Kansas Municipal News
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. building new COVID-19 sample collection manufacturing facility in Lenexa
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a biotechnology company with offices in Lenexa, is building a new facility in the city to ramp up manufacturing of products for COVID-19 sample collection and transportation. Planning of the new $40 million manufacturing facility is underway, thanks to a contract the company received from the U.S. government last month to provide highly specialized viral transport media.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Spirit to furlough hourly employees on 737 Max program in Wichita as Boeing stops work
Most Spirit AeroSystems hourly employees in Wichita directly associated with production work and support functions for the 737 program will be furloughed beginning Monday, according to Spirit. The furloughs are in response to Boeing’s directive to Spirit to stop producing 737 Max ship sets, Spirit officials said. It will affect around 900 people at the company. Spirit will implement the furloughs for the Wichita employees through July 6 for a total of 21 days, said Keturah Austin, senior manager for corporate communications at Spirit.
(Read more: Local News |)
Municipal Bond Trends for June 10, 2020
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.
Wyandotte County DA announces plans for new unit to investigate police misconduct
The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday announced plans to create an independent arm to investigate accusations of excessive force or misconduct by police officers. During a news conference, District Attorney Mark Dupree said his office hopes to add three investigators to probe complaints reported by the public, which residents will be able to submit through email and a hotline in English and Spanish. “If we are to really bring about systematic change, we must change the systems that have allowed the act of a few bad to go unseen and unchanged,” Dupree told reporters.
(Read more: Local News |)
Sedgwick County seeing slow increase in COVID-19 cases since reopening
Sedgwick County continues to see a slow increase in COVID-19 cases since reopening in late May. Health officials warn that those that do choose to go out, shouldn’t let their guards down. Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns says because of the virus’s two-week incubation period, it’s hard to say for sure why the rise in cases is happening in the county. In Wichita, some continue to follow recommended guidelines from the federal and state levels, wearing masks and social distancing. Others say the feel safe without those precautions as long as they’re not considered high risk.
(Read more: KWCH News)
County tax burden rates lowest in region
Marion County has the lowest combined tax burden of any surrounding county, according a new analysis by financial technology company SmartAsset. Combined impact of income, sales, property, and fuel taxes are reflected in the analysis, released this past week. Overall, Marion County ranked 42nd lowest among the state’s 103 counties.
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)
March makes impact in McPherson
“No justice, no peace” was among many chants shouted in the McPherson community during its first-ever Black Lives Matter march on Saturday afternoon. Even with a high temperature of 98 degrees, an estimation of 400 people in different age groups all united in McPherson College and walked two miles to Lakeside Park with their signs, making their voices around the community heard while being escorted by the McPherson Police Department. For Molly Anderson, a McPherson native and one of the head organizers of this march, it was an overall success and she was pleased with the turnout and how peaceful the protest was. She believed the message was finally delivered.
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)
McPherson awarded $132,000 in grant funds to help with COVID-19 relief
McPherson was one of 66 Kansas counties and cities to receive Community Development Block Grants to support COVID-19 response. City Administrator Nick Gregory announced Monday that McPherson was awarded a total of $132,000 to help small businesses. “The City of McPherson received word that they were selected to receive a 2020 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant, CDBG-CV grant, in the amount of $132,000.00 to assist McPherson businesses with eligible working capital costs associated with economic recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Gregory said. “The original application was for $300,000, but we are extremely grateful for the funds awarded to the city.” A preliminary inquiry identified 22 local businesses in need of funds who were potentially eligible.
(Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)
Manhattan city leaders hope sidewalk sales, outdoor seating will help struggling businesses
The Manhattan City Commission recently passed a new ordinance that could result in more sidewalk sales and outdoor seating areas at restaurants. The new ordinance allows businesses to apply for a permit to expand into publicly owned areas, like sidewalks and streets. The permit will allow businesses to expand outside from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. The permits will expire on October 31. Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers said he hopes the new ordinance will help both businesses and nervous consumers.
(Read more: KSNT News)
ESU President addresses budget shortfalls, plans for fall semester
Emporia State University President Allison Garrett said school leadership had cut 20 positions — including four current employees — and would be looking at more budget cuts as the university is facing a $2.2 million shortfall heading into the fall 2020 semester, during a Tuesday morning town hall. The forum addressed faculty- and student-submitted questions concerning the virus’ effect on the school’s budget, as well as covering initial reopening plans for the fall semester. “I know that you all are aware that Emporia State, like other institutions, is facing some budget challenges,” Garrett said. “I shared that with you back in early January and asked [faculty and staff] to be mindful how [they are] spending money during the rest of the fiscal year. I want to say ‘thank you,’ because you’ve certainly done that. We also recently shared that we had a need to identify $2.2 million dollars worth of budget savings.”
