Municipal News & Jobs

The head of Wichita’s water system says he hears many ideas about how to keep the city’s water supply from drying up. On Tuesday, he told city leaders why some of those ideas would not work and proposed some ideas the city has never considered. Gary Janzen is the director of Wichita Public Works and Utilities. He told the Wichita City Council that the city is still in Stage 2 of its drought response plan and will likely stay there for the rest of the year. People can only water lawns and flowers once a week. “This isn’t just so people can keep watering their grass,” he said. “This is about the future of our city and the ability for us to grow, to help with economic development.” The water level at Cheney Lake determines the drought stage. The snow and rain over the winter raised it a foot, but it is still down 7.5 feet from normal.
Source: KSN-TV

Ask for a ride and support your community, organizers say. A one-day drive aims to raise awareness of the need for more regional public transportation options, including same-day ride services.
“Drive to Thrive: A Ride Blitz” is set for Tuesday, April 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Cloud County. Organized by OCCK, Inc., rides are provided by OCCK Transportation, which serves north-central Kansas with accessible, affordable transit services.
Source: KSN-TV

Gamers will have a new space to call home in the Midwest very soon. In just a few weeks, an Esports arena will open at the 12th Street Community Center in Junction City, bringing gaming and life skills to the Sunflower State.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Measles cases are on the rise in southwest Kansas as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has recorded 10 confirmed cases as of Friday, March 21. The risk of measles spreading in Kansas remains low. However, pockets of low vaccination coverage leave some communities at higher risk for outbreaks according to the KDHE. The cases have been confirmed in Stevens, Morton and Grant counties, with no hospitalizations or deaths.
Source: Garden City Telegram

The natural gas supply to Hoxie was cut off Monday morning. Midwest Energy says they lost the gas supply line that feeds the city. Meters were turned off until gas could be restored. The utility says it has established service to the city and crews are going door-to-door relighting customers’ appliances.
Source: KSN-TV

Governor Laura Kelly has signed off on multiple bills this week, ushering in a slew of new laws for the State of Kansas. Kelly announced in a press release on Monday, March 24 that she has approved six bills that will become new laws in the Sunflower State. These include the following:
Senate Bill 8 – requires drivers proceed with caution when passing stationary vehicles that are displaying hazard warning lights.
Senate Bill 2 – validating the election results for the bond issuance question sent by the USD 200 Board of Education, Greeley County, at a special election held in May 2024.
Senate Bill 7 – increases the statutory limits on bonds issued by a township on township population and purpose of the bond issuance.
Senate Bill 88 – requires the state long-term care ombudsman and regional ombudsman to receive training in memory care.
Senate Bill 175 – updates the definition of athletic trainer and provides an exemption for those licensed in another state, District of Columbia, territory or foreign country to practice in Kansas.
House Bill 2261 – resolves ambiguity surrounding the classification of Kansas Highway Patrol majors.
Source: KSNT 27 News

A local museum showcasing the bright and colorful world of OZ in northeast Kansas has made some changes recently to enhance the experience of guests. 27 News spoke with Katlyn Britton, operations coordinator at the OZ Museum and Columbian Theatre, to learn more about what has changed following the completion of recent renovation work. She said the museum hasn’t undergone any major renovations since 2003 with recent work focusing on making the place more accessible and welcoming.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Wichitans will wait longer than expected to start drinking water from a new $574 million water treatment plant. Wichita Water Works, the new plant near Sedgwick County Zoo, is already six months behind schedule and tens of millions of dollars over its original budget. The latest deadline for “final completion” is April 1.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

Wichita is set to sell another list of properties scattered around the city as it sheds public housing inventory. The City Council is expected to approve the sale of eight single-family homes located in the south, southeast, north and northeast parts of the city during Tuesday’s consent agenda meeting and workshop. According to an agenda report, the single-family homes are part of 61 homes that the Wichita Housing Authority approved to remove from the city’s 352-home public housing portfolio in June 2024.
Source: Wichita Business News – Local Wichita News | The Wichita Business Journal

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.

