Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Commissioners vote to approve solar panel agreements

Bourbon County Commissioners on Thursday approved measures concerning the hot-button issue of solar projects in the county, although the votes were not unanimous. During the meeting, the commission discussed and later approved by a 2-1 vote a resolution rescinding the moratorium implemented in April on future solar projects, and termination of agreements with Hinton Creek Solar LLC, as well as a development agreement, road agreements and decommissioning agreements with Doral, NextEra and Advance Power for future solar projects.
Source: Fort Scott Tribune

Wichita’s emergency winter shelter will operate around the clock. Here’s when and where

The city of Wichita is moving forward with plans to open its emergency winter shelter in the former Park Elementary building around Thanksgiving. The shelter will be part of the planned multi-agency center for homeless services at Park. The City Council is poised to approve two contracts for the center Tuesday: one for more than $6.3 million of renovations to the building, and another to allow HumanKind to operate the emergency shelter this winter.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Municipal Bond Trends for October 31, 2024

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.

Judge rules lawsuit against Olathe cop for fatal shooting can go ahead

A lawsuit against an Olathe police officer who shot and killed a man in a mental health crisis on New Year’s Eve in 2022, as well as the city of Olathe, can move forward. In a ruling published this week, Judge Julie Robinson of the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas, denied parts of the officer’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, ruling that the officer is not eligible for qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that permits some government officials — like police officers — to avoid personal liability in some instances. The judge also declined to dismiss the city as a defendant in the lawsuit. However, the judge did dismiss one of the claims as they pertained to the officer in his official capacity.
Source: Johnson County Post

Prank 911 call leads to lockdown at Overland Park elementary school

Police officials say a prank 911 call prompted a lockdown at an Overland Park elementary school earlier this week. Overland Park officers responded to Sunrise Point Elementary School, 15800 Roe Ave., at 9:23 a.m. Tuesday after a Veterans Affairs Crisis Line received a threat. Sunrise Point school is part of the Blue Valley School District. Officer John Lacy, a spokesperson for Overland Park Police, said the crisis line reported that an armed subject was threatening to kill children at the school.
Source: Johnson County Post

Elsmore residents want housing, infrastructure

A Community Conversation allowed Elsmore residents to talk about their priorities and challenges. They talked about the need for short-term rental housing with an RV park or small rentals for hunters or those visiting the lake. They also want help with drainage and ditches. Infrastructure and housing top the list of priorities for Elsmore residents. The small community held a Community Conversation Oct. 22 to discuss what they enjoy about their town, as well as what areas need improvement. Allen County Commissioners received an update on the conversation Tuesday morning from Thrive Director of Community Engagement Marcia Davis. She noted that the conversation had 10 residents in attendance, as well as Commissioner David Lee and Road and Bridge Director Jeremy Hopkins.
Source: The Iola Register

Law enforcement use of county airport runway sparks discussion

Managing editor Sheriff’s deputy training at the airport was a topic of discussion at Monday’s Board of County Commission meeting. Both commissioner Raleigh Ordoyne and Road and Bridge supervisor Jimmy Workman observed several sheriff’s deputies’ patrol vehicles with flashing lights at the airport last week.
Source: Backroads News

School bond up for vote to improve handful of KCK schools

In August of this year, the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education approved a $180 million bond issue for voters to take up in November. It would allow for three new schools to be built, along with facility upgrades and improvements. One of the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools in need of major renovations is Central Middle School.
Source: FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports

Goessel City Council approves chicken ordinance

The Goessel city council met on Oct. 21 and approved Ordinance #311, concerning the number of hens that are allowed. Specifically, the ordinance states: “The maximum number of female chickens allowable under this provision shall not exceed ten (10).” Roosters are not allowed. Speaking of animals, the council also discussed the matter of 15 dog owners who do not have tags and collars for their dogs.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

5 WyCo projects that could add $1B in entertainment development

Coming development in Wyandotte County will cement the area as a local destination for tourism. More than $1 billion worth of entertainment-based developments are planned, from a beach-themed hotel to surreal art exhibits. Here’s a look at five real estate projects taking center stage.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

KCK bond aims to rebuild schools, keep taxes steady. Will voters support second try?

