Kansas Municipal News
A task force has been created in Crawford County to come up with a safe reopening and recovery plan
A task force has been created in Crawford County to come up with a safe reopening and recovery plan following the covid-19 pandemic. It’s made up of county leaders, health officials, school administrators, as well as local business and tourism leaders. The group will meet weekly. Members will work to share information to try and determine what’s the best approach going forward.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)
Emporia’s ‘Gym Bar’ receives citation after refusing to close
The owner of Gym Bar in Emporia is breaking the rules by reopening before getting the go ahead from the county health department. As of when this article was published, bars are supposed to remain closed, except for curbside sales in Lyon County. Matt Flowers is the owner of the “Gym Bar” and said they serve food as well as drinks. He reopened on Tuesday and said on Wednesday, a worker for the Lyon County Health Department asked him to close. When he didn’t, he was given a citation to appear in court. “The way I understood it, was I don’t have enough in food sales to qualify as a restaurant to be open,” said Flowers.
(Read more: KSNT News)
Wichita civil rights leaders discuss relationship between local African American community, police
George Floyd’s death and charges against a now former Minneapolis, Minn. police officer has civil rights leaders in Wichita wondering what they can do to keep something like this from happening again. In 2016, a crowd gathered for a Black Lives Matter rally in northeast Wichita. A community barbecue, bringing the African American community together with local law enforcement followed that, but area civil rights leaders say more needs done. “I think that was good. However, we didn’t follow through. We didn’t keep that movement going,” says Kansas Senate Minority Leader Oletha Faust Goudeau, of Wichita. “We didn’t keep that ongoing meeting at the park, building that relationship with the black community. So, we still have some of the same issues we had then.”
(Read more: KWCH News)
Clubs in Wichita’s Old Town re-open after months of being closed
A little bit of normalcy is returning to Wichita this weekend. Many bars and clubs in Old Town are opening for the first time in months. Mike Mansour, Owner of Heroes Sports Bar and Grill, says the response to the re-opening has been great, “People really couldn’t believe it! Like, are you guys really opening this week?” After sitting idle for weeks, clubs were busy Friday afternoon, checking light and sound systems, before the big night. “We’re excited to be open tonight! I think our staff is ready for it. I think our customers know what they’re up against and what they’re dealing with,” Chad Porter, Owner of XY Bar.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Labette County extends disaster declaration
Labette County commissioners on Friday extended for 60 days the county’s declaration of a local disaster emergency. The declaration is in place so the county can recoup money from state and federal sources in case it spends money related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, commissioners voted that the county could return to normal business without restrictions after Gov. Laura Kelly lifted her executive orders that shut down portions of the economy and forced some Kansans to stay home and others to work from home. Kelly issued her stay-home order March 30 and lifted state restrictions Tuesday, but she recommended that counties keep some restrictions in place to keep virus case counts down.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Kansas counties mull their approach to virus restrictions
Kansas counties had various reactions on Wednesday to Gov. Laura Kelly’s decision to give them the authority to determine their own coronavirus restrictions, with some deciding to keep the current rules in place and others effectively allowing most activities to resume. …Wyandotte, Douglas, Lyon and Coffey counties issued news releases saying they would continue to stick to the governor’s plan, while Johnson, Reno, Sedgwick and Ford counties said restrictions on the size of gatherings and how businesses can operate would now be only guidelines.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)
Rebuilding America: Officials shift Topeka tourism target to locals
The slogan “stay local, play local” hasn’t been officially adopted by Topeka in its quest to stimulate the city’s tourism. But as the city and state slowly reopen and start to trend toward normalcy following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a philosophy that city leaders are starting to fully embrace as a means of bridging the gap until widespread travel becomes commonplace again. “Our normal reach is far and wide,” said Jessica Schenkel, vice president of Visit Topeka. “We know our persona, we know our target markets and we’re trying to reach them in every way possible. But we also know that right now people aren’t traveling across the country or even state to state. So we’ve changed our focus to reach out to those close around us.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Shawnee County to open courthouse June 1, not require mask use
With public health concerns and practical considerations in mind, county commissioners voted 2-1 to reopen the Shawnee County Courthouse to the public on June 1 and opted to recommend but not require the use of masks when visiting the courthouse for county functions. Before entering the courthouse to conduct business, patrons will be asked to complete a screening questionnaire to identify potential COVID-19 symptoms. Though masks won’t be required of those visiting county offices, there will be masks on hand for courthouse visitors who request them.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
South Central Kansas Medical Center 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: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)
Municipal Bond Trends for May 28, 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.
