Kansas Municipal News
All 3 deputies wounded in Cowley County shooting have been released from the hospital
On Friday, a shooting that occurred in Cowley County left three deputies with gunshot wounds and the female suspect dead. Since then, all three deputies have been released from the hospital in good condition. Around 12:10 p.m. on Friday, Cowley County deputies responded to a report about a suspicious vehicle located about five miles north of Winfield, parked a quarter-mile west of U.S. Highway 77 on 122nd Road. Three deputies approached the vehicle and made contact with a female driver. After refusing to comply with their commands to step out of the vehicle, they attempted to remove her. She then brandished a handgun, and gunfire was exchanged. All three deputies were struck during the shooting, and the woman was killed at the scene.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for April 14, 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.
Liberal hires Russell Varnado as city manager
The City of Liberal will officially have a new city manager starting in June. … “We have gone through the initial interviews, follow-up interviews and tours and visits to Liberal, and we’ve decided to hire Russell Varnado to be our next city manager,” Liberal Mayor Jeff Parsons said. “Everyone’s had a chance to look over the contract, and he’s scheduled to begin June 2. I’m excited and I think he’s going to do a great job.” During the commissioners’ comments, the commissioners praised Burke’s work as city manager and other work with the city. “I’d like to thank Cal for the time he’s been with the city and how well he’s done and how helpful he’s been with this process,” city commissioner Ron Warren said. “I wish him well and wish him luck, and I hope he’s able to do what he pleases during his retirement. I’ve also got to give credit to all the commissioners up here for going through the process, I know it wasn’t easy because there were a lot of good candidates everyone liked, but I think Russell will do a good job.”
Source: LiberalFirst
Catawampus street signs plague city
At Tuesday’s city commission meeting, board president Dr. Ron Seglie mentioned an issue of “catawampus” street signs around the city and asked how citizens can report these incidents, or even fix the askew signs whenever they are identified, saying he personally straightened a few with his son. Director of Public Works & Utilities Matt Bacon said the best way to report these issues is through the city’s SeeClickFix app and let the city handle it. Seglie also asked about steel light poles in need of repair or resurfacing. Bacon said his department is currently working to address the issue and City Manager Daron Hall said the city is putting additional resources toward improving the striping, trees, signs and poles in its right-of-way this year, with an emphasis on main city corridors.
Source: Morning Sun
Kansas amends property, sales and income tax laws
The Kansas Governor signs a tax cut bill, making changes to property taxes for some residents. House Bill 2239 is a bipartisan bill that amends property, sales and income tax laws. Here’s what it does: It increases the residential property tax exemption, prorates some personal property taxes, provides homestead property tax refunds to eligible taxpayers, and broadens the property tax reduction authority of county commissioners for property destroyed by a disaster.
Source: KOAMKOAM
$2+ million will help Allen County Airport
The Allen County Airport is going to be able to make some improvements thanks to a state grant. The Kansas Department of Commerce for Infrastructure Improvements is giving the airport $2,905,095. The airport will use the money to increase the capacity of utilities at the airport. That includes water, electricity, broadband internet and roads. Officials hope to improve the airport and add an industrial park surrounding it. The County will provide a 25 percent match for the grant, totaling around $726,000.
Source: KOAMKOAM
Multiple KS fire crews continue to battle Haven gas plant fire, cause remains unknown
Reno County officials say that the fire that erupted Thursday afternoon at the Haven gas plant is still burning, but fire crews were able to get the gas turned off. At this time, there is no threat to the public, Reno County Emergency Manager Adam Weishaar said. Two people with minor injuries were taken to a Wichita hospital for treatment, he added. Fire crews from Wichita, Colwich, Burrton, McPherson and Mount Hope were called in to assist with the fire and a specialized firefighting foam was being brought in to “deal with the liquid natural gas,” Weishaar said.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Kelly signs sprawling bill with tax credits, property tax cuts
Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed a bill offering a package of tax credits and property tax cuts that’s estimated to cost $310 million over three years. The tax package included 25 provisions, including tax credits for teachers buying school supplies, a credit for donations to community colleges for capital improvements and a sales tax exemption for replacing fencing destroyed in wildfires.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
‘Axe the Food Tax’ aligns with Thrive Allen County’s mission
Now more than ever, Kansas families need relief from the state’s food sales tax. Kansans pay 6.5% in state sales tax on groceries — the second highest in the country. In addition to the tax, we have all felt the effects of the pandemic-induced inflation, which is making it harder to put food on the table. At Thrive Allen County, we focus on improving health and wellness, economic conditions, and community resources in our county and throughout the state. The “Axe the Food Tax” plan is in lockstep with the mission of Thrive. It helps all Kansans by putting money back in their pockets, providing relief to those deciding between groceries or other necessities, and enabling Kansans to select nutritious and wholesome foods without the higher sales tax barrier. This plan to eliminate the state sales tax on food would benefit our rural grocery stores, by allowing residents to spend more money on actual groceries instead of on sales taxes.
