Kansas Municipal News
Neosho Ridge wind turbines no longer working, raising concerns with a county official
Liberty Utilities’ ‘Neosho Ridge’ Wind Farm in Neosho County, Kansas, is no longer working. One county commissioner says he wants to know why. Despite all the wind we’ve had recently, the turbines in Neosho County, haven’t been turning. District One Commissioner Paul Westhoff says it’s been more than two weeks since they were last operating. “What I was told is that their main transformer blew up, shorted out, whatever, and then their backup one did, and that’s why they’re down, so now they’re waiting on another transformer.” Westhoff says he has concerns about those who signed contracts to allow the turbines to be built on their property. “If they’re not spinning, the leasers are not getting paid, because they get paid so much per megawatt I believe, and if they’re not spinning, and my concern Chris is, is the county going to get their million dollars in May?”
Source: KOAMKOAM
Hiawatha Police Department receives Gold AAA Traffic Safety Award
The Hiawatha Police Department was among 35 law enforcement agencies who received AAA Kansas Community Traffic Safety Awards for 2021. The 35 agencies included 26 police departments and nine sheriff offices and the award was based on their work in 2021 to keep roadways in their cities and counties safe through a variety of initiatives and programs. The Hiawatha Police Department received the Gold Award for their work. The awards have been presented annually since 2011 by AAA Kansas to community law enforcement agencies for their efforts to successfully and cost-effectively foster and improve local traffic safety.
Source: Local News | hiawathaworldonline.com
Johnson County wants homeowners to destroy their Bradford pear trees — Here’s why
Let’s talk about very hungry caterpillars. In Kansas and Missouri, they face an increasingly difficult time finding things to eat. That’s making it ever harder for butterflies and moths to survive. Their populations are shrinking, especially in the Midwest, and the birds that eat them are disappearing, too. The invasive Callery pear trees (also known as Bradford pears, Cleveland pears, etc.) spreading like weeds across Kansas and Missouri don’t get all the blame — not by a long shot. And yet these ornamental trees with the white springtime blossoms and a pungent smell pose a significant problem. Stopping them from continuing to choke out native flowers, shrubs and trees would bring back food for wildlife.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Auburn-Washburn Voters: School Yes, Pool No
Andrew Howell, Shawnee County Election Commissioner, has announced the unofficial results for the USD 437 Mail Ballot election, which closed Tuesday at noon. Question 1, pertaining to the issuance of general obligation bonds for the construction of a middle school, not to exceed $145,000,000, passed 60.78%(5,657) to 39.22%(3,651). Question 2, pertaining to the issuance of general obligation bonds for the construction of a swimming pool, in an amount not to exceed $15,000,0000, failed 45.13%(4,199) to 54.87%(5,105). The voter turnout for the mail ballot election was 35.43%.
Source: WIBW News Now
Emerging Leaders panel says downtown Wichita progress can’t afford to slow down
Downtown Wichita has made major strides, but now is not the time to slow down. That theme jumped out during a panel discussion Tuesday at the Kansas Leadership Center, as local figures in economic development and real estate spoke to the Wichita Business Journal’s Emerging Leaders about downtown development. … The panel hit on a range of topics specific to downtown — including the residential and office markets, the walkability of the city’s core, development along the river, and Century II.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Mayor launches Seven Days of Kindness for UG employees
Unified Government CEO and Mayor Tyrone A. Garner issued a proclamation on Thursday, April 7, for the Seven Days of Kindness for Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. A regional campaign with activities running April 13 through April 24, the initiative will be joined for the first time this year by the UG. “The Unified Government is proud to announce that we will be joining this year’s Seven Days of Kindness,” said CEO-Mayor Tyrone A. Garner. “Our goal is to remind ourselves of the importance of kindness in all that we do in service to one another, and in service to our community. It is through this effort that we hope to recognize those most deserving and to support a metro-wide initiative that also benefits us locally.”
