Kansas Municipal News
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office receives grant towards new 4K body cameras
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a nice grant of $90,000. Money that will provide 22 new body cameras for patrol deputies, including SROs, court security, and community outreach deputies. Cherokee County is one of 40 departments across the country to receive this grant through Justice and Security Strategies and the U.S. Department of Justice. Meanwhile, the body cameras currently in service will soon be used on the corrections side of the sheriff’s office. Chief Deputy Nate Jones says the new cameras are branded top quality and will produce 4K clear imagery. They’ll also provide a chance to get video evidence to the county attorney’s office quicker. Once an officer stops a recording, the video will automatically upload to a secure website. Then, the county attorney’s office will have its own login information to obtain the video.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Coffeyville firefighters seek help restoring classic fire engine
Firefighters in Coffeyville hope to restore of piece of the department’s history. International Association of Firefighters Local 265 in Coffeyville is raising money to restore a fire engine the department first used nearly 75 years ago. The truck is a 1953 Peter Pirsch 75’ Ladder truck that was once owned by the department. Peter Pirsch and Sons was based in Kenosha, Wisconsin and was the first modern, motorized fire truck with its own ladder system. It operated from 1900 to 1986 before dissolving.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Lawrence city commissioners approve 20-year, $103M plan to make sidewalks accessible
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved a plan to bring city sidewalks and curb ramps up to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The plan is estimated to cost the city and residents about $103.5 million over the next 20 years. Evan Korynta, ADA compliance manager for the city, gave the commission a presentation on the ADA Right-of-Way Transition Plan in May and returned to speak to the commission Tuesday. Federal law requires cities and states to have ADA transition plans to ensure that all people can access travel paths.
Some of the issues the city currently has with sidewalks include trip hazards, major cracks, cross slopes and more, Korynta reiterated on Tuesday. He said the city currently has about 4,500 curb ramps that need to be repaired or replaced, and about 280 miles of sidewalks and shared-use paths that need repair — about 65% of those miles — or full replacement — about 35% of them. Vice Mayor Mike Dever asked to clarify whether the commission was approving specific funds for anything in the plan on Tuesday. “The funding will be tied to the (capital improvement plan), and that’s something we’ll be discussing in the future,” Mayor Bart Littlejohn said. Lawrence property owners are responsible for paying for repairs to sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Commissioner Lisa Larsen noted Tuesday that if a sidewalk is damaged by a street tree crew or utility line, that’s paid for by the city.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners have mixed feelings about on-the-go drinking downtown
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday showed a range of interest in creating a “common consumption area,” which would allow folks to drink alcoholic beverages as they move through downtown. City staff members researched other communities in Kansas that have enacted CCA districts and shared their findings in a memo to the commission ahead of the meeting. Key concerns commissioners discussed during the presentation Tuesday were the costs of enforcement if additional downtown security would be needed and cleanup. Porter Arneill, assistant director of arts and culture for Lawrence Parks and Recreation, told the commission that the concept and feedback thus far is “very nebulous right now.” “Everything is a guessing game at this stage because there’s so many factors that are unknown,” Arneill said. “We don’t know what the behavior will be like. We don’t know how many businesses would actually join in on this.” The city already has a process to approve special permits to allow open consumption of alcohol during certain events, such as Lawrence Busker Festival. Some members of the public seemed to be shaken and stirred by the proposal.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for July 18, 2024
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.
Municipal Bond Trends for July 17, 2024
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.
Topeka thwarted in bike lane effort
The Build Kansas Advisory Committee rejected a proposal from the city of Topeka to use federal grant funds to build seven bike lanes across the community. … The city contributed $0 to the project, relying on the Build Kansas fund to contribute the entire local funding needed to qualify for the federal grant. Rep. Kyle Hoffman, R-Coldwater, said he wanted to see some local cost share when he motioned to reject awarding the funds.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for July 16, 2024
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.
Municipal Bond Trends for July 15, 2024
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.
