Kansas Municipal News
City of Emporia encouraging citizen response to ongoing survey
As the city of Emporia continues navigating new waters, a new citywide survey will help the administration identify the city’s strengths and weaknesses according to City Manager Trey Cocking. During a recent installment of the Talk of Emporia, Cocking discussed a recent survey that began arriving in residents’ mailboxes last weekend. According to Cocking, the survey through ETC is designed to give the city residents feedback on which areas the community thinks need improvement.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Festival book celebrates 50 years of ‘Winfield’
Winfield resident Seth Bate has penned book on the history of the Walnut Valley Festival as the 50th anniversary of the world-famous event approaches. The book recounts some of the untold history and hidden lore of the annual event. Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival examines the early years and what distinguishes it from other music festivals. It also includes reflections from entertainers, staff, crew, campers and fans, according to a press release issued Friday. Bate moved to Kansas in 1989 to attend Southwestern College. He married Jenny (Muret) and made Winfield his home. He started working at the festival as an emcee and stage manage run the late 1990s. He and Jenny later managed the workshops where participants learn from festival musicians.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
As Wichita embraces efforts to reduce homelessness, profound challenges remain
Staci Ellis left a verbally abusive relationship and ended up homeless in Wichita for nine months before settling into an apartment about four weeks ago. Ellis, who describes herself as a huge advocate for the homeless population, has been homeless four times. She said everyone in Wichita’s homeless community knows her because she previously worked at a shelter where she collected and handed out donations. The way Ellis sees it, one of the biggest challenges for Wichita’s homeless population is knowing where to get help.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Kansas homes selling for over list price, study says
A new study that showed states where homes are selling for less than list price shows Kansas homes are selling above list price. The study is done by RubyHome, and analyzed historical Zillow data from the previous 12 months that sold at a different amount than the list price. Kansas came in 38th in the nation, with homes selling for 100.99% of the list price. The study found that West Virginia is the state with the lowest sales-to-list ratio, where homes were selling for on average 97.28% of their list price. Number three on the list was Oklahoma, where homes were selling for 98.07% on average.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for August 12, 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 Supreme Court finds Wichita ordinance unconstitutionally overbroad
The Kansas Supreme Court has sided with a Wichita man and found that a city ordinance is unconstitutionally overbroad thereby vacating his convictions. The Kansas Supreme Court says in the matter of Appeal No. 122,007: City of Wichita v. Arlando Trotter, it affirmed part and reversed part of the Court of Appeals decision to reverse the Sedgwick Co. District Court’s dismissal of two criminal charges against Trotter. The Wichita Municipal Court convicted Trotter of failing to file a license application after-hours and teen club or entertainment, which the Supreme Court said it knew nearly nothing about…. The Supreme Court said it unanimously reversed the Court of Appeals on both grounds, finding that the ordnance was, in fact, unconstitutionally overbroad and that the panel made a mistake by raising the propriety of the second dismissal because the City of Wichita had waived the issue in its briefing.
Source: WIBW
City’s Past Building Its Future: Historic commercial structures helped shape Hutchinson’s business, housing and transit
Since the turn of the century, Hutchinson began to grow through three key factors: salt, railroads and grain production. Reno County Museum chief curator David Reed said those three factors caused Hutchinson’s success in the early 1900s, with dozens of residents building large commercial spaces. “There’s a reason why things are here in Reno County,” Reed said. “There’s a reason why Hutchinson had three railroad lines at one time — I want people to have that sense of community, and that we’re all here because these guys were doing something 100 years ago.”
Source: Hutch News
Lawrence leaders to discuss policy that requires most homeowners to pay for sidewalk repairs
City leaders will soon continue their discussion about a policy that generally requires property owners to pay for repairs to sidewalks bordering their homes and businesses unless their income qualifies them for city assistance. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive information about how other municipalities handle sidewalk repair, expansion of the city’s repair assistance program, and a plan for asking residents for input. The city’s sidewalk repair program has been controversial with some homeowners, and the information is being provided to the commission for discussion after some commissioners said they were open to reconsidering the program.
Source: LJWorld
Wet dogs are happy dogs. Pools in Johnson County end their season with canine swims
Lifeguard Morgan Chiarello warmly thanked each of the swimmers for coming as they exited the Ad Astra pool area. Between greetings, she reflected: “This has been the best day ever.” From the dampness and delight on their faces, Eddie, Chief, Seeley, Biscuit and Hazel agreed. Those five four-legged swimmers enjoyed aquatic abandonment at the City of Lenexa’s annual Paws in the Pool at Ad Astra Pool. These traditional end-of-season dips for dogs only are offered at several area public pools after they close for humans.
Source: Joco 913 News
Multipurpose stage, play area and additional features coming to Johnson County Square
Johnson County and Olathe are taking steps to enhance the Johnson County Square, a public open space between the Johnson County Administration Building and the new Johnson County Courthouse in downtown Olathe. The second phase of improvements includes: A multipurpose stage, possibly with solar lighting, on the north end of the property near the square entrance at Santa Fe and Cherry streets. The stage will overlook a large community green space.
Source: Joco 913 News
USDA Rural Development Invests more than $155,000 to Improve Health Care in Two Rural Kansas Communities
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Kansas State Director Christy Davis today announced that USDA is awarding $155,100 in grants to improve rural health care facilities in Hodgeman and Sumner counties. The details of the Kansas grants are:
• A $130,100 grant will help purchase equipment and recover lost revenues for Hodgeman County Health Center. The Center experienced a loss of revenue in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the project is completed, the facility will be able to provide new and improved health care services to the community.