On the Nov. 5 ballot for residents living within the boundaries of the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools district is a capital plan that would rebuild two middle schools, consolidate two elementary schools as one and put an addition on the Sumner Academy of Arts and Science. It is a step district leaders say will enhance student opportunity in the district, one of the largest in the state, where some students learn in new buildings while others get by in crumbling facilities. The ask comes six months after voters widely rejected a more expansive effort that came with a $420 million price tag — more than twice the amount of the current proposal — and would have increased property tax bills for district residents. During a single-issue special election in May, that initiative failed by a margin of 58% to 42%, with less than 9% of voters casting a ballot. The vote is also happening at a time when local government leaders face heightened scrutiny and pressure over property tax bills. In Wyandotte County, both the Unified Government Board of Commission and the Kansas City, Kansas Community College, placed caps on property tax collections this year, bucking the advice of top staffers and triggering budget cuts.
Source: KC Star Local News

Wichita denied tax credits for affordable housing near new homeless shelter

The city of Wichita said it didn’t receive millions of dollars in tax credits that it would’ve used to build 175 affordable housing units for people moving out of homelessness. The funding challenge may force Wichita to significantly reduce the number of affordable units it can build adjacent to an emergency homeless shelter the city is in the process of constructing. The shelter – known as a multiagency center, or MAC – is located at the former Park Elementary school at Main and 9th Street. It will be staffed with a multitude of social services agencies. The city had plans to build 50 affordable housing units on-site – specifically, permanent supportive housing units that include case management – and 125 affordable housing units a few blocks away, said Sally Stang, the city’s housing and community services director. Without tax credits, the 125 affordable housing units are “not at all” a possibility, Stang said.
Source: KLC Journal

Voters to decide whether to add sales tax for EMS services

The days are dwindling to when Allen County voters go to the polls Tuesday to voice their opinion on a proposed half-cent sales tax. County Commissioners devised the proposal. The proposed tax will generate approximately $1.2 million that will be designated to Allen County emergency medical services (EMS). The county currently pays a $2 million annual contract (August 2024 to July 2025) for EMS services out of its Ambulance Fund. According to commissioners, the additional revenue from the sales tax will lower property taxes, though they have not committed by how much. Source: The Iola Register

Black Squirrel Fall Festival to include parade, costume contest

The 52nd annual Black Squirrel Fall Festival is set to take over downtown Marysville on Saturday, kicking off at 10 a.m. on Broadway. A day of old-fashioned fun, games and community spirit awaits, regardless of weather. The event, which replaces the former Black Squirrel Night, will offer a variety of family-friendly activities, including classic games on the Koester Block and at the historic Koester House Museum & Gardens. Some highlights include pumpkin bowling, a doughnut-eating contest, and an interactive “Unwrap the Mummy” challenge.
Source: The Marysville Advocate

City Park Opens a New Playground

On November 4th this year, the new playground in City Park will officially open. It has slides both tall and shorter in size, climb up ramps, monkey bars, rotating hanging bars, a padded ground and has some shade from the nearby trees.
Source: The Ottawa Herald

KU researchers build interactive atlas that gathers Kansas wind energy regulations, information for all 105 counties

The Kansas Energy Transition Atlas is an interactive, online site that allows people to find wind regulations in one place, learn more about wind policy in their neighboring counties, build their own maps and find detailed information including wind turbine blade length, how many transmission lines are in each county and much more.
Source: University of Kansas

Municipal Bond Trends for October 30, 2024

Road work is a fact of life in Lawrence. Here’s how the city and business leaders are helping small businesses get through it

With another huge construction project on the horizon for Ninth Street, Michael Leos, the communication and community engagement specialist for the Municipal Services and Operations department in Lawrence, said the city is aiming to improve communication with businesses about construction updates to help provide a heads up during what can be a tough time for businesses.
Source: LJWorld

Solar lawsuit moves back to local court

A lawsuit regarding a large solar project is heading back to Douglas County District Court, but now there are questions about whether the county may act on the controversial development before new county commissioners are seated in January. A federal judge on Monday ruled that a lawsuit filed by area businesses and neighbors protesting the Kansas Sky Energy Center should be heard in Douglas County District Court rather than federal court.
Source: LJWorld

Another Johnson County city is cracking down on short-term rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs

