Kansas Municipal News
Panasonic is hiring for new De Soto plant, hopes to be ready for production this spring
A little over two years ago, local, state and federal officials gathered in a dirt lot on a windy day to celebrate construction beginning on Panasonic’s new electric vehicle battery facility in western Johnson County. Officials gathered again earlier this month to celebrate the plant — only this time inside the 4.7 million-square-foot facility. But there’s still a ways to go before the facility is fully operational. As of this month, Panasonic is just slightly behind its previously stated hiring goals, and it’s still unclear if it will meet its anticipated timeline for opening.
Source: KC Star Local News
Single-family home construction in Lawrence continues to decline as home prices rise
Construction of single-family homes in Lawrence continued to decline in 2024, reaching a new low with only 57 permits granted by the city. After averaging in the mid-100s for years, single-family home construction dropped off considerably in 2022 and fell even lower last year. “It’s just been even worse than what we would have anticipated,” said Bobbie Flory, executive director of the Lawrence Homebuilders Association. At the same time, sale prices for single-family homes have continued to rise.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Kansas House looks to cut property tax that funds public schools by $800M over five years
Public school advocates are asking lawmakers to proceed with caution as they consider slashing the statewide property tax that directly funds public education. Legislation in the House would lower the state rate from 20 to 18.5 mills in the next fiscal year, which starts June 1, and then freeze the annual tax collections at the current level for future years. The Kansas Department of Revenue estimates the impact would be $823.6 million over five years, assuming property values grow by 5% each year from 2026 to 2030. Debate Wednesday in the House Taxation Committee centered on concerns that the Legislature would return to a familiar pattern of lowering tax collections to the point that lawmakers eventually would cut public school funding and instigate another legal battle. The Kansas Supreme Court has repeatedly forced the Legislature to abide by a constitutional mandate to adequately and equitably fund public schools. Last year, the Supreme Court released jurisdiction over the most recent case, elevating fears by public schools that the Legislature could again pull the rug out from under them.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Mystery odor in Galena sparks concern among residents
A suspicious odor is in the air in the city of Galena. It has residents puzzled, and city leaders working to get to the bottom of it. City officials and residents say the odor is more potent in the early morning and in the late evening. “Smells like a combination of gas and rotten eggs and whatever else. I don’t know,” said Alumbaugh. Galena mayor Ashley Groves says for months the city has worked hand in hand with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help solve the mystery.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Parsons deputy chief prepares for FBI National Academy
A member of the Parsons Police Department is joining the FBI National Academy. Deputy Chief Dennis Dodd will join the 10-week program this summer. He was nominated by former police chief Jason Sharp back in 2017 and his nomination was reaffirmed in 2018 by the current police chief Robert Spinks. He tells us the process usually takes around 3 to 5 years to get in – and started when he was first nominated. The program includes a comprehensive coursework in intelligence theory – terrorism and terrorist mindsets – management – behavioral and forensic science – law and law enforcement communication.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Senate Tax Committee approves capping annual valuation increases to 3%
The Kansas Senate Tax Committee cleared the first hurdle for major property tax reform in the state by approving a proposed constitutional amendment limiting yearly increases in property valuations to 3%. If approved in both the Senate and House by 2/3 majorities, Kansas voters would go to the polls in November to decide the fate of SCR 1603.
Source: The Sentinel
Law restricts township fire station efforts
Soldier Township’s fire station is about 50 years old, but the laws governing how it could issue bonds for a new station are even older, and are preventing the community from even considering putting a question to its voters to fund a new station. …current laws on townships cap how much they can bond for.
Source: CJonline
Douglas County commissioners vote to require zinc monitoring for future solar projects
…solar energy projects use piers coated with zinc to support their solar panels. The new rule states that wells will have to be dug upstream and downstream of future solar projects and samples will have to be taken to see if zinc has gotten into the groundwater from those piers.