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Muni Bond Boom Is Sputtering as Interest Rates Rise
Rising interest rates are threatening the municipal-bond boom on Wall Street, leaving governments less willing to borrow and households less willing to invest in the $4 trillion market. Bond issuance by state and local governments dropped 8% in the first quarter from a year earlier, with public officials calling off refinancings and spending down stimulus cash. At the same time, spooked investors yanked their money from municipal-bond funds, which suffered their biggest quarterly outflows since 2013. States and cities have been forced to cut prices to sell their bonds to banks and insurance companies because muni bond funds are no longer offering top dollar, dealers said.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Consumer prices rose 8.5% in March, slightly hotter than expected and the highest since 1981
Prices that consumers pay on everyday items surged in March to their highest levels since the early days of the Reagan administration, according to Labor Department data released Tuesday. The consumer price index, which measures a wide-ranging basket of goods and services, jumped 8.5% from a year ago on an unadjusted basis, above even the already elevated Dow Jones estimate for 8.4%. … The data reflected price increases not seen in the U.S. since the stagflation days of the late 1970s and early ’80s. March’s headline reading in fact was the highest since December 1981. Core inflation was the hottest since August 1982. … To combat inflation, the Federal Reserve has begun raising interest rates and is expected to continue doing so through the remainder of the year and into 2023.
Source: CNBC
Market Closing: Oxford grocery-store owners cite high costs
Nearly 16 months ago, in December 2020, the Oxford Hometown Market reopened under the ownership of Beau and Stacie Gilliland. They felt the people in Oxford and surrounding area had a need for a grocery store. Now, the store will be closing on April 30 with the owners citing high energy prices and the increase in the cost of products among others. “We are sad that this is happening,” said Stacie. “Our sales are down, and with the utility and product costs increasing, we decided we had to close. “I feel badly for those customers who have supported us since we opened and for those who are confined to their homes or have difficulty coming to the store. We took their orders and delivered them.”
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Municipal Bond Trends for April 11, 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.
Girard Library install solar projects
A southeast Kansas library is working to take a modern approach with it’s newest project. Several new additions have been installed at the Girard Public Library. It includes an LED sign to display library activities and two solar powered benches and picnic tables — which are also wifi-enabled charging stations. This was made possible by ARPA grant from the Institute of Library and Museum Services. “More people that are doing work are doing it off laptops or devices and if you can charge while you’re working outside, we just thought it would be a more modern opportunity,” said Barbara Bailey, Girard Public Library Director.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Four New Communities Join Kansas Main Street Program
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the cities of Eureka, Newton, Topeka, and Valley Center are the newest Kansas Main Street Program members. The program targets downtown districts by developing a comprehensive preservation and revitalization strategy. “When our main street businesses succeed, our economy succeeds,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “That’s why my administration restarted the Kansas Main Street Program in 2019 – to help our communities reinvest in our small businesses, recruit new families to our state, and grow our economy. The program’s expansion is further proof of its success, and I’m pleased to welcome these four additional communities.” The Kansas Main Street program, initially launched in 1985, has helped dozens of primarily rural communities work toward maintaining and enhancing the viability of their downtown districts. Unfortunately, the Brownback Administration ended the successful program in 2012. Governor Kelly restarted the program in 2019, with support from the Kansas Legislature.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Governor Laura Kelly Recognizes National Community Development Week
Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed April 11-15 as National Community Development Week in Kansas. This week will celebrate the critical value community development programs and resources bring to our state. “Community development efforts are essential in supporting the Kansas economy, quality of life initiatives and growth of Kansas communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our programs, partnerships, and support help build thriving communities and we are thrilled to celebrate community development success across our state.” The Community Development Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce was reestablished by Governor Kelly in 2019. The division is dedicated to developing strong and vibrant communities across Kansas.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Newton’s Caleb Smith named top high school principal in Kansas
Newton High School Principal Caleb Smith is top of the class in Kansas. On Monday morning, USD-373 announced Smith had been named the 2022 Kansas principal of the year by the Kansas Principals Association. As previously written, Smith was a finalist for the state’s top designation among all secondary principals. “Mr. Smith has done an outstanding job of trying to create an amazing culture at Newton High School and within the Newton communities, and it shows,” Superintendent Fred Van Ranken said in a district press release. “I am so happy for Caleb to be recognized at the state level for what he and his team are doing at USD-373.”
