Kansas Municipal News
Sedgwick County sheriff says more pay needed to help with staffing issues
Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter talked to county commissioners Tuesday about staffing issues with his commissioned deputies and detention deputies, and he says pay needs to be competitive to keep from losing staff to other law enforcement agencies. Easter told the commission during their weekly staff meeting that he is budgeted for 228 employees in the jail, and there are 110 vacancies, so the vacancy rate is 49 percent. He said recruiting efforts have produced few candidates and he is starting to lose commissioned deputies to communities like Maize and Derby.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
County Commissioners meet to address child care needs in Crawford County
Crawford County today held its commission work meeting to discuss the county’s lack of available child care. Child care is one of the county’s top problems to address, according to some county commissioners. Childcare in Crawford County is scarce. Commissioners say there are more than 10 children needing care but only one spot remains in the county. Officials say Crawford Co. has put aside $2 million to address and add adequate child care, whether they expand current services or add entirely new ones.
Source: KOAMKOAM
Johnson County Micro Transit and RideKC earn national transit system of the year award
Johnson County’s Micro Transit and RideKC were just awarded one of the highest awards a transit agency can receive. Friday, July 15, the American Public Transportation Association announced RideKC won the outstanding public transportation system achievement award for more than four million, but fewer than 20 million trips. RideKC was one of nine organizations and leaders awarded for its vision, leadership and commitment to public transportation. “Johnson County Transit is pleased to accept this recognition in concert with our regional RideKC partners,” said Josh Powers, director of the county’s transit division. “Our micro transit service has been an important part of our transit system since 2019, and with our new mobile app and the recent expansion of the micro transit service area authorized by the Board of County Commissioners, we look forward to improving access to transit service for our residents and the RideKC region.”
Source: Johnson County Kansas
Wichita board to hear debate on breeder ban for pet stores selling cats and dogs
Wichita’s Animal Control Advisory Board will resume community debate Wednesday on whether to recommend a city-wide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats from breeders. At stake is whether Wichita’s two Petland stores should be allowed to keep their current business model of selling from breeders, which Petland east owner Brad Bockus says accounts for 70% of store sales. The proposal to reevaluate pet store practices was brought by a community member to the board’s May meeting, where it sparked passionate debate. The Kansas Humane Society and Wichita Animal Shelter remain at maximum capacity, and some say a city-wide ban on retailers selling from breeders could help alleviate the crisis of unwanted pets in the city.
Source: Wichita Eagle
South Hutch opens hurdles for IdeaTek expansion
Some “creative financing” on the part of the city of South Hutchinson will assist internet provider IdeaTek in bringing its highspeed fiber-optic service to the community of 2,500. The South Hutchinson City Council approved a couple of actions on Monday night to set the plan in motion. That included creating a “Community Improvement District (CID)” that encompasses a small parcel of ground in South Hutchinson the Buhler-based provider will build its service hub on. … Creating the CID will allow the company to pay off the pass-through bonds using a portion of customer service fees, explained South Hutchinson City Administrator Joseph Turner. Turner said he’s been working with the provider for months to find a way to bring the company to town.
Source: Hutch News
Municipal Bond Trends for July 19, 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.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Funding for Murals in 14 Rural Communities
Governor Laura Kelly today announced 14 communities will receive funding through the Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural and Public Art grant program. The $90,000 in grants enables communities with fewer than 10,000 residents to create new murals and public art projects that will beautify community gathering spaces and serve as new tourist attractions. “By funding the creation of murals and public art in communities across Kansas, we want to celebrate the beauty of our state and highlight everything our small towns have to offer,” said Governor Laura Kelly. Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community. Seventy-five percent of the grant funding will be gifted up front as several of the city projects plan to start in the next two weeks. “Rural Kansas has the opportunity to be a more popular tourist destination, which will promote economic growth in the smallest of Kansas communities,” said Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. “The development of high-quality destinations and improved infrastructure across the state will make these featured attractions more valuable and easier to reach than ever before.”
