Kansas Municipal News
Kansas lawmakers consider expanding window for fireworks sales
A proposed Senate bill would permit year-round fireworks sales from permanent retailers and expand the window around the Fourth of July for pop-up vendors. Senate Bill 199 would allow temporary vendors to sell fireworks from June 20 to July 7. Currently, sales are restricted to June 27 to July 5. Jake Marietta, who owns Jake’s Fireworks — a family-owned business since 1938 — testified Tuesday before the Senate Commerce Committee in support of the bill, explaining that sales at his pop-up fireworks tent can drop by as much as 50% with just one day of rain. Marietta said he was excited by the possibility of extending the sale time to two weekends, which are peak sales times.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Disruptive public commenting has reached a crisis point for some in public office
For the first time since a pair of public commenters began routinely disrupting government meetings in Lawrence, an official has mentioned the possibility of terminating public comment, at least temporarily. On Monday night, Lawrence school board president Kelly Jones — after an approximately 30-minute standoff with commenter Michael Eravi, who was refusing to obey board rules — said that the time had come to discuss whether public commenting in its current form had simply become too disruptive. Nothing in state law requires that governing bodies hear public comment at their meetings, and local entities have grappled for years now with how to run efficient, civil business meetings in the face of routine disruptions and the flouting of decorum rules.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for February 14, 2025
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.
Decades-old Johnson County bar to close for city project: ‘Can’t fight the government’
Mary Armstrong knew that the I-35 and Santa Fe corridor project in Olathe would eventually displace her bar, Double Nickel. She said she attended a public meeting about the project last year, though she was under the impression that she would have more time at her current 189 Rogers Road digs. “They made it sound like it would be a while out,” she said. “Surprise. It’s not.” In December, she was given a 90-day demand letter from the city ordering her to vacate the rented space.
Source: KC Star Local News
Hopes for more Fed rate cuts dim as Powell notes hot CPI means ‘we’re not quite there yet’
A Federal Reserve interest rate cut won’t be coming until at least September, if at all this year, following a troubling inflation report Wednesday, according to updated market pricing. Futures markets shifted from the expectation of a June cut and possibly another before the end of the year to no moves until the fall, with a minimal chance of a follow-up before the end of 2025.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Muni advocates won’t give up tax exemption without a fight
Republican legislators have placed tax-exempt bonds on the regulatory chopping block — as the cost to renew expiring provisions of President Donald Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act continues to grow — putting municipal leaders in the eye of a storm. Public finance advocates are flocking en masse to Capitol Hill in an effort to convince representatives of how significant the exemption is for the markets, amid efforts to return tax-exempt advance refunding and lift the ceiling on bank-qualified debt.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Sumner County deputies move in on suspected cockfighting operation
Sumner County deputies and Humane Society workers went to a home near Mulvane on Tuesday to shut down a suspected cockfighting operation. Sumner County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Tyler Carmichael told KFDI’s news partners at KWCH that an investigation has been going on over the past couple of years, and more information will be released later this week. Sheriff’s detective Andrea Wagner said there were a significant number of animals at the home, discovered when a search warrant was executed.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
2 mostly rural fire districts in fast-growing southern Johnson County are merging
Johnson County Commissioners voted to merge two largely rural fire districts last week after a discussion of whether the move represented “taxation without representation.” In a unanimous series of votes, commissioners combined Fire District 1 in the southwest corner of the county and Fire District 2, which covered the southern central and eastern areas. The new district will be known as Consolidated Fire District 1.
Source: Johnson County Post
Amazon to build in Salina and hire 100 or more workers
The Salina area is about to get more job opportunities. Amazon will build a distribution facility and generate at least 100 new jobs. The goal is to open the facility late this year. The Salina Airport Authority made the announcement Thursday. It says Amazon bought 20 acres in the Airport Industrial Center Subdivision No. 3. The company will build a 90,000-square-foot last-mile distribution facility at 1850 W. Water Well Road, southwest of town.
Source: KSN-TV
Emporia one step closer to allowing drinking on downtown streets
Revelers in Emporia may soon be able to barhop on Commercial Street with beers in their hands. The Emporia City Commission has approved an ordinance to establish a Common Consumption Area, allowing people to drink alcohol outdoors within a designated area of the downtown district of this college town, so long as the beverages are purchased from participating vendors.
Source: KSN-TV
Reno County receives $6.13 million KDHE grant for Yoder sewer project
Reno County has been awarded a grant to cover the full cost of combining Yoder and HABIT sewer treatment systems, a project with a hefty price tag. Reno County Public Works Director Don Brittain announced Wednesday that the county has been awarded a Small Town Water and Sewer Infrastructure Assistance Grant of $6,133,100 from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Source: KSN-TV
Pittsburg balances business losses with promising growth
Some Pittsburg businesses have closed in the past few months, but community leaders still have high hopes for the area’s growth. “Any time you have a business that closes in your community, that’s not a good thing,” said Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President. For example, the 87-year-old diner Harry’s Cafe announced a temporary closure, while Bling Pittsburg in the Meadowbrook Mall permanently closed last month. But despite those vacancies, Benson says the community continues to show business growth.
