Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Leavenworth County Commissioners vote to remove elected officials from pay plan

When they met Wednesday, Leavenworth County commissioners voted to remove elected officials from a county pay plan.

Salaries of the county elected officials are set each year by the commission. But the salaries were being determined using the same pay plan that is used for employees of the county government. The pay plan takes into consideration factors such as experience and education.

The change approved Wednesday by the County Commission removes the commissioners as well as other elected officials such as the county clerk and sheriff from the pay plan. County Administrator Mark Loughry said commissioners reached a consensus then to remove the salaries of county elected officials from the pay plan. The issue was brought back to commissioners Wednesday for formal adoption.

Commissioners unanimously approved the measure without much discussion Wednesday.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

City of Augusta okays improvements at Santa Fe Lake

Augusta City staff and Council members have spent considerable time and effort into improving life and amenities for the community. One of Augusta’s assets is Santa Fe Lake and the location has seen a number of improvements in the past few years.
The Park Advisory Board met last month to discuss several more improvements and enhancements for Santa Fe Lake. Among the proposed improvements is the implementation of a campsite reservation system, donations of mountain bikes and helmets for a rental program, implementation of a Kid’s Summer Nature Camp, and amendments to the Augusta City Code.
Rod Davis, SFL caretaker, was at Monday’s meeting to discuss the recommendations.
He explained that currently all campsites at SFL are on first-come, first-serve basis, which eliminates out of town traffic. Using Reserve America, SFL customers will have the ability to make reservations in person, by phone, email and online. The Reserve America system also handles all of the back-end park accounting and customer management, which will provide lake staff with customer data and other analytics that will assist them. The lake will also receive additional exposure when patrons search for camping amenities in the area. The state of Kansas utilizes Reserve America for campground reservations for El Dorado State Lake and Cheney State Park.

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

After nine years, could Kansas school funding lawsuit be over? Justices will decide

Justices on the Kansas Supreme Court appear ready to wrap up a legal fight over school funding that lawmakers have been trying to end for nearly a decade.

The high court heard arguments Thursday over whether public schools in Kansas are now constitutionally funded after the Legislature approved a $90 million increase in April. The boost is the latest in a series of moves aimed at complying with court orders to appropriate more money for schools.

The plaintiff districts – Wichita, Kansas City, Dodge City and Hutchinson – argued the newest finance plan falls about $270 million short of complying with the constitutional requirement for the state to provide “suitable” funding for public education.

The justices gave few indications of how they plan to rule, but questioned an attorney for the plaintiff districts more aggressively than in the past.

“I’ve been on this court 14 years and 11 of those 14 years there’s been ongoing school finance litigation … is there ever crossing the finish line in these types of cases?” Justice Eric Rosen said.

Water, water everywhere in Pratt county

Persistent rain continues to fall in and around Pratt causing flooding problems on the Ninnescah River and at several road locations in the county.
Tim Branscom, Pratt County Emergency Manager, said the Ninnescah River crested at 11.06 feet Wednesday and that is two feet above the nine feet minor flood level. The Ninnescah reached 14.66 feet during the Labor Day flood of 2018 when the river overtopped the Pratt County Veteran’s Memorial Lake, causing damage to the lake facilities and the inflow and outflow valves and other damage to the lake.
The lake was being drained to make repairs on the valves and the level had been reached where repairs could begin but the rains this week have put a stop to those repairs until the water level drops again, said Doug Freund, county road and bridge supervisor.
The Ninnescah has risen so much that water at the outlet tube was actually flowing back into the lake on the east end. On the west end of the lake, water was roaring through a culvert under SE 30th Avenue. Water on the opposite side of the road was nearly at pavement level. This is a part of the roadway drainage system so there’s nothing Freund can do about it.

(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Horton Commission moves toward nursing home resolution

Commissioners and city employees have been working hard behind the scenes over the past month to prevent the closing of the town’s only nursing home.

The progress has been reported at a handful of recent city commission meetings, as the commission works with current Manor board members to navigate a handoff in ownership and management. At the April 15 commission meeting, Interim City Administrator John Calhoon announced that multiple entities had expressed interest in managing the manor. At the direction of Mayor Bryan Stirton, City Attorney Kevin Hill drafted an Asset Purchase Agreement to present to the Mission Village Living Center Board. At the meeting on the 29th, Hill reported that there have been positive developments in the process, with a plan in place to provide the city say in management of Mission Village, as well as constituting a new board. The necessary paperwork should be completed by the first meeting in May, when the city hopes to be able to announce some firm commitments and move forward the way he believes the community has responded that they want to proceed.