The organizations that are being awarded for FY 2023 include:
- City of Caldwell, $9,100
- City of Chanute, $9,000
- Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation, $10,000
- Community Arts Council of Council Grove, $1,500
- Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Inc., $1,500
- Ellsworth County Economic Development Corporation, $10,000
- City of Girard, $500
- Jackson County/Jackson County Tourism Council, $8,400
- Meade County Historical Society Museum, $7,000
- Michell County Strong, Inc., $10,000
- Stepping Up, Inc., $4,500
- Seneca Downtown Impact, Inc., $750
- Wallace County Foundation, $7,750
- Wilson Tourism Hub, Inc., $10,000
“Art, and murals in particular, help bring communities together to celebrate the history, culture and unique characteristics of their rural towns,” said Director of the Office of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon. “The Rural Mural program helps these communities showcase those amazing characteristics to their current residents, visitors and to the entire State of Kansas for generations to come.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Localities aim to turn federal money into major road investments
Local governments plan to spend the majority of their Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds on roads, with water and broadband projects also getting high priority. That’s according to a joint survey by the National League of Cities and Polco, in which 82% of respondents said they intended to spend federal dollars on roads, bridges and major projects. Of those surveyed, 60% plan spending on water, 56% on road safety, 36% on broadband, and 27% on resilience. Another 27% said clean energy and power, 26% public transportation, 26% on electric vehicles, buses and ferries, 24% on environmental remediation, 13% on airports, 9% on ports and waterways and 7% on passenger and freight rail.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Kendal Francis earns international credentials
Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Francis is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals, worldwide, currently holding credentials through the ICMA Credentialing Program. … To receive the prestigious ICMA credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; earned an advanced degree, preferably in public administration; and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development. Francis is qualified by 27 years of professional local government experience, 10 of which were at the executive level…
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Lawrence to further discuss possible ban or fees for single-use plastic bags
City leaders indicated Tuesday that they are interested in further discussing regulations on single-use plastic bags, with the idea of an outright ban or a fee remaining on the table. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received a recently approved recommendation from the city’s Sustainability Advisory Board to ban single-use plastic bags provided at checkout at businesses and begin an educational campaign about their environmental impact. Commissioners didn’t indicate specifically whether they were in favor of the recommendation for a ban, rather than a fee, but agreed that they would like city staff to review options and bring the topic back to the commission for further discussion.
Source: LJWorld
2022 edition of largest custom car show in the world back in Salina
More than 2,000 custom cars from the East and West Coasts, and plenty of places between, will cruise into Salina next week for the 2022 edition of the Leadsled Spectacular. Kustom Kemps of America (KKOA), the largest and oldest custom car and truck association in the United States returns to Oakdale Park July 28 to 31 for the 42nd annual edition of the Leadsled Spectacular, the largest custom car show in the country. While the show moved around some in its early years, Salina has been the permanent home to Leadsled since 2005.
Source: Salina Journal
Wind Energy Forum, 4-8 p.m. Aug. 3, 2022, Overbrook Public Library
Wind Energy Forum Climate + Energy Project invites you to hear from subject matter experts on wind energy and get your questions answered. Come and go at your convenience, hear from a variety of speakers, and enjoy the provided buffet. When: August 3rd, 2022 4-8p Where: Overbrook Public Library, Coffman Community Room 317 Maple Street,
Source: Osage County Online | Osage County News | News for Osage County, Kansas, Burlingame, Carbondale, Lyndon, Melvern, Olivet, Osage City, Overbrook, Quenemo, Scranton, Vassar, Pomona Lake, Melvern Lake
Shrine Bowl to bring thousands to Pittsburg this weekend
Residents are being asked to use extra caution this weekend when the 49th annual Kansas Shrine Bowl kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday in Carnie Smith Stadium at Pittsburg State University. Fans, families and players representing high schools and their communities statewide will add significant vehicle and foot traffic in Pittsburg. The Kansas Department of Transportation encourages drivers to look for pedestrians everywhere, never pass cars at a crosswalk, slow down, be prepared to stop and avoid distractions. Pedestrians are encouraged to walk on sidewalks or designated pedestrian paths, be visible and predictable crossing streets in well-lit areas, stay alert and not assume that they can be seen by drivers. The Shrine Bowl is nationally recognized as one of the premier high school football championships in the country. Youth camps and numerous events this week will raise money for 22 Shriners hospitals.
Source: www.joplinglobe.com
Beat the heat with free indoor activities through Sunflower Summer
Parents and families looking for a way to stay cool with these 100+ temperatures can find 90 different free activities through the Sunflower Summer app. The Kansas State Department of Education created the app to create opportunities for families to do something together, to get educated on new things and places, and to try new activities. Last summer, more than 71,000 people took advantage of the program. This year, people can access the free tickets for various places through August 14. The Sunflower Summer app can be found through the App Store or Google Play.
