Kansas Municipal News
EMS investment, service return a huge deal for Sedgwick
Sedgwick residents will have to pay for most of their new EMS, but their dollars buy peace of mind and probably a few saved lives over coming years.
The city received help from the state, about $640,000 in way of a grant, to pay for a $2.4 million fire/EMS building. It’s all a part of the city’s revival of such a service. $2.4 million is an expense for a city the size of Newton. It’s a major expenditure for a town of 1,600. The good part is the cost should be manageable with some of Sedgwick’s bonded debt set to expire soon.
Source: Harvey County Now
Governor Kelly Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Victims of D.C. Plane Crash
Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags across Kansas to be flown at half-staff until sundown on Thursday, February 6, 2025, to honor those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash near Washington, D.C., last night. “Today, Kansas mourns a tragedy. I am devastated by the event that unfolded last night and extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ loved ones,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thank you to the more than 300 brave first responders in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area who were on the scene immediately. This is a sad day for our state and our nation.”
Source: KCLY Radio
Abilene to Vote on 0.35% Sales Tax Increase for Recreation Upgrades in Special Election
On Tuesday, February 4th the city of Abilene will hold a Special Election concerning a 0.35% sales tax increase to improve the dated recreational facilities in the city. The tax had previously been rejected by a narrow margin of 675 to 608 during the 2024 Primary election. Kellee Timbrook, Abilene Parks and Recreation Director, said this tax would help generate approximately $3.7 million over 10 years to help fund new multi-use sports fields and other recreation facilities including walking trails, adding pickleball courts and a splash pad in parks, and more. She spoke of the importance of these recreational improvements.
Source: KCLY Radio
Ouster proceedings underway against McCune councilmember
The McCune, Kansas city council voted to start ouster proceedings against one of its own during a January 14, 2025 meeting. In a document sent to Crawford County Attorney Reina Probert, Mayor Bobby Clark wrote councilmember Jason Han “willfully engaged in misconduct while in office” and “willfully neglected to perform any duty enjoined upon such person by law.”
Source: KOAM News
Appraisal office considering policy about tax abatement of damaged properties
The Riley County appraisal office is considering changing its approach to granting tax abatements for properties destroyed in disasters. County staff members said Thursday at the Riley County Commission meeting that a state law about tax abatement for residences damaged in an earthquake, flood, tornado, fire or storm allows the county commission to decide whether it should give the owner an abatement. The county commission has no written policy on this, but has not been giving abatements, which officials said was because of concerns about fairness.
Source: themercury.com
Municipal Bond Trends for January 29, 2025
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.
Some rural small businesses wouldn’t have to register with Douglas County under new proposal
If the proposed change is approved, some smaller businesses that don’t have an outsized impact on their neighbors could operate without needing to register with the county or pay an annual fee.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for January 28, 2025
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.
Shawnee wants to make it easier for residents to take bulky items to landfill
Shawnee is renaming its popular bulky item pickup program and changing the way it distributes vouchers to residents for one free drop-off at the landfill. The annual bulky item trash program — previously named Tidy Town — gives residents the chance to get rid of large junk items, including old furniture, appliances and mattresses. Throughout February, the city will be mailing out vouchers for its newly renamed Landfill Voucher program via its city newsletter, “All Things Hometown.”
Source: Johnson County Post
‘Looking for a winning project’ — City envisions ‘generational’ development at Mission Gateway site
The city of Mission wants a “winning project” for the long-troubled Mission Gateway site. During a work session last week, the Mission City Council discussed — the first of many discussions, according to city staff — what it wants to see become of the site off Johnson Drive and Roe Avenue. The city council agreed that a neighborhood-oriented mixed-use development is ideal for Mission Gateway, with specific ideas ranging from boutique hotels to a place to watch local sporting events. Source: Johnson County Post
Who was Deanna Rose? Overland Park marks 40 years since police officer’s death
Community members, local leaders and Overland Park first responders gathered at the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead to honor the life and service of the fallen officer for whom the site is named. Officer Deanna Rose died 40 years ago this week at age 26 — the first Overland Park officer and the first female officer in Kansas to be killed in the line of duty. She was gravely injured trying to arrest a man for driving under the influence and died two days later. After her death, the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police gave her the Award for Valor.
Source: Johnson County Post
Quarry near De Soto to expand mining work, over neighboring residents’ objections
Owners of a rock quarry south of De Soto got approval to expand mining operations last week, over the objections of neighbors who said the blasting and dust are creeping too close to their homes. Officials of Martin Marietta, which owns the Sunflower Quarry, maintain they have been good neighbors and have taken pains to limit blasting and inform nearby residents about their operations in western Johnson County. On Thursday, they asked the Board of County Commissioners for permission to expand their mining area because of increased need for crushed rock in construction projects.