Source: Harvey County Now
When Kansans needs help, they call 911 — but first responders don’t always get the help they need
In Kansas, first responders have been trying for years to pass legislation that would allow their psychological injuries to be covered by workers’ compensation. Proposals that would have covered such injuries once again failed to gain momentum during this year’s session. Responders say their line of work involves experiences that could cause post-traumatic stress disorder. But in Kansas, workers’ compensation coverage must be associated with a physical injury — firefighters, police and other first responders are not covered by injuries such as stress, anxiety and depression from a physical injury or a physical change caused by factors at work.
Source: KCUR
City reports success in odor control efforts at south Wichita treatment plant
The City of Wichita said crews worked throughout the weekend to bring an odor problem under control at the city’s Wastewater Plant 2, and those efforts appear to have been successful. The city reported a processing issue at the plant at 57th Street South and Hydraulic, and that was causing an odor problem. Crews used chemical suppressants and lime to help reduce odors, and staff reported no complaints over the weekend from the area surrounding the plant. Wastewater crews monitored the area and did not notice increased odors. The city is still investigating the cause of the processing issue, and there is no mechanical issue with the plant. The city said the plant is in compliance with all discharge requirements and it’s being closely monitored. City crews expect to have the process fixed within two weeks.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Dry land, high cost: How Kansas could lose billions in land values as its underground water runs dry
In increasingly dry western Kansas, underground water makes everything possible. Irrigation for crops. Stock water for cattle. Drinking water for towns. In all, the Ogallala Aquifer provides 70-80% of water used by Kansans each day. So how much is all that water worth? A recent study from Kansas State University says the aquifer under western Kansas increases land values by nearly $4 billion. But those billions are drying up at an accelerating rate. Aquifer water levels across western and central Kansas dropped by more than a foot on average this past year. That’s the biggest single-year decrease since 2015, according to the Kansas Geological Survey’s annual report.
Source: The Iola Register
Wichita City Council to vote on fuel surcharge for contracted groundskeepers
Rising gas prices are bringing challenges to many people and businesses. For some under contract, it’s putting them in a tight spot. The City of Wichita has several contracts with local businesses to maintain their grounds. Those crews pay for gas to travel to sites and to fuel their equipment. One contractor says the price at the pump is significantly higher now than when they entered their contract. “You are going from two something a gallon up to three something a gallon,” said Tracy Smith with Kansas Turfworx. “It definitely impacts because when you put gasoline in mowers every day and then you gotta drive around the city to 30 plus sites.”
Source: KSN-TV
Newton Police Department welcomes new K-9 unit
The Newton Police Department (NPD) announced on Facebook Monday that they have welcomed a new K-9 unit. Two-year-old Kilo, a Belgian Malinois imported from the Netherlands, has been partnered with Officer Austin Sontag. According to the NPD, the two have just completed five weeks of training together. Kilo and Officer Sontag received their initial training and certification from Hill Country Dog Center in Pipe Creek, Texas. The post states Kilo has been trained in narcotics detection, tracking, evidence recovery and patrol functions, which include building searches, area searches and suspect apprehension.
Source: KSN-TV
Governor vetoes bill banning bag restrictions
Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday vetoed a bill barring local governments from regulating plastic grocery bags and other material, saying it was an issue that should be left in the hands of local government. “This issue is a local decision, and it should be left to local governments based on what’s best for their constituents, stakeholders, and businesses in their community,” Kelly said in a statement. “As this bill advanced through the process, no evidence was provided demonstrating why the Legislature had a compelling public interest to repeal city and county local control and home rule over these matters. The Legislature passed the bill in response to the business community asking for consistency to any regulations of so-called “auxiliary containers,” which include bags, cup, packages, containers and bottles.
Source: Sunflower State Journal