell is likely to say that the central bank will not back away from using interest rate hikes to snuff out inflation. Fed watchers also say Powell may indicate that after the Fed finishes raising rates, it is likely to hold them there. The market currently expects it to start cutting interest rates next year.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Independence introduces online budget resource accessible to citizens
City introduces online budget resource accessible to citizens the City of Independence is working through its annual budget process and is offering a new tool to aid citizens in budget understanding. In furtherance of its goal to continually improve operational transparency and communications with residents, the City is introducing a new online platform with complete information on the 2023 Municipal Budget. The site provides insight into budget processes, explanations of line-item allocations and how the budget is divided among City departments, as well as tax calculations for residents.
Source: Independence, KS – News
Pittsburg business receives Economic Development Grant
A Pittsburg business is hoping to breathe new life into an old building. Owners of the White Elephant Emporium have started renovating their new home at 804 North Broadway. The project is expected to cost more than $100,000 with the city covering roughly 10%. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the home decor business received a non-repayable loan made possible by Pittsburg’s Economic Development sales tax. “It kind of takes a village to get some of these projects done and to purchase a building like this, for us it’s definitely taken the help of Pittsburg, Kansas,” said Stephanie Watts, White Elephant Emporium Co-Owner.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Local museum re-enacts Newton Massacre
Audie Heller portrayed Hugh Anderson in the Hide Park shootout re-enactment on Saturday night, strolling into a “saloon” and blasting away at one man at point blank range. As he shot during the two performances, which took place on about the same spot the actual shooting did 150 years ago, a loud bang rang out from the gun, as did a flash of orange and yellow glow. The gun was real but only had black powder to light it up. Heller is an experienced re-enactor, so he knew how to use it. Another actor, Tristin England, portrayed another shooter, Riley, who shot many of the other men in the “saloon” with a prop gun. England said his gun couldn’t fire more than six, so he didn’t shoot more than six guys. One of those guys was the actual Harvey County Sheriff Chad Gay, who was one of the actors, and he didn’t portray a law enforcement official. He was just a man sitting at a table who ended up slumped over.
Source: Harvey County Now
Scott City takes steps to adopt tree ordinance
City Administrator Brad Pendergast said the city has an ordinance to deal with diseased trees, but not trees that are dead or are a risk to surrounding property. At the risk of “opening a can of worms” with respect to tree removal, Mayor Green and the council advised Pendergast to prepare an ordinance that gives the city the ability to remove trees. Pendergast said the ordinance will be written so that trees can be removed if a qualified individual determines they are a risk to public safety or property.
Source: Scott County Record
Johnson County leaders debate truck traffic enforcement on rural roads
As Johnson County leaders continue to debate how to best manage truck traffic on rural roads, people that live in the unincorporated part of the county say the traffic is putting their safety at risk. During the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting Thursday, Public Works Director Brian Pietig provided an update on plans for 199th Street. Pietig said the county will begin making some improvements on 199th Street between Clare Road and U.S. 169 Highway next spring, but larger upgrades will likely be needed as the area becomes more developed.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Barton County backs water district improvements
A half century ago, Barton County Rural Water District 1 was formed to serve a small territory just north of Hoisington. Now, it wants to join forces with the sprawling Russell County Rural Water District 3 in a multi-million plan allowing Hoisington to sell water to Bunker Hill, replace aging infrastructure and eventually allowing the districts to merge.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
De Soto planners eye rezoning to help facilitate Panasonic battery-making megaproject
In late September, De Soto planners will consider rezoning more than 1,300 acres of the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, including a portion of land where Panasonic Corp. plans to build a $4 billion megaproject. The change would ease the permitting process for the company’s electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Evergy, FreeState considering solar array in Osage County
A solar array may be coming to Osage County relatively soon. On Wednesday, Evergy announced it had broken ground on a solar array near Auburn as part of a collaboration with FreeState Electric Cooperative. Two other sites are part of the overall plan, with one array to be installed near Silver Lake and another possibly to be installed at a currently-unspecified location in Osage County. Evergy will build and operate the solar arrays through a power purchase agreement with FreeState. The solar arrays help FreeState manage its peak demand on the hottest summer days when solar energy is at its highest, a similar approach to 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative’s partnership with Today’s Power out of Arkansas for its solar arrays near Americus and Fredonia.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Municipal Bond Trends for August 24, 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.
Kansas Department of Commerce Announces New Grant Opportunity to Support Economic Development in Smaller Communities
Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced a new grant opportunity today that will help support economic development and revitalization efforts in smaller communities across Kansas through investments in quality-of-life initiatives. The brand-new Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) program will make grants between $5,000 and $50,000 available to communities in 78 designated counties with a population of 5,000 or less. Grants will be available in the following categories: Childcare and senior programming – projects that support or enhance these services, such as building improvements, educational materials, supplies and equipment; Community vibrancy – projects that refresh, re-energize and unlock the attractiveness of rural communities, such as art installations, murals and signage; Food retail – projects that support access to food retail establishments, including development, renovation and/or expansion; and Libraries – projects that support providing free and open access to a broad range of materials and services, including reading material, technology, furniture and building improvements.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Sedgwick’s Fall Festival schedule is taking shape
In honor of Sedgwick’s sesquicentennial (it’s easier to spell than to pronounce), the Fall Festival in September will be bigger and better, according to Sedgwick Connect president Randi Tolin. Fall Festival will be Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18, rain or shine. The historical society is expanding its activity to include a living history reenactment, a junior deputy deputizing, and the Delano Dollies performance. State Senator Carolyn McGinn is hosting a brewmaster contest at the old gas station parking lot. People can pay $15 to taste homemade brews and vote for their favorite. Next door to the brewing contest, SW Nutrition is bringing in ax throwing.
Source: Harvey County Now
Harvey County ups broadband funding for expanded project
One week after the Board of Harvey County Commissioners agreed to provide $75,000 in funding toward broadband infrastructure as part of an IdeaTek grant proposal, commissioners upped their contribution to $250,000. James Krstolich, community relations manager of IdeaTek, opened his pitch for more funding by thanking commissioners for the county’s commitment of $75,000. He said he understood the need for expanded broadband in Harvey County and how bad some areas were. He noted that the original grant proposal planned to provide service to 150 homes, but his company expanded its proposal to include the City of Walton. Its new proposal could provide service to 672 homes or businesses.
Source: Harvey County Now