Kansas Municipal News
Municipal Bond Trends for December 8, 2021
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.
Free land and no-strings cash aim to tempt people to small Midwestern towns — with mixed success
When small-town charm isn’t enough to attract new residents, some struggling Midwest communities figure money might be. Cities across the region offer cash and free land for those willing to make the move to smaller communities with room, and a need, for more people . … Topeka will give you up to $15,000 for moving to the capital of Kansas for remote work, or for certain employers. Buy a new home in Newton, Iowa, and the city will cut you a $10,000 check. Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Quincy, Illinois, also offer awards aimed at bringing in new residents. So far, the programs seem successful at grabbing the attention of potential residents. The offers stand out and make a move to an underdog area seem more palatable. But it’s unclear whether one-time awards can bring small towns and cities back from the brink.
Source: KCUR News
County files motion to dismiss City of Golden incorporation appeal
The county has filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ appeal in the city of Golden matter because petitioners failed to provide the specified bond amount. The County Commission voted 3-1 against incorporation of Golden at its Oct. 13 meeting. Jennifer Williams, who filed a petition April 9 to incorporate about 9 square miles north of Hillsdale Lake into a city to block the march of intermodal warehouses into Miami County, is named as one of the plaintiffs in the case along with Golden supporter Charlie Koch. The appeal was filed Friday, Nov. 12, in Miami County District Court by attorney Doug Patterson with The Property Law Firm in Overland Park.
Source: republic-online.com
Carl Gerlach, retired Overland Park mayor, reflects on ups and downs of 16-year tenure
Mayor Carl Gerlach seemed momentarily ill at ease as he stepped to the podium at his last Overland Park City Council meeting last month. Council president and incoming mayor Curt Skoog had just read a lengthy commendation of Gerlach’s accomplishments, and a staffer was getting some cell phone pictures as the standing ovation began to die down. “As everybody in the room probably knows, I’m not comfortable with all of this,” Gerlach said, before saying thank you to his family, councilmembers and staff. Never a headline-grabber, Gerlach said later he’s always been a little leery of the spotlight.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Johnson County cities differ on livestreaming public meetings
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly two years ago, more attention has turned to how local governmental bodies broadcast their public meetings, since in-person attendance in many cases remains limited. The city of Shawnee, for instance, recently voted to add live video streaming of its city council and planning commission meetings sometime early next year. (Currently, the city only airs live audio.) Cities across northern Johnson County offer a mix of livestreaming services and also allow public access to recordings of meetings after they are finished.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Overland Park considers changes to trash service, including bulky item pickup and home bin storage
An Overland Park city council committee on Monday advanced an ordinance that would change two code changes impacting city trash services. One change would loosen the city’s current regulations governing how residents store their trash and recyclable bins at home. The other change would significantly overhaul the city’s bulky item pickup service.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Kansas town drops charges against man who displayed profane flag
A civil rights group says a Kansas town has dropped all charges against a man prosecuted for flying a flag outside his home with a profanity against President Joe Biden. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said Wednesday it got involved after the city of Blue Rapids charged David Sain in August with promoting obscenity. The ACLU says in a news release that Sain has a constitutionally protected right to free speech.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita, Sedgwick County to apply for flood control grant
The City of Wichita and Sedgwick County have received approval to apply for a federal grant that will reduce flooding in the Calfskin Creek basin, a 17-square mile area of west Wichita. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has approved a $40 million project to go to the application stage. Wichita City Council members and Sedgwick County Commissioners approved an agreement this week to submit the grant application by the end of the year to the Federal Emergency Management Administration. The project will construct two dry detention dams that will collect water during heavy rain events. One of the dams will be located near 13th Street North and 167th Street West, and the other will be constructed near Pawnee and 135th Street West.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Casino valuation change to force Mulvane budget amendments
A recent ruling on the Kansas Star Casino’s assessed valuation for 2015 means the city of Mulvane will have to make adjustments to its 2022 budget in an effort to pay back property taxes collected. Each year, the Sumner County treasurer releases the assessed valuation to help the city of Mulvane determine the property tax revenue it will be able to account for in its annual budget. However, property owners – both businesses and individual residents alike – are able to challenge that assessed valuation each year as well. Since the Kansas Star Casino opened in 2012, City Manager Kent Hixson reported it has challenged its valuation every year. Given the lengthy process, rulings (determined by the board of tax appeals and district court) have only been passed down so far for 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Cocking takes over as Emporia city manager
Trey Cocking, Emporia’s new city manager, has officially taken over his new role. Hired in October to replace outgoing city manager Mark McAnarney, Cocking’s first day was Tuesday and on Wednesday he sat in his first Emporia City Commission meeting as city manager. “It’s kind of been a whirlwind,” Cocking said Wednesday. “I sat at my desk for the first time this morning.” He said that he’s been in a lot of meetings so far, getting to know various city staff. He has spent the past three months watching city commission meetings remotely and said that it was nice to be there in person.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Newton altering entryways into city
The Newton Parks Department is working on the first stage of a beautification project that will greet visitors with a more pleasing view when the pull off the interstate. Communications Director Erin McDaniel said parks department employees were redoing the roundabout on Broadway Street this winter. They’re filling in much of the open space with concrete because a lack of sunlight under the interstate had not been conducive to vegetation. She said the city had tried different plants over the years to no avail. “We haven’t been able to make them as nice as we would like as an entryway into our city,” she said. McDaniel said the location also had been tricky to maintain due to the constant vehicle traffic.