After a developer investing in a key site in Roeland Park questioned a city policy that puts them on the hook for spending $800,000 on public art, the city tweaked its policy to be more accommodating. At the same time, Roeland Park is creating a public art master plan that will guide the city’s arts committee on future public art opportunities. The city’s old public arts policy had required new developments, like Aldi and the Sunflower Medical Group in recent years, to contribute public art equivalent to 1% of the total project costs.
Source: Johnson County Post

The NCAA has come and gone for Wichita. From Wednesday to Saturday, Intrust Bank Arena saw around 46,000 people in and out of the tournament, with even more on the streets outside. Such a big event comes with days of cleanup, and things are moving swiftly. Event Elements, which helped set up and maintain many tents and party venues, estimates they’ll be done by Tuesday. That gives them and the arena plenty of time to reflect on how Wichita handled the national stage. According to Boleski, the tournament went smoothly, with only a few minor hitches. He and his team intend to use the experience they have gained to correct any issues.
Source: KSN-TV

Working for you, 27 News confirmed that a major reusable packaging manufacturer is closing its Osage City facility. ORBIS Corporation announced on Friday, March 21 that it made the decision to shut down its Osage City facility. The 200,000-square-foot plastic manufacturing and warehouse space employs 79 people, according to a press release from ORBIS Corporation. ORBIS Corporation said the plant closure was decided due to the size, age and configuration of the Osage City plant. The company said modernization and reconfiguration isn’t viable for the warehouse.
Source: KSNT 27 News

The City of Galena names a city park after two of its own. City leaders voted at Monday’s council meeting (3/17) to name the park, “The Schwartz Park” after longtime residents Charles “Corky” and Mary Schwartz. The couple lived on a hill just beside the park and volunteered their time to oversee it — including picking up trash and keeping up the park’s well-being. Along with two pavilions already donated and named after the couple, the park is home to the city pool, a new splash pad, basketball and volleyball courts, a playground, and walking track.
Source: KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com

Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday will consider a common consumption area (CCA) ordinance that would allow consumption of alcohol from licensed establishments within a particular boundary. They’re having a special legislative meeting in place of the scheduled work session. The proposal follows a Sept. 24 work session involving city, Aggieville and Downtown business association officials, as well as the Riley County Police Department and Kansas Alcohol Beverage Control. Downtown Business Association officials have drafted an approach for an ongoing common consumption area daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Source: News Radio KMAN

Conflict over urban expansion into rural areas of Johnson County has inspired an effort in the Kansas Legislature to restrict city annexation authority elsewhere, including for Topeka, at a time when the capital city is looking to grow.
Source: CJonline

The Federal Reserve in a closely watched decision Wednesday held the line on benchmark interest rates though still indicated that reductions are likely later in the year. Faced with pressing concerns over the impact tariffs will have on a slowing economy, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee kept its key borrowing rate targeted in a range between 4.25%-4.5%, where it has been since December. Markets had been pricing in virtually zero chance of a move at this week’s two-day policy meeting. Along with the decision, officials updated their rate and economic projections for this year and through 2027 and altered the pace at which they are reducing bond holdings.
Source: Bonds

Wichita took steps this week to protect its public drinking water supply in case of a catastrophic failure at its new $574 million water treatment plant. The new plant — Wichita Water Works — is expected to be certified and permitted for safe operation within the next few months. It would replace the city’s Main Water Treatment Plant as the sole provider of drinking water for about 500,000 residents. Demolishing or mothballing the old plant would have undercut a major reason the city built the new plant: to address concerns that its water plant is a single point of failure, meaning if it fails, the whole system goes down.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

After much back and forth, the Wichita City Council has approved a law that allows golf carts to be driven on some city streets. In January, the council passed a more restrictive ordinance, then withdrew it and sought feedback from residents at district advisory board meetings. “This will save police time. It’ll legalize golf carts so police don’t have to go out when somebody calls and says ‘somebody’s riding a golf cart,’” councilmember J.V. Johnston said. State law prohibits the use of golf carts on city streets unless a city passes its own ordinance regulating golf cart use. The new ordinance allows golf carts to be used on streets where the speed limit is 30 mph or less.
Source: Wichita Kansas Local News, Crime & More |

After months of pushing back and forth between Peabody Main Street Association and Kansas Department of Commerce, the two have resolved their differences and Main Street will get the second half of a grant awarded in 2023. Lt. Gov. David Toland announced last week that Commerce would pay out the second half of Main Street’s $1.5 million COVID-19-era Building a Stronger Economy grant. The grant came into dispute after Commerce learned the grant was being administered by a former Commerce employee and convicted felon still on probation in Pennsylvania for forgery, theft, and attempted theft. The former employee, Jonathan Clayton, still owed nearly $200,000 in restitution.
Source: Marion County RECORD

If there were any qualms about support for rebuilding a local nursing home destroyed in a Friday fire, those were answered emphatically when more than 70 locals crammed into the fire station for a special Yates Center City Council meeting. Yates Center Health and Rehab was destroyed after a nearby grass fire, fueled by wind gusts in excess of 50 mph, quickly consumed the facility. All 38 residents were safely evacuated, and transported to other nursing homes in the area. Monday’s meeting, as much as anything, served as a rallying cry for the community, and for a brainstorming session as to what a new facility — if it’s rebuilt — would entail.
Source: The Iola Register