(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

Miami County Commissioners mull election equipment options

Miami County commissioners seemed in agreement during their April 24 study session that Election Systems & Software of Omaha, Neb., was the preferred vendor to supply the county’s new election equipment.

But commissioners didn’t prefer the company’s price quote.

Depending on which option is selected, the county would spend in the ballpark of $550,000 to $680,000 for equipment and software, based on the current ES&S quote. Financial Director Steve Lyman said the county has budgeted $400,000 for new election equipment. The initial cost does not include annual maintenance and license fees of about $55,000.

ES&S serves 27 counties in Kansas with the equipment that was demonstrated Feb. 13. Those counties included Johnson, Sedgwick, Wyandotte, Shawnee and Leavenworth, according to company representatives who demonstrated their election equipment for commissioners, along with Henry Adkins & Son, Inc./Unisyn and Election Source.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Oswego hospital closure effects linger

Last month, Labette Health opened its new Oswego Clinic & Express Care facility, providing some relief to patients who had been in health care limbo since the February closure of Oswego Community Hospital.

Not all of the disruptions to people’s lives and medical care issues in Oswego have been resolved by the clinic’s opening, however.

Dusty Jones, clinic coordinator for the new Labette facility in Oswego, says she is “one of the luckiest” former employees of Oswego Community Hospital, where she had been working as both a billing specialist and admissions clerk until the hospital, once operated by troubled Kansas City firm EmpowerHMS, closed its doors. Jones said the way things ended at Oswego Community Hospital was “a sad deal for everybody,” both employees and patients.

“It’s sad. It really is. We’ve run into a lot of those patients coming in here and they’re like ‘Well can you get our medical records?’ Well, we’ve sent off for them. (The former management company for Oswego Community Hospital) have 30 days to comply, and they haven’t.”

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Pittsburg awarded Kansas Historic Preservation Fund grant

From aging signage to old documents the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office will begin research on Pittsburg’s history thanks to a grant.

The City of Pittsburg was awarded a $16,000 Kansas Historic Preservation Fund Grant from the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office. Pittsburg was one of seven Kansas communities to receive a SHPO grant this year.

The grant funds will be used to hire a consultant who specializes in historic preservation to research some of the oldest Broadway-facing buildings downtown. The research will begin in the fall and at the end of the project, the city will have a formal report which will provide a detailed history for several downtown buildings.

(Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)

Levee and flood gates keep Halstead “high and dry”

Officials at a Kansas town are working to keep flood waters out as many of the major roads into and out of the town are closed.

Flooding along the Little Arkansas River in Harvey County has led to closures of four of the six main roads into Halstead, and city crews and volunteers have closed one of three gates along a flood control levee. Halstead city administrator Ethan Reimer said the flooding is mostly along the river to the north and east of town.

“In the city we are high and dry,” he said. “The levee system is working as designed and is keeping the city safe and dry and the water on the correct side,” Reimer said.

The levee was built in 1994 after a flood the previous year. Dave Friesen, a lifelong Halstead resident, said he doesn’t think the water will be as high as the flood of ‘93.

VanSchaick said the levee has helped prevent flooding in the city.

Before it was built, “Halstead had quite a few flooding issues because we had really nothing to stop it from coming into town,” he said. “Now, the way it is, we have the two main roads coming into town get covered with water, just like they used to, but it starts to push out to the north … because the levee is in place to keep the water from coming into town. … The levee does a lot to keep people at ease.”

(Read more: Local News |)

Flooding, damage upends region

Massive flooding Wednesday across south-central Kansas led to multiple road closings that forced semi and commuter traffic into Cowley County, which itself was soaked by dangerous levels of water that led to at least three rescues, a sandbag operation to save a business, and warnings from emergency personnel to stay away from flooded areas.

Copious amounts of water fell in a short period Tuesday night into Wednesday, causing flash floods and long-term flooding throughout Cowley County. A significant number of highways and roads were closed early Wednesday morning, including the I-35 Kansas Turnpike, south of Wellington, where Slate Creek spilled across the road.