• A $25,000 grant will help to recover lost revenues, make improvements to electronic health records system, for Sumner County Home Health Agency in Wellington. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the Agency from providing home health services in 2020, resulting in loss of revenue.
USDA will announce additional awardees for Emergency Rural Health Care Grants in the coming weeks and months.
Fed expected to stick with hawkish rate hikes until data show further slowing in inflation
The Federal Reserve is unlikely to pivot from its hawkish interest rate hikes despite positive signs this week that inflation in the U.S. could be easing, according to market strategists. On Thursday, the producer price index surprisingly fell 0.5% in July from the prior month, compared with an estimate of a 0.2% gain, according to a Dow Jones survey. On an annual basis, the index rose 9.8%, the lowest rate since October 2021. That followed encouraging data that showed consumer prices rose 8.5% in July. The rate was slightly cooler than the 8.7% expected by analysts surveyed by Dow Jones and a slowing pace from the prior month. As both CPI and PPI soften, markets have started to moderate their expectations for Fed rate hikes. Still, the positive data doesn’t mean it is “mission complete” for the Fed, said Ben Emons, managing director of global macro strategy at Medley Global Advisors. “If you strip off any of the headline noise, some of the… CPI, even PPI [numbers] show still upward pressures,” he told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Friday. “The Fed cannot be done here. It probably means that the 75-basis-point rate hike remains on the table.” “The pricing on the Fed fund futures and euro-dollar futures shows that we’re still more towards the 75-basis-point rate hike. And I think it is because of the guidance that all these Fed speakers keep giving us — ‘just don’t be complacent here, we’re going to continue,'” Emons added.
Source: CNBC
As Saline County Jail moves closer to completion, recruiting and retaining staff is a major concern
After a lengthy and passionate discussion, the Saline County Commission approved a wage increase and incentives bonus for new and existing correctional officers – a measure aimed at hiring and maintaining enough staff to operate the new county jail after its completion. The measure passed in a 3 to 2 vote, with commissioners Robert Vidricksen II and James Weese in the minority. Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan and Human Resources Director Marilyn Leamer presented the measure Aug. 9 to the commission, describing the current state of need for employees.
Source: Salina Journal
Celebrate Hutchinson’s 150th birthday at the mile-long block party downtown on Aug. 18
As Hutchinson turns 150 this year, the Reno County Museum, the City of Hutchinson, Hutch Rec and the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce partnered to create a community spirit block party on Thursday, Aug. 18. The mile-long celebration on Main Street will include 12 block parties with Hutchinson-area organizations acting as block captains for free activities, photo opportunities and interactive exhibits. To begin the celebration, residents can participate in a 150th Historical Photo Event at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at East Sherman Street and Main Street.
Source: Hutch News
Municipal Bond Trends for August 11, 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.
Wichita park facility vandalized, repaired, then vandalized again
A community facility at a Wichita park has been closed until late fall because of two rounds of vandalism that have occurred this summer. The city’s recreation superintendent, Reggie Davidson, said the facility at Hyde Park had windows broken over the July 4th weekend and the air conditioning unit was damaged to the point where it could no longer be used. Davidson said the damage was repaired and the unit was replaced on August 8th, only to be vandalized again within 24 hours. The cost of the damage and repairs is estimated to be $65,000. Davidson said this affects community usage of the facility and puts additional costs on the city.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Ellis County health officials investigating two possible cases of monkeypox
Health officials in Ellis County are investigating two possible cases of monkeypox. The county’s health director, Kim Reel, briefed county commissioners on the cases this week. She said the county has received a small dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. She said the county has nine doses left and there have been requests for it, but there are strict guidelines on how the vaccine can be used. If the cases in Ellis County are confirmed, this would mean four cases of monkeypox in Kansas. The other two cases have been reported in Johnson and Shawnee counties.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Governor’s tour promotes “Prosperity” and new mural in Holton
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly visited Holton last Friday morning as part of her “Prosperity On The Plains” tour. Gov. Kelly spent time at More Than Lemons and viewed the new mural on the north exterior wall of the Jackson County Museum. Gov. Kelly joined Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce leaders to tour More Than Lemons on the east side of the Square and visit with owners April and John Lemon.
Source: Holton Recorder
Prairie Village’s new public works facility awarded highest green building certification
Prairie Village’s public works building is officially certified Platinum by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, the only building in the city to achieve that designation from the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council. Why it matters: LEED certification is a globally recognized standard created more than 20 years ago by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council that rates structures’ environmental sustainability, and Platinum is the highest LEED certification a building can achieve.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Pratt family donates cost of new pool construction
An anonymous Pratt family has stepped up, offering to pay the entire cost of construction for a new city pool in Pratt, negating controversy that has surrounded the project that was listed on local August 2 primary ballots for city sales tax funding approval. “We are just amazed and filled with gratitude at this point,” said Pratt City Manager Bruce Pinkall. “It is very humbling to be the recipient of a donation of this size, for this purpose, something that will benefit so many and our community for a very long time.” City leaders gathered for a photo op and made a public announcement on August 3 via a city website post and subsequent Facebook sharing.
Source: Pratt Tribune