Municipal News & Jobs

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

It tore through the landscape, buildings and people like a fire does through a forest. But it wasn’t a fire. It was a different kind of gift from Mother Nature—an F5 (now called an EF5) tornado, and it caused damage and fatalities in Harvey, Sedgwick and Marion counties on May 25, 1917. It was part of one of the most intense and longest continuous tornado outbreak sequences on record, said Kris Schmucker, curator and archivist with the Harvey County Historical Museum and Archives in Newton. The outbreak killed at least 382 people, Schmucker said.
Source: Harvey County Now

Johnson County voters will decide this November whether the special public safety sales tax that paid for the new courthouse and medical examiner facility should be continued for another 10 years. County commissioners voted Thursday to put the Public Safety III quarter-cent tax on the ballot, saying it is a way to maintain vital county services at a time when inflation and ebbing revenues are straining the budget. The sales tax was originally approved in 2016 and is set to expire in March of 2027 unless voters extend it.
Source: Johnson County Post

Preserving Leawood’s original City Hall building for some unspecified future use remains on the table as the city council gets closer to finalizing a master plan for the building as well as an old fire station at 96th Street and Lee Boulevard. On Monday, the council hired Kansas City-based BBN Architects for $39,000 to come up with costs and use options for both buildings, which were constructed in the 1950s and are now largely vacant.
Source: Johnson County Post

In 2018, the Hen House in Merriam abruptly closed, and the northeastern Johnson County suburb of more than 10,500 people didn’t have its own grocery. Now, city leaders and a local developer think they have a winning project plan to bring a grocery store back within Merriam city limits. Overland Park-based Drake Development is proposing a two-block redevelopment on the northwest corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch Road, which is currently home to the old Antioch Library building, as well as a Caribou Coffee and a gas station next door. Dubbed Merriam Grand Marketplace, the redevelopment envisions a 12,000-square-foot grocery store, 4,000 square feet of restaurant space to the west of that and a new apartment building.
Source: Johnson County Post

Governor Laura Kelly and Merck Animal Health announced an $895 million expansion at Merck’s De Soto, Kansas, facility—the second-largest private investment in Kansas history and Merck Animal Health’s largest to date. The project includes $860 million for manufacturing and $35 million for R&D, creating over 200 permanent jobs. The 200,000-square-foot expansion will increase production of large molecule vaccines and biologic products, with the site serving as a Center of Excellence within Merck’s global manufacturing network. Construction planning begins immediately, generating 2,500 temporary jobs, with commercial operations expected in 2030. Since 2017, Merck has invested more than $12 billion in U.S. manufacturing and research and plans to invest $9 billion more over the next four years.
Source: KCLY Radio

Dodge City pet owners, take note: Fido and Fluffy will soon need a tiny piece of tech to stay street legal. At Monday night’s City Commission meeting, officials approved an ordinance requiring all cats and dogs registered within city limits to be microchipped. The goal? To help reunite lost pets with their owners and promote responsible pet ownership across the community. Microchipping is a simple procedure where a chip about the size of a grain of rice is inserted under a pet’s skin, typically between the shoulder blades. The chip contains the owner’s contact information and can be scanned by animal shelters and vets, but it’s not a GPS tracker.
Source: KSN-TV

A community in Rooks County is being asked to conserve water. Residents of Palco have been asked not to water lawns, gardens, or fill a swimming pool for the next two days. The city says they are doing maintenance on the town’s water wells on Thursday and Friday, which requires residents to limit their water use. Palco says it will notify residents when water services are fully available.
Source: KSN-TV

Cowley County commissioners approved a new ordinance Tuesday that would make public nudity a misdemeanor offense, following years of public complaints about a man frequently seen walking without clothing. The ordinance allows law enforcement to charge violators with a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500. The issue stems from repeated complaints about a local man who regularly takes walks in the nude. Despite ongoing public concern, no legal action has been taken, as the county sheriff has stated that Kansas’ nudity laws do not clearly apply in this case.
Source: KSN-TV

