Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Phillips Co. commissioner: State funding change means ‘safer local roads and bridges’

Governor Jeff Colyer today announced that the Kansas Department of Transportation is increasing the exchange rate for local public agencies seeking to fund local projects with state funds through the Federal Fund Exchange Program, returning the exchange rate to $.90 in state funds made available for every $1.00 in federal funds awarded a local agency, upon that agency’s request. Max Dibble, Phillips County Commissioner and Kansas Association of Counties President, said, “Restoration of the $.90/$1.00 ratio in the federal funds exchange program will allow counties to further stretch our transportation dollars. This means safer local roads and bridges for our citizens, farmers and businesses depending on them.”

(Read more: Hays Post)

KDOT money coming

The cities of Winfield and Arkansas City will qualify for more road work dollars after Gov. Jeff Colyer announced Monday that the Kansas Department of Transportation is returning to its previous formula of 90 cents on the dollar for the Federal Fund Exchange Program.

The program allows public agencies to sell all or part of their federal funds for state transportation dollars to fund local road work projects. The state funds provide greater flexibility of use and allow agencies to fund larger projects that may not have been possible with federal funding.

The 90 cents for every dollar exchange rate was in effect from 2011 until 2017 (for example, an agency wanting to exchange $100,000 in federal funds would receive $90,000 of state funds in return).

Last year, in response to the state’s ongoing revenue shortage, former Gov. Sam Brownback lowered the exchange rate to 75 cents on the dollar for fiscal year 2018.

(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com)

Leavenworth County Commission approves stormwater fees

Leavenworth city commissioners have officially approved new fees to help pay for maintenance to the city’s stormwater system.

During a meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved an ordinance establishing a stormwater management program and an ordinance that creates the fees to pay for the program.

The new fees are listed in an amended schedule of fees for the city.

Owners of single residential properties will be charged an annual fee of $84 as part of the stormwater management program. Fees for commercial properties range from $162 to $3,125 per year depending on the size of buildings. Fees for industrial properties range from $337 to $3,125 depending on the size of buildings.

The fees will appear on annual property tax bills. Because the fees are not considered a tax, they will be charged to tax exempt entities in the city.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

New numbers will likely mean reductions to Lawrence city manager’s recommended budget

Even as City Manager Tom Markus presented his recommended budget to the Lawrence City Commission Tuesday, he advised that some of the numbers will change — potentially calling for reductions to what is proposed if the property tax rate is to remain flat.

Markus said updated numbers will be presented to the commission on July 10, and the city will need direction on what’s acceptable and what changes commissioners would like to make.

He said that, while he hoped some numbers would move in the right direction between now and then, the overall changes to revenue and expenses could make the budget tighter.

“You’re going to probably see some revenue differences and you’ll probably see some expense differences, both probably going in the wrong directions — meaning, revenues a little bit less and expenses a little bit more than what we’ve shown tonight,” Markus said. “So (city staff members) are going to have to take a hard look at those things, too.”

(Read more: LJWorld.com stories)

Holcomb City Council approves ordinance raising legal age to purchase cigarettes

The T-21, or No. 417, ordinance, raises the legal age to purchase and possess cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and tobacco products to 21. On May 10, LiveWell Finney County Health Coalition Grant Coordinator Donna Gerstner and three Holcomb students presented the ordinance to the council, sharing personal anecdotes of how tobacco had affected their families and schools and urging members to raise the age.

As the ordinance passes, Holcomb joins Garden City as the only communities in western Kansas to pass the ordinance. As of last month, 20 other localities in the state had accepted the ordinance.

Fed raises rates; officials boost outlook to four hikes in 2018

Federal Reserve officials raised interest rates for the second time this year and upgraded their forecast to four total increases in 2018, as unemployment falls and inflation overshoots their target faster than previously projected.
The so-called “ dot plot” released Wednesday showed eight Fed policy makers expected four or more quarter-point rate increases for the full year, compared with seven officials during the previous forecast round in March. The number viewing three or fewer hikes as appropriate fell to seven from eight. The median estimate implied three increases in 2019 to put the rate above the level where officials see policy neither stimulating nor restraining the economy.