The Prairie Village City Council voted Monday to ban short-term rentals in the city. The new rules, which require a 30-day minimum stay, go into effect Nov. 1, 2025. The change comes after months of discussion and public feedback landed on a ban. Prairie Village joins communities across the Kansas City metro in placing restrictions or outright bans on short-term rentals. The ban will impact listings on sites like Airbnb, which allows people to rent out private residences for short periods of time, similar to a hotel.
Source: KC Star Local News

Crawford Co. urges people to not burn following small amount of rain

Part of the 4-States received some rain Thursday night, but conditions are still dry throughout the area. The Crawford County Kansas Emergency Management Facebook page is reminding residents to not burn even after receiving small amounts of rain. Burning while conditions are still dry is dangerous and can put yourself and others in danger.
Source: KOAM News

Former Wichita police deputy chief is finalist for top job at Topeka PD

Former Wichita police deputy chief Jose Salcido is one of four finalists for chief of the Topeka Police Department. Salcido was the Wichita Police Department’s first Latino deputy chief. He resigned Aug. 21, 2023, after roughly 28 years with WPD, which included overseeing criminal investigations. He left WPD and became Friends University’s director of security for six months before joining the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a data analyst for the past five months, according to his LinkedIn profile. Salcido retired in 2015 from the Kansas Air National Guard after 26 years, his profile says. He was a major.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Voters to see ballot question on alcohol

Those who have yet to vote will have a chance to decide more than just elected officials in the coming days. There is a ballot initiative on the Harvey County ballot, asking voters whether or not to remove a county rule requiring establishments with a liquor license to earn at least 30 percent of their sales from selling food. The ballot question follows successful campaigns to remove the requirement in many counties across Kansas recently, including Reno, Butler and McPherson counties. Harvey County is the only county with such a requirement, compared to its neighbors, outside of Marion County. A vote yes on the ballot would remove the requirement. A vote no would maintain the requirement.
Source: Harvey County Now

Halstead considers gas agreement

The Halstead City Council considered a new gas agreement with Kansas Municipal Gas Agency that could potentially lock them into a 30-year agreement. City Manager Ethan Reimer introduced the council to a “pre-pay” proposal he received from Kansas Municipal Gas Agency. Reimer said the proposal was more of a dedicated discount than pre-paying for gas. The proposal would save about $33,000 per year. The length of the agreement would last 30 years, but the city would have the option to re-evaluate after five years.
Source: Harvey County Now

Scam threatens Sedgwick area by impersonating police chief

The latest scam has hit Sedgwick, with several people receiving calls from a person claiming to be Chief Bryan Hall, threatening the person and saying there are outstanding fines. “We received phone calls from a few people that said they didn’t answer for the unknown number and the person left a message, indicating it was a serious legal matter, that they identified themselves as Chief Bryan Hall and the number came in from our main number,” Hall said. “That’s something that people can use computers to clone numbers, but the number they left to call back was a Google number.” If something is suspicious, Hall wants the public to reach out and bring it to the police department attention. These scammers are ever-evolving, trying to steal money by changing tactics, whether it’s by phone or by email.
Source: Harvey County Now

While enrollment drops, Newton District projects more funding

Enrollment dropped for the Newton School District but funding levels are projected to increase for the next year. The Board of Education reviewed a presentation at its Monday night meeting. The district saw a decrease of 99 full-time equivalent students for this school year. Overall enrollment dropped from 3,130 to 3,030 or 3.2 percent. Budget-wise, the general fund is expected to increase from $21.3 to $22.5 million according to information in district documents presented at the Oct. 28 meeting.
Source: Harvey County Now

Municipal Bond Trends for October 29, 2024

5 key points from Olathe Mayor John Bacon’s State of the City

There are big things happening in Olathe this year, and Mayor John Bacon sees more big things to come. That was the central theme of his annual State of the City address, delivered last Friday during a luncheon hosted by the Olathe Chamber of Commerce at the Olathe Conference Center.
Source: Johnson County Post

