Municipal News & Jobs

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday gave a tepid indication of possible interest rate cuts ahead as he noted a high level of uncertainty that is making the job difficult for monetary policymakers. In his much-anticipated speech at the Fed’s annual conclave in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the central bank leader in prepared remarks cited “sweeping changes” in tax, trade and immigration policies. The result is that “the balance of risks appear to be shifting” between the Fed’s twin goals of full employment and stable prices.
Read more: Bonds

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today announced that the measles outbreak affecting southwest Kansas has officially ended. Two full incubation periods, for a total of 42 days, have passed since the last confirmed case was reported. As there is not an active outbreak in southwest Kansas, KDHE is no longer recommending the early measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination dose for infants 6-11 months old. Health care providers should now refer to the standard childhood schedule for MMR administration.
Read more: KDHE, KS – News Flash

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced a new round of funding totaling $341,000 is available through the Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program. Now entering its fourth round, the SEED initiative continues to support economic development and quality-of-life improvements in Kansas’ smallest communities.
Read more: Press Releases Archives – Kansas Department of Commerce

Rising electricity demand, in part due to AI needs, along with the increasing cost of alternatives should cushion the impact for green energy. The government delivered a shock to the renewable energy industry when it took away subsidies for solar and wind as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It’s a shock the industry can actually absorb—and maybe even benefit from in the long term.
Read more: WSJ.com: Markets

The Lyon County Commission approved the purchase of a 4-month pilot with Hyper to automate 10 non-emergency call types for a total of $16,200 to be paid from the Dispatch Contractual Services fund. The new program, developed by new San Francisco based startup Hyper, is designed to respond to calls related to utilities, parking, controlled burns, and other non-911 issues. An AI voice, customizable by gender and talking speed, will ask for information and process it, transferring the caller if needed.
Read more: www.emporiagazette.com – RSS Results in news,government/*

With the Kansas Jayhawks playing their home games in Kansas City last season, Lawrence businesses lost revenue. However, with an upgraded stadium, business owners are ready for the rewards that come with it. It’s been 644 days since KU last played in Lawrence. And just judging by how many people are around town, Jayhawk fans are happy that KU is finally back home.
Read more: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports

Overland Park will soon replace what flag experts had ranked as one of the worst city flags with a new one that seeks to evoke the city’s park identity and nods to its history. The new flag proposal — which follows months of mulling and public engagement — comes at the tail end of a wider city brand overhaul that staff have been working on. During that process, the city engaged North American Vexillological Association, an international nonprofit organization of flag experts and enthusiasts that had ranked the old city flag as one of the worst in the country.
Read more: Johnson County Post

The De Soto City Council approved a plan to develop a $3 billion data center campus near the Panasonic plant and will back it with industrial revenue bonds. California-based Beale Infrastructure plans a 1.14 million-square-foot data center campus at the northwest corner of 103rd Street and Edgerton Road in Flint Commerce Center. Beale, a portfolio company of Blue Owl Capital Inc., specializes in data center development. The project is expected to create 155 jobs by 2040.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal – Local Kansas City News

Olathe’s industrial growth surges as Aspen Funds plans a 1M-square-foot warehouse along I-35, joining the area’s expanding large-scale developments. More than 1 million square feet of warehouse will add to Olathe’s expanding roster of large-scale industrial projects along Interstate 35. Overland Park-based Aspen Funds plans six single-story speculative industrial buildings near the southeast corner of 167th Street and Hedge Lane.
Read more: Kansas City Business Journal – Local Kansas City News

What was once a former detox facility in Hutchinson will soon be known as The Center, and it will be filled with resources that will help the homeless in Hutch survive on their own by teaching them life skills.  The New Beginnings leadership team says the 16-room facility will have more than 30 beds, and experts specializing in trauma support, life skills and more. They also say that New Beginnings owns the building where the detox center used to be, so they aren’t breaking their budget by purchasing a new building or constructing a new facility.  
Read more: KSN-TV

The City of Topeka is launching “History of Topeka,” a new monthly documentary series featuring powerful stories, pivotal moments and inspiring people that shaped the city into what it is today. The very first episode is called “Topeka’s Beginnings: 30 Years That Built a Capital.” It discusses the city’s free-state roots to becoming the state capital, as well as the early struggles and visions that laid the foundation for the community.
Read more: KSNT 27 News

The mother of a man who was shot and killed by Olathe Police in late 2022 received $625,000 to settle a federal lawsuit that was heading to trial later this year. That’s according to an agreement obtained by the Post through public records requests dated July 23, which plaintiff Maria Varnas and Olathe City Manager Michael Wilkes signed, that details the terms of the settlement and releases all claims raised in the lawsuit. Last month, Judge Julie Robinson of the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas, approved the wrongful death settlement between Varnas and the city of Olathe and former Olathe Police Officer Conner Thompson.
Read more: Johnson County Post

Humboldt schools have in place new rules to keep cell phones out of the classroom, joining a growing collection of districts across the nation to set forth new limitations. As the morning bell rings this fall, many students across the country will be tucking their phones away for the day — whether they like it or not. From statewide bans in Missouri to stricter local policies in Kansas classrooms, schools are drawing a harder line on cell phones, citing concerns over distraction, student behavior, and mental health.
Read more: The Iola Register

Public Officer Gary Vaughan addressed that mange has been found amongst feral cats in town, which poses a concern as it can cause scabies in humans. Vaughan reported that a citizen was recently bit by a feral cat which resulted in the citizen having to undergo the rabies protocol of shots. Trapping has occurred and at least 13 cats have been sent to farms and those found with mange disposed of. Vaughan recommended that a public service announcement be made to remind citizens not to feed feral cats and to vaccinate pets for rabies and to keep them inside at night.
Read more: Homepage

The population report uses U.S. Census Bureau data to track populations. In total, 34 cities gained more than 100 people in the past year, compared to 18 in 2023.
Read more: CJonline

Some of them are comparable to what Lawrence is proposing. Others are hundreds of dollars higher. Some have tiers, or extra services, or even include swimming pool access.
Read more: LJWorld

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.

Marshall County voters will decide during the November 4th general election whether the sale of liquor by the drink should be allowed in public places without a food sales requirement. Marshall County voters subsequently approved the sale of liquor by the drink with a 30% food sales requirement.
Read more: KMZA

The bond will fund: A middle school addition, including six new classrooms; and an elementary school addition, featuring two classrooms, a music room, and a covered connection.
Read more: KNZA

On Tuesday, August 12, an unmanned aircraft departed Kelly Hills UAS Airfield in Seneca carrying an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and landed 30 minutes later at Charles E. Grutzmacher Municipal Airport in Onaga. According to a release, the flight demonstrated how advanced drone technology can help bridge healthcare gaps for rural communities.
Read more: KMZA