The Federal Open Market Committee indicated that even though it’s stepping up the pace of interest-rate hikes, economic growth should continue apace. “The committee expects that further gradual increases in the target range for the federal funds rate will be consistent with sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the committee’s symmetric 2% objective over the medium term,” according to its statement following a meeting in Washington.

Phase II of Aggieville Infrastructure Analysis

Phase I of an Aggieville Infrastructure Analysis occurred over the fall and winter of 2017 examining parking, water and sewer infrastructure, and providing future growth scenarios for the district. Phase II of the analysis will look at further development of Aggieville’s public infrastructure, including streetscape, sidewalks, Triangle Park, lighting, traffic flow, on-street parking, and preliminary design of the parking garage at the northwest corner of N. Manhattan Avenue and Laramie Street.

Public participation and involvement will be an important part of the process. Business owners, citizens, students, and K-State administrators will have an opportunity to participate and provide feedback to help direct the process.

(Read more: Manhattan – News Flash)

Chanute approves agreement to fund Main Street

Chanute commissioners heard a presentation on the Main Street Chanute program from one of its board members and continued discussion before approving funding for the program at Monday evening’s commission meeting.

The commission voted Monday to approve its agreement to fund $32,000 in four quarterly payments. The city made one payment and commissioners asked in December for a work session to discuss the program, which was never scheduled.

Main Street board member Dan Mildfelt said withholding funding was a rebuke during his request the funds be restored. In a prepared statement, he talked about the history of the program, the opposition it faced and efforts to restore downtown buildings, including those that now house the Chamber of Commerce and Chanute Tribune.

Mildfelt said the program has brought 38 new businesses to Main Street in the 26 years it has been in place and invested $13.5 million. He said more than 900 people work downtown, about twice the number in 1991.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Kansas counties file federal racketeering case against opioid companies

Two Kansas counties and two Missouri counties this week joined a growing tide of legal challenges to the opioid epidemic by accusing pharmaceutical companies of racketeering.

Montgomery and Bourbon counties in Kansas and Lafayette and Worth counties in Missouri filed suits in federal court against more than a dozen manufacturers and distributors, alleging nine of them are in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

Bourbon County said in its suit that it is acting “to abate the public nuisance caused by rampant and uncontrolled opioid use and addiction, and to recoup taxpayer monies that have been spent because of defendants’ false, deceptive and unfair marketing and/or unlawful diversion and distribution of prescription opioids.”

The counties are represented by the Kansas City law firm of Wagstaff & Cartmell among others. Similar opioid RICO lawsuits have been filed in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Alabama.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Reno County Commissioners make no decision regarding beer sales on Sunday

The Reno County Commission made no decision Tuesday concerning a request from O’Brien’s Marina at Cheney Lake to sell cereal malt beverages on Sunday. None of the commissioners had an issue with this particular business selling beer on Sunday, but County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan noted that any resolution would apply countywide to any business located in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The commissioners looked at a resolution that already passed in Kingman County. It allows the sale of 3.2 beer.

The commission will bring the issue back next week. O’Sullivan will have a draft resolution ready.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Baldwin City on backup power after storm, asks residents to curb electricity use

After overnight storms knocked out power around Baldwin City, city officials are now asking residents to curb their electricity use to ensure the city’s backup power system can handle the load.

The city is asking all electric customers to voluntarily reduce their consumption of electricity until further notice, the city posted to its Facebook page shortly after noon Tuesday.

Several power poles were broken east of town, the city said, and the main transmission lines to the city were knocked down during the storm.

“KCP&L is currently working to rebuild those lines but we do not know when service will be restored to the city,” the city said in the post. “The city electric department is currently generating power through the city’s power plant and will continue to do so until the transmission lines are restored. However, the system is reaching the maximum that the city power plant can produce so we are asking all customers to help reduce that demand.”

(Read more: LJWorld.com / Lawrence, Kansas)

Pawnee Mental Health Services Seeks Funding Increase from Geary County

Pawnee Mental Health Services is requesting increased funding for 2019 from Geary County.

