Kansas Municipal News
USD 231 names interim superintendent
James A. Sutton was approved as the new interim superintendent for Gardner-Edgerton School District USD 231 at the February 7 school board meeting. Sutton will serve as the interim superintendent effective immediately until June 30, 2022. The unanimous decision by board members was made after over an hour of executive session. “I am nothing but excited about coming to USD 231 and assisting the rest of the fiscal year helping out to do what I can,” he said. Sutton said he had listened to quite a few different perspectives where the district was currently at and planning on going. “As mentioned there are so many parallels in my 28 years as super as to what the needs of the district are,” he said. “I’m impressed how resolved the board is on working together when it is ripe for polarization.”
Source: Gardner News
Sales tax collection continues to climb in Hillsboro
The Hillsboro City Council heard in their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 1 that sales tax is continuing the strong upward trend from 2021. “Sales tax collection in 2022 has started off 25% higher than January 2021. In total we received $75,552.83 in January for sales in December 2021,” said Hillsboro City Administrator Matt Stiles. Stiles gave the council an update on the proposed shipping container housing on 3rd Street. The council heard public concerns about the project at the Jan. 18 council meeting. The project was referred back to the Planning Commission for further discussion.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
Dept. of Southeast Kansas is granting millions of dollars to improve the communities
Across Kansas, rural communities will soon be receiving some help with their infrastructure, and for some this couldn’t have come at a better time. “It’s something we’ve been looking at for a while. We’ve been working on it for some time trying to figure out,” said Mickey Pyle, Mayor of Girard. 40 communities across Kansas were announced as the recipients of the 2022 Community Development Block Grants. “The Department of Commerce in Kansas has grant money they give out. A lot of its infrastructure or improvements in the city.” $17.6 million will be helping the state improve public safety, infrastructure, and economic opportunity. Over 2-million of that will be going towards southeast Kansas.
Source: KSNF/KODE
What Wichita City Council members, mayor are looking for in next police chief
Here are the qualities, background and priorities the Wichita City Council members who answered a five-question survey from The Wichita Eagle say the city’s new police chief should have. The city has already solicited proposals from consulting firm, paving the way for a national search to begin after current chief Gordon Ramsay leaves on March 1. What background and qualities do you think Wichita’s next police chief should have? Obviously, we’re looking for someone who has really the dedication and the professional experience to take on such a key a role. And in addition to a stellar resume of education and professional experience, really it’s going to be important to find someone who has that community policing mentality and also a track record of building bridges within the community that go both ways.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
County approves broadband study
Labette County commissioners agreed to move forward with a broadband study that will map out current broadband coverage in the county. Commissioners, after some discussion, agreed to hire Finley Engineering and CCG Consulting of Lamar, Missouri, at a cost of $69,385 to conduct the study. Competitive and needs analysis to understand the broadband needs and estimate market demand for broadband services. Pre-engineering to estimate the cost of building the network.
Source: Parsons Sun
City OKs updated vicious dog rules
Parsons city commissioners Monday approved a new vicious dog ordinance that will repeal the one approved last month by the commission. The reason for the new ordinance was because the original one did not have all the details the commissioners wanted in it. Ross Albertini, city attorney, reworked the ordinance and commissioners approved the updated one. Under the ordinance, all impoundment costs are the responsibility of the owner.
Source: Parsons Sun
Working for Lenexa: A desire to help others and an eagerness to learn are a great fit for facility maintenance
Repairing water fountains. Fixing garage doors. Cleaning air conditioner units. The four full-time facility maintenance technicians working for the City of Lenexa’s Municipal Services Department do it all. For Bobby Lyon, though, it’s more than keeping things in working order. His job is about helping others, learning new skills, and seeing his handiwork across the city. Growing up, Bobby recalls how his dad was super handy. “If we had something and it broke, our options were to fix it or do without,” Bobby said. As a young kid, Bobby not only saw his dad repair what was broken, but he also saw him take parts and make them into something.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Prairie Village residents can now have old mattresses picked up curbside — Here’s how it works
Johnson County’s landfill, located in Shawnee, is on track to close — due to capacity limitations — in 2043. Ward 4 Councilmember and environmental committee liaison Piper Reimer said the committee was reminded about the need to divert waste from this site when Commissioner Becky Fast spoke to the city council on Jan. 18. Reimer said diversion efforts like this reduces landfill waste which, in turn, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and toxins going into air, water and soil. The environmental committee dedicated its entire $8,000 budget to the curbside mattress recycling program, Reimer said.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
UG Commission moves forward on stormwater infrastructure program
The Unified Government Commission moved forward on stormwater infrastructure concerns Monday night after some months of delays on the issue. At a special meeting Monday night of the full UG Commission, the commissioners unanimously approved the plan to submit an application to the federal government seeking financing under the Water Infrastructure and Innovation Act (WIFIA). The commission approved a $100,000 application fee with the application, on a motion by Commissioner Melissa Bynum. There was no approval Monday night for a previously discussed stormwater rate increase.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Rigby leaving Wichita for city manager position in Oklahoma
