Kansas Municipal News
Reno County explores assuming Harvey County childcare licensing
The Reno County Commission on Tuesday will be asked to consider a request from the state that the local health department take over child care licensing for facilities in Harvey County as well as Reno County. Reno County has operated a licensing and inspection program within the county, on behalf of the state, for years. Its purpose is to ensure the operational quality of licensed childcare facilities in the county, in addition to providing “education and recruitment for new childcare providers.” In early 2020 the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reached out to Reno County about absorbing the Harvey County CCL program, according to a memo in the county’s agenda packet.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Municipal Bond Trends for June 1, 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.
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoes three bills crafted by Legislature in 24-hour marathon session
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed three bills Monday related to forming a $60 million business loan program tied to the pandemic, developing a new college scholarship initiative and allowing for delayed property tax payments to local units of government. Kelly, a Democrat, signed less-controversial legislation, including bills on wireless communications, restitution requirements of criminals and dropping a mandate on scrap-metal dealers to photograph junk vehicles. The package was adopted a week ago by the Legislature during a 24-hour session.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Southeast Kansas company is helping to outfit the Frontenac Fire Department’s new engine
A Southeast Kansas company is helping to outfit the Frontenac Fire Department’s new engine. The Frontenac Fire Department purchased a new ladder truck for about $400,000. … Sugar Creek Packing Company donated more than $20,000 to help equip the engine with a hose, nozzles, and oxygen tanks for the fire fighters. … Andrew Alexander, Sugar Creek Factory, said, “It’s a great thing because the roof on our building is a lot higher than a lot of the other places in town. This truck will be of great use if anything would come up at Sugar Creek and anywhere else in the community.”
(Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)
‘We are going to see some evictions.’ Kansas ban shielding tenants, homeowners expires
As Kansas locked down to fight the coronavirus and tens of thousands of residents lost their jobs, they could still take comfort in a state-imposed pause on evictions and foreclosures tied to the pandemic. No longer. Last week, Gov. Laura Kelly allowed an executive order that had shielded renters and homeowners since March to expire. The governor didn’t publicly announce the change, but the order wasn’t included in a list of directives re-issued in recent days. Her office confirmed the expiration on Monday.
(Read more: Kansas City Government & Politics News |)
Just like that, Wichita’s bike share program is gone
Just like that, Wichita’s brief time as a city with a ride share bike program is over. Zagster, the Boston-based company the city of Wichita contracted with to provide bikes through stations around the city, informed bike users through a Monday e-mail that it’s ending the program. “Sadly, the pandemic has also adversely impacted Zagster’s business, and we regret to inform you that we will be shutting down the bikeshare effective immediately.”
(Read more: Carrie Rengers: Business Columns & Blogs |)
Extra caution needed on Kansas roads during harvest
It’s a busy time for farmers in Kansas with harvest underway and hay season in full swing. The Kansas Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists to use caution and patience when traveling around farm trucks, tractors, combines and other implements. “As the busy farming season is underway, each traveler in Kansas needs to be more aware of increased farm implement and truck traffic,” said Lieutenant Adam Winters, KHP Public Information Officer. “In Kansas, we have many trucks exiting and entering the roadways at any given time. Traveling around these vehicles requires extra caution.” Most farm equipment is not designed to travel at highway speeds and may only travel 15-25 mph. Farm equipment is often wider than the lane of traffic so extra room should be allowed when sharing the road. Caution should be practiced on all roads, but especially on busy rural roads with unmarked intersections.
(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)
Spirit of Kansas fireworks show to go on, officials say
The Spirit of Kansas fireworks show will still go on as planned, Shawnee County Parks & Recreation officials announced Monday. Officials said after thoughtful consideration and consultation with county officials, they decided to go ahead with the Spirit of Kansas Capitol Federal Fireworks Display July 4 at Lake Shawnee. Spirit of Kansas Golf Tournaments will start at 10 a.m. at Lake Shawnee Golf Course and Cypress Ridge Golf Course, according to a news release. Other details of the day’s events are to be determined.
(Read more: KSNT News)
USD 373 meal program adding ‘Farmers to Families’
The USDA program has begun sending boxes to Newton USD 373 to be distributed by the summer lunch program for the month of June. As part of this program, Newton USD 373 has received boxes of various fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and dairy products to hand out with the drive up meals this summer. Contents vary per box. A sample box on Monday contained potatoes, apples, pears, carrots, celery, oranges and lettuce. One box per car will be provided in addition to Monday meals. Provided deliveries are on schedule, food boxes will be distributed each Monday through the month of June.
