Kansas Municipal News
Humboldt gives lessons in diplomacy
It appeared they were at an impasse. Josh Works had asked Humboldt city council members to close off three of the streets surrounding the downtown square for the better part of the Aug. 14 Water Wars. Dan Onnen protested, saying the 2019 event “cost me an entire day of business,” at his liquor store, Freedom Liquor, on the south side of the square. “I lost hundreds of dollars in sales that day,” Onnen said. “I’m all for A Bolder Humboldt, but I also have a business to run.”
Read the diplomatic ending here: The Iola Register
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Dairy Ingredients Expansion to Create 40 Jobs, $45 Million Investment in Hugoton
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that Kansas Dairy Ingredients (KDI) Cheese Company will expand its operations in Southwest Kansas, creating 40 new jobs and investing $45 million new business dollars in the Hugoton community. “Due to our talented workforce, central location, and agricultural excellence, Kansas’ reputation as a global leader in the agribusiness and food manufacturing sectors is undeniable,” Governor Kelly said. “Congratulations to KDI on its expansion into Hugoton – I look forward to watching the company turn our state’s natural advantages into world-class products enjoyed across the globe.” The facility will produce American-style, Italian-style, Hispanic-style Cheese and European-style cheese and butter. This expansion will be environmentally conscious, with the company committed to increased investment in water reclamation and eco-friendly construction practices.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Pipeline windfall plus tax lid replacement could cut 9.363 mills
Unless it invokes special procedures, Marion County will have to reduce its property tax rate by 12.7% next year to comply with a new state law discouraging increased spending attributable to valuation windfalls. Primarily because of the end of a 10-year exemption for the Keystone pipeline crossing the county, the county will be able to raise as much money for 2022 as it raised for 2021 by imposing a tax rate of just 66.412 mills instead of its current 76.048 mills, county clerk Tina Spencer said Monday. Don’t expect the county to cut its rate by 9.363 mills, however.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Moundridge officials receive updates on pool and substation progress
The Moundridge City Council recently received an update on progress at the city pool, as well as progress to bring the electrical substation online. Murray McGee was able to share positive progress on both projects with the council. McGee advised the pool basin has been painted and striped, the walls and roof of the bathhouse are finished and fencing is now being changed over from temporary fencing to permanent fencing. Work continues in the bathhouse, as well as the concession area. McGee says the pool will likely open in mid-June with finishing touches to be completed after opening. New service for the electrical substation was switched over shortly after 4 a.m. on May 26. The interruption in service was brief for both business and residential customers. The substation is now online and working correctly.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed
For nearly a decade, public servant has kept Marion County clock tower ticking
For nearly a decade, Mike Hurst has climbed three flights of narrow, wooden stairs at the county courthouse every week to keep its centuries-old clock chiming. He visits a stuffy room that houses the clock’s mechanics and cranks a handle to wind it — ensuring that it will keep on ticking. “I love it,” he said during a Monday visit to the clock tower. “I love taking care of the clock here and I am just glad I have been able to continue through the years.” Hurst stepped up as keeper of the county’s clock when no one else wanted the job. A co-worker pleaded an absolute fear of heights as a reason not to make the climb.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Lawrence City Commission approves change that permanently allows retail, other shops the ability to sell alcohol
City leaders have voted to permanently allow more types of businesses to sell alcohol as a secondary aspect of their overall sales. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted 4-0, with Commissioner Jennifer Ananda absent, to adopt a code change that permanently allows businesses other than restaurants in the downtown and other commercial areas to have an accessory bar. Commissioners agreed that businesses, especially retail businesses downtown, needed additional options.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Lawrence to get public input on potential change to directly elected mayor, 6-member commission elected by districts
The City of Lawrence will soon be asking residents what they think about a task force’s recommendation that the city consider a form of government with a directly elected mayor and a six-member commission elected by districts. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received the recommendation of the City Government Study Task Force and directed city staff to proceed with a process to engage the public on the issue ahead of potentially putting changes to a public vote. Commissioners did not give their personal thoughts on the potential changes, but all four commissioners at the meeting — Commissioner Jennifer Ananda was absent — agreed that the next step would be to get input from residents about the task force’s recommendation ahead of potentially putting the issue on the ballot.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for June 15, 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.
