Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

City says its making progress on recovering from recent Wichita cyberattack

It’s been almost a month since hackers got into the city’s computers, shutting down many of its operations along with stealing the personal data of some residents. The city says it has made good progress on recovering, but there’s still a long way to go. “Fortunately for me, all of my bills are included in my rent. And so I’m just grateful that I don’t have to go through that,” said resident Alizah Hatcher. Hatcher is one of the few Wichita residents who hasn’t been affected by the recent cyberattack, but she says everyone around her is. “It’s amazing the work that our staff is able to do. I realize that we’re not moving as quickly or as fast as some would like,” said Assistant City Manager Donte Martin at Tuesday’s City Council Workshop.
Source: KAKE – News

County manager warns JoCo’s 5-year budget forecast ‘not sustainable’

County commissioners begin their first budget meetings with department heads Thursday as they consider a quarter-mill decrease in the county’s property tax rate along with a sobering assessment by County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson that revenues will not keep up with expenses over the longer term. “We’ve got to really prepare ourselves in the coming budgets,” Postoak Ferguson told commissioners as she outlined her proposed budget last week. During that presentation, she said current trends in housing valuations and tax revenues will continue to put pressure on the county’s property tax rate, or mill levy.
Source: Johnson County Post

Low water levels at Cheney Reservoir could mean mandatory water restrictions

As the City of Wichita waits for crews to finalize the latest water level readings at the Cheney Reservoir, we could be just around the corner from mandatory water restrictions. “Makes you think. Kind of eye-opening. Like, really? We could experience that?” This was the reaction from many residents like Katie Bickell Monday after seeing the latest images of Cheney Lake and learning that Wichita is extremely close to doing something it hasn’t done in more than ten years – forcing people to start saving water. “Honestly mind-blowing. Because you hear about like, water restrictions and other places, but never really like in your own hometown. And I’ve kind of never really heard of Wichita doing that before,” said Bickell. Wichita gets its water from Cheney Reservoir. Looking at new drone video from Monday, you see lots of muddy land far below where the water is supposed to be.
Source: KAKE – News

Like cities around it, Mission weighs new restrictions on AirBnbs

Another Johnson County city is considering stricter regulations for AirBnbs and Vrbos. The Mission City Council during a mid-May work session expressed support for two separate ordinances — one specific to short-term rentals and a second one about nuisance parties — dealing with such properties. No formal action was taken by the city council. If such ordinances are adopted by the city council, then Mission will join the growing list of Johnson County cities that are tightening short-term rental restrictions. So far in 2024, the cities of Fairway, Merriam and Shawnee have all taken formal action that dictates how AirBnbs and Vrbos can operate in city limits.
Source: Johnson County Post

Prairie Village OKs $2M toward new city hall project. What happens next?

Additional design work can move forward on Prairie Village’s new proposed city hall, after the city council approved the biggest expenditure to date for the much-discussed project. In a 7-3 vote Monday, the Prairie Village City Council approved a $2 million supplement to its agreement with Kansas City-based firm Clark and Enersen for additional work designing a rebuilt city hall.
Source: Johnson County Post

Courthouse use fee waived for non-profits, school districts

The new hourly fee to use the Jackson County Courthouse grounds and facilities, such as the bathrooms or meeting room, for special events has been waived for non-profit organizations and school districts. The $40 per hour fee (per custodian), which was approved earlier this year, was recently challenged by local community members and members of the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson County Community Foundation. The fee was imposed to cover the cost of overtime and benefits for the custodial staff, which includes two employees. There is no fee required just to use the grounds. The fee is imposed if the Courthouse needs to open for the public to have access to the bathrooms or the meeting room. Members of the Chamber and the JCCF said that the new fee cuts into the small profit the non-profits make during their events, such as Glory Days and Fall Fest. After discussing the issue at two weekly meetings, the commissioners met with Ashlee York, Janette Hammack and Lauren Golden with the Chamber, Rod Wittmer of the JCCF, Bruce Shaw and Holton City Commissioner Marilyn Watkins to discuss the fee. The commissioners agreed that if a verified non-profit wants to use the grounds, then the fee will be waived. The fee will also be waived for school districts.
Source: Holton Recorder

Goessel hears wind farm concerns and opposition to firing

The Goessel city council met on May 20 and heard a request from resident Brian Stucky about setting a no-wind generator zone around the City of Goessel. He suggested a three-mile buffer zone. He mentioned the Sunflower wind project and the Diamond Vista wind farm company in the northern part of the county. The plan is to install 600-foot-tall wind turbines near Goessel. The townships of West Branch, East Branch, Menno and Liberty could be impacted. The project is proposed by Orsted, a foreign company from Denmark. Stucky said there are “pros and cons” to wind turbines. He grew up near the equus beds and heard about the importance of the water supply. Goessel depends on that source of water. He is concerned about the possibility of groundwater contamination by concrete base construction deep in the ground. He mentioned other health concerns and said that wind turbines do not belong near dense population. Stucky emphasized that he is not opposed to some forms of alternative energy and has had passive solar hot air panels on his house since 1982.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Local forum held to discuss future of City Park and indoor aquatics