Coffey County residents vote no to the special bond vote focusing on USD 244. According to the Coffey County election website, the unofficial results are in: residents do not want special bonds to go towards a new Burlington Elementary School. According to USD 244, funding from the $45 million bond proposal would have allowed the elementary school to be built closer to the community’s middle and high schools, add early learning classrooms and provide classrooms with updated technology and resources.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Cowley County commissioners Tuesday morning voted unanimously to approve an ordinance to restrict public nudity. The vote took place at the courthouse assembly room in Winfield where commissioners held their regular meeting. One person spoke in opposition. The ordinance will be enforceable following the required publishing of public notices. A fine of $500 and up to 30 days jail time is the punishment.
Source: Local – Cowley Post

Buried deep inside the state’s $25.6 billion budget, there’s a measure that expands one of the state’s most powerful tax incentives to help save dying malls. What originally started out as a bill that died in the House became a proviso added to the state budget authorizing sales tax revenue – or STAR – bonds to be used for redevelopment of declining malls under certain circumstances.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

Sedgwick County health officials have confirmed the area’s first case of measles in eight years, officials announced Wednesday morning. The virus was identified in a child between the ages of 5 and 10 who is unvaccinated, a press release said. The health department is working to identify the source of exposure, and said the agency would notify those who may have been exposed.
Source: Homepage

A water task force meant to ensure the “precious resource is available for generations to come” received its first members this week. The 16-member panel of Republican and Democratic legislators, state officials and a handful of appointees from both parties will craft policy changes in an effort to evaluate Kansas’ current and future water supply, funding efforts for water projects and potential impacts on the state’s economy.
Source: Butler County Times-Gazette

The City of Arkansas City is working with the high school and Cowley College to bring students on board as uncompensated interns. Human Resources Director Marla McFarland said the program exposes students to the wide range of career opportunities available in public service. McFarland tries to pair the students with jobs that match their studies and interests. ACHS Junior Kennedy Barnes has worked with the city for the past two semesters and plans to seek a career in law after graduating high school.
Source: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results

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 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 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.

On the heels of a stronger-than-expected jobs report and elevated inflation readings, the Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady at the end of its two-day meeting this week.
Source: CNBC

In Augusta, residents will decide whether to approve $55 million for USD 402. Further west, in Ness County, voters in USD 303 will decide on a $24 million bond.
Source: KSN-TV

Water was released Monday morning from the Cedar Bluff Reservoir to aid Russell and Hays, which face drought conditions that city leaders expect to worsen. Leaders from both cities said this is only a band-aid, not a long-term solution.
Source: KSN-TV

Crews were in Iola Thursday to begin restoration work on the old Iola movie theater. Work will include a new marquee and replacing windows and doors…. The historic theater, built in 1931, is being restored through efforts of the Iola Theatre Association, Inc., a local nonprofit. Funding includes $3.2 million through the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The group also has raised $1 million through private donations and two grants.
Source: The Iola Register

The City of Lawrence is tightening requirements for people to receive homelessness services, and people who previously lived in town, relocated elsewhere and returned are now “considered non-residents” until they’ve established housing.
Source: The Lawrence Times

AT&T was fined $60,000 by the Kansas Corporation Commission for 60 violations in a 30-day span of the Kansas Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act. That state law and KCC regulations require AT&T to timely locate underground lines, like when a homeowner or contractor calls 811 before digging.
Source: CJonline

Hundreds of cyclists from across the Four-State area and beyond took over the streets and gravel roads of Crawford and Cherokee County on Saturday with the return of “Coal Miner’s Gravel.”
Source: – Latest Stories

Action from the Texas legislature threatens to derail a long-awaited rail expansion project that would make Newton a hub for Amtrak. The Texas Legislature removed $2.6 million in funding to operate its Heartland Flyer Route. The $337 billion budget is not finalized, and subject to approval of a conference committee of the state’s legislature.
Source: Harvey County Now

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.