Source: KSNF/KODE
City eyes structural rehab program to bolster housing stock
Manhattan homeowners may soon have the opportunity to receive financial assistance to fix up their houses. City commissioners on Tuesday supported a housing rehabilitation program that would reimburse local nonprofits for performing structural repairs on qualifying homes to build up and maintain Manhattan’s workforce housing stock.
Source: themercury.com
Pott County mulls changes to dust control program
Dust from gravel roads can not only be a nuisance for those living along them, but can also be a safety concern for those traveling on them. Pottawatomie County started the Dust Control Program in the early 90s to make county roads safer, and over the years it has evolved. Each year the county commission reviews the program, and this year county staff is recommending eliminating the option.
Source: themercury.com
Lawrence school board president foreshadows potential public comment pause
Lawrence school board President Kelly Jones floated the idea of pausing public comment after a confrontational exchange between the board and a frequent Lawrence public commenter on Monday. Board members told the commenter he was violating their public comment policy’s decorum rule, which he protested. The situation Monday lasted around 25 minutes, during which the board took two recesses.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for February 13, 2025
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.
Municipal Bond Trends for February 12, 2025
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.
City leaders to look at ways to make back money spent on Hotel Topeka
City leaders are looking at ways to make back all the money that they’ve put into Hotel Topeka. While nothing has been brought to the governing body yet, it was talked about Tuesday night at a board of directors meeting. Topeka leaders are discussing implementing a community improvement district for the hotel. If it’s approved by the city council down the road, a small amount of every dollar spent at the hotel will go back in the city’s pocket, even after a buyer is found for the hotel. This would include purchases of food, beverages and hotel rooms.
Source: KSNT 27 News
After city ignored petition about property taxes, Topekan makes his case in court
McIntosh argues the city should have taken some kind of action. Since Topeka didn’t, McIntosh is asking the court to intervene and force Topeka to either adopt the city ordinance requiring public vote for tax raises above revenue neutral or the court can require the city to have a public vote about the ordinance.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for February 11, 2025
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.
Municipal Bond Trends for February 10, 2025
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.
County commission approves property tax relief policy
The Cowley County Commission approved a change to property tax procedures at their Tuesday meeting, which allows property owners to request a waiver from paying taxes if their property is destroyed during the tax assessment period. Property tax valuations are set on Jan. 1 every year, so “if your house burned down Jan. 5, you would be charged for the whole year” under the previous policy, said Cowley County Clerk Karen Madison, who presented the resolution to the commission.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
County-wide housing study announced
The City of Arkansas City, the City of Winfield and the Cowley County Economic Development Partnership announced a new collaborative effort Friday to update the Cowley County Housing Study, last completed by Hanna:Keelan Associates of Lincoln, Neb. in 2014. The updated study will provide essential insights to guide future housing development throughout Cowley County. The Comprehensive Housing Study will help create a strategic framework for future housing development that meets the needs of residents across all income sectors. The updated plan is set to be completed by April 1.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Valley Center rec ready for opening
The Valley Center Recreation Commission is preparing for the opening of a new recreation and aquatic center. The facility, located at 1050 N. Meridian in Valley Center, is set to open on Feb. 22, and there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the milestone. The grand opening will include tours from 9 to 11 a.m., with the ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., which will officially open the facility.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
City looking to launch housing repair assistance program
At Tuesday’s work session, Manhattan city commissioners will discuss a housing rehabilitation and repair assistance program. Commissioners in October expressed interest in funding a housing rehabilitation program with the workforce housing sales tax, according to city government documents.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Edgerton to unveil community center, town’s first new downtown building in 100+ years
The first new brick building in over 100 years in downtown Edgerton will open Saturday, Feb. 22. Located at 404 E. Nelson St., The Greenspace is an approximately 13,000-square-foot community center that will open a year and a half after the city first broke ground in August 2023.
Source: Johnson County Post
City of Wichita set to pay $250,000 to settle case where driver was injured amid police pursuit
The City of Wichita is poised to pay $250,000 to a motorist who was hit and injured on Dec. 1, 2020, by a man fleeing police in a stolen vehicle. Wichita City Council will vote on the settlement Tuesday. Kelly L. Sandwell, who was 64 when the wreck occurred, was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries from the wreck, police previously said. The suspect who was fleeing police, Donald Tucker Jr., 36, of Chanute, was thrown from the vehicle and died after he clipped the 2014 Toyota Corolla Sandwell was driving.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Public comments return to Johnson County commission’s online livestream
Public comments at the beginning of Johnson County commission meetings are once again being streamed live along with the meeting. The policy reverses a decision made two years ago by county Chair Mike Kelly, which was later approved by the commission. The decision not to stream public comments became a flashpoint, particularly for conservatives who have made a habit in recent years of showing up to opine on everything from the county’s COVID-19 response to the 2020 election.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Municipal Bond Trends for February 7, 2025
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.