Traffic was diverted off of I-35 in Oklahoma, through southern Arkansas City, and traffic was routed west onto US 160 to the turnpike after US 77 was closed Wednesday afternoon, north of Winfield as water covered the highway.

Interim Winfield Police Chief Robbie DeLong said that traffic is still the main challenge in the city with I-35 closed from the Oklahoma border to Peck.

“Winfield is part of the main detour right now,” DeLong said.

Scott City weighs new policy for citizen issues

If you’re accustomed to contacting a Scott City Councilman about an issue and expecting them to bring it up at the next meeting, that’s about to change.
The council is in the process of adopting policy which would require citizens to appear in person at meetings when they have issues they would like the city to address.
Mayor Everett Green says the change isn’t about preventing citizens from having grievances heard at the council table, but to establish better accountability.

City of Topeka advises people to avoid waterways due to excess water in storm, sanitary sewer systems

The city of Topeka has advised Topeka residents to avoid contact with waterways flowing through the city because of heavy rains causing excess water in storm and sanitary sewer systems.

In a news release, city spokeswoman Molly Hadfield said storm water can enter the sewer system through illegally connected residential sump pumps and roof drains.

The excess water is causing areas of the system to flow into nearby waterways, Hadfield said.

Hadfield said the advisory doesn’t affect tap water.

City of Marion awarded grant from Kansas Historical Society

Marion could have a designated downtown historical district in about a year after the city hires a consultant with a grant from the Kansas Historical Society. The society announced the $9,750 grant Saturday. “The endgame is to put together a historic district so people can sell tax credits to do remodeling,” city administrator Roger Holter said.If a historical district is designated in downtown Marion, and the district is listed on the state or national historical registers, property owners can apply for the tax credits to sell in order to raise money for restoration of their buildings.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Cheney Reservoir on the rise as flooding continues

Not only are the rivers rising in Reno County, but the water levels are also going up at Cheney Reservoir.

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the water level at Cheney was just under 1,425 feet. That’s almost 3 feet above normal. Officials at the state park say that anything above 3 ½ feet will start to impact camping and picnic areas. The Ninnescah River is running more than 4 feet above flood stage in some areas and lake levels are expected to continue rising.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Kansas Turnpike remains closed in Sumner County due to flooding

The Kansas Turnpike Authority says one lane of southbound I-35 has been reopened. All northbound lanes remain closed. Widespread heavy rainfall causes serious traffic headaches on the Kansas Turnpike.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Lenexa will take ‘wait and see’ approach on non-discrimination ordinance as cases on LGBTQ rights head for Supreme Court

Before the city of Lenexa takes any action on a potential non-discrimination ordinance to create legal protections for LGBTQ residents and employees, the city council is waiting to see what the U.S. Supreme Court decides on three civil rights cases.

While other cities in northeast Johnson County have adopted nondiscrimination ordinances to provide protections for LGBTQ individuals, the Lenexa council in March decided to wait and see if Kansas legislators would adopt a state bill to provide those protections.

Instead, the council passed a resolution supporting diversity, inclusion and equality in the city and amending the city’s state and federal legislative platforms to support legislation that promotes equality.

The Supreme Court announced in April that it will hear arguments on three cases that would determine if Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender or transitioning status. The council decided this week that it will now wait for the Supreme Court’s decision on these cases before taking action.

City of Newton messaging system sending area warnings

A city text messaging system issued five different flood warnings, with different expiration times and dates, May 7 following several storm filled nights in the area.

The problem with those warnings is that none of them were really for Newton.

“There is not (at this time) a flood warning for Newton,” said Erin McDaniel, director of communications for the city. “We have heard that Halstead, Sedgwick, Marion and some of these places near us are having flood issues but we have not had any problems in the city as of yet..”

The city messaging system sent 12 messages in a 12 hour period, including storm warnings for other counties. The system sent three flood warnings in just a few minutes, and five in the morning hours, on May 7. Each of them had a different time for ending the warning — and that leads to some confusion.

“It is confusing to Newton people, and probably annoying to Newton people. We don’t want them to turn off the texts because it is so annoying, and then not receive real city announcements,” McDaniel said. “The system is set up to rebroadcast warnings from the National Weather Service automatically. No one at the city of Newton tells them to send those out,” McDaniel said.

