Kansas Municipal News
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
Kansas Star revenue hits all-time low
According to figures reported by the Kansas Lottery and Gaming Commission, the Kansas Star Casino’s gaming revenue for the month of June slipped to a record low. Total revenue reported for the casino in June was $1,171,525.50, with the city of Mulvane, Sedgwick County and Sumner County each receiving a 1% share of $117,152.56. According to The Mulvane News, that is the smallest share recorded since the Kansas Star Casino opened back in mid-December 2011.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Community benefits from spay and neuter program
One of the reasons Salina Animal Services operates is to help control the population of animals in the community, and one of the services that it offers makes a direct impact on helping control the population of unwanted pets. Keeping the animal from reproducing, spaying and neutering cats and dogs, is an effective way to keep animal populations low, a service that animal services understands is a benefit to the community as a whole. “The purpose (of the spay and neuter program) is to make sure we don’t have as many puppies and kittens (in the community),” said Monique Hawley, director of Salina Animal Services.
Source: Salina Journal
Hutchinson Fire Department holds annual School Supply drive
The Hutchinson Fire Department and its partners are collecting school supplies again. They will be collecting donations from Aug. 5 to 7 at a variety of locations, including the fire departments. The Hutchinson Fire Department began a two-weekend long school supply drive in 2017 to donate to teachers and students in Hutchinson’s schools.
Source: Hutch News
Municipal Bond Trends for July 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.
‘I’m no hero’: Retired cop becomes Cottonwood Falls fire rescuer
Saturday was not Kirk VanDegrift’s first fire rescue. But it was the first time he encountered real people. “I didn’t think. I just did it… It’s just what you do,” VanDegrift said Sunday about his actions before dawn Saturday in Cottonwood Falls. Even though one woman died, he potentially saved others. VanDegrift was sleeping when the fire developed in an apartment building at 801 Eighth Street around 4:16 a.m. “The smell of smoke woke me up,” VanDegrift said. “I thought it might be coming from my apartment, and maybe it was up in the ceiling.” When VanDegrift went outside, he instead found smoke coming from the end of an apartment building. He called 911, then went to the front of the building.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Weir water customers urged to conserve temporarily
Residents of Weir that utilize city water are being asked to conserve their use for the time being due to an accident. According to the city, a break in the Bone Creek service line is being repaired at the moment and it could take some time. Currently, the tower is very low and as a result, those on Weir City water should conserve as much as possible until tomorrow, when a fix is expected. This is not a boil order, Weir officials said only limited use is necessary by customers.
Source: KSNF/KODE
UG Commission hears study findings
The UG was formed 25 years ago from the city of Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County. The consultants discussed potential realignment for the UG. A realignment of county administration was recommended in managing department functioning. The consultants suggested putting like departments together under an assistant administrator. Currently some assistant administrators are over groups of departments that are not like each other, according to the consultants. It is an ideal time to make changes since there were two assistant administrator positions open. Also, the consultants felt the UG could benefit from collaborative work among the departments. They cited the UG’s SOAR program as an initiative that worked among departments.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Caldwell begins process of updating 100-year-old water system
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing over $2.2 million in different infrastructure and economic development projects in rural Kansas. One of those projects is in Caldwell, a town of about 1,000 that is in desperate need of water system improvements. Monday morning, the USDA Kansas Director for Rural Development, Christy Davis, announced that the USDA is investing $2,268,200 toward eight community projects across the state. For the City of Caldwell, a $479,000 loan and a $512,000 grant will supplement previous funding for improvements to the water supply system. Funds already assigned to this project include a prior award from Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan in the amount of $1,558,000 and a Kansas Department of Commerce-Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $600,000.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas corrections system grapples with 22.6% vacancy rate among prison staff
Operations at the Lansing Correctional Facility were expected Wednesday to return to normal following lockdown of inmates and deployment of a tactical team and officers from other prisons to quell a melee in the maximum-security unit, state officials said. Violence erupted among inmates Friday night in Lansing’s A Unit and prisoners assaulted corrections officers responding to the disturbance. One inmate was hospitalized with a stab wound and several corrections officers were injured, the union representing officers said. David Thompson, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Corrections, said Tuesday the state prison in Leavenworth County had resumed normal operations in all but maximum-security units. He said an internal inquiry into the fighting, described as a riot by union representatives, would be conducted.
Source: Andover American
Topeka housing market one of the ‘Hottest’ in the nation
The City of Topeka has been ranked as one of the top housing markets in both the U.S. and the state of Kansas. According to Realtor.com, Topeka’s “Hotness Rank” is 14 when compared to June’s hottest real estate markets. Affordable metros are more favorable to people looking for a deal when compared to pricey cities across the country. “Home sales continue to be strong in Shawnee County,” said Linda Briden, CEO of the Sunflower Association of Realtors. “Topeka continues to be the top housing market in Kansas and, at No. 14, one of the best housing markets in the United States. Topeka-area realtors are eager to help new families discover their next home in our incredible community.”