Survey: Kansans favor housing choices to deal with rising costs

Close to half of Kansans support building wider varieties of housing to help address a statewide affordability crisis according to the annual Kansas Speaks survey released Monday. Yet few residents thought their communities are doing enough to adequately address housing issues. Plans to build apartments near single-family neighborhoods run up against not-in-my-backyard opposition in urban locales such as Wichita and Johnson County. But statewide, most respondents, 62%, said they were comfortable living in a neighborhood with rental properties. Changes that would encourage such arrangements also found support. About 48% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that local governments should ease up on neighborhood zoning restrictions to allow more small, multifamily dwellings.
Source: KLC Journal

Wichita’s new push to educate on homelessness: a Tallgrass premiere

‘Hope in the Heartland,’ a city-produced documentary examining the challenges and triumphs of navigating homelessness in Wichita, premiered Thursday night to a crowd of at least 250 people during the Tallgrass Film Festival. Audience members were clapping, gasping and sniffling throughout the 110-minute film, which interviewed elected officials, service providers, people who were formerly homeless and people currently experiencing homelessness. The film also featured two city housing case managers working to secure housing for 22-year-old Caitlin, who had been homeless for four years at the start of filming.
Source: KLC Journal

Rose Hill voters to decide on $20M for school upgrades

A nearly $20 million bond issue is up for a vote in Rose Hill. USD 394 Superintendent Chuck Lambert says the district desperately needs upgrades. Voters rejected a bond issue two years ago, and Lambert says that put Rose Hill students at a disadvantage. He said a yes vote this time would give the district’s youth better opportunities to succeed. Lambert thinks adding storm shelters and secure entryways to this new bond issue will help it pass this time. He said the current entryways need to be safer. If the bond passes, it would also mean new culinary arts and science classrooms and sports fields, something high school students are excited about.
Source: KSN-TV

Wichita air quality unsafe for some

If you are outside in Wichita, it is pretty easy to see all the dirt in the air. On Tuesday, the City of Wichita advised people that the current Air Quality Index is 154, which is considered unsafe for people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens. Those groups of people should take these steps to reduce their exposure: Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
Keep outdoor activities short. Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
Source: KSN-TV

EPA gives update on Cherokee County Superfund Site

Folks in Cherokee County get an update on the cleanup and remediation efforts taking place in the historic Tri-State Mining District. Representatives from the EPA continue to inform the public on the status of area superfund sites. “One of our biggest points we want to get across is trying to protect families from the historic contamination from lead within the site and give information on how they can help prevent ingestion or any kind of exposure to the contamination that was caused previously during previous mining activities within the site,” said EPA Remedial Project Manager, Thomas Kaley. This open house in Baxter Springs allowed EPA officials to present residents with cleanup updates regarding the Cherokee County Superfund Site. They also discussed the latest information on soil lead guidance.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Virtual meeting option available for residents concerned about Kansas water issues

If you have concerns about water issues in Kansas, you have a special option to provide feedback. The state has developed a virtual on-demand meeting that connects with content developed from a series of in-person meetings held across Kansas last month. This will also build on local consult meetings held earlier this summer along with meetings involving the state’s Regional Advisory Councils. During the virtual meeting, residents can learn about updates to state investments in the water system. They can also learn about the criteria involved as the state works on aquifers, reservoirs and the overall water supply. There will also be information on revenue sources and action steps under consideration by the state.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

Wichita unveils more options for paid parking downtown. Here are the details

Visitors to downtown Wichita could soon pay 75 cents an hour for parking during certain hours, with some free parking time up front. Or they might continue to pay nothing for most public parking spaces, depending on how the City Council votes on several new options. The city unveiled four options for the future of parking in the downtown area, Old Town and Delano this week. Three options implement paid parking with different variations, while the fourth leaves parking as it is now.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

How Kansas is committing to electric vehicles

States across the country are paving the way for electric vehicles. This green topic is also harshly divided along red and blue lines—which is to say, it’s heavily politicized. In North Carolina and Virginia, for instance, Republican leaders have rolled back or stunted EV initiatives adopted by Democrats. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election, has criticized EVs and federal EV policies under President Joe Biden. Trump later backtracked and said he’s “for electric cars” for a segment of the population after receiving an endorsement from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. But if elected, Trump still intends to undo Biden-era EV incentives.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

