Kansas Municipal News
City of Sedgwick starts on its pocket park
After years of discussion, the pocket park between the Sodality Place and the police department took a major step toward becoming reality when city workers and a concrete crew poured a large (roughly 30×60) slab of concrete in the empty lot Thursday morning. Mayor Bryan Chapman said that the ADA compliant ramp would be poured on Friday, and then the concrete would cure a week before installing the fencing.
Source: Harvey County Now
Horse trading has potential to save millions for Newton
The City of Newton wants to do some trading with the state. The Kansas Department of Transportation wants to build a new facility near U.S. Highway 50 and Anderson. It needs city infrastructure hookups. he city needs a maintenance building for the park department, and the one KDOT’s leaving is large and near Centennial Park at 1010 E 12th St. So the city proposed a trade – hook up costs for the KDOT building. And it looks like KDOT is going to accept. “This has building set up for maintenance and equipment storage and those types of functions more usable for us from a park maintenance standpoint,” City engineer Suzanne Loomis said.
Source: Harvey County Now
World’s biggest disc golf tournament takes over Emporia
Rain or shine, pandemic or not, disc golf is on. The Dynamic Discs Open is hosting some of the best disc golfers from around the country in Emporia from April 28-May 1. Even amateurs can participate or come to watch the best of the best. The tournament usually sees the best in the world, but COVID-19 restrictions kept it to only US participants. It’s still the biggest disc golf tournament in the world and has four rounds for the professionals.
Source: KSNT News
Topeka business owners report not being able to fill job openings
Labor shortages have been popping up across the country, and now here in Northeast Kansas. With COVID-19 vaccines being widely available and more people feeling comfortable dining out, Ryan Cavanaugh, one of the co-owners at the Brew Bank in Topeka is looking to hire more summer workers. “The important part about now is getting staff in and trained before summer really takes off,” Cavanaugh said. The Kansas Department of Labor reported 3.7% unemployment for March last month. Cavanaugh said he is having trouble finding people to hire. Multiple other restaurants in Topeka also reported having employment issues.
Source: KSNT News
Abilene appoints Ron Marsh as new city manager
After a competitive search process, the City of Abilene has a new city manager. During Monday’s city meeting, commissioners and Mayor Brandon Rein approved the appointment of Ron Marsh of Clearwater to serve as Abilene’s next city manager. Marsh currently is the city administrator in Clearwater, a job he has held for 3 ½ years. “I am extremely excited to be named the Abilene city manager and appreciate the city commission’s confidence in me,” Marsh said. “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a great staff.” Marsh said Abilene has much to offer and he and his wife are looking forward to making Abilene their home and getting to know the community.
Source: Abilene Reflector Chronicle.
Fed holds interest rates near zero, sees faster growth and higher inflation
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its easy money policy in place despite an economy that it acknowledged is accelerating. As expected, the U.S. central bank decided to keep short-term interest rates anchored near zero as it buys at least $120 billion of bonds each month. The latter part of policy is a two-pronged effort to support an economy that grew strongly to start 2021 as well as to support market functioning at a time when 30-year mortgages still go for around 3%. Despite noting the economic strength as well as inflation that is on the rise, if just temporarily, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee unanimously decided to make no changes in its approach and gave no indications that things will change anytime soon.
Source: CNBC
Kansas solar energy lags, but sprawling Johnson County solar farm could help change that
A massive solar farm stretching from west of Gardner possibly into Douglas County will, if it comes to fruition, become the biggest in Kansas, a state that has lagged behind in solar energy development. Billy Wilkins, project director for the West Gardner Solar Project, said Tuesday that his company, NextEra Energy, has already gotten signatures from landowners for 2,000 acres of the proposed 3,500-acre, $320 million project. The ground-mounted solar array would not necessarily run contiguously, however. Wilkins said the project would provide setbacks and would likely exclude land that is used for recreation or environmental purposes.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Municipal Bond Trends for April 28, 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.
Passed over by KDOT, Lenexa seeks $600 million in federal aid for highway projects
The City of Lenexa is seeking more than $600 million in federal aid for a pair of road construction projects in Johnson County that failed to get the green light at the state level. Lenexa wants more than $400 million to complete the third phase of the expansive Johnson County Gateway project at the heavily traveled interchange of I-435, I-35 and K-10. The proposal would pay for the construction of a flyover ramp at I-35 northbound and I-435 westbound and improvements to the I-435 interchange at 95th Street among other upgrades to reduce congestion.
Source: KC Star Local News
New revolutionary Kansas law will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars for rural communities, starting with Hesston
Hundreds of millions of dollars, potentially even a billion, is about to start flowing into 77 of the most rural counties in Kansas. It’s all thanks to a revolutionary new Kansas law that will bring in money from all around the world. “Just like every community in Kansas, we need the economic help,” said Hesston Mayor David Kauffman. Kauffman said things have been tough for the small community. That’s why he was happy for the town to be the first-ever to benefit from the new bill. Kansas will be known as the FidFin industry, the fiduciary finance capital of the country and of the world,” said State Representative Stephen Owens. … Here’s how it works. It gives people the ability to take out a loan against assets like trust funds or other investments where, until now, you couldn’t legally borrow from in any state. A fee is paid on the transaction, and that money goes directly into rural communities.
Source: KAKE – News
USD 373 unearths $1.1 million hail damage claim
The USD-373 Board of Education learned Monday evening that a previous administration failed to turn in a $1.1 million insurance claim related to roof damage from a 2016 hailstorm. Finance Director David Decker said Facilities Director Chris Schaeffer mentioned to him during the fall that he might want to look into an old claim that went dormant. He said, based on that lead, he and Schaeffer were able to get the claim reopened. Just last week, the district was notified it would be receiving a $1.1 million check from the uninvestigated claim. “That money, of course, is all going to be earmarked, because there’s real damage that needs to be repaired,” he said.
