Kansas Municipal News
Fed hikes interest rates by 0.75 percentage point for second consecutive time to fight inflation
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday enacted its second consecutive 0.75 percentage point interest rate increase as it seeks to tamp down runaway inflation without creating a recession. In taking the benchmark overnight borrowing rate up to a range of 2.25%-2.5%, the moves in June and July represent the most stringent consecutive moves since the Fed began using the overnight funds rate as the principal tool of monetary policy in the early 1990s. While the fed funds rate most directly impacts what banks charge each other for short-term loans, it feeds into a multitude of consumer products such as adjustable mortgages, auto loans and credit cards. The increase takes the funds rate to its highest level since December 2018.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Aquatics International Splashes Award On Newton Municipal Pool
The Newton Pool’s design has made a big enough splash to be recognized by an aquatic magazine. Aquatics International placed a spotlight on the Newton municipal pool for its bright color exterior and the city’s ability to wisely use its budget in the recent “2022 Dream Designs” issue. The architectural design of the pool was worked on by Lamp Rynerson and was submitted to the magazine by project manager Kyle McCawley. Director of Public Works Suzanne Loomis said the people in this city have been waiting a long time for this pool and it’s nice to see it win.
Source: Harvey County Now
Halstead council hashes out new golf cart rules
Golf cart users in Halstead take note: the city has revised its regulations. The city council approved a new ordinance Monday that eases some restrictions and lowers fines for violations. Among these, golf carts will no longer be prohibited on First Street and any driver with a valid license can operate a golf cart. This means a 16-year-old with a restricted license could drive one whereas previously drivers needed to be at least 18. It also modifies the rules for child restraints. Children ages 4 and under are required to ride in a property installed car seat with a seatbelt. Children ages 5-8 may ride without a booster seat but must wear a seatbelt. Children 9 and older are not required to wear a seatbelt.
Source: Harvey County Now
Sedgwick’s superintendent feels energized by his new role
So far USD 439’s new superintendent Greg Lehr, who started his post on July 1, has wrestled with the district’s annual budget, strived to build relationships with his new co-workers and adjust to a new work environment, and spent time working from home because construction meant the building went without power for a time. Yet he goes home each night with a smile on his face and excited for the next day. “Hopefully that’ll continue for a long time,” Lehr said. “I have no doubt that it will. I just feel like every day has been a great day and looking forward to the next one.”
Source: Harvey County Now
County tables wind energy moratorium
Before a full house, including proponents of wind energy, the Board of Harvey County Commissioners tabled its plan to adopt a temporary moratorium on wind farms Tuesday. Commissioners voiced unanimous support a week earlier for giving the Harvey County Planning Commission more time to update county regulations. The county also is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan, which is due to arrive this coming Monday. Commissioner Randy Hague was the first to break ranks after Fiona Bagwell, with NextEra Energy, said a moratorium would have a negative impact on her company’s ability to secure leases from landowners. She said she could guarantee that her company would not be ready to start the application process for erecting the wind turbines until at least January and probably not until March. Commissioners had planned to adopt a six-month moratorium.
Source: Harvey County Now
Hillsboro to seek grant for child care
Hillsboro City Council voted Tuesday to pay Ranson Financial $7,500 to write a $600,000 grant for a child care center that has been high on the city’s strategic plan since the plan was last updated. City administrator Matt Stiles said donations had been raised toward the project, mostly through Hillsboro Community Foundation. Others who have given money toward a child care center include the health department, the extension district and the school district. … Rosemary Saunders of Ranson said she expected Hillsboro to have a better chance of getting a grant because the county does not have enough child care facilities.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Century II’s new managers introduce new logo that incorporates the building’s iconic roof
Century II in Wichita is under new management, and now the downtown performing arts center has a new logo. At a Wednesday morning news conference, officials with ASM Global — which took over control of the building last fall — revealed new “branding” for the building that will begin appearing on signs, staff uniforms, advertisements and more. It features a blue letter “C” whose outer edge looks like the iconic blue roof on the building, which opened in 1969. The logo was designed by ASM Global, which also manages Intrust Bank Arena and The Orpheum Theatre in Wichita.
Source: Wichita Eagle
City of Emporia announces logo redesign project
A new logo is in the works for the city of Emporia, and commissioners are moving forward with two options to source a design. Beginning Aug. 1, local professionals can submit their designs for consideration on www.designcrowd.com. According to a written release, crowdsourcing through agencies such as Design Crowd, allows professional graphic designers from around the world, as well as local professionals to submit their design for consideration. “The crowdsourcing project allows the city to give details about aspects represented through a new logo design,” said city of Emporia communications manager Christine Johnson. “The city logo committee is then able to review, rate, and give feedback to the professionals selected for recommendation. Although, the author of the design is not revealed until a winning design is chosen. This way the winning design is chosen solely off merit of design.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
Lawrence seeking community input as part of effort to update brand and marketing
The City of Lawrence is looking for community input as part of an upcoming update to the city’s brand and marketing strategies. The city allocated $100,000 toward the effort. That includes $81,535 toward a contract with Guide Studio, with the remainder used for implementing the consultant’s recommendations, according to city spokesperson Porter Arneill. … Arneill said the city’s current logo and style guide dates to 2007, and the city has not refreshed or updated its brand since. He said the brand refresh will benefit the community because it helps the city better communicate and engage with Lawrence residents and those who work in or visit the city.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for July 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.
