Municipal News & Jobs

Wichita could become one of the first cities in Kansas to recycle and reuse wastewater for drinking. The Wichita City Council approved a nearly $1.2 million study to figure out how the city could implement recycling and reusing water from its wastewater treatment plants. The recycled water could go for industrial uses as non-potable water or go back into the drinking water supply from direct potable reuse water.
Source: Homepage

The City of Newton and Harvey County share maintenance responsibilities for the differing sides of E. First Street. The city also upkeeps a section of the road stretching out to Hillside. The county has the responsibility to upkeep the road from Hillside on. Due to existing and possible development at the Kansas Logistics Park, as well as the airport, the city has sought to expand and improve E. First Street from Newton to Oliver. As the city and county co-own both the airport and the Logistics Park, the city asked the county to share in the costs of the entire study.
Source: Harvey County Now

Amazon shoppers in Kansas City, Kansas, could soon have their packages delivered by drone. On Monday, the Unified Government Planning Commission approved a final development plan for Amazon.com Inc. to add a drone delivery launch area to its existing fulfillment center at 6925 Riverview Ave.
Source: Kansas City Business News – Local Kansas City News | Kansas City Business Journal

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) is launching a new initiative to reduce violent crime in the Capital City this year. Dan Garrett with the City of Topeka announced in a press release the TPD will be launching the Police and Community Together initiative this month. The PACT program aims to increase community safety, involvement and engagement. The TPD will host a community kickoff picnic from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 at the Little Oakland Park at 900 Northeast Chester Avenue. People will have a chance to meet with TPD Chief Chris Vallejo, his senior command staff and other officers dedicated to the new PACT unit.
Source: KSNT 27 News

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.

A dog park is coming to Humboldt.  At their meeting Monday evening, City Council members approved a two-part park — one section for smaller dogs and the other for larger dogs — in the southwest corner of town at the intersection of First and Pine streets. 
Source: The Iola Register

In the Manhattan city limits, the county’s new regulations on fireworks will not apply. On Monday, Riley County officials proposed an updated resolution that would extend the sale of fireworks by a couple days and increase the fee for a fireworks’ sales permit. The updates follow Senate Bill 199, which passed in April. It permits the year-round sale of fireworks for permanent retailers and extends the sale for seasonal vendors. However, counties retain the authority to regulate when to sell and discharge fireworks, and Riley County’s commissioners discussed Monday that the county will just extend the firework sales window by a couple days, starting June 28, instead of allowing year-round sales. 
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article

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.

If approved, the district would build two new elementary schools, renovate Oak Street Elementary into a learning center to provide pre-K options, and improve the fine arts and athletic facilities. The bond would also invest in safety, security, and infrastructure districtwide.
Source: KSN-TV

Avery Moore will serve as the next assistant city manager, according to a press release from the City of Topeka. Moore holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a master’s degree in management and is a Ph.D. candidate in leadership at Liberty University. Prior to joining the City of Topeka, Moore worked as a chief of police in Washington State.
Source: KSNT 27 News

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.

Panasonic announced Friday that it would make major cuts to its global workforce. But local officials said they continue to ramp up to begin EV battery production at the company’s new plant in De Soto. During an investor call Friday, the Japanese company announced it would cut 10,000 jobs globally, representing roughly 4% of its total workforce. Panasonic plans to cut about 5,000 jobs in Japan and 5,000 jobs internationally by end of the company’s fiscal year, which ends in 2026.
Source: Kansas City Business News – Local Kansas City News | Kansas City Business Journal

Wichita City Council members vocalized support toward securing sustainable funding for the city’s Affordable Housing Fund Thursday night at the second annual Nehemiah Assembly. The Sedgwick County Commission Chair also committed his support to expanding the city’s municipal ID program to all county residents.  The assembly, hosted by Justice Together, a grassroots coalition of interfaith communities, announces the organization’s policy pursuits. Last year, the group asked officials to commit to the municipal ID program – which launched this spring – and work on sustainable funding for the multi-agency center, Wichita’s year-round homeless services center known as the MAC. The ID program provides homeless residents with photo identification that they can use to secure a job or assistance. The MAC is an effort to ensure that homeless residents have a year-round place to shelter and access resources. 
Source: KLC Journal

Advocates for a countywide recycling program will address Iola City Council members Monday to share their vision of how a joint city-county venture can succeed in Allen County. The group has tried in recent years to get a system in place, but has yet to find traction with either the city or county governing bodies. Monday’s discussion will include information from Todd Bemis of Coffey County, who will be on hand to explain how that system works.
Source: The Iola Register

With children’s shouts echoing off of playground equipment, the Logan Manor doesn’t look or sound like your typical nursing home. That’s because it’s also a school. This rural farm town, with a population of 436, recently welcomed nursing home residents and students into its new intergenerational facility, called the Logan Intergenerational Family Education Center. By bringing different age groups together under the same roof, LIFE Center administrators are hoping to foster connection and learning across generations.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article

Despite the controversial opinions of the USD 402 bond issue, the $55 million no-levy increase was passed unofficially this week. The bond passed with 1,745 total Augusta voters casting their ballot. Of those unofficial votes, 1,174 were yes and 571 were no. The post-election ballot audit, which is required by Kansas Statute 25-3009, was held on Thursday evening in the Butler County Commissioner’s room. The three-person team audited 1% of precincts that included Ward 1 and Ward 4.
Source: Butler County Times-Gazette

Sedgwick County recently announced that its new 2026 budget simulator has gone live as of May 6. Available at the county website, the simulator is a hands-on tool intended to get citizens to explore and influence how property tax-supported funds are allocated. The interactive simulation is part of the county’s commitment to transparency, civic education and inclusive public participation.
Source: www.derbyinformer.com – RSS Results in news,news/* of type article

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.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its key interest rate unchanged as it awaits fluctuations in trade policy and the direction of a sputtering economy. In a move that carried little suspense given the wave of uncertainty sweeping the political and economic landscape, the Federal Open Market Committee held its benchmark overnight borrowing rate in a range between 4.25%-4.5%, where it has been since December. The post-meeting statement noted the volatility and how that is factoring into policy decisions.
Source: Bonds

County Commissioners began discussions to restructure those departments within the county that the commission is over. They also ordered a safety study for the Elm Creek Lake Dam. Commissioner Mika Milburn talked about the need for an interim reference addendum to the county’s 2002 policy book as the commission revisits and revises it. She suggested assigning reference numbers to the forms and procedures as they make or revise them for easy reference during revision and in the final product. County Clerk Susan Walker has started adding reference numbers to forms as they are being amended. She has also requested an administrative procedure book separate from the original policy and procedure book. Commissioner David Beerbower agreed.
Source: Fort Scott Biz