A budget proposal submitted by Executive Director Robbin Cole asked the county commission to increase the support for community mental health to the state average contribution. “Currently in Geary County, Pawnee Mental Health receives funding of $3.98 per capita. The state average is $7.44 per capita. So I’ve asked them to reach that state average per capita contribution.” That would equate to a $128,213 increase. Geary County currently provides an annual funding contribution totaling $147,290 to Pawnee Mental Health Services.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Economic development group announces name change to “Grow Hays”

During the March 2018 meeting of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development’s Board of Directors, the group unanimously voted to change its name to Grow Hays.

The change in name to Grow Hays is one of several changes associated with the organization’s ongoing evolution and rebranding effort.

Long known for its efforts to promote a robust local economy through business creation, retention/expansion and recruitment, Grow Hays has offered support toward numerous community successes. A few recent projects include the arrival of Hobby Lobby, a soon to be constructed convention center, development of innovative job training initiatives, and BriefSpace, a co-working space. Grow Hays also reduced the size of its governing board from 23 to 13 members, with the stipulation that the communities of Ellis, Hays and Victoria will be represented by at least one voting member.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Extension of city water will serve new addition in Clay Center

Planned construction of the Meadowbrook housing east of the city has made it economically feasible for the city to add water lines that will provide water to a number of homes just east of Clay Center now on private wells.

The extension will make city water available to the Prairie Meadows addition as well as other east Clay Center homes just north of US-24.

“We’ve been wanting to provide this extension, but before the Meadowbrook addition, it wasn’t quite feasible,” Utilities Superintendent Scott Glaves said.

Making the pitch in Hoisington

City staff have been busy in recent weeks working diligently with prospects interested in bringing new homes and businesses to town, City Manager Jonathan Mitchell told council members at Monday night’s regular city council meeting.
One of those prospects, he said, proposed a unique commercial opportunity.
“They would be a great compliment to our recreational facilities and our hotel,” he said.
Mitchell provided scant details, stating that before he could divulge more detailed information, the company making the proposal wanted first to gauge the receptiveness of the council in moving forward. Even then, whether the city can work with the company hinges on FEMA’s willingness to allow land in and around the park to be transferred to a commercial use.

Black Wichita residents frustrated after council puts off pool decision

About 150 residents — mostly black — left City Hall in frustration Tuesday after the Wichita City Council voted to put off a decision on where to put a new swimming pool in northeast Wichita.

The decision to delay came after a three-hour debate that brought dozens of residents to the podium supporting McAdams Park — not Edgemoor Park — as the site where they want a new pool to be built.

The city closed the McAdams pool early last year and plans to close five other public pools by 2023. That would leave three pools open, plus a new pool, location to be determined. The Edgemoor pool closed several years ago because of structural problems.

Members of the audience spoke for nearly two hours, at five minutes each. Some fought back tears as they talked of the need for a pool in McAdams Park, serving a low-income area west of the I-135 freeway around 13th Street.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

North Wichita pool decision deferred

The Wichita City Council has deferred a decision on a new pool or aquatic facility in District one.

Councilmembers were slated to make a decision after approving $4 million for a new facility in north Wichita. Mayor Jeff Longwell wanted more information from city staff, a decision which brought heavy criticism from attendees.

“Yes, this absolutely has everything to do with race. You don’t see anyone from any other side of town outside of district one ever have to go in front of the city council have to beg and plead,” said Tye McEwen, with the Save McAdams Pool group. “It’s disheartening to say the least. I’m not gonna lie, I’m actually very disappointed in our city council today, at least half of them.”

Longwell strongly disagreed with the notion that the district was being ignored, citing recent development projects in the area.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Saline County trims budget requests by $686,000

Tuesday morning, Saline County Commissioners cut $686,000 from their proposed budget, which means property owners could see a smaller tax increase.

The county could need an increase of only 2.5 mills to fund the 2019 county budget. Commissioners Monte Shadwick and Robert Vidricksen advocated for cuts from budget requests submitted by department leaders. Commissioner Mike White said he thought itwas time to invest in Saline County.

Vidricksen said he supported increasing taxes, but not by as much as the initial budget requests would have required.