Source: KSNT 27 News
Unemployment rates up across state for month of June
Kansas’ unemployment rate increased slightly between May and June, however, Kansas Labor Secretary Amber Schultz says employment rates are still in a good place. The state did see a robust level of hiring for the month adding 4,600 new jobs, however, due to inflation, real-hourly earnings did decline by 4.1 percent compared to June 2021. Unemployment rates were up across most of the KVOE listening area between May and June. Lyon County’s unemployment rate increased from 2.2 percent to 2.7 percent.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
There are no dog parks in west Wichita. Some City Council members want to change that
When Reece Hembree takes his dog, Simba, to the dog park, he has to drive east. That’s because Hembree lives out west, and the closest dog park is on Meridian, in north central Wichita. “The closest one I saw was like 11 to 12 miles away, and I was like, ‘OK,’” he said. “It’s not bad, but it would be pretty convenient to have one somewhere in west Wichita.” That’s a common request, the two City Council members who represent west Wichita say.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Investors Bet Fed Will Need to Cut Interest Rates Next Year to Bolster the Economy
As the Federal Reserve prepares to meet this week, Wall Street investors are betting that officials will raise interest rates aggressively through the end of the year—and then turn around and start cutting them in six months. The unusual wager reflects investors’ growing sense that the Fed is driving the economy into a recession as it tries to fight inflation, analysts said. At the same time, by constraining longer-term borrowing costs, it makes a recession slightly less likely to happen soon. That is a boost to riskier assets such as stocks, compared with a more traditional bet that rates wouldn’t boomerang so quickly. Bets on the future course of short-term interest rates play a decisive role in determining yields on U.S. government bonds. Those in turn set a floor on borrowing costs across the economy, with higher yields curbing growth and lower yields boosting it.
Source: WSJ.com
USDA Invests Nearly $2.3 Million in Community Infrastructure and Economic Development in Eight Rural Kansas Communities
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Director for Rural Development Christy Davis today announced that USDA is investing $2,268,200 toward eight community projects across the state. … Project details of today’s eight announcements are:
- A $33,000 grant will assist Thrive Allen County, Inc. with a Feasibility Study to create an incubator/accelerator space for Allen County. The space would increase economic development by creating an inviting, supportive space for entrepreneurs in the area.
- A $202,000 grant will assist The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, in conjunction with partners Pittsburg State University Small Business Development Center and Kansas Works, expand services to small businesses. Assistance provided will include access to local employment opportunities, increased access in business education, workforce development, and job training opportunities. It is anticipated that 100 full time jobs will be created.
- A $30,200 grant will help purchase a fully equipped patrol vehicle to enhance the work of the City of South Hutchinson‘s Police Department.
- A $55,000 loan and a $35,000 grant will help purchase four transportation vehicles for individuals with developmental disabilities in Marshall and Washington Counties. The three transport vehicles and one maintenance truck will replace older vehicles with high mileage and high maintenance costs. Once all the vehicles are put into service, they will meet the basic needs of the individuals with developmental disabilities for many years to come.
- A $577,000 loan and a $291,000 grant will provide additional funding for renovating the water and sewer system in the City of Caney. Funds previously obligated for this project include $600,000 from the Kansas Department of Commerce and loans and grants totaling $4,765,800 from USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal.
- A $24,000 grant will be used toward an engineer to evaluate the current wastewater system for the City of Susank. A preliminary Engineering Report will outline any appropriate corrective actions needed.
- A $479,000 loan and a $512,000 grant will supplement previous funding for improvements to the water supply system of the City of Caldwell. Funds already assigned to this project include a prior award from Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan in the amount of $1,558,000 and Kansas Department of Commerce-Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $600,000. This project ensures that the city will have safe and reliable water for many years to come.
- A $30,000 grant will be used to evaluate the wastewater collection system and treatment facility in La Harpe. An engineer will evaluate the current system and propose a plan for repairing and modernizing the water system. Once completed the city will have the information needed to develop a final wastewater system project.
Amelia Earhart statue lands in Congress 23 years after Kansas started effort
Kansas aviation pioneer and advocate for women’s equal rights Amelia Earhart will be honored this week with a bronze statue in Congress, an effort that has taken more than two decades to accomplish. Congress will unveil the statue Wednesday, making Earhart the 11th woman enshrined in the National Statuary Hall Collection. The effort has taken 23 years since the Kansas Legislature voted in 1999 to replace the state’s two statues with Earhart and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It took four years to get Eisenhower’s statue in Congress.
Source: Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for July 22, 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.
Panasonic’s De Soto plant will put a charge into KC-area economy
Kansas and the Kansas City region are riding high after winning the megaproject known for months only as Project Ocean. Plans by Panasonic Energy Co. Ltd. to build a $4 billion electric-vehicle battery plant in De Soto bring the promise of 4,000 jobs. More than that, they position the region as a new player amid a sea change in how the world powers vehicles and other products of everyday life. “We will be the production epicenter for batteries that will power the increasing demand for EVs and a more sustainable world,” Gov. Laura Kelly said at a July 13 news conference. “A new facility of this size is transformational not only for Johnson County, but also for the surrounding area. … We’ve shown that the state of Kansas is truly a winning investment for companies small, large and mega-sized.”of Kansas. Gov. Laura Kelly says the state will be “the production epicenter for batteries that will power the increasing demand for EVs and a more sustainable world.”
Source: Kansas City Business Journal