Kansas Municipal News
Next phase of the Downtown Streetscape Project in Dodge City to start
The City of Dodge City has announced that Phase 6 of the Downtown Streetscape Project will begin on Monday, June 23, per a post on Facebook The construction areas will include a section of 2nd Avenue between Gunsmoke Street and Front Street, the El Capitan Statue area, and Front Street between 2nd Avenue and 1st Avenue, including the parking area, as shown on the map below.
Source: Western Kansas News
Former Ogden treasurer pleads guilty to financial crimes with taxpayer funds
Ogden’s former city treasurer on Monday in Riley County District Court pleaded guilty to misappropriation of public funds and submitting false expenses. Jimmy Bond, 71, pleaded guilty to one count of misuse of between $25,000 and $100,000 public funds and one count of official misconduct by submitting false expenses over $25,000.
Source: News Radio KMAN
Mulvane to unveil new public transit
The Mulvane Recreation Commission, Mulvane Chamber of Commerce, Mulvane Community Foundation and Mulvane Senior Center are partnering on an event to celebrate the city’s new mode of public transportation from 10 to 11:30 a.m. June 30 in the senior center parking lot.
Source: www.derbyinformer.com – RSS Results in news/area_news of type article
Former Ogden treasurer pleads guilty to financial crimes with taxpayer funds
Ogden’s former city treasurer on Monday in Riley County District Court pleaded guilty to misappropriation of public funds and submitting false expenses. Jimmy Bond, 71, pleaded guilty to one count of misuse of between $25,000 and $100,000 public funds and one count of official misconduct by submitting false expenses over $25,000. He was serving as treasurer to the township of Ogden when he said the hiring he did for cemetery maintenance was not done legally.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article
Aquatic acrobatics: Inside Hillsboro water plant
Monday was a busy day at the Hillsboro water plant. A hot, windless weekend had created an algae bloom at Marion Reservoir, meaning iron and manganese levels had shot up in the town’s water supply. Water plant employees —three in total, plus Richard Fine, a retired Agco employee who helps out — learned of the bloom immediately, thanks to a buoy system that measures oxygen levels at the reservoir water intake.
Source: Marion County RECORD
Marion ordered to pay $76,000 for hiding incriminating text
In a dispute stemming from Marion withholding incriminating open records, a judge awarded more than $75,000 Thursday to the District Judge Ben Sexton had ruled April 4 that the city acted in “bad faith” and ordered it to pay the legal fees of Bernie Rhodes, who represents the Among the documents the city concealed was a text message from then-Mayor David Mayfield saying he had met with Sheriff Jeff Soyez and then-Police Chief Gideon Cody three days before police raided the paper’s newsroom and told Cody he “was behind him and his investigation 100%.”
Source: Marion County RECORD
City of Topeka cuts DEI language, under contingency
The Topeka City Council voted to approve cuts to city code regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) under the condition the matter be referred back to committee so that future amendments can be made. City Councilmember Spencer Duncan motioned to approve changes recommended by Policy and Finance Committee during the Tuesday, June 17 meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Karen Hiller and passed 5-1 with Deputy Mayor Brett Kell voting no. The proposed amendments came after news the city was about to lose $45 million in federal funding unless the city removed language pertaining to DEI.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Kansas gov. declares disaster after storms, flooding
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has issued a declaration of disaster Wednesday due to widespread damage caused by recent storms and flooding. Kelly issued the proclamation just after 2:30 p.m. on June 18. The declaration was prompted by recent severe weather in parts of central Kansas from June 16-17. Kelly’s declaration allows for resources to be used to help provide state assistance to areas hit by the severe weather. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has partially activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka to monitor flooding and help counties with any weather-related recovery needs they might have at this time.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Storms slam Arkansas City, clean up underway
Arkansas City is cleaning up after several rounds of severe weather brought heavy rain, large hail, and widespread power outages. The city says it received 3.87 inches of rain in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 4.83 inches since Sunday. Tuesday night’s storm dropped golf ball to baseball-size hail, damaging property and breaking car windows.
Source: KSN-TV
Thieme to paint the town this summer in Sedgwick
In the next few weeks, Sedgwick’s downtown pocket park will come alive with color and pride. The city council unanimously approved a proposal from 2025 Sedgwick High School graduate Autin Thieme to paint the outside wall of the police department in the pocket park for a cost not to exceed $14,000.
Source: Harvey County Now
Advisory group says no — at least for now — to another Wichita school bond
An advisory group told Wichita school leaders Wednesday that the district needs to clarify its message and rebuild trust in the community before seeking another bond issue. District leaders wanted the financial oversight committee to recommend putting a bond issue to voters by March 2026. But committee members rejected that plan, saying the state’s largest district has not made a clear case for why it needs a bond or precisely how it would use the money to rebuild and repair schools.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |
Paid parking begins in downtown Wichita next week. Here’s what to know
Parking meters will begin to be installed along Douglas, Emporia and St. Francis streets in downtown Wichita next week. The installation marks the beginning of paid parking downtown.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |
Government payments push Kansas farm income higher in 2025 amid global uncertainty
Kansas farm income in 2025 is expected to be among the strongest in the last 20 years, bolstered by $2 billion in government payments for depressed crop prices and weather conditions, an agricultural economics expert said Tuesday.
Source: Kansas Reflector
City to make changes to city code, zoning regulations to allow for cigar lounges
The Garden City Commission gave direction to staff to move forward with amending the city’s Code of Ordinances and Zoning Regulations to allow for indoor smoking and cigar lounges at its regular meeting on Tuesday.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Fed Governor Waller says central bank could cut rates as early as July
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Friday that he doesn’t expect tariffs to boost inflation significantly so policymakers should be looking to lower interest rates as early as next month.
Source: Bonds
Power outages, 3-inch hail, downed trees and power lines in south-central Kansas
More than 10,000 homes and businesses in Wichita were without power as of 11:50 a.m. Wednesday after storms throughout the day Tuesday hit south-central Kansas, bringing hail up to 3 inches and wind gusts around 80 mph.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |
Flint Hills Trail gets new bridge to benefit cyclists
The Flint Hills Trail runs from Osawatomie to Council Grove and offers views of riverside bluffs, woods, rolling farmland and tallgrass.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for June 18, 2025
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Power outages, 3-inch hail, downed trees and power lines in south-central Kansas
More than 10,000 homes and businesses in Wichita were without power as of 11:50 a.m. Wednesday after storms throughout the day Tuesday hit south-central Kansas, bringing hail up to 3 inches and wind gusts around 80 mph.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Fed holds key rate steady, still sees two more cuts this year
Along with the rate decision, the committee indicated, through its closely watched “dot plot,” that two cuts by the end of 2025 are still on the table. However, it lopped off one cut for both 2026 and 2027, putting the expected future rate cuts at four, or a full percentage point.
Source: CNBC