Source: Harvey County Now
GCCC to Implement Kansas Promise Scholarship Act in Fall
Garden City Community College is excited that Governor Kelly signed the Kansas Promise Scholarship Act, a last-dollar scholarship program for Kansas high school graduates who complete a CTE certificate or two-year program in specific career and technical education (CTE) programs. House Bill 2064 established the Kansas Promise Scholarship Act which provides scholarships for students to attend an eligible postsecondary institution for any two-year associate degree program, career and technical education certificate, or stand-alone program otherwise identified by the Kansas Board of Regents. “This is fantastic news that will increase pathways for students to access higher education. We are excited that this program will make technical education more attainable for Kansans,” Dr. Ruda, GCCC President, said. While specific details are still forthcoming, GCCC is actively working to create plans for this program, which will be implemented in the Fall 2021 semester.
Source: Greater Garden City
Straight from the horse’s mouth
Until Wednesday, Lydia Burge, a second grader at Inman Elementary School, never saw a live chicken, nor had she petted one. Goats or sheep hadn’t been on her horizon either. Because of a group of Inman High School students and their agriculture teacher, youngsters like Lydia were able to learn about farm animals and meet horses, cows and donkeys face to face. All the youngsters were able to pet the animals – if they wanted to.
Source: Hutch News.
10-year Treasury yield tops 1.65% as investors gear up for Fed decision
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield briefly topped 1.65% on Wednesday morning, as investors geared up for the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision later in the day. … The Federal Open Market Committee is set to conclude its two-day meeting and share its policy decision at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The central bank is not expected to take any action on monetary policy. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET, which investors will be watching closely for any clues on the direction of policy. Aaron Anderson, senior vice president of research at Fisher Investments, said on Wednesday that while the FOMC had consistently communicated its plans to stick to its current policies for a long time, expectations of higher interest rates and tapering of quantitative easing were on the rise.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Municipal Bond Trends for April 27, 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.
February home prices see the biggest gain in 15 years, S&P Case-Shiller says
Home price gains continue to outpace expectations, as tight supply and strong demand lead to bidding wars. Nationally, prices in February rose 12% year over year, up from 11.2% in January, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index. The 10-City Composite rose 11.7% annually, up from 10.9% in January. The 20-City Composite gained 11.9%, up from 11.1% in the previous month. All the gains were in the double digits, save Chicago and Las Vegas. “The National Composite’s 12% gain is the highest recorded since February 2006, exactly 15 years ago, and lies comfortably in the top decile of historical performance,” noted Craig Lazzara, managing director and global head of index investment strategy at S&P DJI. “February’s price gains in every city are above that city’s median level, and rank in the top quartile of all reports in 18 cities.
Source: cnbc
Kansas to resume Johnson & Johnson administration
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced Monday that Kansas will resume administration of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine following an announcement on April 23 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encouraging resumption of the vaccine. “Today, Kansas will resume administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “After a brief pause and a thorough review, the CDC and FDA have determined the vaccine is safe and effective. Whether it’s the Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer or Moderna, I strongly encourage every Kansan to get vaccinated as soon as they can.” Johnson & Johnson administration was paused April 13 by the CDC and FDA following reports of recipients in the United States who developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within about two weeks of vaccination. During the pause, the FDA and CDC examined available data to assess the risk of the condition as well as conducted extensive outreach to providers and clinicians to ensure they were made aware of the potential for these adverse events and could properly manage and recognize these events due to the unique treatment required for these blood clots and low platelets, also known as thrombosis-thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). Following these reviews, the two agencies have recommended that Johnson & Johnson be resumed in the United States.
Source: Atchison Globe Now
New state program allows Barton Community College to offer full-scholarship programs
Select Barton Community College career and technical education programs will be available at no cost to eligible students beginning in the fall of 2021, thanks to a new scholarship program designed to increase Kansans’ access to community colleges and technical schools. The $10 million program was passed by the Kansas Legislature and signed by Governor Laura Kelly on Friday. When other scholarships and grants are not sufficient to cover a student’s tuition and fees, the Kansas Promise Scholarship Act will make up the difference. The program is available to Kansas high school graduates, Kansans 21 and older who have resided in the state for at least three years, and dependents of military service members. Select career and technical education programs will qualify.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Hillsboro unveils architectural plan for Community Plaza project
The City of Hillsboro has unveiled the final site development plan for the Community Plaza project. Phase one of the project is anticipated to begin this year. The site, which covers half a city block, will be installed in two parts and feature a variety of amenities for residents, from a stage to a splash pad to food truck parking. City Administrator Matt Stiles said the ambitious project has been years in the making. Three houses were removed from the site several years ago, and today, it sits as a construction zone for the fiber optic cable project. “I think it’s a really important project. It adds another recreational element to the community that I think is missing,” he said.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
Want better internet in rural Kansas? Time to apply for a federal grant
Kansas towns, businesses, charities and others can now apply for a federal grant to improve broadband service in rural areas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering $42.4 million in grants through the Distance Learning and Telehealth (DLT) program. It is taking applications through June 4. The goal is to help rural communities connect with each other and the rest of the world in ways they may not be able to with minimal broadband service. Grants are available to rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. Those who can apply include most entities that provide education or health care through telecommunications, including for-profit businesses, non-profits, governmental entities, and federally recognized tribes.
Source: KSN-TV