“I’ll agree we need to increase it, but that should have been done four, five or six years ago with a different commission that chose not to fund anything,” he said. “We still have to be prudent in how fast we increase these issues that need to be funded.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

El Dorado to hold public vote on final city flag design

The City of El Dorado will soon have their very own flag.

Six weeks ago, the city announced it was looking for design submissions for a city flag. They received 158 design entries.

A committee comprised of city officials, local business owners and local citizens narrowed down the entries down to the final group of 12.

More than 1,300 votes narrowed the 12 designs down to 3. Those three designs were finalized by a team of graphic designers.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Boat builder turns down Chanute’s counter-proposal

Senior management of a pontoon boat company has turned down a counter-proposal from the Chanute city commission and will re-open their search for a manufacturing plant.

Chanute Regional Development Authority Director Matt Godinez reported Tuesday morning that Coach Marine Group has turned down Chanute’s offer and has re-opened its recruitment for a new city in southeast Kansas. The company still plans to move forward with the purchase of the Legacy Trailer building on Ross Lane in the Safari Industrial Park to use as a warehouse space for lease and the company’s own use.

Coach Marine Group is looking to relocate manufacturing of its Xcursion pontoon boat line to southeast Kansas from Iowa. One concern was that Coach Marine did not release financial information the city requested. Godinez told commissioners he asked about different formats for the info, such as having City Manager Jeff Cantrell and City Attorney David Brake as the only ones to view it directly.

“I want more information and I want due diligence,” Mayor Sam Budreau said.

Reno County Commission debates van purchase for Youth Services

The Reno County Commission, on a split vote, authorized replacing a van at Reno County Youth Services that has only about 70,000 miles on it, while a request from Public Works to buy a high-powered jet sprayer to clean out sewer lines received unanimous support.

Youth Service Director Bill Hermes explained his budget includes a 10-year replacement plan on vehicles and so it’s time to replace a van purchased in 2007.

Rather than trade in the van, which has about an $8,000 trade value, they’ll sell the vehicle to Reno County Maintenance as a service vehicle, Hermes said.

Commissioner Dan Deming opposed the purchase, calling it “wasteful and excessive.”

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Hutchinson puts new utility billing system in place

The City of Hutchinson has implemented a new billing system that began operation Tuesday. City Manager John Deardoff commented on the software upgrade. To view statements or pay a bill online, residents must sign up on the city’s website at waterbill.hutchgov.com. If residents sign up before Sept. 1, the city will offer a $5 credit.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Reno County nuisance policy being considered

The Reno County Commission wants to come up with something it does not have: a nuisance policy.

Nineteen people who live east of town on Zolman Road are complaining about a property there.

One of the neighbors in that area has a property that the neighbors feel is bringing down property values.

Commissioner Deming brought the issue up and wants something enacted by the end of the year. As for any policy or resolution, Commission Chair Ron Hirst has concerns over what constitutes a nuisance.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Sedgwick County moves to ban vaping at the courthouse

Sedgwick County commissioners are poised to reverse a policy that allows county employees to use e-cigarettes in the courthouse.

E-cig use — known by the slang term “vaping” — was approved by the commission in 2106 on a 3-2 vote.

But the commission makeup has changed and supporters of the electronic nicotine-delivery devices now to be on the short side of a 3-2 split. “We don’t allow smoking in our facilities,” he said. “I don’t know why we would allow e-cigarettes.”

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Barton County to get more funds to cover flood damage costs

It was a bit of good news.

Barton County is eligible to receive more federal dollars to cover damage to roads and bridges following the flooding two years ago this spring, County Engineer Barry McManaman told the County Commission Monday morning.

“I think it’s a good deal for the county,” he said. The roughly $8,400 is federal money funneled through the Kansas Department of Transportation.

“We can’t say no to more money,” commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said.

Barton County experienced damage to various roads and bridges after flooding in May and June, 2015, totalling an estimated $133,635.52. Both the county and KDOT approved an agreement for federal funding to cover repair costs, with an initial reimbursement of $90,974.

Shawnee approves public finance incentives district for proposed Bellmont Promenade project

Shawnee has taken a significant step to move the proposed Bellmont Promenade project at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Maurer Road forward, approving the creation of a redevelopment district that could ultimately provide the developer with millions in public finance incentives.