The Fed could surprise markets by sounding even more aggressive as economy teeters
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates by another three-quarters of a point Wednesday, and it could surprise markets by sounding even more unrelenting about tightening policy. That means the Fed would sound “hawkish,” or in a mode where it is bent on raising interest rates as much as it needs to in order to curb inflation. The central bank is expected to announce the rate hike Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell then briefs the media at 2:30 p.m. ET. A 75-basis point, or three-quarter point, hike would put the fed funds rate in a range of 2.25% to 2.5%. The Fed started raising interest rates in March, when the fed funds range was zero to 0.25%. Investors will be looking for guidance from Powell on what the Fed could do at its next meeting in September. For a period this month, markets had even braced for a full-point hike, but Fed officials discouraged that view.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
City of Wichita asks employees, contractors to wear masks in facilities
The City of Wichita is asking employees and contractors to wear masks inside City facilities when they cannot maintain social distancing. The City said it is due to the rising number of positive coronavirus cases in Wichita. The city manager’s office said it continues to encourage the general public to wear masks while in City buildings. Last week, Sedgwick County moved into what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls its high-risk category for the coronavirus. The CDC says people in that category should wear masks indoors in public.
Source: KSN-TV
Commerce Department, Patterson Family Foundation Team Up to Help Downtown Areas Throughout Kansas
It is a familiar sight in smaller Kansas communities throughout the state: vibrant downtown districts whose allure is somewhat diminished by one or two vacant or dilapidated buildings. In many cases, a major barrier to making these structures useful again is the high cost of renovation. Last fall, the Kansas Department of Commerce launched a new community revitalization program, the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL), to address the issue. With HEAL, the state assists building owners with matching grants to cover eligible expenses as historic properties are revitalized. HEAL was made possible through a collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, which has been dedicated to strengthening rural communities since 2007.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Low-Cost Cities With Strong Economies Remain Attractive as Housing Market Slows (Topeka is #9 on index)
Low-cost cities with strong economies fared well in the second quarter as high prices and rising mortgage rates caused a swift slowdown in the housing market. As remote or hybrid work schedules have become more common, households are willing to relocate for cheaper housing or a better quality of life. That migration helped push small, affordable markets to the top of the Housing Markets Index in the second quarter. The index identifies the top metro areas for home buyers seeking an appreciating housing market, a strong local economy and appealing lifestyle amenities.
Source: WSJ.com
Will a pay increase fix the Sedgwick County Jail staff shortage?
Down more than 100 employees. Currently, the Sedgwick County Jail is only 50% staffed. The shortage is now at crisis levels. He said the only solution is upping pay. Employees at the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office received a 2% increase in pay this month. It bumped up the starting salary for detention deputies to more than $19 an hour. However, Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said people are still not applying. During some shifts, there is only one deputy to every 70 inmates. “I knew of a place in ‘such and such’ part of the United States that raised the pay to $27 an hour, and now they are only down 9 staff. It’s about the pay,” said Sheriff Easter.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita city council, police clash over possible decriminalization of marijuana
Wichita council members are in a tussle with the police department over decriminalizing marijuana. During a workshop on Tuesday, interim chief Lemuel Moore told council members that even if they repealed the city ordinance on marijuana, officers would have to enforce state law. “We can have discretion when it comes to infractions, but when it comes to the law, the law is the law,” Moore said.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Skunks alarm Newton residents at high school track field, other parts of town
A pack of about eight or 10 skunks called the Newton High School track field home this past weekend. The high school track, which is open to the public, is commonly used by Newton residents. “Lots of people run here and walk here in the evenings. I’ve seen bikes and people bring their dogs. It’s a very utilized space,” said Carly Stavola, director of communications for the Newton school district. Stavola added that one skunk even chased a resident over the weekend.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Iola builds trail to new school
Iola city crews are well on the way to extending a walking trail to the new Iola Elementary School site. Iola Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock told City Council members Monday that limestone screenings have been placed along much of the 10-block stretch, from where the MoPac Trail ends near Iola High School to the elementary school site on North Kentucky Street. Next up is to cut out and replace curbs where the trail intersects with the various streets to make it more accessible for bicyclists.
Source: The Iola Register
Allen County clerk to retire
Allen County Clerk Sherrie Riebel is retiring after holding the office for 26 years. Riebel informed commissioners of her decision at Tuesday’s meeting. She said she was submitting a letter of resignation to Gov. Laura Kelly, effective Sept. 30. As county clerk, Riebel carries several responsibilities, perhaps most prominently as the county’s chief elections officer. The county clerk also handles the county’s financial reports; audits budgets and computes tax levies; and maintains records for the County Commission. She was first elected to the post in 1996. She was hired to work in the office as a clerk in 1993. Allen County Republicans will need to appoint a replacement to fulfill her current term, which expires in January 2025.
Source: The Iola Register
Iolans can pay utility bills by text
Iolans have another way to pay their utility bills, City Clerk Roxanne Hutton noted Monday. Customers can manage their utility account and pay through the city’s text messaging service. The service is set up by calling a toll-free number (866) 272-0281, Hutton noted. Customers will receive text reminders about due dates and given the option to pay their bills promptly or on a specific day. The city soon will have its own smart phone app for customers to manage their accounts online as well, Hutton said, much like online users can do at cityofiola.com.
Source: The Iola Register