Kansas Municipal News
SEK gets $1M grant to fight opioids
To fight the ongoing opioid crisis — the addiction to high-powered prescription painkillers — a Southeast Kansas coalition will work to remove the barriers that keep someone from treatment. In large part, that translates to transportation, helping someone get to treatment or a job. It could also mean help paying for counseling and treatment programs. A $1 million federal grant will help area counties with those issues and more over the next three years. Thrive Allen County announced it has received a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grant will provide about $333,000 a year to address opioid misuse in Allen, Wilson, Woodson, Coffey, Bourbon and Neosho counties. It will begin Sept. 1.
Source: The Iola Register
Sign up for the free Water Rate Checkup Tool Workshop (Ottawa) on August 24
The Rate Checkup program is a free on-line tool that was developed to assist small Kansas public water supply systems with the process of reviewing water rates. This tool was made available and developed through funding from KDHE and additional technical assistance is available and provided by Ranson Financial Group LLC through a technical assistance contract with KDHE. This training will provide classroom instruction as well as interactive use of the Rate Checkup tool. The session provides participants with a basic understanding of the on-line tool’s functionality and usability.
Sign up here.
Kansas lawmakers try to tackle water issues amid drought conditions
A draft copy of the state’s water plan, released once every five years, lays bare the problem in stark terms. “It is not an overstatement to say that the future of habitability in much of western Kansas is at stake,” the plan reads, mere pages into the 200-plus page document. Titus Jaeger, who works on conservation issues and is a representative on a regional water advisory committee, said he has seen the issues firsthand over the years. He noted the Arkansas River has lost streamflow between Garden City and Dodge City in his lifetime — and experts agree more extreme fallout could occur if action isn’t taken.
Source: CJonline
‘More than bricks and glass,’ Volland Store brings art, stories to Wabaunsee County
Patty Reece was new in Wabaunsee County when she and her husband first spotted the structural remains of the abandoned Volland Store, a large brick building in sad disrepair. “We have always loved old buildings and have felt sadness when they melted into the earth — as so many have,” she said. “The roof of the building was gone, as were many of the windows. Weeds were tall, trees were encroaching on the foundation, but the building was straight and strong.” Her interest in the building led her on a fact-finding mission with neighbors and community members. She began to hear funny tales of the people who had gathered there and fond memories of storekeeper Otto Kratzer, “who always gave penny candy to the neighborhood kids,” Patty said.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Shawnee Mission School District still trying to settle $675K gas bill created by February winter storm
The Shawnee Mission School District says it is still trying to negotiate with a Texas-based natural gas company over the final price of an unusually high energy bill created by February’s record cold snap. District officials say SMSD currently owes Houston-based Symmetry Energy Solutions slightly more than $675,700. That’s a significant drop from the initial $1.6 million invoice Symmetry billed the district in March but still roughly equals what the district typically budgets for gas for an entire school year.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Municipal Bond Trends for August 18, 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.
Allen County to switch ambulance services
Allen County will pursue a contract with a private company to provide countywide ambulance services starting in 2022. County commissioners voted, 2-1, Tuesday to negotiate solely with American Medical Response, and to let its existing EMS contract with the City of Iola expire on Dec. 31. The move is certain to have major ramifications within the Iola Fire Department, because firefighters man ambulances throughout the county from stations in Iola, Humboldt and Moran. “The decision was not made lightly,” Commissioner David Lee said, noting he’d had “a lot of sleepless nights” during negotiations. “But at the end of the day, I think the contract we’re gonna be pursuing is better for the county.”