The Shawnee council voted 6-1 at its Monday meeting to approve establishing the Bellmont Promenade Redevelopment District, a 26-acre stretch of land adjacent to the highly-trafficked I-435 corridor. The council had approved the creation of similar districts last year, but the developer ended up revising the plan.

Council member Mike Kemmling voted no. Council member Justin Adrian was absent.

Goal is to keep Antioch library branch and new community center together

The city of Merriam and the Johnson County Library will present results of an agreed upon site plan for a proposed shared site with its Antioch branch and the city’s new community center slated to open in 2020.

The results come after a joint study in which both parties examined options to co-locate. After listening to the board’s feedback, both parties decided against the first plan and said they were “hopeful” they would find a solution that satisfies the city and the library.

The “sticking point” for the plan to work, Casserley says, is that both buildings are adjacent, giving visitors the convenience of parking once and visiting two locations.

“A person should be able to park and go and exercise in the community center and then walk across a short distance and pick up a library book,” Casserley says.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Pretty Prairie saves small town theater for the future

Five years after the roof of Pretty Prairie’s theater blew off in a storm, it’s back in business and operated by local high school students.

For more than 30 years it was known as Pretty Prairie Civic Theatre but has been renamed the Blue Shoes Theatre because the words “Blue Shoes,” were painted on the bricks above the Collingwood General Merchandising store and spotted by Cliff Wray in a historic photograph. It was Wray, from Hutchinson, who restored the building before handing it over to the high school’s entrepreneur, career, and technical management classes. Wray was concerned when he heard talk that it might have to be torn down because the city couldn’t afford the repairs. So he went to the city council to see if he could buy the buildings and prevent an empty gap appearing on Main Street.

“I’m not from Pretty Prairie, but they always talked about the theater,” Wray said. “And tearing it down would be like pulling up roots underneath a tree.”

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Analyst: Wichita must change its thinking to stop decline, start to grow

Wichita has to fundamentally change its approach to growth, or the stagnation that has plagued the city for decades will continue, a Wichita-raised and Harvard-trained economic analyst said Monday.

While other cities across the Midwest have grown significantly over the past decade in a thriving economy, Wichita has actually declined, James Chung said Monday during a presentation that drew gasps at times from an overflow crowd at the new Advanced Learning Library.

“The market is saying very clearly that the Wichita way is not working,” Chung said after his final report on the city’s strengths, problems and potential. The city has to invest more — and find ways to say ‘yes’ much more often — if it wants a brighter future, he said.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

WPD reports record low number of arrests at Wichita Riverfest

The 2018 Wichita Riverfestival was the city’s best yet, at least when it comes to crime statistics from the Wichita Police Department.

At its daily briefing Monday, Wichita police reported taking 14 cases with two arrests made during the festival.

WPD Public Information Officer Charlie Davidson says this is a record low for cases and arrests at the Riverfest.

He says police assisted with the first arresting case that involved a minor in possession of alcohol and obstruction. Police made the second arrest at the tail end of Riverfest.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Lenexa allocates $350,000 for wayside horns to reduce noise in Old Town

The more than 1,200 homes and businesses that sit within a half mile of the busy railroad crossings in Lenexa’s Old Town should be in for some relief in the coming year or so. The city council has approved the expenditure of $350,000 on a new wayside horn system for the crossing that will substantially reduce noise pollution from the train horns that are required by law to blast as the moving trains approach crossings with roads.

Lenexa’s move to the wayside signaling system, which will have the horns sound from posts mounted alongside the tracks instead of from the trains themselves, would dramatically reduce the spread of the horn noise.

City, police officials to update Lawrence school board on status of planned new police headquarters

City and police department officials will update the Lawrence school board Monday on the status of the new police headquarters, to be built just west of Free State High School.

Capt. Anthony Brixius, of the Lawrence Police Department; Melinda Harger, the city’s assistant director of utilities; Amanda Sahin, city transportation engineer; and Mark Hecker, assistant director of Lawrence Parks and Recreation, will provide the update to the school board on various aspects of the planned $17 million police headquarters.