Scot Rigby, who has served as assistant city manager in Wichita since July 2015, will resign at the end of the month to start a new role as city manager of Edmond, Okla. During a search to find a replacement, Kathy Sexton, who retired as city manager of Derby late last year, will serve as interim assistant city manager. Rigby, whose last day is Feb. 25, said it’s been a professional goal of his to serve as a city manager. “I’ve loved my job here. I think Wichita is a fantastic community, our family’s loved it, this is just an opportunity to try something new and to continue to pursue my career goals,” he said.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Derby adopts new Neighborhood Maintenance Grant program
In alignment with changes to the property maintenance code going into affect in 2022, the city of Derby is giving its Neighborhood Revitalization program a facelift – with the city council officially adopting the new Neighborhood Maintenance Grant program at its Feb. 8 meeting. Assistant to the City Manager Sarah Gooding reported the new program will look very similar to the old program – with some minor changes made to open up potential participation throughout the community. Additionally, she said the program was expanded to address some concerns about the potential financial impact brought up during discussion of the new property code.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Video travel blog features Chase County communities
A handful of Chase County communities were recently featured in a travel blog that seeks out the “hidden gems” of Kansas. John Wise posts videos of his explorations of Kansas ghost towns under “Travel with a Wiseguy” on YouTube. He told the Leader-News this week that he travels often through his job as a track and field coach at Wichita State University. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down sports in 2020, he was left feeling pretty antsy. “We travel all the time, so it was kind of a strange deal,” he said, adding that his traveling started that summer. “I didn’t think it would become much of anything, except something for me and some friends.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
WPD raising starting pay for police recruits, officers
The largest police department in the state of Kansas is hiring. “We always like to remind individuals that nobody forces you to do this job. This truly is a job that you want to do. You feel, in your heart, you feel that it’s a calling that you want to help give back to the community,” Wichita Police Sgt. Jeremy Vogel said. The Wichita Police Department just raised its starting pay for a police recruit to $24 an hour. Once an applicant goes through the six-month Academy class, they become a police officer.
Source: KAKE – News
Kansas broadband leaders tout ongoing programs, future initiatives to bridge digital divide
Kansas state broadband leaders say federal and state funding established last year to improve connectivity across the state helped support nearly 100 projects, and they are optimistic additional funds are on the way. During the pandemic, the SPARK task force earmarked $60 million in CARES Act funding for two broadband grant programs related to the pandemic response. Connectivity Emergency Response Grants totaling $50 million are funding a total of 65 projects across the state and 25 Broadband Partnership Adoption Grants totaling $10 million helped facilitate internet access for low-income households, defraying internet subscription costs, funded hot spots, and provided devices to eligible households. Stanley Adams, who leads the broadband development office at the Kansas Department of Commerce, said the programs are having a positive impact on communities.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Overland Park residents worry city road work could lead to removal of dozens of mature trees
It was the trees that settled it for Julie and Kevin Morris as they were choosing between homes in northern Overland Park and the Blue Valley area thirteen years ago. Shady streets under a canopy of big, beautiful trees. “We didn’t want to be out in the suburbs,” regardless of how competitive the school districts are, said Julie. Instead the couple chose their Monitor Square neighborhood — just north of 103rd Street between Nall and Roe avenues — “because we liked the feel of it. And a lot of that is the trees.” Overland Park inside the I-435 loop abounds in two things: mature trees and, according to city staff, streets that are pushing past the ends of their useful lives.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Overland Park moves forward with energy-efficient redesign of 75th Street fire station
Plans for a fire station reconstruction in Overland Park took a step forward this week.mThe city council’s Public Safety Committee on Wednesday approved a supplemental agreement for the reconstruction of Overland Park Fire Station #41, which sits near the intersection of 75th Street and Conser, just west of Metcalf…. Project engineer Tony Rome said sustainability is a key factor of the project. Although plans aren’t finalized, he said some of the improvement possibilities include adding bifold doors, using LED lighting and removing part of the parking lot to incorporate more green space.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Senate panel expands bill eliminating food sales tax
A proposal eliminating the state sales tax on food moved out of a Senate committee Thursday but was expanded to cover utilities, delivery charges and allow theaters to keep sales taxes on ticket sales. The bill would eliminate the state’s 6.5% sales tax on food – one of the highest rate rates nationally – starting Jan. 1, 2024. It would still allow local governments to collect food sales taxes although they would have the option to eliminate the tax if they choose.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
Governor Laura Kelly Announces More than $17 Million in Grants to Support Redevelopment Efforts for Rural Communities
Governor Laura Kelly announced 40 rural Kansas communities will receive Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) totaling more than $17.6 million to help support critical community development projects. “These grants will help our communities improve public safety, revitalize vital infrastructure and maximize economic opportunity for our Kansas families,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “It’s further proof that investments like this are critical to positively impact lives of Kansans living in rural parts of the state.”