A sense of credit caution is being felt in the municipal market
The municipal bond market was steady Thursday amid the pricing of several new issues, including a low-rated Guam Waterworks $134 million deal. Despite the market’s recent firmness, however, a real sense of caution is coming into play. Some sources say the municipal market needs to begin pricing in downside risk from the coronavirus-led revenue losses for issuers across the country, and that the market is largely ignoring the potential of real risk of impairments and defaults. Municipal to U.S. Treasury ratios have been a focus for many participants of late. Historically attractive ratios, low supply, and continued fund inflows are creating some strength in the municipal market.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
Emporia discusses budget, appropriations concerns amid pandemic
City of Emporia Finance Director Janet Harouff spoke with city commissioners about estimated decreases in the transient guest tax fund during a Wednesday morning study session. The decrease, which has been spurred on by the novel coronavirus pandemic, could affect some remaining appropriations payments for 2020. Without such economic drivers as the Glass Blown Open and Dirty Kanza over the summer, Harouff estimated the city could see an approximate $400,000 decrease in guest tax revenue. She advised that commissioners could be facing some tough decisions in the realm of appropriation requests moving forward, especially for entities such as Emporia Granada Theatre, the arts council and Red Rocks historic site.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
Greenwood County sets Phase 2 end date for June 8
Greenwood County commissioners met for a special meeting Monday evening after Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced control would pass to local counties to establish restrictions for their individual county reopening plans. Commissioners voted to continue the current restrictions put in place by the modified Phase 2 of the state reopening plan until June 8. Greenwood County Public Health Officer Vickie Lindsey-Ross recommended continuing to observe this two-week period in order to monitor any outbreaks of COVID-19 resulting from gatherings over the Memorial Day holiday. If there is no outbreak of positive COVID cases by June 8, commissioners will allow the order to expire and Greenwood County will open up in full at that time with no restrictions.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
Slower economic recovery feared in Wichita
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said lower demand in travel and previous disruptions to Boeing production orders could lead to a slower economic recovery in Wichita. “We may be slower to recover, the needs may still be there in Wichita,” he said. “Where employment may be slower than in other places in the country to return as we work to get our commercial airlines back in the country.” He made the remarks on Thursday while touring a food pantry, which has seen a forty percent increase in the demand for services since the pandemic began. Moran’s tour comes before he goes back to Washington. Last month, Senate Republicans declined to pass a relief package proposed by House Democrats. They wanted, among other things, provisions to protect small business liability.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Winfield celebrates National Teacher of the Year: Tabatha Rosproy
Small town Kansas didn’t look so small Wednesday evening as Winfield held one heck of a party for one of its own — dozens took part in the special drive-by celebration for National Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy. Rosproy’s community came out full throttle to celebrate her recognition with signs, floats, streamers, and a whole lot of smiles. “We just had the best time — it was incredible being named National Teacher of the Year during a pandemic,” Rosproy said. “We weren’t sure there was going to be a celebration, but I know Winfield and they brought it big for me and I couldn’t be prouder to be from here,” she said. Rosproy is the first preschool teacher to win the award and the first Kansan to do so in more than 60 years.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Rebuilding America: Local businesses down, but not out
Kevin Rule put on a smile and headed to work like he’d done every day for over 30 years. Ever the optimist, he did his best to get to his business, the Sleep Shoppe and Furniture Gallery in downtown Hutchinson, which he owns with his wife. But it wasn’t just another day of work; his showroom doors had been locked following a stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “My statement forever has been that I refuse to participate in any economic downturn,” Rule said. “I get out of bed every morning; I’m an optimistic person; I go to work, and I’m the leader of the fun parade within my organization.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Kansas public higher education absorbs $90 million financial impact from COVID-19
Kansas’ system of public higher education took a $90.7 million financial hit in the current fiscal year from the spread of COVID-19 that in March abruptly transformed operation of universities and the community and technical colleges. The financial estimate for the year ending June 30 didn’t include disruption of sports and research activities at the seven universities, 19 community colleges and six technical colleges governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. Bulk of the budget problems are at University of Kansas and Kansas State University. The KU and KU Medical Center campuses calculated current fiscal year operational costs of the pandemic at $30.5 million, while K-State put the figure at $22.1 million.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Wichita mayor frustrated with county decision to let everything open during pandemic
The mayor of Kansas’ largest city said he’s frustrated with a decision to lift coronavirus restrictions and wishes cities had more power to drive public health policy during the pandemic. “We actually have no authority to pass stay-in orders or to pass the types of restrictions that let’s say the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, can do,” Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said Thursday. Instead, county governments across the state have assumed responsibility for coronavirus response after Gov. Laura Kelly’s phased-reopening emergency order expired Wednesday.
(Read more: Local News |)
New Dodge City manager to start June 1
Nick Hernandez will officially begin his tenure as Dodge City’s new city manager, effectively replacing current city manager Cherise Tieben on June 1. Tieben will retire on June 16, but between then, will introduce Hernandez to Dodge City community partners and the operational procedures. Hernandez served nine years as city manager for Arkansas City, Kan., but is a Ford County native, having grown up in Spearville for 16 years before moving to and graduating from high school in Ashland.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)
Rebuilding America: Local tourism spots see winds of change
Boot Hill Museum planned to hold a grand reopening after the completion of its initial expansion project, but with the interruptions caused by COVID-19, it was pushed back to fall in line with Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan for a phased reopening of the state. Boot Hill Museum’s Laura Tawater said the museum was then set to reopen sometime in mid-May, but that again was delayed by institution of a new Phase 1.5. Despite these postponements, Boot Hill Museum continues to work on its reopening plan.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)