Source: The Iola Register
Multi-age classrooms, coming to Lawrence schools next year, raise concerns for teachers
Some teachers in Lawrence elementary schools are concerned about what multi-age classrooms will look like in the district and the domino effect that may follow.nThe Lawrence school board has approved about $6.41 million in budget cuts. About $2.07 million, or 32% of that total, will come from changing elementary class thresholds to eliminate about 34 teaching positions, largely through attrition. The district will be implementing multi-age classrooms, though it is unclear exactly where and how many, primarily because class sizes depend on each year’s enrollment numbers, according to information provided by district spokesperson Julie Boyle.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Property, sales and income tax mega-bundle approved by Kansas governor
A Kansas bill signed into law Thursday spans the gamut of tax policy, packaging more than two dozen measures amending property, sales and income tax laws. The massive House Bill 2239, backed by the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly, included provisions from 29 different bills cutting taxes and will hack nearly $91 million from state tax revenue in the first year. The largest cost is the taxpayer-assessed 20 mill levy toward supporting K-12 public education. In approving the changes to state tax laws, Kelly said she felt the opportunity to provide relief for Kansans was now, while the state experiences its first budget surplus in decades.
Source: The Lawrence Times
USDA Awards Over $2.5 Million in Health Care Grants to 10 Rural Communities in Kansas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $2.55 million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants has been awarded to 10 communities in rural Kansas. The grants will help rural hospitals and health care providers implement telehealth and nutrition assistance programs, increase staffing to administer COVID-19 vaccines and testing, build or renovate facilities, and purchase medical supplies.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
USD 465 budgeting $4 million in relief funds
The Winfield school district now has the third round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds from the federal government and is deciding how to spend it. The $3,968,599 is meant to provide relief from effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Some will be added to funding received from the first and second ESSER distributions, Superintendent Nathan Reed said. All the money must be distributed and accounted for. Some funding can be used into 2025. The district sought public input on how to spend the aid through an online survey.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Mortgage rates have hit 5% for the first time in more than a decade
Mortgage rates rose again this week, reaching 5% for the first time in over a decade. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5% in the week ending April 14, up from 4.72% the week before, according to Freddie Mac. That’s the highest since 2010. Rapidly rising rates, along with sky-high home prices and rapid inflation continue to push homeownership out of reach for many Americans, according to Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “This week, mortgage rates averaged 5% for the first time in over a decade,” said Khater. “As Americans contend with historically high inflation, the combination of rising mortgage rates, elevated home prices and tight inventory are making the pursuit of homeownership the most expensive in a generation.
Source: KMBC.com
Federal grants may help Lawrence make quicker progress on $32M list of storm water projects in flood-prone area
With as much as $32 million needed to increase the city’s storm water system capacity in the Jayhawk Watershed and reduce neighborhood flooding, city engineers are hoping federal funding could help get projects done more quickly. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received an update on the findings and recommendations of a study of the Jayhawk Watershed completed by JEO Consulting Group. The study included a recommendation of four projects, estimated to cost from $23 million to $32 million total, to increase the amount of rainwater the system can handle.
Source: LJWorld.com
After disruptions last week, Douglas County leaders say outbursts from audience members will no longer be tolerated at meetings
After members of the audience disrupted the Douglas County Commission’s meeting last week and forced a brief recess, commissioners have made it clear that future outbursts won’t be tolerated. At the beginning of their meeting Wednesday, commissioners took time to clarify when members of the public may be removed from meetings for their behavior. County leaders agreed that members of the public who direct profanity or name-calling toward public servants — such as law enforcement officers or the commissioners — or people who cause excessive outbursts at any point in the meeting will be asked to leave.
Source: LJWorld.com
Municipal Bond Trends for April 13, 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 Infrastructure Project Funding Grant Awardees
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $100 million is going toward 35 infrastructure investment projects associated with economic development across the state. This funding is made available through the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) grant program. “The BASE program is vital to enhancing Kansas’ economic competitiveness,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These grants provide essential funding to our local communities, positioning them to succeed and be a place of continued economic growth.” As approved by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee, the BASE grant program offers matching funds to address economic development opportunities to expand the state’s base of businesses and residents to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SPARK Executive Committee allocated $100 million in COVID-19 relief funds to the BASE program.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Olathe school budget looks bleaker, cutting $28.6 million, eliminating 140 more jobs
The Olathe school district is facing a larger budget deficit than originally announced, as officials now look to cut $28.6 million next school year, including 140 more job eliminations. Last month, officials said that due to declining enrollment and other challenges, the district would need to cut more than $20 million for the next school year. They announced the closure of the district’s virtual school. Reductions in department budgets were expected across the board. Library clerk positions — about 15 total at middle and high schools — as well as kindergarten aides and some other aide positions would be cut.
Source: Joco 913 News
Police warn of new trend involving water beads
Over the weekend the El Dorado Police Department received reports from multiple citizen’s regarding individuals who were in a vehicle firing water beads at people at random. While the water beads may initially seem harmless, multiple people received welts after being struck by the beads and one child was almost hit. “This behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the department said in a statement. “Firing any type of firearm, even a ‘fake gun’ out of a vehicle is extremely dangerous… this has the potential to turn a ‘fun’ trend into a deadly situation.” The department also said this act is considered criminal and prosecution will be requested on individuals involved in these types of investigations.
Source: KAKE – News