Source: Harvey County Now
‘Secret’ taxes blindsided these homeowners. Johnson County city will now restrict them
The Olathe City Council has tightened its policy for creating special taxing districts, following months of protests from homeowners who argued the practice was overused and not transparent. Many residents have been pushing for the city to stop the use of benefit districts, which impose an additional tax on property owners to fund infrastructure improvements, such as roads and sewers. The debate over what some residents call the “triple tax” on homeowners became a major talking point ahead of last month’s City Council elections. State law requires that sellers notify buyers of any established tax districts. But some homeowners previously told The Star they were never informed that they had bought property within a benefit district until they received a tax bill of more than $10,000 for the district.
Source: Joco 913 News
Manhattan residents concerned about big homes being built in older neighborhoods
Manhattan city commissioners adopted the new Manhattan Development Code 4-1 Tuesday, but they plan to revisit one item after residents of one neighborhood shared concerns about new homes being built. … Community members from the “established neighborhood overlay district” voiced concerns about new regulations for lot coverage, setback and design requirements for homes. The district is a large area of mostly older homes mostly south and east of the K-State campus. … Sylvia Beeman said she is worried about big homes built in the district and taxes rising. “One thing that people like about our neighborhood is that the houses are still affordable,” Beeman said.
Source: themercury.com
U.S. economists split on rate hike timing
U.S. securities industry economists remain divided on the timing of rate hikes from the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, according to the latest edition of a biannual survey of chief economists at U.S. financial firms. U.S. trade group the Securities and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) released the results of its latest economist survey, which was carried out between Nov. 15 and Dec. 3. The survey indicated that economists are evenly divided about whether the Fed will move on rates in the second, third or fourth quarter next year (29% each) — with a minority, 12%, who don’t see rate action until 2023. “The factors listed as most important to the Fed’s rate decision were: inflation pressure/expectations, resumption of real economic activity, and Covid impact on labor conditions,” the report said.
Source: Investment Executive
Dodge City looking to add new child care facility to address need
The City of Dodge City will be looking into addressing another shortage the city is lacking in — child care facilities. According to city staff, a request for qualifications were welcomed as of Dec. 1, with the purpose in soliciting and selecting a firm to provide architectural design services to develop a new child care facility in town. … “Available funds will ultimately determine the final size, but we also want to ensure we cover the community’s needs and meet the set regulations.”
Source: Dodge Globe
Salina Fire Department ‘admin time’ situation not characterized as timecard fraud
The issue of “admin time” at the Salina Fire Department is not being characterized as fraud by any individuals. That determination comes after Salina city manager Mike Schrage gave an update to the city commission Monday on the situation. … The city hired BKD, an accounting firm, to do an audit on the issue, the findings of which were released earlier this year. … Schrage said this new update was given to provide the commission and the public a little more background on what has happened since the BKD report was released.
Source: Salina Journal
Lack of labor means about 90% of Shawnee County recyclables are being trucked to Kansas City facility
A labor shortage has all but shuttered the only recycling facility in Shawnee County, with 90% of its materials being processed elsewhere. Since mid- to late October, Waste Management of Kansas has taken all but about 10% of recyclables from the local Materials Recycling Facility by truck to be processed instead at the MRF it operates in Kansas City, Kan., said Lisa Disbrow, a spokeswoman for that company.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for December 7, 2021
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.
USDA Invests over $600,000 in Home Construction Assistance In Coffeyville, Kansas
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting State Director for Rural Development Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $624,960 to assist low-income Kansans in building homes in the Coffeyville area. “Investments like these increase the stability and independence of Kansans,” Fischer said. “By helping low-income residence build their own homes it also increases the stability of the surrounding community as well.”
Source: Coffeyville, KS – News Flash
Sedgwick celebrates the Christmas season in style
Sedgwick was abuzz with Christmas activity last weekend. In fact, Sedgwick Connect planned so perfectly that even spectacular weather attended the festivities. Saturday morning at the elementary school multipurpose room people from Sedgwick and all over the region shopped the 30 vendors selling primarily homemade items. Organizer Michelle Hendrickson was thrilled with how the event participation.
Source: Harvey County Now