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Record flood forecast for Little Ark at Halstead

Reno County officials issued an emergency declaration about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday due to anticipated flooding in the county and advised residents who live in flood-prone areas to prepare to evacuate before their property is inundated.

Some two dozen county roads were temporarily closed due to flood waters crossing them, with road washouts or bridge damage closing at least three other routes longer term. Forecasters with the U.S. Geological Service, meanwhile, were projecting all major rivers and creeks in the county will experience minor to moderate flooding over the next three days as runoff from heavy rains from the past couple of days makes its way downstream.

In neighboring Harvey County, the Little Arkansas River is projected to hit a new record at Halstead, though only moderate flooding was expected.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

USAF brass bullish on McConnell and Wichita’s future

As it blends new aircraft with old, a top U.S. Air Force leader says the growing global importance of McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita will make it a continued economic powerhouse in south-central Kansas.

Maj. Gen. Sam Barrett, commander of the 18th Air Force, which is the parent command of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell, was in Wichita last week, marking a return to the base where he enjoyed his first command in the USAF by leading the 350th Air Refueling Squadron in the early 2000s.

Barrett, who oversees McConnell and the service’s four other stateside aerial refueling wings, says that while Wichita has noticeably grown and changed since that time, the connection between the base and the community has changed in that it has only grown even stronger.

And that will be crucial, he says, in providing the base the support it will need to meet that growing mission.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

Leavenworth County Commissioners discuss economic development

Leavenworth County commissioners discussed economic development when they met Tuesday for a work session.

Commissioners discussed a possible economic development policy for the county as well as funding for the Leavenworth County Port Authority and Leavenworth County Development Corporation. The Port Authority is an economic development organization that was created through an agreement between the County Commission and the city of Leavenworth. LCDC serves as a partner organization to the Port Authority. The county government provides funding to both organizations.

County Administrator Mark Loughry said the issue of economic development was discussed Tuesday after Commissioner Vicky Kaaz had approached him about a possible countywide economic development policy.

Loughry provided commissioners with economic development policies adopted by the cities of Leavenworth and Tonganoxie. He said the Tonganoxie policy pretty much mirrors one used by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Loughry said he has asked LCDC in the past to provide a template for a countywide economic development policy but has never received anything.

“As a county we should be encouraging development in the cities,” Loughry said.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Vote ensures city of Topeka will keep employee residency rule

Topeka City Councilman Tony Emerson, who voted last January in support of doing away with the city’s residency requirement for employees, changed his vote Tuesday evening on that matter to a “no.”

As a result, the proposed rules change failed in a 5-5 vote, with six “yes” votes being needed for approval. That means the residency rule will stay in place.

Emerson said he switched sides due largely to “an outpouring of input from constituents who were adamantly opposed.”

He said another reason he switched was because the Topeka Police Department is doing more “creative recruiting,” consequently reducing the city’s need to do away with the residency rule.

During a city council meeting that lasted more than four hours, Emerson was joined Tuesday in voting to keep that rule by Mayor Michelle De La Isla and council members Sylvia Ortiz, Mike Padilla and Brendan Jensen.

“When you subscribe to this community and you’re working for this community and you love this community, you want to live where you serve,” De La Isla said.

In Overland Park, proposed murals spark conversation about what represents the city

The murals are bright, vibrant and — if greenlighted by city officials — would grace four buildings in downtown Overland Park.

The artworks would be the first major multi-mural project in Overland Park, where last year city leaders designated the downtown area as an “innovation, design, entrepreneurship and arts district” meant to serve as a “hub of creativity.”

But the proposed art also has the community talking about what images best represent the community. Craig Sole, who owns the florist shop on Conser near two of the proposed murals, said he was instantly excited about designs he called “modern and moving-forward.” He imagined teenagers and brides flocking to to take pictures in front of the brightly colored walls.

“It’s not Conestoga wagons, which is what some people expected,” Sole said. “I thought, ‘oh what a cool idea — it’s bright, bold and fabulous.’”

But not everyone shares his enthusiasm. Since art plans have been shared in multiple public meetings, some concerns about the murals downtown — and their content — have circulated in online forums and community conversations. The pieces have sparked talk about art, race and city process.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Commissioners issue disaster declaration in Reno Co.