AG Opinion 2025-4: County attorney serving as county counselor
When a county has established the position of county counselor and there is a temporary vacancy in that position, a county attorney is not prohibited from receiving a fee in addition to the county attorney’s salary for performing the duties of the county counselor on an interim basis.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
AG Opinion 2025-3: Incompatibility of office
The common law doctrine of incompatibility of office precludes a person from concurrently holding the positions of a county hospital board member and a physician in the same hospital.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
Municipal Bond Trends for February 6, 2025
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.
Manhattan Regional Airport sets several new passenger milestones in 2024
Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK) is pleased to announce 2024 set new records for passengers using the airport. One such record was enplanements, with 81,712 total passengers boarding a flight out of MHK in 2024. The previous enplanement record of 77,553 was set in 2019. Last year saw a 5.3% increase when compared to 2019. Similarly, the airport also set a new record for deplanements, with 81,971 total passengers exiting a flight in Manhattan for 2024.
Source: Manhattan – News Flash
Prairie Village keeps teardown-rebuild home design rules untouched for now — Here’s why
The potential to rehash a once-fraught debate over neighborhood building rules is not moving forward in Prairie Village. The Prairie Village Planning Commission on Tuesday agreed there is no need to update neighborhood design guidelines first enacted in 2019 that lay out rules dictating what the city wants to see in single-family neighborhoods. Commissioner Jon Birkel was absent from this week’s discussion.
Source: Johnson County Post
Big projects, new top cop and road work — Top takeaways from OP mayor’s ‘State of the City’
Big investments in Overland Park are starting to come to life, and city leaders expect to see more in the coming years. That was the overarching theme of Mayor Curt Skoog’s annual State of the City address Tuesday, given before a crowd gathered on the Johnson County Community College campus at an event hosted by the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce.
Source: Johnson County Post
Lenexa might expand its winter homeless shelter months after rejecting permanent plan
Despite cries that Lenexa would become “the Mecca” of homelessness, the city’s Planning Commission approved a change that could allow its temporary cold weather homeless shelter to serve more people — just months after the city rejected a plan for a permanent shelter. The commission also recommended a cap on the total number of individuals that can be served within city limits as well as stricter enforcement protocols if participants break the rules. The City Council will make the final decision during its Feb. 18 meeting.
Source: KC Star Local News
Abilene Votes Yes to Sales Tax Question to Fund Recreational Facility Improvements
Abilene residents voted to add a 0.35% sales tax to help fund multi-sport recreation fields and other recreational improvements during the February 4th Special Election held at Holm Automotive. The question, which was previously denied during the primary election, garnered a total of 741 voters. Of the 741 votes, 425 voted yes, with 316 no votes. Of the total registered voters in Abilene 16% participated in the Special Election, either at the polls or in early voting.
Source: KCLY Radio
Historic Kansas school built in 1904 set to reopen with new purpose
Workers are transforming an old school in Chase County into additional housing for the community. 27 News reached out to Frontier Development Group (FDG) to learn more about its work to transform historic structures in Kansas into modern living spaces. One major project underway this year is at a former school located in Cottonwood Falls. Tyler Holloman with FDG said this property is currently under construction, with a grand opening set for sometime in early 2025. He said more than a $2 million investment is being made in the old structure to bring it in line with the modern era and turn its inside into a place people want to live in. The end goal is to reopen the school as the Cottonwood School Lofts.
Source: KSN-TV
Pittsburg initiative aims to strengthen neighborhood identity
The city of Pittsburg is making efforts to bring a community’s touch to neighborhood names. Now hitting one year, Pittsburg’s Neighborhood Advisory Council has continued its efforts of connecting neighborhoods in the area. Also known as the “NAC,” one of its completed projects was establishing a neighborhood map that defined boundaries of neighborhoods and established names for each.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Homeless camps in Topeka could be cleared with ordinance changes
Topeka city leaders made changes to a camping ordinance Tuesday night, setting the stage for additional homeless camp cleanup operations. The Topeka City Council approved changes to a local camping ordinance on Feb. 4, paving the way for the removal of additional homeless camps. An estimated 20 homeless camps are now under threat of being cleared out under these changes.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Solutions Summit: Ellis County needs to tell its story better
Ellis County has many assets, but it’s not always the best at telling its own story. About 30 community members met Tuesday in Hays … From those discussions, the group identified four action items. The chief among those was developing a marketing plan for Ellis County.
Source: Hays Post
Valley Center set to expand mowing responsibilities
All property owners in Valley Center will be required to mow the rights-of-way on their properties if the city council gives final approval to a new ordinance next week.
Source: AV News
Municipal Bond Trends for February 5, 2025
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.
Whatever happened to plans for northwest bypass linking Goddard, Maize?
The northwest expressway, a major highway that would connect Maize to Goddard, is getting a second chance at becoming reality after stalling years ago.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Developer remaking long-vacant Prairie Village Macy’s asks city for $23M in tax incentives
Public incentives may be used to help finance a prominent Prairie Village redevelopment. On Monday, during a committee meeting, the Prairie Village City Council will discuss the potential for issuing up to $23.3 million in industrial revenue bonds to redevelop the Macy’s building at the Shops of Prairie Village.
Source: Johnson County Post