Source: The Iola Register
Unionizing new Amazon workers top priority for Wichita labor leaders
Several unions in the Wichita area are preparing to attempt to organize new Amazon workers in Wichita and Park City, local labor leaders said, despite the online retail giant’s success in so far keeping unions at bay in warehouses across the country. “I may be a bit too much of an optimist, but the only way you ever accomplish anything is by trying,” said Esau Freeman, the business representative for the Service Employees International Union Local 513, which represents workers at the city of Wichita and USD 259. Freeman said he has given his business card to any Amazon workers he has seen driving around town or run into, and that workers have received it well so far.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Wichita, Sedgwick County leaders declare formal support for Amtrak expansion
Wichita City Council members and Sedgwick County Commissioners have been involved in discussions over the past decade on returning passenger rail service to south central Kansas, but they have now declared formal support for an expansion of Amtrak service. Sedgwick County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution of support Wednesday for the extension of Amtrak services. The Wichita City Council approved a similar resolution last week. The city has not had direct access to passenger service since 1979. In recent years, Wichita residents have had to travel to Newton or Hutchinson to access Amtrak services. Amtrak has been studying an expansion of the Heartland Flyer route from Oklahoma City to Wichita and Newton, to connect to the Southwest Chief service that runs through southwest Kansas. The expansion is estimated to add 100,000 to 200,000 passengers a year. The expansion would also connect to other Amtrak routes west to Los Angeles and east to Kansas City and Chicago.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Governor Laura Kelly Announces 250 New Jobs in Emporia
Governor Laura Kelly today announced Communications Solutions, LLC (CSLLC) will expand its operations to Emporia, Kansas, creating 250 new jobs. “Our partnership with CSLCC, which will create 250 new jobs in Emporia, is a testament to our state’s talented workforce and strong economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Congratulations to CSLLC and Emporia on this exciting announcement. We’ll continue prioritizing pro-growth policies to recruit new businesses and families to our state.” CSLLC is a premier provider of Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer Call Center services. The company is purchasing a facility to create a new call center in response to growing customer demand, with hiring for the new location already underway.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
A short-staffed Sedgwick County now offers signing bonuses up to $5,000
To combat widespread staffing shortages, Sedgwick County is offering signing bonuses up to $5,000 for some new employees. The signing bonuses are available for new hires in facilities maintenance, emergency communications (911) and Comcare — departments in which the county is having trouble attracting applicants, County Manager Tom Stolz told commissioners Wednesday. “It is a trial policy to see if the use of signing bonuses is an effective way to bolster and recruit workforce in areas that have large numbers of openings of specialty positions,” Stolz said.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Board of Regents session raises open meeting questions
The Kansas Board of Regents is convening virtually Wednesday afternoon to vote on the profile that will be used to pick the next president of Kansas State University. But the only way to watch the 4 p.m. Zoom meeting is to drive to the board’s Topeka office, where it will be livestreamed. Emily Bradbury, executive director of the Kansas Press Association, said in a joint statement with the Kansas Association of Broadcasters that the board’s decision to limit access to the public meeting is irresponsible. “While the Kansas Board of Regents may not have to provide a link to the meeting to abide by [the Kansas Open Meetings Act], it begs the question why they are conducting the meeting via zoom for board members but requiring members of the public to travel to Topeka to observe that very meeting,” Mazzei wrote in an email.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Pizza Hut can serve beer, thanks to pastor
More than four decades after opening in Hillsboro, Pizza Hut can now serve its customers a beer. Until Tuesday, the restaurant was banned from serving beer because city code prevents cereal malt beverage from being served within 200 feet of any school, college, or church. Pizza Hut is within 200 feet of Hillsboro United Methodist Church. Although no one from Pizza Hut came to talk to city council members Tuesday, the pastor of the church came to advocate letting Pizza Hut sell beer.
Source: Marion County RECORD
Parsons selected for regional criminal justice training site
Parsons will be home to a new regional criminal justice training site for law enforcement. Agencies from 16 regional counties will report to the new center for criminal justice training. Officials hope to get the new center up and running in the next 90 days. The 16 counties to be served by the site are: Lyon, Greenwood, Elk, Chautauqua, Coffey, Woodson, Wilson, Montgomery, Anderson, Allen, Neosho, Labette, Linn, Bourbon, Crawford and Cherokee. “This is a huge step forward for our agency and our region,” said Parsons Police Sgt. Jason Ludwig. “Training is critical for smaller rural agencies where staff members have to be generalists, who have a wide range of abilities from crime response, criminal investigation, crime scene management and core skills from firearms, driving and defensive tactics.”Earlier this month, the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center training council voted unanimously to select Parsons as the new training site. The group met in Parsons with area officers and other law enforcement staff to look for a location in Southeast Kansas.