KDHE announces guidance on cardiac emergency response plans

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued statewide guidance for cardiac emergency response plans as required by Kansas Senate Bill 19, which was signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in April. A CERP is a structured, written plan that outlines essential steps to reduce fatalities from sudden cardiac arrest. These new CERP standards aim to help schools, workplaces and community organizations develop clear, actionable plans to address sudden cardiac arrest emergencies. While these guidelines are not regulations, they provide crucial recommendations for saving lives in cardiac emergencies.
Source: Osage County News

Melvern invites all to ‘get down on the farm’ at tractor and antique engine show

The Melvern community will be getting “down on the farm,” as this year’s fall celebration will feature a tractor and antique gas engine show. Everyone is invited to the celebration 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Melvern City Park. Registration for the show opens at 8 a.m. There are no registration fees and all tractor and antique gas engine enthusiasts asked to come and share their hobbies with the Melvern community. Also during the day will be activities for everyone, with Melvern PRIDE breakfast beginning at 7 a.m., followed by a fall market, restoration demonstration, axe throwing, and a pedal tractor pull contest for kids and adults.
Source: Osage County News

Council gives advantage to local food truck vendors

Local food truck vendors will likely get a break on their annual license fees while those from other areas will pay the full fee, Iola council members said at their meeting Monday night. A special committee was formed in early April to discuss recommended changes to the city’s ordinance regarding food trucks. The committee discovered other communities have a much lower transient business permit fee than Iola’s. Currently, a six-month permit fee of $250 is the only option available. After April’s meeting, the committee recommended a tier-structured fee scale: $25 for a three-day permit; $50 for 30 days; $250 for six months; and $400 for a calendar year. A $10 application fee would be added to each of those costs and all applications must include a signed release from the property owner.
Source: The Iola Register

Pott Co. emergency management director wins state award for actions during tornado

With the Westmoreland tornado and Burkland fire, Pottawatomie County had more than its share of emergencies this year. The outstanding coordination efforts of the Emergency Management Department did not go unnoticed. Emergency Management Director Jennifer Merrow was named Emergency Management Professional of the Year by the Kansas Emergency Management Association (KEMA). KEMA President Jillian Rodrique presented Merrow with the award at this week’s county commission meeting. The award is presented to an emergency management professional who has been an outstanding leader for a number of years, who exemplifies the ideals of professional public service, has high principles of community preparedness, meets the KCEM certification, and has a personal dedication to the safety of their own community. “That is absolutely true about Jennifer,” said Rodrique. “Working in Northeast Kansas I have gotten to work alongside her and I’ve definitely seen this. I know how hard she works to build that Emergency Management program.”
Source: themercury.com

Dulin tells local leaders she’s ‘excited’ to work with them

Manhattan’s new city manager says she’s looking forward to working with local leaders to improve the community. Danielle Dulin on Monday introduced herself to officials from several regional agencies at the monthly intergovernmental meeting at K-State and said she’s excited about getting started. “The vibrancy of this community immediately draws you in and the energy that is here,” Dulin said. “That’s what draws you in.” Dulin began her new position Oct. 14. She earned her bachelor’s degree from K-State in 2007 after growing up in southwest Kansas. After working two years for the Federal Reserve in Kansas City, she earned a master’s degree in public education from the University of Kansas in 2011 and went to work in the city government of Mission Hills. She then moved on to Prairie Village and eventually Lenexa. Before Manhattan city commissioners hired her, she was the city manager of Warrensburg, Missouri, a city of about 20,000 people.
Source: themercury.com

Municipal Bond Trends for October 28, 2024

Municipal Bond Trends for October 25, 2024

Food truck ordinance to return to Marion council

The draft removes a stipulation that vendors could not sell within 150 feet of an existing restaurant without written permission of the restaurant owner. That is replaced by a requirement that a vendor may not obstruct an entrance or parking of an existing restaurant without permission.
Source: Marion County RECORD

Pittsburg housing needs discussed at open house

People from all walks of life come together to address a common concern in Pittsburg — the lack of housing. “We can add jobs, we can revitalize our downtown, we can bring in retail but if we don’t have places for people to live, they won’t move here,” said Sarah Runyon, Community Development Specialist for the City of Pittsburg. “Housing is one of the major barriers we have here in Pittsburg for future growth.” The meeting in downtown Pittsburg Wednesday (10/22) was a mix of housing experts, city leaders, and residents.
Source: KSNF/KODE