Source: LJWorld
Solar farm in Valley Center?
Under the ordinance, solar farms could only be located on properties that are zoned industrial. And a six-foot fence would be required around the entire development, among other requirements.
Source: Ark Valley News
Manufacturer to move U.S. operations to Winfield
A Swiss-based manufacturer of railroad track technology will move its U.S. operations to Winfield, it was announced Tuesday. … The company expects to initially hire 15 employees for its Winfield location…, with an additional 10 employees added per year over the next five years.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Prosecutor seeks to recruit lawyers
With only one law office left in the county, and that being a half-day satellite office of a McPherson County office, Marion County’s 11,690 residents are seriously underserved…. Newly installed county attorney Michelle Brown has ideas to recruit lawyers to the county.
Source: Marion County RECORD
Nurses wanted for rural communities
Kansas, especially in rural areas, faces a shortage of nurses that is expected to become worse, a recent Kansas Nursing Workforce Center report shows. … [Marion hospital] chief executive Alex Haines … explained that the hospital’s efforts to recruit and retain nurses is to involve them in decision making, ensure their pay is fair market value, and waive staff members’ patient responsibility for care they get at the hospital.
Source: Marion County RECORD
Marion revives historic district
An effort to get Marion’s downtown designated as a historic district — opening the door to tax credits to pay for building improvements — will continue after a five-year hiatus touched off by 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Marion County RECORD
Renovations ‘seem to create more energy,’ Marysville developer says
Marysville’s iconic Koester Block rust-brick buildings, which date to the town’s early days of the 19th century, stand to see new life once housing is added to their upper stories.
Source: The Marysville Advocate
Sand Creek path a huge project, both difficult and ‘cool’
The City recently received an offer for an estimated $3 million from the State of Kansas to help extend the Sand Creek trail by 1.2 miles and connect its two pieces.
The City has had plans and estimates for the project, but until now, no funding existed, and solving the exact details was not something to spend staff time on.
Source: Harvey County Now
Lt. Governor Toland Announces Rural Economic Development Grant Recipients
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the award recipients for the Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program. In this round of funding, more than $250,000 was distributed among 12 recipients across the state. “Through the SEED grant program, we’re helping our small and rural communities grow stronger and become more resilient,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These investments will drive economic development, enhance local services and create a more prosperous future across the state.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Building community
The chief has a vested interest in taking care of his town. For the past three years, Adelman and his two part-time officers have done a lot to gain the trust of Mulberry’s 400-plus residents using what Adelman calls proactive police work. Since Adelman became chief, Mulberry’s crime rate has dropped significantly. He and his officers have taken the time to learn everyone’s name, instilling a sense of community that was lost for a time.
Source: Morning Sun
���Happiness is a warm puppy���
A local city is distributing free straw to help citizens insulate outside dog houses and pet shelters during some of the coldest days of the winter, so far. A yearly occurrence, the city of Arma is giving free straw to area pet owners as a way to keep their pets from freezing during the winter season. According to assistant city clerk Vanessa Kent, the straw is acquired by the city from Blue Ribbon Farm & Home, an animal feed store in Pittsburg.
Source: Morning Sun
USD 383 to outsource groundskeeping to local contractors
The USD 383 school board on Wednesday unanimously voted to outsource mowing and upkeep services to two outside companies, making up for staff shortages and saving the district some cash.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Andover Mayor Price says connection to El Dorado lake can help solve water problem
With Wichita increasing their water rates, which passes onto Andover residents, Mayor Ronnie Price says the issue could be solved by connecting Andover to the El Dorado Lake. The Wichita City Council approved a 6.75% rate increase for water on Tuesday, December 3, effective with bills issued on or after January 1, 2025. Low-volume water users will see their bills rise by $3.21, mid-volume users will experience a $4.79 increase, and high-volume users will face an increase of $9.59. The rate increase comes due to inflation, operational adjustments, and other challenges.
Source: Andover American