A full rundown of what to expect from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday
The Federal Reserve is not expected to take any policy actions after its two-day meeting this week, but it is likely to signal that it is thinking about them. Stock futures were flat on Wednesday morning as investors awaited the 2 p.m. ET Fed statement and Chairman Jerome Powell’s news conference 30 minutes later. Some economists expect the Fed to mention a coming tapering of its bond-buying program and give preliminary guidance on the discussion but not fully commit to tapering yet. The Fed will also release new economic forecasts, which it does quarterly. There’s a chance it could pencil in an initial rate hike in 2023. In its previous forecast, there was no consensus for a rate hike among Fed officials though 2023.
Source: CNBC
Hillsboro Downtown Cruise a big success
Main Street in Hillsboro was busy Saturday evening thanks to an event put together by the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce. It all started earlier in the day with the 23rd Annual Car Show in the park. Guests could check out the cars for free. Then later that day was the Hillsboro Downtown Cruise. From 5-6:30 p.m. there was a contest for all the cars that entered. There was plenty to do though even for those without cars. Lots of fun food was available from various vendors and restaurants and several businesses were open. There was also lots of music with DJ Darcy Unrau sponsored by Hillsboro Community Hospital and free sodas from Great Plains Federal Credit Union. Even the kids had fun with treats and sidewalk chalk.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
Women in policing
When you think lights and sirens, handcuffs and arrests, most of us picture men in these uniforms. But there’s a changing dynamic in law enforcement sweeping not just the nation but Wichita Police Department…it’s women. They’re stepping up to back the blue and you on the streets while breaking barriers and smashing stereotypes that’ve kept women off the force for years. “I think over the years we’ve proven we’re just as capable, we’re just as necessary for this job.” WPD Community Policing Officer Lori Kimrey and detective Anna Hoyt set the tone when it comes to power women in policing. “We want to help people. That’s why we do our jobs,” detective Hoyt told KAKE News.
Source: KAKE – News
New report on food insecurity in southwest Kansas indicates barriers to assistance
A new report examining barriers to food access faced by many southwest Kansans shows that participation in nutrition assistance programs remained flat during the pandemic even though the need for help increased. The report by the Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is focused on food insecurity in Stevens, Seward, Grant, Ford and Finney counties. In these areas, the report indicates, the number of households receiving federal benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program declined slightly while unemployment spiked. This finding stood out to Martha Terhaar, a new campaign advocate for Kansas Appleseed, because unemployment is directly linked to food insecurity. “One of the main things you do when you file for unemployment is also apply for food stamps and SNAP benefits,” Terhaar said. “So to not see that correlation happen means, you know, something’s missing, there’s a piece of the puzzle missing.”
Source: Kansas Reflector
Express Lanes Could Ease Traffic Jams On Highway 69, But Proposed Tolls Raise Concerns About Equity
The Kansas Department of Transportation is inching closer to adding express toll lanes to relieve major traffic jams on U-S Highway 69. After two decades contending with traffic congestion and high collision rates on the Overland Park stretch of the highway, KDOT proposed the solution at a Overland Park City Council Monday night. The project would add an express lane going each direction between 103rd Street and 179th Street. Under the current proposal, drivers would have the option of paying the toll to use the faster lane or not. Deputy Transportation Secretary Lindsey Douglas sought to reiterate that tolls are associated only with express lanes. “People that use U.S. 69 today can continue to use that roadway without any change to their patterns or their behaviors,” Douglas said. The recommendation is based on a KDOT report stating that creating new lanes without imposing a toll would cost an additional $85 million to fund. According to the report, the recommended approach has the benefit of a smaller carbon footprint, as well as lower maintenance costs. The cost of using express lanes would fluctuate depending on time of day and distance traveled in the express lane. For a partial corridor trip in the morning, Douglas estimates the toll would reach somewhere near 50 cents; a full-corridor trip in the morning would be closer to $1.50, and the same trip in the afternoon would likely reach $1.75, according to Douglas.
Source: KCUR News
End of emergency brings changes to Kansas Open Meetings Act, profiteering laws
The expiration of the state’s emergency declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic also brings an end to temporary provisions of Kansas law regarding open meetings and profiteering put into effect to address the emergency, Attorney General Derek Schmidt said. On Tuesday, the Legislative Coordinating Council declined to meet to consider a request by the governor to extend the state of emergency, meaning the emergency will expire at midnight. “Public health issues related to the pandemic remain, but the emergency is ending,” Schmidt said. “That means ordinary laws and procedures, not emergency orders and rules, will now be fully in effect.”