Reno County Commissioners have signed an emergency declaration and emergency management officials urged residents in the usual flood-prone areas around Cow Creek to evacuate their property if they haven’t done so.

Emergency Mangement Director Adam Weishar says the evacuation is not mandatory, but an Everbridge alert was sent out to residents in that area asking they leave before all roads become impassable.

(Read more: The Salina Post)

Attending the KMU conference in Wichita this evening and tomorrow? Come by our booth and say hello!

We are proud to be a Silver sponsor of the 2019 KMU (Kansas Municipal Utilities) Conference at the Hyatt in Wichita.

Stop by our booth and say hello to some of our staff. Learn how we can assist your community!

Shawnee relaxes rules on where small alcohol-related businesses can open in the city

Shawnee has amended its city code to allow small alcohol-related establishments to open in more areas across the city.

The new code follows the recent opening of two microbreweries in downtown Shawnee: Transport Brewery and Servaes Brewing Company. Under the old code, these businesses would be restricted to three areas in the city of Shawnee: areas zoned for commercial highway or planned industrial uses, or downtown in the Townsquare District (both businesses are downtown).

Under the new code, microbreweries, microdistilleries and boutique liquor establishments can operate in areas zoned for commercial neighborhood use, expanding the number of location options for future businesses looking to open in Shawnee.

(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

After marathon meeting, Lawrence City Commission denies permits for controversial downtown apartment project

After hearing hours of comments on proposed plans to build a five-story apartment and retail building complex in downtown Lawrence, the Lawrence City Commission early Wednesday morning denied the project the necessary permits to move forward.

With a unanimous vote cast shortly after 1 a.m., the commission denied special unit permits to Chicago-based developer Core Spaces to build the Hub on Campus development at the northeast corner of 11th and Massachusetts streets in downtown Lawrence. In their decision, the commissioners cited the local Historic Resources Commission’s earlier decision to deny the company two required certifications.

Leavenworth County still in running for USDA agencies

The Kansas City region is one of three finalists in the search for a new home for two U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies. And this means Leavenworth County is still in the running to serve as the new headquarters for the agencies.The Leavenworth County Development Corporation has submitted two business parks in the county for consideration. Leavenworth County is being considered under the umbrella of the greater Kansas City area.

Hutch City Council in agreement concerning federal grant for Woody Seat project

The Hutchinson City Council wants public works to draw up a proposal for federal funds for a major construction project involving Woody Seat Freeway. The city recently received the results of a study on how to deal with the traffic issues surrounding the Woody Seat interchange and the two aging bridges over avenues A and B.

The proposal from KDOT would mean a $6 million-plus reconstruction of the interchange. The council was in agreement that the city should spend $42,000 to apply for a federal transportation grant that could pay for 80% or more of the project. The grant is similar to ones obtained by several government entities supporting Amtrak’s Southwest Chief rail renovation. The city must put the proposal on the fast-track with a July 15 deadline. The council hopes to take formal action on the proposal in two weeks.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Reno County Commission gives letter of support to day care facility to open in old Buhler elementary school

Something that the Buhler school district has been wanting to do with an old elementary school has gained support from the Reno County Commission.

The commission approved a letter of support for the proposed Obee Day Care Center and the issuance of tax credits to make the necessary capital improvements to turn the old school into a day care.

School officials believe the school would be a good place to have such a facility. Officials were not able to sell the property after the school closed a couple of years ago.

Commission Chairman Bob Bush and Commissioner Ron Hirst stated their support for this idea saying the need is there, not only in the Hutchinson area, but also in rural areas of the county.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Saline County hires Emergency Management Director

Saline County has hired Michelle Barkley to be its next Emergency Management Director. She will begin her new position May 13.

Barkley graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University with a degree in Emergency Management and minors in Criminal Justice and Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

Barkley has helped develop emergency plans for the North Central Kansas Healthcare Coalition and Salina Regional Health Center. She has also worked with Dane County Emergency Management in Wisconsin.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Utility rates to be discussed in work session tonight at Newton City Hall

For those who get fired up or are curious about local utility rates, tonight they will have the opportunity to see the subject discussed by the City Commission at a work session tonight at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

City commission members requested the work sessions following feedback from citizens in February over utility rates.

