Kansas Municipal News
Johnson County is named after a major pro-slavery advocate. A new proposal would change that
A recommendation to consider whether Johnson County should be named after its slave owning namesake is among 18 suggested changes that have been submitted by members of the county Charter Commission for its consideration. The list of amendments and recommendations also includes some ideas about which county races should be partisan and which should be elected — subjects that have proved controversial among people who have attended the charter commission’s recent public hearings. The proposal to consider a name change asks the Board of County Commissioners — not the Charter Commission — to “adopt a process for meaningful consideration of Rev. Thomas Johnson as the namesake of Johnson County.”
Source: KCUR News
‘It’s the highest it’s ever been’: Local animal shelters see an uptick in pet surrenders
Shelters and rescues across the state are witnessing an increase in animals being surrendered by their owners. Some rescues say it’s more than they can handle. Wichita Animal Action League Executive Director, Christy Fischer, says it’s something they have never seen before. Currently, their shelter is overpopulated, and they are having trouble relocating many of these pets. However, she says it’s not only the local animal shelters that are dealing with this but animal rescues across the country. Adding many owners are surrendering animals who have not yet been spayed or neutered and are leaving them while pregnant inside the shelter. Causing staff to find space for several furry families within a short amount of time. “We are dealing with thousands upon thousands of animals now that may not have been born if their parents had been spayed or neutered during that time frame,” Fischer said. “People need to understand that bringing a dog or cat into your home that’s at least a 10 to 15-year commitment and it needs to be treated as such. So, it should never be an impulse decision.”
Source: KSN-TV
Overland Park’s bulky item pickup program could see major changes in future — here’s why
Sine 1988, Overland Park has offered residents a bulky item collection event to provide an opportunity to dispose of large items, such as furniture and appliances not collected by weekly trash pickup. However, changes to the popular program could be coming soon because city staff say it is no longer as effective as it once was. In this year’s event alone, each of the four collection weekends were followed by a full week or more of follow-up collections, according to city documents. The city’s environment programs coordinator Jim Twigg told a city council committee this week that the city-run program is no longer effective, in part, because of increased prices and changes to how waste management is run.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Leawood looks for solutions to daily traffic jams on Mission Road caused by school dismissal
When Curé of Ars Catholic School in Leawood lets their students out at the end of each school day, the event is hard to miss. The school, which has over 700 kids who attend daily, sits along Mission Road, just south of 93rd Street. The large student population, coupled with the fact that the surrounding area has many businesses and residential subdivisions, often makes it hard for the school to keep the end-of-day traffic contained within its own parking lot.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Kansas explores new road for highway funding
The days of paying gas taxes at the pump may eventually be as passe as using a landline to place a phone call. States across the country are studying new ways to tax the driving public for transportation as gas taxes become less sustainable with more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles on the road. At least 10 states have passed legislation to study what’s known as a road-user charge. Many are already looking at how they could move to a tax based on miles driven as compared to how much gas a driver buys.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
Louisburg to offer Snow Buddies program again this winter
With winter just around the corner, the city of Louisburg is ready to roll out its annual Snow Buddies program.Snow Buddies is a volunteer program that matches the city’s senior citizens or those who may have a disability and are unable to shovel snow from their sidewalks with a volunteer who is able to assist with snow shoveling, according to a city news release. The program also asks for volunteers to shovel a path from the front door to the sidewalk or street, if there is no sidewalk on the property. To qualify, a Louisburg resident must be a senior citizen or have a disability that makes it difficult to shovel snow. You must also own their home or live in a single-family residence, according to the release.
Source: The Miami County Republic
Dickinson County clerk retires after 44 years with the office
When Barbara “Barb” Jones went to work in the Dickinson County clerk’s office more than 44 years ago one of her job duties included typing tax statements — emphasis being on the word “typing.” “When I tell people I typed tax statements they say, ‘You did what?’ There were a lot of typewriters flying then,” Jones recalls with a laugh. “And that was done on three-part carbons. So if you made a mistake, you couldn’t just erase it a little.” After more than four decades in the clerk’s office, including 12 years serving as county clerk/election officer, Jones will retire Nov. 30.
Source: Abilene Reflector Chronicle
After more residents express interest, Douglas County to hold public meeting on expanding commission from three members to five
Douglas County is seeking to hear from residents about whether they would like to see the County Commission expand from three members to five. The county has scheduled a listening session for Dec. 9 to gather residents’ input about expanding the commission after more residents started getting in touch with local leaders about the idea. Commissioners initially expressed interest in expanding the commission to five members in March, but at a meeting in July they essentially decided to put the conversations aside because few residents had expressed interest in the idea. At that time, commissioners agreed that unless they heard from more residents, they would not move forward with a public election on the topic.
Source: LJWorld.com
Ignite Emporia seeking feedback on child care needs in Lyon County
Child care access has been identified as one of the four major barriers to local workforce development. Through the course of the pandemic our community saw the critical role that our child care providers contribute and how limitations and disruptions can impact families in a variety of ways. One critical impact is the decision that families must make to balance workforce participation with the cost and access of child care services. To better understand the needs our community is facing, Ignite Emporia has partnered with the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research. This brief online survey will help us gather baseline data to help guide discussions and strategies to improve access to needed child care resources that can also improve access to the local workforce.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Survey says most Lawrence residents like parklets
Most visitors to downtown Lawrence like the street parking stalls-turned-al fresco dining spaces and would use them in the long term, according to the city’s recent survey. The temporary right-of-way program, implemented to help restaurants stay in business amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to expire on Dec. 31. The city is considering implementing a long-term version of the program. City commissioners asked staff to gather public feedback to help determine what to do next. Those results are in, and staff now recommends extending the temporary parklets through the end of March 2022 to allow time to develop a long-term plan.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Proposal to consider changing Johnson County’s name one of 18 items before Charter Commission
A recommendation to consider whether Johnson County should be named after its slave owning namesake is among 18 suggested changes that have been submitted by members of the county Charter Commission for its consideration. The list of amendments and recommendations also includes some ideas about which county races should be partisan and which should be elected — subjects that have proved controversial among people who have attended the charter commission’s recent public hearings. The proposal to consider a name change asks county commissioners “to adopt a process for meaningful consideration of Rev. Thomas Johnson as the namesake of Johnson County.”