Great Bend City Administrator Brandon Anderson leaving
Great Bend City Administrator Brandon Anderson is resigning. City officials confirmed he submitted his 30-day notice, as required by his employment agreement, on Tuesday and his last day will be Aug. 9. … Anderson said he has accepted another administrative job with the Garden City school district.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Affordable housing still an issue in Holton
New houses have been built or are under construction in Holton, with more on the way, but the lack of available housing in the city continues to be an issue for a Holton contractor who has been involved in the construction of several new homes in the city over the past two years. “My eyes have opened in the last two years to how much of a need there is” for affordable housing in Holton…
Source: Holton Recorder
Merriam explores idea of hiring single trash hauler for entire city
The city of Merriam is looking at contracting with one solid waste hauler for the entire city. Following a recent community survey that showed a majority of residents want a single solid waste provider, the Merriam City Council on Monday expressed support for exploring a move to a singular citywide contract. Currently, there are five …
Source: Johnson County Post
Federal judge has rules that Dodge City’s elections don’t discriminate against Latinos
A federal judge has ruled Dodge City’s five-decade-old election system does not unfairly suppress Latino voter choices and can remain in place, rejecting arguments from the American Civil Liberties Union and others. The southwest Kansas city has used an “at-large” system to elect city commissioners since 1971. Instead of dividing the city into voting districts, commissioners are elected by voters all over the city — a structure the ACLU says unlawfully dilutes the voices of Latino voters and violates the U.S. constitution and federal election law. U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren disagreed in a ruling issued Wednesday.
Source: KAKE – News
McConnell Air Force Base generates $1 billion economic impact for Wichita
More than 1,000 civilians were employed at the base, including general schedule, federal wage board and other civilian employees. The number also includes non-appropriated civilian employees paid with appropriated funds, such as Army and Air Force Exchange Services and Defense Commissary Agency employees.
Source: KAKE – News
Powell indicates Fed won’t wait until inflation is down to 2% before cutting rates
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Monday that the central bank will not wait until inflation hits 2% to cut interest rates. … “The implication of that is that if you wait until inflation gets all the way down to 2%, you’ve probably waited too long, because the tightening that you’re doing, or the level of tightness that you have, is still having effects which will probably drive inflation below 2%,” Powell said.
Source: CNBC
Sedgwick County government officially drops ‘Working for you’ tagline. Here’s why
The tagline “Working for you” will no longer appear on official Sedgwick County government branding. The County Commission voted Wednesday to drop the tagline, which for decades has appeared packaged with the official county seal featuring a stylized illustration of the Keeper of the Plains. The change comes as the commission adopted an updated brand guide detailing how employees should and shouldn’t represent the county in official materials. Commissioner Jim Howell cast the only vote against the brand guide, saying he believes “Working for you” sums up the county’s mission well. “This is the moment where we’re going to get rid of that tagline. Can I steal it?’ Howell asked Strategic Communications director Nicole Gibbs. “To the extent that the county gets rid of that tagline, I’m going to put that on everything I do personally. I love it,” Howell said. Gibbs said dropping the tagline will improve the aesthetic appeal of county branding. The goal, she said, isn’t to imply that the government has stopped working for people. “Just because we don’t have the words out there doesn’t change the work that we do, and we all continually work to serve the community and work for the people, but for our marketing purposes and what we’ve been doing going forward, it makes it a little bit cleaner look and easier for us to go forward without the slogan,” Gibbs said. She said the change will be gradual, and won’t cost the county extra money.