Experiences of local tenants prompted Lawrence city commissioners to pursue creation of a tenant bill of rights, and to explore what it would take to ensure tenants can have legal counsel. Those discussions — among other possible actions — are still in early stages, but the first step came with a presentation to the commission Tuesday evening. Lea Roselyn, the city’s affordable housing administrator; Christina Holt, assistant director of KU’s Center for Community Health and Development; and Vince Munoz, of Lawrence Tenants, presented results of a Lawrence and Douglas County tenant survey. The survey is the work of LiveWell Douglas County’s Sexual Violence Prevention Work Group. The group launched the survey in 2023 to find out about tenants’ experiences with security deposits, screening and applications, maintenance, nonrenewals of leases, evictions and more.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday voted to change occupancy limits to allow a maximum of four unrelated adults per household in the least dense areas of town, and a maximum of five in the rest of town. The city’s new land development code was created over a two-plus-year process, with a 14-member steering committee and several public meetings. Commissioners approved it in November, and it’s set to go into effect in April. The code aims, among other things, to improve affordability and availability of housing. One way it intended to do that was by increasing the occupancy limit in some neighborhoods from three to five unrelated adults who can live in a home together. 
Source: The Lawrence Times

The Kansas Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation restored the revenue-neutral transparency protections to a bill passed by the Kansas House of Representatives by a vote of 115-6. The bill would have rewarded local governments for raising taxes while stripping those provisions from property tax increases. House Bill 2396 removed the “Truth in Taxation” bill’s revenue-neutral requirements — which require county clerks to send notices to taxpayers of every taxing subdivision notifying them of a proposed increase and the time and date of a hearing at which the entire tax increase would be voted upon. HB2396 instead would have replaced those requirements with a “protest petition” in which voters would have 30 days “Qualified voters of a taxing jurisdiction would have 30 days following the date the governing body of a taxing jurisdiction certifies to the county clerk the amount of property tax to be levied to sign a protest petition.”
Source: The Sentinel

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation announces the construction of its newest renewable energy resource, the Sunflower Electric Solar @ Russell facility, is complete. The commissioning process and initial synchronization to the electric grid are now underway, marking a significant step forward in Sunflower’s commitment to supplying reliable, cost-effective energy to its member utilities.
Source: Homepage

A tower of 100 empty plastic gallon jugs might seem an unlikely object in a museum exhibit. But the tower presents an effective monument, making the often invisible clear to see: the importance of water in our history and everyday lives. “Ripples. Water, Community and You” will be on display at the Johnson County Museum through Jan. 10.
Source: Johnson County KS News & Sports |

Kansas students are spending fewer days in school than they did decades ago, and the state’s top education leader wants that to change. Education Commissioner Randy Watson is urging districts to cancel breaks or extend the school year to make up for days that were canceled because of inclement weather. Most districts lost about eight days of school this winter because of snow or bitterly cold conditions. Watson recently told the Kansas State Board of education that districts should also consider half-day summer school in June and July, at least for kindergarten through third grade students who are below grade level in reading or math. He said the boost is needed to make up for learning losses that began before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: News

The Wichita City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to create a municipal ID, the City of Wichita ID, in an effort to lower barriers for Wichitans who lack standard documentation for a state-issued ID, such as people who are homeless. IDs will be issued at City Hall and the Multi-Agency Center, where services for the homeless are being consolidated. The ID will display a person’s name, photo, address, date of birth and ID number, making it I-9 compliant to verify an individual’s identity for employment.
Source: KLC Journal

Wichita has a rich history of hosting one of basketball’s biggest events. The NCAA Tournament has tipped off in the city 12 times since the 1950s. Eight of the dozen were played at what is now Charles Koch Arena. One was at the old Kansas Coliseum, and the remaining have been hosted at Intrust Bank Arena. The tournament first visited the Air Capital in 1956 at the Roundhouse, which was then called the University of Wichita Field House.
Source: KSN-TV

A lot of preparation has gone into getting Wichita ready for tens of thousands of fans, and that includes safety. KSN’s Derek Lytle sat down with a Wichita Police Lieutenant, Stephanie Neal, to learn how they are keeping Intrust Bank Arena and the surrounding area safe. Lt. Neal said anytime fans gather for a large sporting event, law enforcement is on high alert.  “We’re going to have the drones, the mounted unit, officers on foot, officers on bikes, the SWAT team will be down there, the bomb squad will also be down there, explosive detection K9s that will be doing sweeps every day, and throughout the day, just to make sure everyone’s safe down there,” said Neal. 
Source: KSN-TV