The awards are administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce and granted from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities CDBG program. Eligible CDBG public improvement projects help fund water and wastewater projects, housing rehabilitation and other community facilities and services. “Community Development Block Grants strike at the core of what we all want to achieve for Kansas: strong communities, healthy families and a high quality of life,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “The investments announced today will create better living conditions for Kansans, which in turn drives new economic opportunities and promotes new growth across our state.”
Cities and counties, their award amount and project type are as follows:
| City of Atchison | $370,000 | Sidewalk improvements |
| City of Arkansas City | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation |
| City of Auburn | $330,765 | Stormwater street improvements |
| City of Augusta | $260,000 | Purchase fire engine |
| City of Burr Oak | $330,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Bushton | $530,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Caldwell | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation and demolition |
| City of Cawker City | $454,250 | New water tower |
| City of Cedar Vale | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation and demolition |
| City of Concordia | $560,000 | Purchase of a fire ladder truck |
| City of Dodge City | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation |
| City of Douglass | $99,000 | New playground equipment |
| City of Emporia | $750,000 | Street replacement with curbs and gutters |
| City of Fort Scott | $700,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Fulton | $270,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Girard | $600,000 | New lift stations and improvements to the sanitary sewer system |
| City of Glasco | $323,530 | Improvements to the lift station and sanitary sewer system |
| City of Hiawatha | $600,000 | Improvements to the lift station and sanitary sewer system |
| City of Highland | $600,000 | Street improvements |
| City of Humboldt | $492,086 | Street improvements |
| City of Leon | $616,000 | Water system Improvements |
| City of Lincoln Center | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation and demolition |
| City of Linwood | $499,586 | Replacement of remaining cast-iron water lines throughout town |
| City of Lucas | $600,000 | New water tower and water supply improvements |
| City of Lyndon | $501,111 | Construction of a new community center |
| City of Lyons | $300,000 | Housing rehabilitation and demolition |
| City of Mankato | $600,000 | Wastewater collection system repairs and improvements |
| City of Marysville | $600,000 | Sanitary sewer treatment facility improvements |
| McPherson County | $250,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of McPherson | $500,000 | Housing rehabilitation and street improvements |
| City of Medicine Lodge | $480,000 | Rehabilitate/re-purpose existing building for a non-profit daycare |
| City of Miltonvale | $383,000 | Wastewater collection system and treatment facility improvements |
| City of Moran | $450,000 | Water supply improvements |
| City of Oberlin | $466,598 | Sanitary sewer treatment facility improvements |
| Osage County | $260,000 | Sanitary sewer systems improvements |
| City of Russell | $360,300 | Street improvements |
| City of Saint Francis | $600,000 | Street improvements |
| City of Timken | $170,000 | Water system improvements |
| City of Valley Falls | $600,000 | Sanitary sewer systems improvements |
| City of Wellington | $634,706 | Water system improvements |
The CDBG program, administered by the Community Development Division, provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities, and economic development needs. To receive funds, the local government units must meet at least one of three national program objectives:
- The grant will benefit low- and moderate-income persons
- The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight
- The grant will resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available
The Small Cities CDBG program is one of the Community Development Division’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities.
Photos and video from the CDBG Awards Ceremony are available here.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Topeka rethinks budget process
Budgeting is a topic that can make one’s eyes roll. And when a city budget is in question, forget it. Lights out. Topeka is trying to change that perception by adopting an outcome- based budget for FY23. Following in the footsteps of Redmond, Wash., and Baltimore, Md., outcome- based budgeting can open a direct line of dialogue between the city and those who live in it. To date, Topeka has held four virtual workshops that have focused on neighborhoods, quality of life, infrastructure and public safety.
Source: CJonline
10-year Treasury yield tops 2% for the first time since 2019 after hot inflation
U.S. Treasury yields climbed on Thursday, with the benchmark 10-year rate breaching the 2% level, after key inflation data showed hotter-than-expected price pressures. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note jumped 12 basis points to about 2.05%, the first time that the benchmark rate reached 2% since August 2019. … The yield on the 2-year Treasury bond, the most sensitive duration to interest rates, surged 26 basis points to top 1.6%. The surge marked the 2-year’s biggest single day move since 2009.
Source: CNBC