Kansas Municipal News
After Lawrence sets renewable energy goals, Kansas lawmakers pass bill that prohibits cities from limiting natural gas
In direct conflict with Lawrence’s goals for renewable energy, state lawmakers have passed a bill backed by the natural gas industry that prohibits cities from making any rules or requirements that would limit the use of natural gas or propane. The Kansas Gas Service sponsored the bill, and private gas companies such as Black Hills Energy have also expressed support for the bill, saying that the bill is “preserving energy choice,” as the Journal-World previously reported. … Both the City of Lawrence and Douglas County have submitted testimony against the bill. Jasmin Moore, the sustainability director for the city and county, said the language of the bill is very broad about what actions would be prohibited, and that many things might “have the effect of” limiting natural gas use. She said that includes efforts toward energy efficiency, improving building codes, and encouraging energy conservation.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Garden City housing shortage affects whole community
Garden City has a lack of housing. The shortage is at all levels – from rentals to single family homes. The shortage is not just in one area. Lona DuVall, president/CEO of the Finney County Economic Development Corporation, said the shortage is due to little housing construction over the past 20-25 years. The area is now feeling the full impact. … It wasn’t until the Rural Housing Incentive District tool came available a little over 10 years ago that it was affordable to develop the land the community had because of the lack of infrastructure, DuVall said. Until then, housing construction was basically at a standstill. … DuVall said the housing shortage has an effect on both community growth and economic development. You can’t have one without the other and people are needed for both.
Source: Garden City Telegram.
Build America Bonds may be key to financing Biden’s infrastructure plans
Republicans and Democrats agree that the U.S. is in dire need of a major infrastructure overhaul and, at the very least, that Congress should authorize significant repairs to roads and bridges. The fierce disagreement between the two parties begins over which provisions are worthy of running the federal deficit higher, as well as dispute over how to finance such a massive undertaking. And while Wall Street worries itself with the potential for future increases to the corporate and individual income tax rates, Democrats may soon turn to an Obama-era tool to finance their infrastructure plans: Build America Bonds, or BABs. BABs are special municipal bonds that allow states and counties to float debt with interest costs subsidized by the federal government. That underwriting not only served to ease jittery investors in the aftermath of the financial crisis, but also made municipal debt even more attractive with rates sometimes north of 7%.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
City of Lawrence to launch new water rate structure that charges higher rates for irrigation, other accessory water use
After delays, the City of Lawrence is preparing to roll out a new water billing method that aims to encourage conservation by charging higher rates for irrigation or for other accessory uses. The new billing structure goes into effect April 1 and includes three inclining residential rates and a structure that intends to bill the higher rates only for accessory usage. Households with relatively stable water use all year will pay the lowest rate, while the city will charge those that water their lawns or otherwise use larger-than-average amounts of water 10% to 15% more for those extra gallons.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for March 25, 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.
Bill would provide sales tax relief to struggling movie theaters in Kansas
Lawmakers discussed a bill on Thursday that would let movie theaters keep state sales taxes collected for tickets and concessions. Local sales tax would still need to be collected. This would apply to the next two years, beginning in July. Estimates said it could cost the state nearly $7 million a year. Revenue fell sharply for movie theaters last year because of social distancing efforts during the pandemic, but there is hope that theaters can start getting more visitors this year. “It would help during that recovery period, we expect that we won’t really reach what our capacity was prior to the pandemic until roughly 2023-2024,” said Todd Halstead, executive director at Theater Owners of Mid-America.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Goodwill thrift store is barred from opening new spot in Johnson County. It’s suing
Goodwill has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Olathe, arguing that a law restricting thrift stores discriminates against businesses that serve low-income customers. The legal battle comes after the city denied a license application for Goodwill to open a new location. Since 2002, Goodwill operated a store on the north side of West 135th Street in Olathe. But with the lease up in 2019 and the building in need of repair, leaders decided to close it and relocate across the street, about 1,200 feet away, said Edward Lada, president and CEO of Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas.
Source: KC Star
Kansas area codes 620 and 785 will be required to dial 10 digits by end of 2021
Beginning April 24 Kansas residents with area codes 620 and 785 will be asked to dial the complete 10 digit phone number to make a call. The 10 digit number will be required to make any phone calls that previously could be dialed with seven digits. Residents are encouraged to begin dialing the 10 numbers starting April 24, however, calls will still go through with seven digits until Oct, 24 at which time the area code for local calls will be mandatory. After Oct. 24, 2021 callers who do not dial the 10 digit number will not be able to complete the call.
Source: KSNT News
Mask mandate extended to May 16 in Riley County
The Riley County Board of County Commissioners voted Thursday to extend the mask mandate. The extended mandate falls under the latest health order, which expires at 11:59 p.m. on May 16. The county said this is when the school year for area K-12 schools will be ending and K-State will have completed its graduation ceremonies. The order requires people to wear a face mask or covering in the public spaces of Riley County, but only outside the boundary of the city of Manhattan. If you’re within city limits of Manhattan, you have to follow the city’s ordinance.
Source: KSNT News
Wichita Mayor is pushing for citywide mask mandate
Wichita’s Mayor, Brandon Whipple, is pushing for a city wide mask mandate. It comes just one day after the county lifted it’s restrictions. Per Governor Kelly’s Executive Order 20-68, a mask mandate is still in effect in Sedgwick County public places which will expire at the end of the month. This means, the City will have the State’s mask mandate to follow for now, but if the Governor does not enact a new executive order, the restrictions for the City will no longer be applicable. This will give Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple time to discuss with council members as the conversations continue to split the aisle of the Wichita City Council.