(Read more: Newton Kansan)
Johnson County voters will decide future of liquor-by-the-drink rule in November
ohnson County voters in November will decide whether they want to end the last vestiges of the county’s dry liquor laws and allow businesses to sell alcoholic drinks without also having to sell food. The county commission unanimously voted to put a ballot question in the general election that will lift a three-decade restriction – a move much sought by the new micro-brewers who have begun to open around the county. Brewery owners have been on a campaign since last year to get the law changed that requires them to make at least 30% of their gross sales in food in order to also sell alcoholic drinks. They’ve said the food sales add a layer of difficulty to their small operations, and lifting the rule would even the playing field.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)
Amazon to enter the Wichita market within months
For the better part of two years, there’s been talk in certain circles that Amazon is coming to the Wichita market. Now, sources say it’s finally happening in the form of a distribution center, though it doesn’t seem to be a typical warehouse for all the products Amazon sells. Instead, it sounds like the warehouse — at 4044 N. Toben, near 37th and Rock in northeast Wichita — will be mostly for larger products. Think of big appliances, such as refrigerators and washers and dryers, and sporting goods such as bicycles and kayaks.
(Read more: Carrie Rengers: Business Columns & Blogs |)
Demonstrations continue throughout Kansas communities
Protests and rallies continue across the state after the death of George Floyd. So far, each demonstration in the area has remained peaceful. Miranda Bachman organized a rally Sunday in Salina, and says the turnout was good. … Hutchinson held a rally Sunday as well. … Saturday, Wichita held two rallies: one at the Patrol North building, and another at Century II. Community activists say the one thing that makes these demonstrations stand out is the passionate yet peaceful behavior of attendees.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Municipal Bond Trends for May 29, 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.
To respond to COVID-19, proposed downtown Lawrence layout would have less space for cars, more for pedestrians and outdoor dining
If downtown businesses are going to safely operate during the coronavirus pandemic, cars are going to have to give people more room. At least that’s the premise of a temporary layout proposed for downtown Lawrence, which downtown leaders and city officials hope to see put in place soon. Downtown Lawrence Inc., the architecture and design firm Gould Evans and other local partners helped create the proposal, which reconfigures the downtown street layout to provide more room for pedestrians and outdoor sales and dining.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
‘Johnson County Museum tells the story of suburbia.’ Its new director embraces history
Starting a new job during a pandemic didn’t daunt Mary McMurray. In fact, McMurray believes historic times like these are perfect for starting a new collection. McMurray became director of the Johnson County Museum in Overland Park on April 6…. “In many ways, the Johnson County Museum tells the story of suburbia,” McMurray says. “It is a story that resonates with suburban experiences across the United States. As impressive as that story is, what impresses me most about the museum is the way it collects and shares stories of individuals who contributed to our shared history and identity in their own unique ways.”
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
$3.5M settlement for family of Barber County man killed in 2017 beanbag shooting
Barber County officials have agreed to pay $3.5 million to the family of an unarmed Sun City man killed with a homemade beanbag round fired by the undersheriff at close range in 2017. The settlement, reached in a federal civil rights case filed by the widow of Steven P. Myers, is thought to be the largest to date in any officer-involved shooting death in Kansas, an attorney for the family said following the expiration of a gag order Sunday.
(Read more: Local News |)
Guns, drugs and roughly $145K missing from Sedgwick County evidence area, sheriff says
An audit showed that roughly $145,000, guns and drugs were missing from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office property and evidence storage but more could still be missing, Sheriff Jeff Easter said Friday. Easter said a former property and evidence technician and supervisor started being investigated for the missing items after an employee noticed the storage area in disarray on Jan. 24. Both employees no longer worked with the sheriff’s office as of Feb. 27, Easter said. Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said the missing evidence, most of which was supposed to be destroyed, has led to some cases being dismissed.
(Read more: Local News |)
Hospital finances slowly improving
After going through several hard months financially due to the impact of COVID-19, South Central Kansas Medical Center and its clinics are beginning to see at least some improvement. We’ve done more surgeries by May 14 than we did the entire month of April,” CEO Jeff Bowman said during a trustee board meeting Thursday. Bowman said the daily census at the hospital had remained consistent during March. Expenses remained consistent, he said, but the medical center saw a total income loss of $473,000.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
City of Paola continues reopening process
City of Paola officials continue to push out weekly updates regarding the resumption of city services and public access to city facilities, many of which were initially closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The city has updated a graphic on its Facebook page each week to push out the latest information, with the most recent graphic pertaining to the week beginning Monday, June 1. The latest addition is the announcement that Paola Municipal Court will resume Thursday, June 4. Although the Paola Family Pool remains closed for the season, all of the city facilities at Lake Miola are now open, including campgrounds, bathroom/shower facilities, the new dog park and the beach/swimming area.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)
McElroy looks forward to challenges as Newton city manager
Incoming Newton City Manager Kelly McElroy couldn’t have picked a worse time for taking over her new position, taking over in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak that’s shut much of the city down, but having the advantage of a five-month head start in the job helps. McElroy was promoted from assistant city manager at a Newton City Commission meeting last week. She has served in the city manager capacity on an interim basis since the start of January, following the retirement of Bob Myers. “It’s definitely an exciting time to be in the world,” McElroy said of the timing of her hiring.
(Read more: Newton Kansan)