Parts of central Topeka have a history of high crime and low overall neighborhood health, but it’s motivating people to inspire positive change. The Central Topeka Grocery Oasis, Omni Circle and Keep America Beautiful are leading an effort to clean trash and repaint outdoor amenities in the Capital City. “It’s nice when people see the need and are ready to jump in and fill the need, which is to tidy up the community,” said Omni Circle COO Nikki Ramirez-Jennings. “We’re going to be repainting the playground equipment with the help of Shawnee County Parks and Rec. Stormont Vail is going to lead that charge. Schendel Lawn and Landscaping will be planting beautiful flowers and will help us maintain them.”
Source: KSNT 27 News

It may not be every council member’s favorite time of the meeting, but purchase requests are part of the job. On Monday, the Arma City Council reviewed and approved multiple requests from city superintendent Austin Spragg with one pertaining to utility poles. Earlier this year, a utility pole failed and caused the loss of power to an entire neighborhood in the midst of a winter storm. To stay ahead of the game and avoid future hefty costs and repairs, Spragg and city electrician Chuck Burns recently patrolled the city and compiled a list of utility poles that need to be replaced entirely, noting the ones that are of the highest priority.
Source: – Latest Stories

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.

Governor Laura Kelly joined federal, state and local officials this past Saturday to officially mark the opening of Hilmar Cheese Company’s new production facility in Dodge City, Kansas.
“I am pleased that Hilmar Cheese Company chose to build its new production facility in Dodge City,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This investment in our state is a strong signal to industry leaders around the globe that Kansas has the workforce and infrastructure for companies to be competitive.” Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is one of the world’s largest cheese manufacturers and a global supplier of high-quality whey ingredients. Hilmar’s new Dodge City facility makes American style cheese which is then sold wholesale to customers and used in a variety of nutritious foods. The site also produces a wide range of high-quality innovative proteins to meet the needs of customers worldwide. “We are grateful to the state and local officials who supported this project and are thrilled to celebrate with them today,” Hilmar’s President and CEO David Ahlem said. “We chose to build in Dodge City because of the local and skilled labor force, supportive and expanding agricultural region, and excellent transportation network. The superior collaboration with local, regional, and state leaders in Kansas has further confirmed that we made the right choice.”
Source: Press Releases – Kansas Department of Commerce

The City of Wichita has taken steps to clear a homeless encampment from a park in the Riverside neighborhood, shortly before a cleanup event takes place. Notices were posted at Sim Park and homeless residents there were given until the end of the day Thursday, and the Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team has been working to move them to shelters and into services and programs. The city has reported a number of complaints online and by phone about the encampment. The city is working to enforce an illegal camping ordinance after the City Council voted to approve changes in December. The changes provide for faster cleanup of camping sites on public property, and some penalties have been lowered, but some in the community feel the ordinance criminalizes homelessness.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

He said it confuses people in the community and the officers. He added that the 30 mph for unmarked residential areas doesn’t suit every situation. “You have to look at what’s happening in your community to see if that’s a safe speed,” Hall said. He said people would be upset if they wrote tickets for three or four miles an hour, people would be upset. “That 30-mile-an-hour zone effectively becomes a 38 to 40-mile-per-hour zone before officers are writing tickets,” Hall said. “That’s way too fast.” Last year, Wamego passed an ordinance to drop all of its unmarked city streets to 20 miles per hour. Hall said he thinks 20-25 mph in Sedgwick’s neighborhoods is reasonable because they weren’t going to stop people for three to four miles over.
Source: Harvey County Now

A line recently greeted Jessica Warkentin at Tractor Supply. Warkentin showed up, planning to expand her family’s very small flock of backyard chickens in Newton, which a neighbor gifted them in November. “We said if they survived the winter, we were going to get chicks,” she said. “Last week, we spent several days calling stores to see when their chickens got in.”
Tractor supply promised chicks at noon for sale. She arrived at 11:30 a.m. to be the fourth in line. She said one woman had been waiting since 9:30 a.m. While plenty of people are starting backyard flocks in Harvey County, city rules vary depending on where you live. Both Newton and Halstead allow up to 12 chickens with the proper coop and issue permits. In total, Newton had 12 active permits. Halstead had seven. There are more chicken flocks on the down low, however. Harvey County Now sought chicken permits, looking for contacts, after a number of people declined to speak to not draw attention to their chickens. Usually, most neighbor complaints, from this reporter’s experience covering local government, come from keeping roosters. Sedgwick limits the number of chickens to six and doesn’t issue permits. Hesston allows eight chickens in a flock on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet. It allows an additional chicken for every 1,000 extra square feet on larger lots. North Newton allows for birds but has no ordinance. “We encourage residents to be responsible and try to keep them in a fence and preferably only one rooster,” City Clerk Pat Redding stated. “So far, we haven’t had issues that require us to pass an ordinance.”
Source: Harvey County Now