“Work sessions give the commission a chance to discuss issues more in-depth outside the regular meeting time,” City public information officer Erin McDaniel said

The discussion is part of a larger three-month set of work sessions discussing the city’s future budgeting. A proposed budget is set to be discussed on June 11 and a public hearing on the budget will be held for on July 23.

“All work sessions are open meeting and citizens are more than welcome to attend,” Erin McDaniel said. “ So much good information is discussed that can really help you understand the issue.”

During the process the city will talk about current funding requirements, future projects, supplemental requests from city department heads and long-term planning.

(Read more: Newton Now)

With new apartment buildings set to open, Overland Park will launch pilot program on multi-family recycling

Overland Park is taking a serious look at whether apartment and other multi-family project owners should be required to provide their residents with recycling. The city council voted Monday to begin a one-year pilot project to explore the pros and cons, just as some of the first apartments in the downtown building boom are beginning to be occupied. Currently Lenexa is the only city in the metro area that requires apartment buildings to recycle. But not much data is available because Lenexa does not have a dedicated effort to oversee compliance, according to Overland Park document about the project.

Parsons City Commissioners agree to pursue $25M road grant

Parsons will spend $30,000 for assistance in designing a proposed $25 million highway project that would use federal funds.

After discussing the details of the proposal in a Thursday work session, city commissioners quickly approved an agreement with transportation planning and engineering firm TranSystems on Monday evening.

TranSystems will assist the city in applying for a grant of up to $25 million, the maximum amount allowed for cities, through the federal BUILD program. BUILD stands for Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development.

The plan as it stands now calls for widening of North 16th Street to four lanes from south of the Labette Creek bridge to the north city limits. The street, which also is U.S. 59, would be overlaid with new concrete and the bridge widened as well. An acceleration/deceleration lane also would be included on one stretch of the highway. Commissioner Kevin Cruse said he had lengthy discussions with people about the proposed project, and he hopes he alleviated their concerns. He understands why some people could be concerned because there is no guarantee that the money spent on application assistance will lead to a grant.

“Thirty thousand dollars is a lot of money,” he said.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Extra penny of sales tax OK’d for Wanamaker retail district

The company that owns multiple retail properties at the southeast corner of S.W. 17th and Wanamaker Road will be allowed to raise the sales tax customers pay there by 1 cent, and to use the revenue to help finance renovation costs.

Topeka governing body members voted 8-2 Tuesday evening to establish a community improvement district covering those properties owned by Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Equity Investment Group Wanamaker LLC. Tuesday’s move levies a 1 percent tax on retail sales and services within the district involved. The tax will be in effect for as long as 22 years, with revenues reimbursing private investment in a $31.4 million renovation project being carried out by EIG.

The project cost could amount to as much as “just south of $34 million,” said deputy city manager Doug Gerber.

More than 200 protest petitions filed against NextEra plan by Tuesday’s deadline

More than 200 protest petitions were filed by Tuesday’s 5 p.m. deadline in opposition to NextEra Energy’s proposed wind farm in southeast Reno County, incliuding a 2-inch thick stack submitted last Friday.

Officials in the Reno County Clerk’s office, where the petition was filed, estimated the initial filing included some 350 pages. That is because each petition required a legal description of the property, as well as signatures of all owners of the individual parcel, so many of the petitions were multiple pages.

More petitions trickled in individually Monday and Tuesday, and then another half-inch stack was submitted as a packet Tuesday afternoon, said County Clerk Donna Patton.

The importance of the petition is that — if it is verified as legally sufficient — it would require a unanimous vote of the Reno County Commission to approve the NextEra permit, rather than a simple majority.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Drainage District ballot floats to victory in Reno County

On a day when thunderstorms and flooding affected the region, voters in Reno County Drainage District No. 3 emphatically said yes to a potentially higher mill levy to fund operations, infrastructure, and maintenance of a levee system.