Source: Wichita Eagle
City manager candidate finalists to meet with public on Jul. 22
The names of the four finalists for Manhattan City Manager have been released to the public. The candidates will be Jacob Wood, Jamie Miller, Jason Gage and Danielle Dulin. The four finalists will be coming to Manhattan on Jul. 22 to meet with city residents at the Flint Hills Discovery Center from 4:30 to 6 as they’ll answer questions from the public. All four candidates have lengthy experiences working in city government. Mr. Wood has more than 15 years of experience in local government, including more than 10 years in senior leadership positions. Currently, he serves as the Deputy City Manager for the city of Salina a position he’s held for the last 12 years. Ms. Miller has more than 10 years of experience and she has spent the last two years as the City Manager of Paris, Kentucky, a 10,000-person town 18 miles northeast of Lexington. Previously, she served in roles in the city of Port Orange, Florida. Mr. Gage has the longest tenure in city government of the four, serving more than 25 years in local government currently serving as City Manager in Springfield, Missouri, a position he has held since 2018. He is no stranger to Kansas, serving as Salina City Manager from 2005 until 2018 and was also assistant City Manager of Salina from 1994 until 1999. Ms. Dulin has more than 10 years of local government service, serving the last three years as City Manager of Warrensburg, Missouri which is the home of the University of Central Missouri. She also ties to Kansas serving as Assistant to the City Manager for Lenexa, Prairie Village and Mission Hills. 44 applicants applied for the position previously held by longtime city manager Ron Fehr who retired in April. Jason Hilgers is the current interim city manager but is not applying for the position.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Wichita, USD 259 announce athletic partnership
The Wichita Park and Recreation Department and the Wichita school district have announced a partnership to enhance the Wichita Junior Football League and to share facilities, starting this fall. The partnership will have the city’s Junior Football League playing its games on Wichita Public Schools turf fields. In the fall of 2025 Wichita Park and Recreation will transform the Junior League Football League program for 7th and 8th grade students to align with WPS high school attendance areas. As part of the program, WPS will provide mentors and tutors to support students’ academic success. As part of the partnership, there will be other opportunities to share facilities, including:
- WPS can use city baseball fields in August and March – May for early-morning practices;
- The City of Wichita can have access to West High’s swimming pool at designated times to provide lifeguard certification and water safety training;
- WPS students and staff may obtain lifeguard certification through the city and students will have an opportunity for employment as lifeguards at the City pools;
- WPS PE teachers and swim coaches may attend courses to become instructors in Lifeguard Certification and Water Safety.
The use of City and WPS athletic facilities will be provided free of charge. The city’s recreation superintendent, Reggie Davidson, said the city and the school district have a shared belief in providing athletic opportunities for young athletes. He said this will enhance the football experience for students and it will create a strong connection between the Junior League Football program and the broader educational community.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Panasonic plant’s benefits will ripple through Western JoCo and metro area, panelists say
Reflecting on his nearly 25-year career with De Soto, City Administrator Mike Brungardt said the debut of Panasonic’s $4 billion electric-vehicle battery plant will be transformative for the city. “This place is almost automatically shortlisted for every megaproject that wants to build in North America,” Brungardt said. “Whatever it is, we’ve got transportation. You’ve got a laborshed. You’ve got the land. We’re very excited about those opportunities moving forward.” Although Panasonic’s massive battery plant will be based in De Soto, the economic effect will ripple throughout the region, said Libbey Tucker, vice president of economic development at the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. “All our communities have a little something different to offer. Overland Park is not a manufacturing-heavy community. We have a little bit, but we’re more on the office space side,” Tucker said. “We’ll benefit that way. Other communities that do have that acreage and manufacturing space, they’ll benefit in that regard. It’s a big pie, and we can all have a bite.” Tucker and Brungardt joined John Petersen, principal at Sunflower Redevelopment, and Travis Schram, president of area homebuilder Grata Development, in discussing just how far those ripples will extend during the Kansas City Business Journal’s Regional Development: Western Johnson County panel event on June 21.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Solar farms up for discussion in Reno County
Monday night, a town hall meeting in Nickerson discussed the future of solar farms in Reno County. Reno County currently bans large-scale commercial farms, and commissioners are considering lifting the moratorium. While Monday is important to whether or not portions of Reno County are zoned, leaders tell KSN this is just a chance to get community input. As it stands, only 1/3 of Reno County is adherent to zoning laws. Reno County officials are adamant that zoning the remaining 2/3 of the Reno County would be beneficial. “Zoning will regulate land usage. When you’re an unzoned property, then there are no zoning regulations, and you can do whatever you want with your property, but so can your neighbor,” said Reno County Planner Mark Vonachen. They say zoning is the difference between having a say in what is built around your property, like solar or wind farms. “Solar and wind are types of land usage that zoning can regulate, and when you’re unzoned, those land uses are not regulated by zoning, so they can just go into a property area,” said Vonachen. Some residents, like Melony Ball, don’t see the benefit. They call zoning a double-edged sword, limiting what they can do with their property “I hear what they’re saying about other people being able to come in and do. But if your livelihood is out of your garage,” said Ball. “It would just be nice to have those freedoms and to not have government control over that.” Two more town hall meetings are scheduled across Reno County this month: July 22 in Arlington and July 23 in Pretty Prairie.
Source: KSN-TV