North Newton City Administrator Brad Harris told city council members one of the city’s strategic-plan goals that has to do with land development will be a year-long process. They want to identify and rank available land for development. “It’s an ongoing process,” Harris said. “We are starting to talk to some landowners, and we’re starting to get some interest to start talking about what that looks like, so we’re pretty pleased that they’re coming forward to us and beginning this conversation, so we’re going to keep working away at that throughout the year and see which pieces of land are available for development in town and what lies just outside of town.” He also talked about another strategic-plan goal for this month. “Looking into March, the two items that were initially put here were to develop opportunities for the city council and staff to collaborate with community organizations, and we kind of talked about packaging that into our work session, re-exploring those, so that’s something we’ll talk about later this month,” Harris said. North Newton Mayor Ron Ratzlaff asked Harris to provide a strategic plan chart quarterly to the council.
Source: Harvey County Now

The Hillsboro City Council meeting was interrupted on Tuesday, March 4 on the Zoom side when a pornographic image began flashing across all of the screens. The meeting, which is held in person and streamed live across Zoom to allow more people access to the meetings and provide a recording for future viewings, was paused as Hillsboro City Administrator Matt Stiles worked quickly to figure out where the cyber attack was coming from while Hillsboro Mayor Lou explained to the council, guests and Zoom attendees what was going on. “We are getting cyber-attacked via Zoom,” said Thurston. “I think that’s a first.” Eventually Stiles kicked a Zoom caller named John off, and the images ended. Thurston asked City Attorney Andrew Kovar if he had ever encountered anything like that, and he said he had heard about it but had not. “It’s just because anybody can log in. There’s no password,” said Kovar.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

The Spring Hill School District is asking voters this spring to approve a new $60 million bond measure that would pay for several projects to accommodate the district’s growing student population. The district, which straddles the line separating Johnson and Miami counties, is reportedly one of the fastest-growing in Kansas. The Spring Hill Board of Education agreed at a special meeting in January to place the bond proposal on the ballot. In a statement provided to the Post via email, Link Luttrell, superintendent of Spring Hill Schools, noted there will be no mill levy increase with the bond proposal. Luttrell also said a community stakeholder group met for several months to create a vision for managing the district’s growth effectively. That same group ultimately developed the bond proposal.
Source: Johnson County Post

The Kansas Court of Appeals has largely sided with a district court judge’s rulings on three controversial resident-led petitions that roiled Prairie Village nearly two years ago. Like the Johnson County judge’s 2023 ruling, the three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals on March 7 found two of the three Prairie Village petitions — one dealing with limitations on rezoning and another that aimed to adopt a new city government — ineligible to go before voters. The appellate court also agreed with Judge Rhonda Mason’s decision that a third petition, which seeks to abandon the city’s current form of government, can appear on a ballot. Both the city of Prairie Village and PV United, the resident-led group behind the petitions, had appealed the district court decision, which put their fate in the hands of the state appellate court.
Source: Johnson County Post

One Kansas City Democrat has developed a plan that he believes could lower Wyandotte County homeowners’ tax bills and utility costs as division among Kansas Republicans threatens to undermine the relief lawmakers promised in 2025. It’s not the first time Sen. David Haley has proposed giving counties the authority to impose a local earnings tax of up to 1%. But it is the first time his bill calls for 100% of new collections to help offset the property tax revenue that makes up most of local governments’ budgets. Like in Kansas City, Missouri, where voters have renewed their support for a local earnings tax every few years since 1963, Haley’s bill would authorize local governments to tax both residents and people who commute to the county to work.
Source: Local Kansas City Missouri & Kansas News |

Lawrence’s Rock Chalk Park is one of three sites in the Kansas City-area that could be selected as a base camp for a 2026 World Cup team. A base camp includes medical staff, trainers, chefs, fans, the team and family, and could draw up to 15,000 people to the area. That’s according to Ruth DeWitt, a sales operations manger with eXplore Lawrence and a member of the Unified Command planning team. The Unified Command — comprised of the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, University of Kansas and eXplore Lawrence — is assessing how the Lawrence area will address hospitality, transportation, public safety, and economic impact. Kansas has approved $28 million in World Cup funding. However, what of that funding is accessible to Lawrence is currently unknown.
Source: Up To Date