Source: KAKE – News
LCECC launches Video-to-911 services
The Lyon County Emergency Communications Center announced the launch of Prepared Live — a software that enables Video-to-911 capabilities — in the communications center. According to a written release, Prepared is a software that enables LCECC’s 9-1-1 communications center to “livestream, receive multimedia, and receive location from mobile callers in real-time.” LCECC director Roxanne Van Gundy said the technology will “significantly improve” the center’s “ability to effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies in the community.” “Kansas has always been a nationwide leader in NG 911 services. With advanced location abilities, Text to and Text from 911, translation services and now Video-to-911, centers from around the state will be able to provide citizens with second to none emergency services,” she said. “As this is a huge shift in the way we do business, we are slowly introducing this tool in our center with limited call types. We will continue to expand on the ways we can use Video-to-911 as our employees feel more at ease with this process. Their comfort level in viewing images and navigating this system is my number one priority.” Van Gundy said participation in a video call during a call to 911 is “completely voluntary” and consent of the caller is required. If the caller consents, they will receive a livestream link via text from the communications officer, enabling them to activate live video upon click. It’s important to note that the video call function also does not provide Lyon County Emergency Communications Center with access to the contents or settings of a caller’s phone. This launch follows several weeks of preparation and training to ensure that our dispatchers and our team are able to properly utilize the software, according to Van Gundy. Working side-by-side with Prepared’s customer success team, we have created and adopted policies to ensure that Prepared Live is used effectively in various scenarios. Prepared was originally founded as a company focused on school safety “with a passion for improving public safety.” In creating an app to help mitigate school emergencies, the team discovered that valuable data is lost in existing 9-1-1 processes and set out to address the problem. Since public launch in October 2021, Prepared Live has helped protect over 2 million American citizens in cities around the country. To learn more about Prepared and Prepared Live, visit Prepared911.com.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Simmons Pet Food announces $115 million expansion in Emporia, Edgerton
Simmons Pet Food announced the addition of a fourth high-speed production line in Emporia as part of a $115 million investment on two Kansas facilities Monday afternoon. The investment includes a new pet food distribution center in Edgerton, and the start of operations at a second production line in Dubuque, Iowa. Simmons president Scott Salmon said the announcement comes as part of Simmons Pet Food’s $500 million strategic growth plan. “I would say the range is actually $115 – $150 million, because to do this, we’re not only making investments in Emporia, we have some investments in Edgerton as well,” Salmon told The Gazette. “Ultimately, what we’re doing is adding a fourth production line to the plant in Emporia that will add [177 jobs] that will pay between $25-30 an hour. We’re excited about that.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
Derby launching Third Thursday events starting in August
The city of Derby recently announced it will be launching a new Third Thursday art-focused event series next month. The first installation is scheduled to be held jointly at Warren Riverview Park and the Derby Public Library from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 18. As part of the series, Third Thursday events will feature art exhibits, live music, food trucks and more during the fall (scheduled through October). Seeing the model of Final Friday events in Dodge City and Wichita, Director of Communications Kristy Bansemer noted the city wanted to tailor a similar event that would engage citizens in the city parks – setting it on Thursday to avoid conflicts with football through the fall.
Source: Derby Informer | News
How to use a roundabout
Roundabouts are a way to keep traffic moving smoothly and quickly instead of traffic lights, which can interrupt the flow of traffic. When approaching a roundabout, slow your speed and look for vehicles coming from your left inside the roundabout. If there are other vehicles circulating in your path or approaching from your left, yield until it is clear for you to enter the roundabout.
Source: City of Lenexa
Farm Expo moves to Hutchinson
After 12 years, the Great Bend Farm Ranch and Hemp Expo is no more. The Bird City-based Star Enterprises that owns the show is moving it to Hutchinson, starting next year. Named the Kansas Ag Expo at Hutchinson, it is set for March 30 through April 1, 2023. According to a link to the show on Star Enterprises’ website, “The Kansas Ag Expo 2023 is dubbed as the largest farm event in the United States dedicated to promoting agricultural technology.” “This is bittersweet,” said Tana Dale, who runs Star Enterprises with her husband Darren. “Great Bend has been good to us for several years.” However, “it was time to make the switch,” she said. “It was one of the things that had to be done to keep going.”
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Crash topples power poles in Mulvane, cuts some power
Some Mulvane residents and offices have no power Monday after a semi hit a power line. Mulvane Fire Rescue says the driver was making a delivery when the truck caught a line and brought down three high-voltage power distribution transformers. The driver stayed in the vehicle until utility crews arrived to turn off the power. In addition to the broken transformers, four power poles are broken, and some mineral oil is leaking. Flying debris hit a couple of vehicles, and a small fire started. No one was injured.
Source: KSN-TV