A public forum was hosted Thursday night by the League of Women Voters of Manhattan/Riley County to allow the public to learn more about a possible overhaul of City Park and a new indoor aquatics center concept that could end up in front of voters this fall. Local officials close to the project took part in a forum Thursday evening at the Manhattan Public Library, hosted by the League of Women Voters. The League shared its own concerns about City Park as the potential location for an indoor water facility concept. David Dzewaltowski, Professor Emeritus of Kinesiology at Kansas State University, says a central location makes the most sense for city and chamber officials wanting to use any potential facility as an economic driver for the community. City officials are set to consider a master plan for parks and rec on June 18. Look for more information from Thursday’s forum in this weekend’s edition of the Manhattan Mercury.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Governor Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Kansas House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Les Mason

Today, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags be lowered to half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities effective immediately until sundown on the day of interment in honor of Kansas House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Les Mason. He represented Kansas House District 73 of McPherson for 10 years. “Assistant Majority Leader Mason was a devoted public servant,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “For the last decade, he represented his constituents and the McPherson community with honor. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.” This flag order will be updated when the date of interment is determined.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $4M Awarded through Broadband ADOPT Program

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that seven organizations will receive a combined $3.9 million in grants through the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program. ADOPT supports the Kelly administration’s work to connect more Kansans to high-speed internet by making public Wi-Fi accessible and distributing devices in underserved areas. “Kansans rely on technology for work, school, health care, and connecting to each other,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The ADOPT grants support community organizations in our shared mission to connect more people to the internet and critical digital skills.” The program helps organizations serving Kansans move forward by ensuring that communities can access public Wi-Fi and the devices needed to participate in today’s technology-driven world. “As internet access continues to play a more prevalent part in our day-to-day lives, high-speed internet can no longer be considered a luxury,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Providing access to devices and accessible Wi-Fi means that we are investing in the future of Kansans and in the future of our great state as a whole.” To continue connecting Kansans to devices and internet access across the state, an additional round of funding will open later this year with $10.4 million available.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

Wichita offering homes under new housing fund program

The City of Wichita is looking for buyers for 57 homes under the city’s new Affordable Housing Fund. The fund was created to improve the quality of existing housing stock, expand affordable housing options, and promote neighborhood stability. There are 41 homes being offered in northeast Wichita, along Minnesota, Ash, Piatt and Madison streets, between 25th and 26th Streets. There are also 16 homes in southwest Wichita, in the area of Pawnee and Meridian. Bidders can purchase available units within these areas, propose a per-unit scope of work for necessary renovations, request up to $40,000 per housing unit for renovation, and they can request project based voucher assistance. Bidders will have to propose an affordable housing outcome for these homes, so they will have to make sure there is a qualified low-to-moderate-income resident to live in the home. Sarah Gooding with the city’s Department of Housing and Community Services said this is the renovation phase of the Affordable Housing Fund program, so the city will be looking for qualified applicants with experience in single-family housing rehabilitation or construction, and experience in working with local, state and federal funds or housing programs. The homes must be available as affordable housing for 15 years. The next phase will be the opportunity phase, to help income-qualified people in buying or renting these homes. More information on the program is available on the city’s web site at wichita.gov
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Wichita teens working on beautification project

Teens from the Wichita area are working this week to paint nine houses, and they’re also working on projects at Carpenter Place, a local children’s home. The Wichita WorkCamp summer service project is marking its 17th anniversary, and it involves 75 teenagers and college students from across the nation, plus 75 adult volunteers. Each volunteer pays a fee to participate and that helps to cover the cost of the supplies, allowing the group to offer services free of charge. The WorkCamp is hosted by the Northside Church of Christ and it is also sponsored by a number of local businesses.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $3M to Improve Digital Literacy in Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $2.8 million is being invested in 15 organizations through the Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans (DOCK) program. The DOCK grants will improve the digital skills of Kansans who have not yet been able to fully capitalize on the power of the internet. “The DOCK program demonstrates our commitment to provide the digital tools Kansans need to drive innovation and compete in the global market,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These awards are a critical investment to connect all Kansans and support their success in the future economy.” These investments provide Kansans the digital literacy skills necessary to live, learn, work, and compete equitably in a technology-driven society. “These targeted grants will help improve the ability for Kansans to participate in the digital age and in doing so, promote economic opportunity for all,” Senate President Ty Masterson said. “Much like reading, digital literacy is increasingly critical, and the DOCK program recognizes that reality.” “These DOCK program grants will no doubt help to strengthen our Kansas communities, broaden the skillsets of our Kansas workforce, and truly open up a world of opportunity for Kansas citizens by empowering them with the digital tools they need to compete and thrive in today’s job market,” Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins said. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact of DOCK for Kansans all across the state.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Municipal Bond Trends for June 3, 2024

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.

Municipal Bond Trends for May 31, 2024

Municipal Bond Trends for May 30, 2024

Municipal Bond Trends for May 29, 2024

“Little House on the Prairie” cast to gather in Independence

The cast from the popular television program “Little House on the Prairie,” which aired on NBC television in the 1970s and 1980s, are hitching up the wagons and headed to Independence on May 31-June 2 for a reunion experience with fans. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the popular television show that was based on the children’s novel by the same written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The book, which is a fictional account of early-day pioneers in Kansas, is based on the Ingalls family’s years in Montgomery County. The Ingalls family lived in Rutland Township from 1868 to 1871.
Source: Facebook