Kansas Municipal News
Johnson County’s new $193 million courthouse opened this week — here’s a look inside
The Kansas 10th Judicial District has just opened the newly built Johnson County Courthouse. Court justices and staff moved in over the past few months and are still unpacking boxes in some offices and courtrooms. The new $193 million courthouse opened Monday, Jan. 4, and is the fourth to serve the Johnson County judicial system. Meanwhile, the previous courthouse next door permanently closed its doors on New Year’s Eve (here are some pictures of the historical building). Hearings are still being largely conducted virtually, as no courtrooms or court offices will be open to the public while health and safety concerns of the global COVID-19 pandemic remain.
Source: Prairie Village Post
U.S. bond yields could keep rising after piercing 1%
U.S. bond yields could be headed still higher after piercing 1% this week, according to analysts and investors who point to a wide gap between the benchmark Treasury yield and the next key support level. Driven by the Democratic victory in Georgia, the 10-year Treasury yield on Thursday hit its highest level since March at 1.088%, breaking out of recent trading ranges. Yields rose on expectations a Democrat controlled Congress would have the clout to pass more fiscal stimulus and spending, bolstering economic activity and debt issuance.
Source: Reuters.
Municipal Bond Trends for January 7, 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.
Groundwater levels deplete, drought and demand for irrigation lead to higher rates of decline
The Kansas Geological Survey reports groundwater levels across much of the state have been on the decline for years. Water levels have been tracked dating back to the 40s and since the mid-90s the state of Kansas has been closely monitoring changes and trends in the aquifer. Throughout this past week, the state has had crews out measuring aquifer levels. This year they are reporting a larger decline. The Kansas Geological Survey and the Division of Water Resources annually record groundwater levels across the High Plains Aquifer stretching from Colby to Liberal and east toward Wichita.
Source: KSN-TV
Chanute Land Bank details first property donation
A century-old house may showcase ways the Chanute Land Bank program can improve the city’s housing stock during 2021. The land bank committee met Wednesday and discussed the house at 909 N. Garfield that was the first property donation to the program. Chanute Regional Development Authority program director Kim Ewert said the land bank received the quit claim deed Monday, and they are in the process of clearing it out and cleaning it up. The one-bedroom, one-bath house will be secured and assessed, she said, and might be sold as is.
Source: The Chanute Tribune
Barton County continues vaccine rollout
In mid-December, Barton County hospitals received some of the first allocated doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and began administering them to health-care workers. This week, the Barton County Health Department set up a drive-through vaccination clinic at the Expo Complex west of Great Bend. Approximately 200 people received the vaccine Wednesday and Thursday, according to County Administrator Phil Hathcock. Most of those were administered Wednesday during the county’s biggest drive-through vaccination clinic to date. Hathcock said the county made phone calls to employers who had people in the state’s Phase One group for vaccine eligibility. “The Kansas Department of Health and Environment directed us,” he said.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Manhattan brought in more sales-tax revenue than expected during 2020
The City of Manhattan brought in more revenue in 2020 than officials expected. Sales tax revenue for 2020 was down by about 2.6 percent from 2019, although officials thought sales-tax revenue would drop by 20 to 30 percent. Ron Fehr, Manhattan city manager, says this is partially due to a rise in online sales increasing local income from the Compensating Use Tax by 20 to 25 percent. “That didn’t necessarily help our local businesses,” Fehr said. “Some of them did switch to an online platform. Certainly, as folks were working from home and being home more and more reluctant to get out and engage our retailers, it was very convenient for them to order things online.”
Source: 1350 KMAN
Kansas moves people 65+ up in line for COVID-19 vaccinations
Kansas expects to finish giving COVID-19 vaccines to long-term care residents and health care workers by the end of this month and has moved people aged 65 and older into the next group to receive the shots. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday announced new details about the order in which her state’s residents will be eligible for inoculations, and making people aged 65 to 74 years an earlier priority was the biggest shift. The state’s previous plan had that age group getting theirs after people in “congregate” living, such as state hospitals, shelters for the homeless, and prisons.
