Kansas Municipal News
Where does your water come from?
Last week’s boil order in the City of Wichita impacted thousands of water customers in the city, as well as customers on water systems that are supplied by Wichita. According to Wichita city officials, a “glitch” in the system was not picked up quickly enough, causing cloudy water. Tests showed that the water remained chlorinated. Chlorine is added to water systems for disinfection.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers
Differing opinions continue to stall Wind Energy Moratorium
The Brown County Commission met on Monday morning, and with a decision expected to implement a moratorium against the development of commercial wind energy in the county was once again delayed as commissioners clashed on details of the proposed moratorium. At the County Commission meeting on June 6, County Attorney Kevin Hill presented a proposed moratorium on wind energy development, per the request of the commission. The proposed ordinance would impose a $1,000 per day fine for any company in violation, and would stand for 18 months, unless extended at that time. The moratorium would give the commission time to put a Comprehensive Plan in place, which would include zoning guidelines among other items.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com
Tornado recovery in Andover is still very much a work in progress
It’s been two months since a powerful tornado hit Andover, leaving hundreds of people to pick up the pieces. Today many of the houses that were damaged still look the same. Many houses have shattered windows and a lot of the damage remains from the storm two months ago. Homeowners say the biggest reason they have had to wait on repairs is because a lack of supplies. Things like windows are taking multiple months to come in and so other work inside the houses have to wait until it can be sealed up. “We really… we try and keep our heads up and you know, nose to the grindstone. it doesn’t do anybody any good, especially us to throw a pity party,” said Zach Dinicolasaid.
Source: KAKE – News
KDOT seeking comment on State Rail Plan
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is requesting comments on the draft Kansas Rail Plan. This document provides an overview of freight rail networks in Kansas, commodity flows, economic data and, additionally, information about passenger rail service in the state. Rail plan updates are required every five years. Federal guidelines require a public comment period of 30 days, which concludes on July 22. The draft document for the State Rail Plan may be viewed online at https://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burRail/rail/default.asp and alternative formats are available by calling 785-296-3585.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Community Facade Improvement program picking up steam in Derby
More than halfway through 2022, the city’s new Community Facade Improvement program has been utilized minimally – but that could be set to change soon. According to Assistant City Manager for Development Dan Squires, two Derby businesses have been approved for CFIP grants so far, two more applications have been received and a handful of other business owners have been calling with questions about additional submissions.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Fire departments in Lyon County receive state tax help
Some of your fire insurance payments have returned to Lyon County to help local fire departments. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced Wednesday that $162,447.57 has been distributed to seven Firefighter Relief Associations across the county. The allocation occurs each year under state law. The funds come for a two percent tax paid by insurance companies on “fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas,” a statement from Schmidt’s office said. FRAs can use the money to pay firefighters’ health and life insurance costs. They also can purchase new fire trucks and gear, while improving fire stations.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Kansas small town recognized by national travel website
A small town with deep historical connections has been recognized by a national travel website. Abilene was doubly recognized by TravelAwaits during their “Best of Travel Awards” for 2022. Abilene was recognized along with other scenic towns and cities from around the world. Abilene claimed two awards this year from TravelAwaits: Favorite U.S. Small Town and Friendliest U.S. Small Town. This is the second year in a row that Abilene was recognized as the Favorite U.S. Small Town by TravelAwaits due to its strong ties to the Wild West and cattle trade.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Flag retirement just got easier for one Kansas county
Anytime a U.S. flag becomes tattered or worn to the point it’s no longer a fitting symbol, it requires a proper retirement in a dignified manner. This week, one local county is making that retirement process a little easier. In the heart of downtown Manhattan, there is now a depository box for those flags that need to be retired. Installed on Monday in the lobby of 110 Courthouse Plaza, flags damaged or worn down over time will be accepted, and sent off to the local American Legion for a proper disposal. For one county worker, having that option available for people in the area means a lot to her.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Golden petitioners drop their appeal
Petitioners have dropped their appeal of the County Commission’s decision not to approve incorporation of a proposed city of Golden in northwest Miami County. District Judge Steven Montgomery granted the petitioners’ dismissal without prejudice Thursday, June 23. During a hearing in Miami County District Court conducted via Zoom on Monday, June 6, Judge Montgomery set bond in the Golden appeal at $3,500 and scheduled an in-person bench trial for October 2023. In October 2021, the County Commission voted 3-1 against incorporation of a proposed city of Golden. Jennifer Williams, who filed the initial petition to incorporate about 9 square miles north of Hillsdale Lake into a city to block the march of intermodal warehouses into Miami County, was named as one of the appellants in the case along with Golden supporter Charlie Koch.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
McPherson residents to vote on sales tax
On Tuesday, Aug. 2, citizens of McPherson will vote in the primary election. Among items on the ballot, voters will consider a renewal of the city’s second half-cent sales tax. The city has scheduled eight public meetings during the next few weeks for citizens to get more information about the proposed renewal as well as have the opportunity to speak with city officials about the purpose of the sales tax. The meetings will consist of a 20-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session with various representatives from the different city departments. This is not an additional tax; it is a renewal of the tax already in place.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed