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
GCCC faces almost $500,000 impact to its 2020-21 budget
Garden City Community College says it is facing a significant fiscal impact due to rising costs in maintaining its liability insurance coverage. The Board of Trustees members met Tuesday. GCCC President Dr. Ryan Ruda told them the school’s annual premium and deductible would be increasing by approximately $494,000 compared to last year. He said GCCC must pay an annual premium of $325,000 and budget for the deductible of $250,000 in the fiscal year ahead. This compares to a 2019-20 premium and deductible of $30,549 and $50,000, respectively, according to the GCCC president.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Local businesses excited about tribal casino in Park City
In late 2019, J.R. Sartain took over ownership of 81 speedway, right before a global pandemic. … he’s hoping the addition of a tribal casino about a mile east will help business thrive. … Sartain already has plans to partner with the casino. … The city administrator’s office tells us the addition to the community is essential for growth. “So anytime that we can work with developers, bring jobs, bring other opportunities for our citizens, we’re just really excited about that,” says Dana Walden, Park City Assist. City Administrator.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Wichita gamblers could have two casinos within 20 minutes next year
Wichita gamblers could have two casinos within 20 minutes next year if everything goes as planned for the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. Billy Friend, chief of the Wyandotte Nation, said construction crews could break ground on a casino in Park City by the end of the summer and gamblers could be working the slots by 2021. The new casino would be the anchor of a massive redevelopment of 100-plus acres at the failed Wild West World amusement park near Interstate 135 and East 77th Street North, about 10 miles north of downtown Wichita.
(Read more: Local News |)
Wyandotte Nation expects Park City casino within a year
You could see slot machines as soon as next year in Park City. “In a perfect setting we would like to be breaking ground in the next 90 to 120 days,” said Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend. “And within a year maybe having our first phase open.” This month the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs approved 10.2 acres of land into Trust for the Wyandotte Nation in Park City. This allows up to Class 2 gaming on the property as Native American Trust land. The slot machines will be those Class 2 type machines that are bingo games, but look and act like Vegas Style slot machines.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Treasury yield comeback is real, and the 10-year could hit 1.5% within months, Wells Fargo says
Wells Fargo Securities’ Michael Schumacher sees the Treasury yield rally picking up momentum. With the Federal Reserve policy meeting on interest rates underway, the benchmark 10-year Treasury Note yield is edging closer to striking 1%. “We think in the next month, maybe two on the outside, you’ll see the 10-year top 1% and it should be comfortably above that level by the end of the year,” the firm’s head of macro strategy told CNBC’s “Trading Nation” on Tuesday. Over just the past week, the 10-year yield has surged 21%. On Tuesday, it closed at 0.824%. Due to the improving economic backdrop, Schumacher believes yields have quite a bit more room to go.
(Read more: CNBC – Bonds)
Municipal Bond Trends for June 9, 2020
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.
Zoo faces pandemic challenges, including replacing Zoobilee with Zoobilee To Go
The Sedgwick County Zoo, the state’s top attraction, has taken a triple hit from the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s taken a very drastic hit,” said executive director Jeff Ettling. The zoo’s operating budget is down $1.5 million; it had to halt the final phase of its renovation fundraising campaign with $1.7 million still to go; and now it’s canceling its signature fundraiser, the popular Zoobilee event, which raises more than $1 million each September. Yet Ettling is optimistic. Part of it is his nature, he said, and part of it is the way his staff is rallying with ideas. “There’s nothing crazy,” Ettling said he’s told his employees while brainstorming. One result: Zoobilee To Go, a virtual fundraiser instead of the traditional one at the zoo, which usually has more than 3,000 people standing shoulder-to-shoulder while in line for food or dancing at various music stages.
(Read more: Carrie Rengers: Business Columns & Blogs |)
Kansas school funding could see cuts tied to pandemic
Kansas school districts are trying to budget for some pretty big unknowns right now. No one knows if it will even be safe to have students in schools in August, and everyone’s worried about the $650 million hole COVID-19 blew in the state’s budget. Administrators are worried that if the state’s economy doesn’t rebound soon, they’ll have to make deep cuts in the middle of next school year. “There’s not a superintendent that isn’t preparing for something like that,” said Glen Suppes, the superintendent of the Smoky Valley Public Schools in Lindsborg. “We continue to hear optimism from (state education) Commissioner Randy Watson, and that schools are a priority for the governor. But I’m anxious to see how the tax revenues are going to come in.”
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)
Derby receives funding to help businesses
After an application made following a May 26 city council meeting, the city of Derby recently learned (as of June 2) it will be receiving $132,000 in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement funds through the Kansas Department of Commerce. CDBG-CV funds were made available at the state level through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Derby was one of 66 Kansas cities and counties to be awarded funding. The funds are intended to help local businesses reopen amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Based on employment members, maximum allotments would be capped at $30,000 or $50,000 for each individual business as long as they meet the necessary criteria – though Deputy City Manager Kiel Mangus said the amounts given out by the city will depend on the volume of requests.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)
Marion County receives large grant to help local businesses
The Marion County Board of Commissioners met on Monday, June 8. All were in attendance at the courthouse. The meeting opened with the usual updates on COVID-19. Health Department Administrator Diedre Serene stated that there are no new cases which has been the situation for several weeks now. She suggested that for now, the weekly COVID-19 updates be suspended as Marion County seems to have accomplished the goal of flattening the curve and stopping the spread of the virus. Serene asked that everyone remember to be safe and follow the same suggestions she has been giving along the way such as proper handwashing and social distancing. “Please stay home if you are not feeling well,” said Serene.
(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)