Source: KSN-TV
Johnson County requires masks, social distancing through April as more are vaccinated
Johnson County has ended several COVID-19 restrictions, but officials decided Thursday to continue mandating mask-wearing and six feet of social distancing in public through the end of April. The move comes as Kansas Republican lawmakers pledge to end the state’s mask mandate as early as next week, and new state policies make it unclear whether counties will have the power to enforce their own mandates. The Johnson County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 to approve the public health order while removing limits on gatherings and some other mandates in the previous order, which was set to expire at the end of March.
Source: Joco 913 News
Shawnee County’s solid waste employees have a new contract after impasse
Shawnee County’s solid waste employees will lose an incentive program that the union said was a key recruiting tool but will get additional protections against sick-leave-misuse discipline. The American Federal of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union that represents solid waste employees, and the county couldn’t agree to the terms of their contract. The two sides appealed to the commissioners.
Source: CJonline.com.
Dodge City/Ford County Development Corp first to complete Sunflower’s site certification process
Stamped for approval! The Dodge City Business Park became a certified site, which verifies that the 245-acre business park meets necessary criteria for industrial development. On March 11, the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation was the first organization to complete the site certification process through the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation Certified Sites Program. “I am excited to have the Dodge City Business Park certified as an approved, developable site under the Sunflower program. The thoroughness of their process brings great credibility to our site and community,” said Joann Knight, executive director for the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation.
Source: Sunflower Electric
Riley County to pay $150K in Home Depot tax appeal case
Riley County will have to refund just over $151,000 after the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals ruled in favor of the local Home Depot on a 2018 appraisal of the store. The decision could have effects beyond the loss of revenue to the local government. The county government received the board’s summary judgement earlier this week. The state tax board has the authority to review appeals on property tax disputes. Home Depot’s case is based on the “dark story theory,” which argues that big box stores should be valued as vacant — meaning they’re valued based on their hypothetical future lease value.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article
‘Dark store’ theory tops discussion for local intergovernmental meeting
Riley County’s counselor and appraiser both say officials should continue to pay attention a pair of bills floating in the Kansas Statehouse related to “dark store theory.” During a meeting with local officials from various agencies Monday, county counselor Clancy Holeman and appraiser Greg McHenry gave a virtual presentation on dark store theory, legally referred to as hypothetical leased fee valuation. Under this theory, real estate owners — big box retailers in particular — have appealed their property valuations by arguing their stores should be valued in comparison to vacant, or dark, stores in the area, instead of having a traditional fair market valuation. Retailers who have successfully used this theory have been able to reduce their valuations and property taxes by as much as half in some cases.
Source: themercury.com
Emergency department now open in Sumner County
On Wednesday Kansas Governor Laura Kelly toured the new emergency department in Sumner County. The hospital doors were closed for nearly a year. Now, part of the building is back open for business. “It’s a God send. We’re a small community, and we have a lot of old people and it’s all about health, safety and welfare, that’s what it’s about, making it work,” says Jim Valentine, Wellington mayor. The hospital in Wellington closed several months ago, leaving people in the community worried about immediate medical care. So the city partnered with Ascension Via Christi to bring an emergency room back to the county. “It’s a huge relief for our community having an ED, or emergency services immediately available without having to make that transport for every one of our EMS calls to Wichita, it will be an immense benefit for the city,” says Shane Shields, Wellington city manager.
Source: KAKE – News
Plan to limit turbines riles growing Kansas wind industry
A Kansas legislative committee’s leader lit a political prairie fire with a proposal that critics say would end investments in wind energy. State Senate Utilities Committee Chairman Mike Thompson said Wednesday that he is trying to protect landowners who fear that a proliferation of large turbines in their rural areas will drop property values and lessen their quality of life. The Shawnee Republican is pursuing a bill that would impose statewide regulations on wind turbines. His proposal has split fellow Republicans and inspired a strong backlash from both environmentalists and economic development officials who see wind energy as a job creator. Wind farms provide 41-percent of the state’s electricity.
Source: KSN-TV
Should Sedgwick County need Johnson County’s OK to amend county charter? They say no
Under current state law, Sedgwick County could create a commission to examine the efficiency of its governmental operations — but all the members would would have to be from Johnson County. A bill to fix that anomaly is making its way through the Legislature right now and took a key step forward Wednesday when it was voted out of committee and sent to the full House for a floor vote. Senate Bill 53 would allow Sedgwick County to establish a Charter Commission that would actually have Sedgwick County residents on it.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Spring Hill may join the ranks of cities allowing chickens on homeowners’ properties
Spring Hill, which straddles the Johnson/Miami line at U.S. 169, has joined the growing list of cities that are considering allowing chickens within city limits. In May 2020, a group of teens petitioned the city to allow chickens within city boundaries. Spring Hill officials, including the police, researched the subject, and now the city is seeking public feedback. Residents can submit comments through April 16, and the City Council will discuss the matter again on April 22. … The proposal would allow up to six chickens on a property if a special permit is granted, and it sets rules for enclosures and maintaining healthy conditions. Last August, Prairie Village began allowing backyard chickens.
Source: KC Star Local News
Sedgwick County closer to getting rid of hazardous houses
Despite lawmakers’ concerns over a possible effect on hobby farming, Sedgwick County moved a step closer Wednesday to being able to clean up some of the county’s worst public nuisances. The House Local Government Committee on Wednesday advanced Senate Bill 52, a measure to give the county government the kind of authority cities already have to correct hazardous situations and bill the property owner for doing it. The committee voted to send the bill to the full House after Jason Watkins, a former legislator and now lobbyist for Sedgwick County, explained the problems the county’s having with neighborhoods that are urban in nature, surrounded by Wichita but never annexed.
Source: Wichita Breaking News, Sports & Crime |