Panel makes recommendations for addressing housing affordability in Prairie Village
The Prairie Village City Council on Tuesday unanimously directed city staff to begin work on implementation of attainable housing strategies as recommended by a city committee. These recommendations were borne out of the ad hoc housing committee, which Mayor Eric Mikkelson charged with focusing on how to diversify the city’s housing stock and preserve its currently available attainable housing options.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Lawrence’s Sustainability Advisory Board to consider plastic bag ban
The city’s Sustainability Advisory Board on Thursday will hold a special meeting to discuss a draft ordinance that would prohibit establishments from providing or selling single-use disposable plastic bags. The city has been discussing similar measures for a few years now. A previous draft of the ordinance would have required establishments to charge customers 15 cents per single-use disposable bag for any purchase. Produce bags and reusable bags are not included in the proposed ban. Single-use disposable paper bags would still be allowed.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Pott County discusses potential reuse plan for old courthouse
Jessica Stuck, an architect with Landmarks SGA, LLC, met virtually Monday with the county commissioners and suggested a reuse plan for the historic Pottawatomie Courthouse. Stuck specializes in adaptive reuse and historic preservation. She met previously in April with the commissioners and stakeholders to tour the building and obtain input regarding the potential future of the building. “There are thick 16-to-18-inch masonry walls which could pose problems with future reuses,” Stuck explained. Other restrictions on reuse Stuck mentioned included environmental factors such as asbestos and lead paint, proximity to the justice center, the age of the mechanical systems, and the fact that it is on the national historic registry.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article
Giant mural will start to be painted in downtown Osawatomie
A giant mural will soon take shape in downtown Osawatomie. Samantha Moon, the city’s public information officer, said the muralist team should be on site around July 8 to begin the color application of a 40-foot by 40-foot mural on the building at the northwest corner of Fifth and Main streets. The city of Osawatomie received a $15,000 grant through the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity and the “Rural Mural” program — a pilot program designed to bring public art into rural communities. The award included all expenses for labor, equipment, supplies and other costs.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
New $340,000 public art piece installed at Lawrence police headquarters
A $340,000 art installation for the city’s police headquarters was recently installed. The artwork, “Through Other Eyes,” was paid for by the city’s longstanding Percent for Art program. The program allows city leaders to set aside up to 2% of a capital project’s budget for public art. The funding was approved as part of project budget for the $19.9 million police headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive. The piece consists of a metal pavilion with panels of colorful glass representations of eyes and light projections. The light sculpture at the center of the pavilion, the sphere toward the top of the design, includes cut-out patterns that project images onto the ground.
Source: LJWorld
Flights to Denver and Chicago continue as SkyWest withdraws termination notice for Salina
After a few months of uncertainty about passenger air service to and from the community, Salina Regional Airport announced that flights will continue uninterrupted. On March 10 of this year, the air service, which operates United Express flights at Salina, which travel to and from Chicago and Denver, announced it would terminate the service, due to a pilot shortage impacting the regional airline industry. That notice to terminate was withdrawn by SkyWest on Friday, June 24, meaning United Express flights will continue as part of the Essential Air Service, a program from the United States Department of Transportation. The Salina Airport Authority said this news was welcome and comes at a time when there has been a lot of people using the passenger service at the airport.
Source: Salina Journal
Rural Counties Are Booming, but Can It Last?
Even in the face of inflation and the risk of recession, the broad economic prospects for rural America may be looking up for the first time in years. Small communities have long lagged far behind big cities in job creation and income growth. But since the pandemic, many are seeing an infusion of remote workers drawn by lower costs, laid-back lifestyles and natural beauty—and worn down by crime and other urban challenges. Their presence has helped spur hiring, income gains and home-price growth in rural towns. The question now is whether these transplants are there to stay.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Wichita firefighters, supporters protest at City Hall over wages
Wichita firefighters, their families and supporters cheered outside of Wichita City Hall on Tuesday after union officials told them that during contract negotiations they immediately rejected the city’s offer for raises. International Association of Fire Fighters Local 135 president Ted Bush said the city’s offer wasn’t even close to bringing firefighter wages up to a rate comparable with other large cities in the region. Union officials said firefighters have started to leave the department in large numbers and pay is a major reason why. The department being short-staffed, they said, is putting additional stress on the remaining firefighters.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Grow Labette reviews projects to benefit communities
The Grow Labette Coalition met last week to discuss projects in process and plans for the future to achieve healthier communities as a whole and affect people’s well-being. Grow Labette Coalition seeks to strengthen alliances with health care providers, the government, business and educational institutions to create healthy choices, while building a culture that celebrates the changes made available by these healthier opportunities. It operates as a part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Initiative, which provides community coalitions with the tools and resources needed to remove barriers and engage their communities in ways that support healthy eating, active living and reduce the use of commercial tobacco.
Source: Parsons Sun
Municipal Bond Trends for June 28, 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.