Source: KSN-TV
Shawnee County health officials looking to improve access to food in community
Local health authorities are working to improve access to food in Shawnee County. Officials are running a “food system analysis.” This report is going to help health workers decide what needs to change to help those who are most vulnerable. The first study performed by the health department confirmed that there are food deserts in certain areas around Shawnee county. Those are areas with limited access to fresh, affordable food. The analysis will show what has changed, but also identify additional challenges caused by the pandemic.
Source: KSNT News
Department of Commerce OKs STAR bonds for new Museum of Art and Light
The new Museum of Art and Light project is moving forward following the approval of $23 million in sales tax and revenue (STAR) bonds from the Kansas Department of Commerce. David Toland, Kansas lieutenant governor and secretary of commerce, confirmed the issuance of the bonds to the city via letter earlier this month. City manager Ron Fehr received the letter June 7, said Vivienne Uccello, public information officer. “We are certainly very pleased with the Department of Commerce approval for the project and eligibility for STAR Bond financing,” Fehr said in an email to The Mercury on Tuesday. “It certainly has great potential to be a significant attraction to the community, region, state and Midwest.”
Source: themercury.com
Kansas public schools calculating how to spend $830 million in federal pandemic aid
The Kansas Department of Education plans to use a slice of $830 million in new federal funding for public education to address COVID-19 learning deficits by training K-3 teachers to help students absorb more from their reading about science. Half of the 10% set aside for the state agency must be dedicated to rebounding students from the pandemic, while 1% has to be allocated for summer session and 1% for after-school programs. These dollars are to be invested in 286 public school districts across Kansas to counter the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on certain student populations and take into account the overall social, emotional and academic needs of nearly 500,000 children.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Contract negotiations stall between Topeka police union and city
The Fraternal Order Of Police and the city of Topeka are in a deadlock over contract negotiations, the union announced Tuesday. In a release, the union said the two sides had started to meet in February and sessions were expected to end May 27. The union said it agreed to extend negotiations through June 9 at the city’s request, but issues couldn’t be resolved. The Topeka Police Department is facing “an alarming staffing shortfall” with an unusually high number of resignations and retirements, according to the union.
Source: KSNT News
Wichita City Hall passes anti-discrimination ordinance after long, emotional debate
The Wichita City Council has given tentative approval to an anti-discrimination ordinance protecting sexual, racial and other minorities, following emotional pleas from discrimination victims and at times intense debate on the council bench. The new ordinance is designed to ban discrimination citywide on the basis of “actual or perceived age, color, disability, familial status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin or ancestry, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other factor protected by law.” It would apply to all workplaces, housing and public-serving businesses in the city.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
WSU Environmental Finance Center releases financial planning tool for water utility infrastructure investments
Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center’s Community Sustainability Tool is a user-friendly planning resource that helps municipalities, states, and other organizations assess if their community’s water/wastewater rates can potentially support infrastructure investments into the future. Learn more about WSU’s Community Sustainability Tool by visiting www.wichita.edu/communitysustainabilitytool.
Many communities throughout the country are faced with difficult decisions about updating or replacing their aging drinking water and wastewater utility infrastructure to continue to provide their customers with compliant, safe drinking water and sewage treatment processes. These investments are expensive and take careful planning by community decision makers.
WSU’s Community Sustainability Tool uses a combination of user data and program-generated forecasts to broadly predict the future average water bill needed to sustain utility investments. The tool also shows the ability to sustain infrastructure investments in relation to the community’s forecasted median household income. The tool can be used as a decision-making guide for further investigation into a community’s proposed water utility infrastructure investments.
“The Community Sustainability Tool is a planning resource for community leaders, mayors, public works directors and even citizens. When it is time to upgrade or improve water or wastewater infrastructure, this tool can help communities understand their ability to pay for these large investments over time.” said Tonya Bronleewe, Director of the Environmental Finance Center. “One of the biggest benefits of this tool is that the calculations are targeted to each community, since no two communities are the same.”
The free, interactive tool is currently released for communities in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. Users can access the Community Sustainability Tool online, or the Microsoft Excel version of the tool may be downloaded, which allows users to operate the tool offline and save different scenarios.