Source: Johnson County Post
Manhattan City Crews Hauled more than 2,000 tons of Snow after Winter Storm Blair
Manhattan city crews and contractors plowed over 42 million cubic feet of snow following Winter Storm Blair, which, with 15 inches, delivered the second-highest single-day snowfall in city history, surpassed only by 18 inches in 1900. Between January 4 and 13, crews plowed 500 lane miles, equivalent to the distance from Manhattan to Denver, and hauled more than 2,000 tons of snow from areas including Aggieville, downtown, and major roads. They also used 400 tons of salt to treat city streets. The 42 million cubic feet of snow could have filled the City Pool 468 times or Bill Snyder Family Stadium 400 feet deep. The last time Manhattan saw more than 10 inches fall in one day was February 5, 2014.
Source: KCLY Radio
Kansas Agricultural Land Values Stabilize After Years of Growth, With Regional Variations and Economic Pressures Ahead
Non-irrigated cropland prices in Kansas increased by 3.8% last year, while pasture and hay ground saw a 2.7% rise, according to the 2024 Kansas Agricultural Land Values and Trends report. Kansas State University farm economist Robin Reid explained that these figures suggest land prices are stabilizing after years of rapid growth, with some regions even experiencing declines. As margins tighten and farm income decreases, Reid anticipates that land values could continue to decrease.
Source: KCLY Radio
Local firefighters awarded during ceremony for bravery, heroic actions
Some local firefighters were recognized during a ceremony in Pittsburg Friday night. According to the city, community members came together to recognize the bravery of local firefighters during its inaugural awards ceremony. “Every day, our crews leave a lasting impact on someone’s life. It may be something that seems small to us, like waving at a child as we drive by or stopping to chat in a store. Or it might be something monumental, like performing life-saving operations. Regardless of the scale, I am deeply proud of every individual who wears the title of Pittsburg Firefighter,” said Chief Taylor Cerne.
Source: KOAM News
New developments in effort to build $2 billion semiconductor facility in Bel Aire
Federal funding has been offered to help build a nearly $2 billion semiconductor assembly and test plant in the Wichita area, according to Sen. Jerry Moran. But there are still a lot of questions about whether the plan will come to fruition or if it will be on the scale of the initial proposal. Moran’s office says that CHIPS funding was offered to Integra but did not say how much. Earlier this month, KSN reported that Micross Components bought Integra, and the state said the sale would not affect the CHIPS application. Moran’s office says he has had conversations with the Micross CEO and was told that the company did plan to grow in the Wichita area and was deciding if the CHIPS funding fit into their business plan.
Source: KSN-TV
Liberal hires from within for city manager position
The City of Liberal has hired from within for the open city manager position. Scarlette Diseker has been hired as Liberal’s new city manager. Diseker has been with the city since 2022, previously serving as Director of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and the interim city manager since Oct. 1. Diseker is a Liberal native. Before being employed by the city, she worked for over 20 years at First National Bank, now an Equity Bank.
Source: KSN-TV
Sedgwick County to launch Property Fraud Alert service
The Sedgwick County Register of Deeds is launching a new service to help property owners. The service is called Property Fraud Alert. It will notify subscribers each time a document, such as a real estate deed, mortgage, lien, or easement, is recorded with their name on it. Citizens can enter as many personal, business, and trust names as necessary. Sedgwick County says that while the service will not prevent fraud from happening, it will provide an early warning. This way, property owners can take action as soon as possible.
Source: KSN-TV
Ogallala Aquifer drops by more than a foot in parts of western Kansas
Aquifer levels in parts of western Kansas that rely on groundwater for everything from drinking to irrigation fell more than a foot last year, Kansas Geological Survey scientists said Tuesday. The Kansas Geological Survey earlier this month completed its annual campaign to measure the Ogallala Aquifer, which supplies the western one-third of the state with water. The Ogallala, the largest underground store of freshwater in the nation, has been declining for decades because of overuse to irrigate crops in otherwise arid parts of the state.
Source: KSN-TV
Topeka gets recognition for being ‘bicycle friendly’
The capital city is being honored for its work to make Topeka a better place for people to bicycle. Tuesday, Jan. 28, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Topeka for its efforts to create a better place for people to bicycle. Topeka was honored with a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. Topeka is one of 459 communities nationwide involved in a movement to create safer streets for everyone.
Source: KSNT 27 News