Municipal News & Jobs

The City of Lawrence has issued a cease and desist order to AT&T and its subcontractors for all active projects in the city because of numerous complaints and what the city describes as reckless behavior. In a news release Thursday, the city states that all right-of-way permits applied for by AT&T and its contractors will be denied until further notice. The release states that the city has received numerous complaints from residents and the other utilities operating in city right-of-way areas regarding the behavior of AT&T and its contractors. In the cease and desist order, the city states that the city has received complaints from residents and other public utility companies on “numerous occasions” regarding AT&T’s “continuous reckless, illegal, and discourteous behavior within the City.” The order states the main problem is AT&T and its contractors working in the right of way without having properly performed utility location.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Haven, Kansas, is about the last place most people would expect a debate on critical race theory. The small town of 1,200 people halfway between Hutchinson and Wichita is a far cry from New York City or Chicago or other larger districts that have rethought the teaching of issues of race and American history — moves that have embittered conservative lawmakers nationally. But as the debate surrounding CRT, primarily taught at institutions of higher learning, has divided educators, legislators and parents, one member of the Haven Unified School District 312 board decided they needed to take a stand.
Source: CJonline.com.

A commission tapped by Gov. Laura Kelly to probe racial equity in Kansas has recommended schools in the state “review and eliminate” the use of American Indian mascots, nicknames or imagery. The guidance from the Commission on Racial Equity and Justice is voluntary but comes as many schools throughout the state are reevaluating mascots that many consider to be offensive and derogatory. The move wasn’t unexpected, as many members advocated for the recommendation during a recent meeting of the commission dedicated to the subject.
Source: Salina Journal.

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.

When recently addressing the county’s support of emergency medical services in the 2022 budget, Scott County Hospital CEO Mark Burnett pointed out to commissioners that he’s requesting an additional $60,000 in next year’s budget. That would boost the county contribution to $260,000, compared to $200,000 this year and $180,000 two years ago. EMS, which covers staff and general operations for the ambulance service, is not a money-maker for the hospital, Burnett points out. “Even with this budget request, it will still operate at about a $27,000 loss,” says Burnett.
Source: Scott County Record.

Business owner Todd Godfrey has purchased land across from his businesses on the 900 Block of North Washington Street. He intends to put up an event center he will christen “the Kaw” after a business that used to be located where his own businesses — Godfrey’s Range and Tactical Supply, Patriot Tattoo and Tanzillo’s Barber Shop — are located right now. The business, once it’s up, will contain an event venue as well as several restaurants and space for food trucks. He said he has a commitment with Never Surrender MMA which is located in Abilene to bring in fights about four times a year.
Source: JC Union.

South Hutchinson’s new city administrator asked the Reno County Commission Tuesday to pick up at least half the cost of replacing a bridge on Scott Boulevard that he contends is the county’s responsibility and whose closure to heavy county trucks is damaging city streets. Joseph Turner, who appeared before the commission during its public comment session, argued that the assumption that the city became responsible for the bridge due to a 1986 annexation of land or a 2012 unwritten agreement were questionable. However, the county commission declined to immediately take up the issue, with two of three commissioners contending county staff first needs to research it. … Turner, who has been on the job a little over a month, said the county’s detoured public works traffic has resulted in over a dozen waterline breaks and “serious damage to roadways.” “When I got here, I was told the bridge was the City of South Hutchinson’s responsibility to replace, but when I started looking at maps, it appeared the bridge is not in the city limits,” he said. “That put me on a path to investigate.”
Source: Hutch News.

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.

Municipals were mostly steady Wednesday… after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said scaling back asset purchases was not on the table yet. Triple-A benchmarks did see some strength on the short end, moving yields lower by a basis point, while out longer there was slight pressure on levels. … Reaching “substantial further progress” toward its maximum-employment and price-stability goals, which will allow the Federal Reserve to cut back on asset purchases “is still a ways off,” Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell repeated Wednesday. Testifying before the House Financial Services Committee, where many members expressed concern about inflation, Powell said price pressures are transitory and the economy will continue to need accommodation even when the pandemic ends and the labor market rebounds. Preemptive action would harm the economy.
Source: Bond Buyer.