The unofficial tally from Tuesday’s special election in Haven showed 24 voted yes for greater taxing authority. Not a single voter checked no. State statute limits a drainage district’s general fund levy to five mills. For years, however, Drainage District No. 3 has well exceeded that cap, with the board unaware it needed voter authorization. It was only when district officials began asking how much higher the levy – already topping 12 mills – could be raised that the oversight was spotted.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Greensburg Municipal Airport celebrates grand opening

More than 40 mph wind gusts blew across Kiowa County on Thursday, April 25, 2019 but that didnt stop the Greensburg from marking an historic day for rural western Kansas. City and state leaders cut a ribbon for the Grand Opening of the Greensburg Municipal Airport despite that fact that the wind did stop three different airplanes from flying in to the new airport as part of the planned ceremony.
According to a feasibility study done by KDOT Aviation, an airport in the Greensburg area is needed to serve Kiowa County’s almost 3,000 residents. The local economies and small businesses of Greensburg, Haviland, and Mullinville are projected to benefit from nearly $425,000 in projected economic output each year by the airport, once in operation. A project like this will assist in crop dusting, and the city has already been contacted by hunters from out-of-state wanting to know if it was true that the city was opening an airport.
“In a small community and the surrounding areas like Greensburg $425,000 is huge,” Mayor Matt Christenson said.
KDOT Aviation provided five separate grants to fund 90-95 percent of all phases of this project, with the grants awarded totaling more than $2 million. With even better news for the city’s budget, the completed project came in under budget with the actual costs just over $1.75M.

Topeka Metro bus wrap celebrates 65th anniversary of Brown v. Board

A Topeka Metro bus is being transformed into a moving mural that will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Brown v Board of Education Supreme Court case.

The bus wrap features artwork from the Brown v. Board mural that was completed this past summer on the south side of a building at S.E. 15th and Monroe. The mural’s location is across the street from the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site.

Work on applying the Brown v. Board bus wrap was taking place on Tuesday morning in a maintenance facility at the Topeka Transit location at 201 N. Kansas Ave. Topeka Metro officials said the wrap was made possible by a grant from ArtsConnect, which coordinated the work on the Brown v. Board mural last year. Topeka Metro has requested sponsorships to keep the bus wrapped for two years.

(Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe)

Sunset for St. John’s Military School in Salina

Moods from solemn to celebratory reign this week at St. John’s Military School, while crowds assemble and pay lasting respects to the pillar of north Salina.

Tissues have dabbed tears of both sadness and joy as reunions continue from now through this weekend.

Final commencement at the 131-year-old institution is 10:30 a.m. Saturday on the parade grounds in front of Jack Vanier Hall.

Officials have been planning for months to give the hallowed institution a proper sendoff in the wake of prolonged sad news.

It has landed a blow to many in Salina, other parts of Kansas, neighboring states, and places dotting the nation and world. The SJMS Board of Trustees announced Feb. 6 that the private school would be closing after graduation Saturday, citing legal issues and negative publicity they believed contributed to low enrollment and money troubles that drained the school’s endowment.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Labette County gives $370K to ambulance service

The Labette County Commission on Monday agreed to transfer $370,350 to Labette Health Ambulance Service’s capital outlay fund with money generated from a quarter-cent sales tax that supports the service.

Voters approved the quarter-cent sales tax in 2001 for health care. Under an agreement with the county, the hospital compiles a financial report for the ambulance service and shares it with commissioners, generally in May. Also under the agreement, if the hospital ambulance service experiences a direct loss, the county agrees to reimburse the hospital 95 percent of its loss, or 100 percent of the revenue generated by the sales tax, whichever is less.

In 2018, the service had $1.37 million in net patient revenue and $2.24 million in expenses for an operating loss of $872,187.

The sales tax generated $662,842 to support the service. This leaves $209,345 in excess expenses over revenue, according to the report given to commissioners. The group asked for $370,350 to be transferred to the capital outlay fund, which has been used to replace ambulances and for other capital expenses. In the future, this money could help pay for a new ambulance barn being proposed at a new hospital clinic site in Oswego on Commercial Street next to Commercial Insurance.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Kansas schools innovating a 21st century education

“When I’m in there, I don’t really feel like I’m in school,” said Cole Thompson, a student at Haysville Campus High School. He works in the branch of the Valley State Bank in the school’s commons area. His job part of the school’s business program.

Banks, general stores, carpentry businesses, those are just some of the new ways Kansas schools are bringing your child’s education into the 21st century.