Source: KAKE – News
An 8-foot tall Bigfoot statue named Brian continues to occupy downtown Wichita
There have been plenty of Bigfoot sightings in Wichita over the past few months, but conspiracy theorists have yet to flock to south central Kansas. More specifically, “Bigfoot Brian” made a home for himself in the window of the former Legacy Antiques building on the southwest corner of Douglas Avenue and Emporia Street since the beginning of the holiday season, and by popular demand will stay in residence until the end of January. “It exceeded everyone’s expectations and has just been wonderful,” said Emily Brookover, director of community development for Downtown Wichita. “It was a really great way to enjoy Brian safely and have a safe activity for families and kids. We’ve had really wonderful feedback from people who want to see him downtown.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Kansas stumbles on coronavirus vaccinations, leaving health officials confused and doses on shelves
For starters, the COVID-19 vaccine doses intended for Ness County in west-central Kansas landed somewhere else. “That was my first clue we had a problem,” said Carolyn Gabel, the county’s public health administrator. Then someone from Dodge City called. Those vials bound for Ness City? They hadn’t been kept as cold as needed. They were no good anymore and needed replacing. Eventually, she had to drive to the next county to the west, pick up a different set of doses, put them in her cooler and dash back across 30-plus miles to her office. “Instead of having the vaccine before Christmas like we should have had,” Gabel said, “we didn’t get it until after Christmas.” In some parts of the state, things have gone a little smoother.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Douglas County Commission adopts new dock regulations for Lone Star Lake
New private docks built on Lone Star Lake will now need to follow specific regulations aimed at preserving the lake and keeping the structures safe. The County Commission on Wednesday approved new regulations related to private structures built in Lone Star Lake Park, a county-owned park in southwest Douglas County. The regulations focus primarily on the boat docks and decks extended from the private properties onto the lake’s surface, but also apply to sidewalks, stairways and retaining walls built on the county’s property, Public Works Director Chad Voigt said.
Source: LJWorld.com.
New OP fire station to combine space for learning with state-of-art safety equipment
When Overland Park officials decided it was time to build a fire station in the growing southwest part of the city, they were hamstrung. Like a homebuyer in a seller’s market, the fire department couldn’t find affordable land in the right location. The answer? A partnership that’s giving birth to both a fire station and a new career program for students in the Blue Valley School District.
Source: KC Star Local News
PV’s next long-term plan with focus on ‘attainable’ housing heads to city council for final approval
Following a public hearing Tuesday evening, the Prairie Village Planning Commission voted to recommend the city council adopt the city’s 20-year comprehensive plan known as Village Vision 2.0. Since fall 2018, Village Vision 2.0 has been discussed and workshopped in the planning commission and city council. Resident input has also been gathered through surveys. The comprehensive plan as it currently stands designates the five following priorities…
Source: Prairie Village Post
Municipal Bond Trends for January 6, 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.
Johnson County schools bring more students back to classrooms amid COVID-19
Johnson County districts are better equipped to staff schools despite shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders say, meaning they are ready to bring more students back into classrooms. After Thanksgiving, middle and high school students transitioned back to online-only classes as coronavirus cases reached record highs. Some districts, like Shawnee Mission, reported staffing and substitute teacher shortages, which were made worse by a growing number of employees in quarantine. Administrators worried they wouldn’t be able to keep school doors open. But after a period of remote learning for many students followed by winter break, district leaders say they are more confident that older students can return to classrooms, at least part time.
Source: Joco 913 News
Sedgwick County virtual town hall discuss the COVID-19 vaccine
Sedgwick County health leaders listened and answered dozens of questions from local residents about the COVID-19 vaccines. “My fear was realized when they said, We, just don’t have the data yet,” said Jim Yoder. One active voice in the comment section was that of Yoder who lives near Newton. He had questions about the vaccines because of his family members, his grandson who’s immunocompromised and his daughter who just recovered from cancer.
Source: KAKE – News
Lawrence leaders approve $200,000 to provide cold-weather shelter, but alternatives to problematic hotel program will be sought
City leaders have voted to continue funding a cold-weather shelter for homeless people at a local hotel for now, but because of safety issues and the significant amount of program funds going to repair property damage, they are urging city staff to seek alternatives. Volunteers running the program and some social service professionals who are not involved with it expressed concerns regarding the security and efficiency of the program at the City Commission’s meeting Tuesday night. Commissioners said they shared those concerns.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Sedgwick County extends COVID health orders
Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns has signed a new local health order that maintains current restrictions. The new order will run from January 10th through February 6th. Restrictions include limiting gatherings to 25 people, with people masked and maintaining social distancing. Restaurants are allowed to have dine-in customers at 50 percent of capacity. Bars and night clubs must close drinking and dining areas by 11 p.m. Those businesses can offer curbside, drive-thru and delivery services until 5:00 a.m. Other facilities such as fitness centers and retail stores must continue to follow the same provisions from the previous order.
Source: KAKE – News
Commissioners approve wind farm site plan
The Irish Creek Wind Project site plan gained approval from Marshall County commissioners Monday. NextEra Energy, Juno Beach, Fla., did not act on requests from landowners for turbines to be moved farther from their residences before the plan was OK’d.
Source: The Marysville Advocate
City of Canton receives grant for playground equipment
Home Telephone Company of Galva is pleased to announce that the City of Canton is a 2020 recipient of The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Community Grant Program. The FRS Community Grant Program is offered annually through The Rural Broadband Association NTCA and member companies of NTCA…
Source: McPherson Weekly News