Less than a year ago, the Federal Reserve took decisive action to bolster the U.S. economy. With inflation easing and the labor market starting to soften, the central bank opted to go big, lowering interest rates by half a percentage point and signaling further cuts to come. Rather than a panicky response to a crisis situation, the decision amounted to the Fed taking out some insurance to protect the labor market from weakening too much. In a barrage of attacks on the central bank recently, President Trump called on Jerome H. Powell, the chair, to lower borrowing costs in a similar fashion to prevent the economy from slowing down. But the Fed no longer has the flexibility to move pre-emptively.
Source: NYT > Business

Rob Steinmetz, a longtime resident of the Moody Hills neighborhood in northern Overland Park, isn’t so sure why the “beautiful” and mature oak tree in front of his yard had to be ripped out. Dozens of other mature trees have also recently met the same fate across the Moody Hills neighborhood. The street, once shaded with towering trees, is now lined with stump after stump. It’s all part of a street reconstruction project that will also completely overhaul other infrastructure in the Moody Hills neighborhood. The project is just one of several planned over the next decade or so that seek to rebuild aging neighborhood streets, which are often lined with mature trees. The need to renovate aging streets often comes into conflict with the city’s long-term commitment to promote a healthy tree canopy and can make for a tough balance to strike.
Source: Johnson County Post

Plans are quickly moving forward to redevelop a decommissioned power plant in northeast Kansas City, Kansas, as a data center. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday approved an option purchase agreement with Houston-based PowerTransitions for the sale of the Quindaro power station.
Source: Kansas City Business News – Local Kansas City News | Kansas City Business Journal

Central Kansas Mental Health Center and the Ottawa County Health Department invite the public to Roots of Resilience: A Rural Mental Health Gathering on Saturday, June 7 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at the Minneapolis Public Library Meeting Room, 519 Delia Ave. This free community event is designed to spark open conversation, reduce stigma, and connect individuals in rural and farming communities with tools and resources for mental health and suicide prevention. Whether you’re a farmer, rancher, business owner, parent, or neighbor, all are welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.
Source: KCLY Radio

On Wednesday, April 30, Governor Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency to temporarily waive hours-of-service regulations for motor carriers in Kansas. The move comes in response to a fuel shortage affecting parts of Kansas and neighboring states, which has led to long wait times at fuel terminals and disrupted supply deliveries. The waiver aims to give fuel transport drivers more flexibility to meet demand and ease distribution delays. Diesel has been impacted first, but gasoline supplies may also be affected if the shortage continues.
Source: KCLY Radio

Service providers and housing officials in Kansas launched their “Functional Zero” campaign to combat homelessness, with a focus on ensuring more people remain housed than become homeless. At a summit in Topeka, Kansas was declared a “Built for Zero” state, meaning regions will aim to reach “functional zero”—a measure of how effectively a community addresses homelessness. This goal, developed by Community Solutions, helps communities track progress in solving homelessness for specific populations like veterans or the chronically homeless.
Source: KCLY Radio

The changing political landscape around clean energy makes for an uncertain future for Kansas students training for jobs at the multi-billion-dollar Panasonic Energy plant in De Soto, Kansas.
In order to help build the workforce of the new electric battery plant in De Soto, Kansas, Panasonic Energy partnered with community colleges, including in Kansas, to create a pathway into a career at the manufacturing hub expected to employ 4,000 workers.
Source: Up To Date

Runners from across the country participated in the Prairie Fire Spring Races on Sunday. Since 2010, the Prairie Fire Marathon has grown into a premier running event, attracting more than 48,000 participants. Many have traveled to Wichita from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries. The Prairie Fire race series is split into two parts: spring and fall. The spring races are held on the first Sunday in May, while the fall races take place on the second Sunday in October. This year’s spring events included a half marathon, a 5K, and the “Mayor’s Friendly 5K Run.”
Source: KSN-TV