“It is what we have used for years, for decades!” said Dustin Little, principal of Norwich High School. He’s talking about the traditional school scheduling. “I mean, that’s what I had when I was in school. It’s what my mom had when she was in school. That’s not the most conducive to student centered learning.” The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is working to bring public school education into the 21st century with a massive re-design program called Kansans Can, kicked off a couple years ago. KAKE News Investigates found some schools are well ahead of that re-design curve, already matching how they teach to what students need to know when they graduate in 2019.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Commissioners approve 3-year contract for Shawnee County dispatchers

Shawnee County emergency dispatchers will be working under a new three-year contract, thanks to a 3-0 vote Monday morning by Shawnee County commissioners. Changes reflected in the new contract for dispatchers, who work in the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center, include:

• A personal leave day off may be taken after the employee completes 120 days of employment from his or her initial hire date.

• A change in the number of hours management allows to be scheduled each day from 24 to 20.

• A one-time retention bonus of $1,500 to any Communications Workers of America employee hired before Jan. 1, 2019, who hasn’t submitted a resignation, with the bonus to be paid on the employee’s anniversary date in 2020.

• A provision to ensure adequate rest and a reduction in the number of hours worked during forced overtime periods.

• A $100 bonus each pay period for employees who have worked in the dispatch center for more than 20 years.

“They work a lot of hours over there,” said Angela Lewis, director of the Shawnee County Department of Human Resources, who negotiated the contract for the county. “They do a great job.”

Amtrak CEO agrees to meet with Senator Moran about rail service in Kansas

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran is putting pressure on Amtrak to commit to the continued operation of the Southwest Chief passenger rail service that connects Chicago to Los Angeles with stops in Kansas. Moran recently delayed confirming three nominees to Amtrak’s board of directors in an effort to push the national rail carrier to offer assurances that the line will operate for at least another year, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.

Amtrak’s president, Richard Anderson, agreed to meet with Moran and other lawmakers about the rail service’s future later this month.

Amtrak officials considered suspending rail service from Dodge City to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and transitioning to buses last year. The idea stemmed from the cost of repairs needed along a portion of the route. “As the divide between urban communities and rural communities in America continues to expand, passenger rail services, like the Southwest Chief, are necessary in connecting Kansans to the rest of the country,” Moran said. “I am continuing to seek assurances from Amtrak that it will uphold its commitment to repair, improve and continue the Southwest Chief rail line.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Atchison factory, which supplied parts to Harley-Davidson, to shut down

A key manufacturer for Atchison and the surrounding area is set to shut down.

The Fargo factory, as it is commonly known, is facing closure by its owner, Electronic Components International, based in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. A document obtained by Atchison Globe lists the official closing date, subject to change, as June 28. The factory has operated as part of Fargo Assembly of PA, Inc. within ECI, following a 2017 purchase of the firm named for Fargo, North Dakota.

The factory is a longtime parts supplier for Harley-Davidson, Inc., chiefly producing wire harnesses and other parts for motorcycles. Harley announced it is shutting down its massive northern Kansas City factory last year. The place went up for sale in February ahead of Harley’s planned final shutdown this summer.

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Program marks 100th year of Finnup Park in Garden City

The Finney County Museum celebrate the 100th anniversary of Garden City’s Finnup Park in a special final spring Brown Bag Lunch program on Wednesday.

The program, “A Legacy of Generosity, The Finnup Family’s Lasting Contributions to Garden City and Finney County,” marks the exact day the land for the park was donated and will recall the community-wide celebration that took place in honor of the family that made the park possible. According to a press release from the museum, the Finnup family helped early-day Garden City succeed and grow, and their support continues today through the foundation, which has awarded more than $25 million in grants.

Frederick Finnup was a German immigrant who moved to Garden City in 1879 after being recruited to settle by community co-founder C.J. “Buffalo” Jones, Finney County’s historical archives show. With his wife, Wilhelmina, Finnup bought the first two lots on Main Street, erected six buildings and became a leading entrepreneur.

Their son, George, and his wife, Alta, helped save Garden City from bankruptcy after the panic of 1893 and invested in and supported the community in a number of ways, including deeding 111 acres on May 8, 1919, in honor of his father to create Finnup Park, now home to the museum, Garden City’s Big Pool and Lee Richardson Zoo.

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)