The project is of interest to the school district because the headquarters is set to be built immediately west of the FSHS athletic fields, on a 29-acre site wedged between Wakarusa and Overland drives. The city-owned property at 5100 Overland Drive is north of the Sixth Street Walmart store.

Lawrence City Commission to consider 5 traffic-calming projects, including bike boulevard

The city is recommending that speed bumps and other traffic calming devices be added to five Lawrence streets, one of which would be converted into a bicycle boulevard.

As part of its work session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider approving the 2018 traffic-calming project list. City staff used a ranking system to decide which projects to recommend for the $200,000 allocated for traffic calming, according to a staff memo to the commission.

The traffic-calming project list is part of the commission’s consent agenda. The projects and their rankings are as follows:

(Read more: LJWorld.com / Lawrence, Kansas)

Bike share program comes to Lakin, Deerfield

A free bicycle rental service has been launched in Lakin and Deerfield by the Kearny County Wellness Coalition, courtesy of a local consulting company and a body shop.

“We are so excited about this opportunity to share bikes with everyone and make it much easier to get outside and add activity into the day,” Krysta Harvey, chairperson of Kearny County Wellness Coalition, stated in a release.

MountainHawk Corporation, a technical consulting company based out of Lakin, was hired by the Coalition to provide access to BikeShareMaps.com and help establish a local Bike Share Committee who will be responsible for maintaining the bikes as well as the rack locations.

BikeShareMaps.com allows residents to locate and rent a bicycle from one of five unique bike rack locations in Lakin and two in Deerfield, all at no charge.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Annual Bike Across Kansas starts Saturday

The 44th annual Biking Across Kansas will start Saturday at the Colorado border and follow a 558-mile southern route across the state. Some 700 bicyclists and support registered for the ride, which will end at the Missouri border on June 16.Participants represent 26 states and 124 cities in 65 Kansas counties, with ages ranging from 10 to 85. This year’s route will pass through Ulysses, Meade, Greensburg, Coldwater, Zenda and Belle Plaine in the western …

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Pratt announces solar farm will become major local power source

Pratt city officials this week announced plans for the construction of a 6-megawatt solar farm in the northeast corner of town intended to provide most of the cities electricity for at least the next 15 years.

The city, which operates a municipal power company, has entered into a long-term contract with Inovateus Solar and Kenyon Energy for the project.

Inovateus, of South Bend, Indiana, will construct the farm and Kenyon Energy, headquartered in Safety Harbor, Florida, with an office in Colorado, will manage it.

At the end of 15 years, the city will have an option to buy the solar farm or enter a new power purchase contract, said Pratt City Manager Roy Eckert.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Valley Center Community center coming to life

Their bosses called it a team-building exercise, a way to bond while performing a task that was a bit out of the box.

Some Valley Center city employees put aside what they normally do on a Tuesday this week to assemble tables, chairs, desks and racks in the new Community Center & Library.

“It was a great team-building experience,” Neal Owings, director of parks and public buildings, said during a city council meeting June 5. “I was really taken back by how much effort was given by the staff. It was great. It’s looking good over there.”

This week’s work is leading up to the opening of the building, which has been under construction in Lions Park for nearly a year.

(Read more: Valley Center Newswire)

City manager’s recommended budget calls for holding Lawrence tax rate flat, increases in utility rates

As part of his recommended budget for next year, City Manager Tom Markus is proposing the city’s mill levy rate remain flat.

The recommended operating budget totals about $206 million and will be presented to the City Commission for initial input at its work session Tuesday. As proposed, next year’s budget would see $14.6 million of unfunded capital improvement projects, personnel requests and equipment purchases.

A memo to the commission notes that many tough decisions had to be made about priorities, and Markus said that for him, the capital improvement projects are the most difficult.

Great Bend hoping for the best with “Opportunity Zones” designation

It is just the beginning for the Opportunity Zones in Great Bend and what sort of boost they could provide to the economy and the landscape of the town.

As Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer visited Great Bend last Wednesday, business and community leaders learned more about the two census tracts or zones that were designated in Great Bend. Investors will be able to receive capital gains incentives for investing in construction, renovation, or real estate within the zones.