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Sales tax questions approved in area elections
Voters in Andover approved a one-cent sales tax proposal in Tuesday’s general election. The sales tax will fund the construction of a second fire station as well as renovations to the current fire station. Some of the tax revenue will also support renovations to the 13th Street Sports Park. … Voters in Sumner County approved the extension of an existing sales tax for health care services. The half-cent tax provides funding for the health department, emergency medical services, mental health programs and other needs. The tax will be extended for ten years. The proposal received 1,584 yes votes and 813 no votes in the unofficial results from Tuesday’s election. … Voters in the Wellington School District, USD 353, approved a proposal to have all school board members elected at large. Currently, there are two board members elected from each of three districts plus one at large member.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Municipal Bond Trends for November 4, 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.
Johnson County voter turnout set a record this year
More Johnson County voters went to the polls or mailed in ballots for the 2021 general election than in any other recent odd year election. Before Tuesday, county election officials predicted a 20% turnout among registered voters, but actual turnout comfortably surpassed that estimate. As of Wednesday, the Johnson County Election Office reported 110,027 ballots cast, for a turnout of 24.88%. And that number will continue to creep up over the next few days as mail-in ballots that were dropped off or postmarked before polls closed on Election Day are added to the total, along with provisional ballots.
Source: Prairie Village Post
New Grant Program Launches for Historic Building Revitalization
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced a new grant program that will move quickly to help revitalize underutilized, vacant and dilapidated downtown buildings in rural Kansas communities. The Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses; housing; arts and culture; civic engagement; childcare; or entrepreneurship. The matching grants will help address emergency needs for neglected buildings and assist building owners with eligible expenses for the revitalization of historic properties. Projects submitted must show potential as economic drivers in the community.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce » Press Releases Category Feed
New Grant Program Launches for Historic Building Revitalization
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced a new grant program that will move quickly to help revitalize underutilized, vacant and dilapidated downtown buildings in rural Kansas communities. The Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses; housing; arts and culture; civic engagement; childcare; or entrepreneurship. The matching grants will help address emergency needs for neglected buildings and assist building owners with eligible expenses for the revitalization of historic properties. Projects submitted must show potential as economic drivers in the community. “We have a shortage of ready to occupy buildings across the state, but also an abundance of historic buildings with good bones that make them great candidates for rehabilitation,” Lieutenant Governor/Secretary Toland said. “The HEAL program provides an immediate opportunity to close financial gaps in restoring these properties and making downtown districts throughout our state more economically vibrant, while also creating new jobs and services for Kansans.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Great Bend Public Library receives staff health and wellness grant
The Great Bend Public Library has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Kansas Library Association to support staff health and wellness. This grant was made possible through a 2019 gift from the Kansas Health Foundation to the Kansas Library Association. The installation of artificial turf at the Great Bend Sports Complex “is moving along very well,” City Administrator Kendal Francis said in an update to the City Council Monday night. The City of Great Bend received its most recent tax distributions from the Kansas Department of Revenue and the numbers looked promising, City Administrator Kendal Francis told the City Council Monday night.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Jackson County Tourism Council plans mural project
In an effort to bring more visitors to the county, members of the Jackson County Tourism Council are launching a mural project here. Three new murals will kick-start the project in downtown Holton, according to Suzette McCord-Rogers, a member of the tourism council and mural committee. The new murals, which are expected to last 20 to 30 years, are being planned on the exterior of three buildings. Wichita artist Heather Byers has been hired to paint two murals – one on the west side of the building on the northwest corner of the Square owned by Colette Carson and the other on a wall in the alley behind More Than Lemons on the east side of the Square.
Source: Holton Recorder
KSHSAA, local schools note shortage of available officials
Middle and high school sports programs in Kansas, it has been reported, continue to face an ongoing shortage of one important element that could postpone or even cancel games — a lack of available officials. That’s why athletic directors at local schools are joining with Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) officials in putting out the call for middle and high school sports fans who would like to give back to their favorite games — and enable those games to continue. “It’s a way to make an impact with kids and sports without committing every day as a coach,” said David Schooler, athletic director and assistant principal at Royal Valley High School.
Source: Holton Recorder
Kansas sheriffs letter: Operations and management at LSH have reached a crisis level
It’s a letter from 59 Kansas sheriffs to Governor Laura Kelly and they’re demanding changes at Larned State Hospital. They criticized management and the state policies, and said the leaders “created a culture that has become a quagmire of red tape and bureaucracy.” One of the problems highlighted in the letter explains what happened during the John Colt escape. However, they said there are other problems that put the public in danger, and bring disservice to the mentally ill. John Colt was in the “Sexual Predator Treatment Program” at LSH, and escaped in June. Authorities didn’t capture him until late September, when they found him in Utah. Three women, who were all employees at LSH are accused of helping Colt escape.
Source: KSN-TV