Source: Parsons Sun
Rural residents air concerns about dangerous dirt ‘detour’
Residents along an unofficial detour voiced their concerns to the Neosho County Commission Tuesd ay after a fatality accident last week. Marilyn Henry, who lives in the first mile north of the intersection of Elk Road and K-47, was one of about a dozen residents at the meeting and spoke to the commission about heavy traffic around the US-169 construction project. Four miles of Elk Road are dirt between K-47 and 150th Road. The stretch is posted 30 miles per hour and through trucks are prohibited. Commissioners on Tuesday approved a resolution that specifically prohibits through-truck traffic on Elk, Chase and Douglas roads between K-47 and 160th. Henry presented a petition to the commission with about two dozen signatures asking for action on the road. She said she set up a trail camera at her residence, and during a one-week period counted up to 2,276 vehicles per day – and from between 43 to 302 tractor-trailer rigs.
Source: The Chanute Tribune
Want to rent a scooter in Prairie Village? Residents may soon have that option
The city of Prairie Village is on the brink of making way for a fleet of dozens of rentable, motorized electric scooters, though lingering concerns about the vehicles has prompted the city to consider a pilot program that can be ended relatively quickly. The city council previously expressed some concerns over adding scooters to city streets, but the council committee of the whole on Monday approved entering a memorandum of understanding for a pilot program with Bird, one of the biggest players in the growing e-scooter market. Mayor Eric Mikkelson said he’s supportive of the pilot program because it will allow the city to look into the viability of alternative modes of transportation.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Sedgwick County hospitals reach “critical” status with new COVID-19 cases
Sedgwick County hospitals now report they are in a “critical” status with new cases of COVID-19. According to data from the county’s COVID-19 web page, there are 147 people hospitalized with the virus, and 56 of them are in the intensive care unit. Sedgwick County reported 142 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, with two new deaths. The county has had a total of 53,212 cases for the pandemic, with 669 deaths. The state of Kansas reported 3,006 new cases on Wednesday, compared to Monday’s numbers. There are 62 new deaths, to bring the state’s total to 5,456. The state also reported 98 new hospitalizations.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Council decides not to seek attorney general opinion
At Marysville City Council’s July 26 meeting, council member Terry Hughes said he wanted to request a Kansas attorney general’s opinion on the council’s action to pass Ordinance 1900, which amends Ordinance 1891 and gives the city administrator direct control of non-elected personnel. The ordinance was passed at the June 28 meeting. Hughes said he’s worried about the city being sued for delegating the council’s responsibility to the city administrator. Ordinance 1900 provides a reasoning for previous repeals of city ordinances. The repeals allow for the city administrator to have direct control over city employees. City clerk Cindy Holle said this ordinance is to clarify that the city administrator already had this power. St. John said the city attorney, John McNish, recommends Ordinance 1900 and his stance has not changed after reading it. St. John also said McNish said asking for an attorney general’s opinion takes time. It has taken the state office up to two years to respond to a city in the past.
Source: The Marysville Advocate
Local developers request Bel Aire incentives to buy Wichita Hoops facility, build new spec warehouses
A group of recognizable Wichita developers is turning its attention to a growing industrial park in Bel Aire. Webb Industrial LLC, the entity that includes Steve Barrett, Ivan Crossland Jr. and Dave Murfin, have asked the Bel Aire City Council for industrial revenue bonds to fund two projects within Sunflower Commerce Park at 53rd Street and Webb Road. One involves the purchase of the bank-owned Wichita Hoops facility, and another for the construction of two new speculative warehouse buildings nearby.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Kansas’ pension system had one of its best years ever in 2021
The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System saw its investment portfolio turn in one of the strongest years ever in the 2021 fiscal year — although lawmakers are still parsing out how to handle a significant unfunded liability going forward. Pension funds nationally have announced sky-high investment returns, powered by a stock market that has rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, helping states beat out their expected gains several times over. Kansas was no exception, KPERS Spokesperson Kristen Basso said in an email, reporting a 26.3% rate of return for the 2021 fiscal year, which ended in June. For context, that is the third highest return in the past 45 years and well above the state’s assumed rate of return of 7.75%.
Source: CJonline