Great Bend business consultant Mark Mingenback felt the Opportunity Zones open the City to new possibilities of receiving private investments from near and far.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Butler County discusses community college funding

Rep. Kristey Williams visited the Butler County Board of Commissioners Tuesday and discussed funding options for Butler Community College.

Williams said she would like to see the college’s mil levy reduced by five mils. She also said that 60 percent of Butler Community College employees live outside of Butler County, enrollment is dropping and expenses are going up.

In the state of Kansas there are 19 counties that have community colleges. Of those 19 counties, 55 of the 125 members of the House of Representative have those counties as part of their district. That is a challenge when trying to get more state funding for the college from the state, Williams told the commissioners.

Board Chair Dan Woydziak is contacting commissioners from the 19 other counties that have community colleges to go to talk to state legislators in Topeka.

Williams said a united front from the counties would give the current minority more push when it comes to community college funding at the state level.

(Read more: El Dorado Times)

Junction City Trying to Recruit New Company

The Junction City Commission will hold a public hearing on June 19th on whether to issue up to $40 million in industrial revenue bonds to help renovate and equip a facility for a possible new company in the I-70 Industrial Park.

Chamber of Commerce CEO Mickey Fornaro-Dean said they are “working with an industry to locate in Junction City. We’re very excited about our opportunities. We’re very excited about our opportunities, and we’re honored to have them seriously considering us. And We’re looking forward to discussions on the 19th of June.”

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Chanute negotiating with pontoon boat builder

A development agreement with a pontoon boat manufacturer could bring 50 to 55 jobs to Chanute if it receives approval at Monday’s city commission meeting.

In exchange for the jobs, the city could provide a vacant building for as little as $9,000 and three residential lots.

Denali Marine Group, doing business as Coach Marine Group, is the parent company of two pontoon boat companies, Coach and Xcursion. Both companies’ products are manufactured in Fort Dodge, Iowa, by a third-party builder, the Misty Harbor company.

By moving to Chanute, Xcursion will take over its own manufacturing, Chanute Regional Development Authority Director Matt Godinez said. Plans are for Coach to move later to Chanute also, and Misty Harbor will continue to produce other boats in Iowa for other companies.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

From dilapidated hotels to mixed use: OP council gives Metcalf Crossing the OK

The Overland Park City Council on Monday voted to approve almost $6 million in incentives for a mixed-use project designed to replace two dilapidated hotels at a key intersection on Shawnee Mission Parkway.

Council members voted unanimously to adopt a redevelopment plan for Metcalf Crossing, proposed on 5 acres at the northwest corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Metcalf Avenue.

The plan includes almost $3 million in development reimbursement through tax increment financing, or TIF, and $3 million in funds raised through a 1 percent community improvement district sales tax levied on the site. The TIF would last 20 years while the CID would last 22 years.

JoCo takes control of fire district

In an unprecedented move, the Johnson County Commission will take control of an embattled rural fire district to try to ensure stable fire protection for an affluent, growing part of the county.

The commission voted 7-0 on Thursday to immediately assume governance of Johnson County Fire District No. 2, which provides fire and ambulance services to about 21,000 people in south Overland Park, Spring Hill, and part of unincorporated Johnson County and north central Miami County.

The county commission had become concerned about the long-term financial viability of the district, which was governed by a five-member volunteer board that critics said was dysfunctional and not adequately preparing for the future.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Haysville: Study calls for sizable increase in utility rates

A utility rate study prepared by the city of Haysville and released last week recommends a substantial increase in water and stormwater rates.

The study recommends increasing the monthly water fee to $3.50 per 1,000 gallons – up 24 percent over the current $2.82 rate, which was set in 2009.

It also recommends adding a $7 flat monthly fee to fund capital projects, and recommends increasing the monthly stormwater utility fee from $1.75 to $2.50.

The study proposes leaving wastewater rates unchanged.

For more information on utility rate reviews, please contact Beth Warren with Ranson Citycode Financial at ewarren@ransonfinancial.com or call her at 316-264-3400.

(Read more: Times-Sentinel Newspapers » Feed)