Kansas Municipal News
Local firms may get grants
The city of Parsons and Labette County will both file for grants that would be distributed to local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of Kansas will receive approximately $9 million in Community Development Block Grant funding under the federal coronavirus relief bill. Counties, cities and other localities will likely receive applications sometime next week. The maximum grant that will be allocated to any single municipality under the program will be $200,000. Jim Zaleski, the economic development director for the city of Parsons, said he’ll work with the city and county to file applications requesting the maximum of $200,000.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Parsons Public Library to offer curbside service
Beginning Monday, the Parsons Public Library will begin contactless curbside pick-up on the east side of the library. While the library building remains closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the no-contact pick-up service will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. “While the library is still closed, the library staff is excited to serve our community again,” Samantha Graven, library director, said in a prepared statement. “We are taking extra precautions because this pandemic is still affecting us locally and statewide. Our dedication to the safety and health of our staff and patrons remains our top priority.”
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Hospitals receive federal funding as revenues drop
Revenues at the two local hospital have dropped considerably in the past few months as elective procedures are postponed due to the coronavirus. As a result, both have applied for and received federal aid to help meet payroll costs. William Newton Hospital is projected to lose more than $1 million in revenue between February and April due to the coronavirus, according to figures provided by hospital spokesperson Sarah Johnson. Net patient revenue for March was down 10.4 percent from February, even though there were two extra days in March. Although final numbers for April are not available yet, the hospital estimates net patient revenue for that month will be down about 32 percent compared to February.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
City offices to open with restrictions
Most Winfield city offices will reopen to the public Monday with safeguards in place, after being closed since March due to the coronavirus. All offices, including city hall and the operations center, will reopen with their regular hours, Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said on Thursday. The only exception is the fire/EMS department, which will remain closed at this time due to the sensitive nature of the work performed there. The first floor of city hall, where the customer service department is located will only be accessible through the front door facing Ninth Avenue. The west door facing Millington Street will be unlocked to allow access to the second floor offices, but the door allowing access to the customer service area will be locked, Wall said.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
Louisburg, Spring Hill delay opening aquatic centers
The Louisburg Aquatic Center will not open Memorial Day weekend, May 23, as previously planned, the city of Louisburg announced Thursday, May 7 . “Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and ensuing business closures, lifeguard training has been delayed,” the city of Louisburg said in a post on its website and in a press release. The city of Louisburg said its staff has been working with the city’s training partner to see if and when lifeguard training might occur.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)
City projections estimate multimillion-dollar revenue loss due to pandemic; Lawrence leaders to consider budget changes
Revenue projections estimate the City of Lawrence will lose millions — more than $8 million in the most optimistic scenario — due to the coronavirus pandemic, and city leaders soon will discuss potential changes to the budget as a result. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive updated 2020 revenue projections due to the pandemic and resulting economic slowdown and direct city staff regarding several policy decisions impacting the budget. Those include how much of the city’s savings commissioners are willing to spend down, what service reductions they would consider, and what fee or tax increases they would or would not consider.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Lawrence inspected less than 1% of rental properties last year; commissioner calls for city to reassess program
There are more than 20,000 rental properties in the City of Lawrence, but there is very little chance any one of them will be inspected. Last year, of the 21,174 rental units that were licensed by the city, only 206 were inspected, or less than 1%, according to the city’s annual rental licensing and inspection report. After Commissioner Courtney Shipley pointed out that the regulations the city is developing for Airbnbs and other short-term rentals seem stiffer than regulations for long-term rentals — where more than half of Lawrence residents live — the commission will soon receive a report on the overall program.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Kansas stocks up on PPE to prepare election workers, voters
Kansas voters will encounter masked election workers seated behind plastic panels when they head to the polls this fall and use disposable stylus pens to cast their ballots. Secretary of State Scott Schwab said in a news release Thursday that the state is receiving $4.6 million in federal aid to prepare for the election, with $2.6 million going to county election officials. The state also plans to spend $1 million on personal protective equipment, including hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, face masks and disposable gloves. Each polling site also will receive two plexiglass shields to protect election workers and voters, as well as disposable stylus pens for voters.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Shawnee to reopen city offices May 11 with limited staffing
The city of Shawnee is planning to reopen city offices on Monday, May 11. In a memo to the governing body, City Manager Nolan Sunderman said the reopening of offices will occur with limited staffing, social distancing requirements and other preventative measures. City staff will provide an update on the COVID-19 situation during Monday’s city council meeting. The reopening of Shawnee public buildings coincides with Johnson County’s stay-at-home order, which is set to expire May 10. Without an extension, the county remains on track to begin gradually reopening businesses Monday with distancing and capacity restrictions in place.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
City of Wichita facing potential loss of revenue with empty Riverfront Stadium
…the City of Wichita could lose up to a million dollars if Riverfront Stadium, home of the Wind Surge remains empty for the rest of the year. “You know we have these incentives it pays for itself or should be paid back, debt by sales tax and businesses up and around that area,” Brandon Whipple, the Mayor of Wichita said. “We have no one going out right now with that sales tax. That’s something that wasn’t thought of.” Local restaurants and bars in the Delano neighborhood, where the stadium is located, were preparing for an uptick in business once the Wind Surge started playing games back in April.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Municipal Bond Trends for May 7, 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.
Possible cuts could be made to USD 383 budget at state level
State revenues are projected to be halved due to the pandemic, leaving possible cuts to Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 for 2021. Preliminary numbers related to the 2021 budget planning process were presented Wednesday to the USD 383 school board. Business Services Director Lew Faust says overall, their general fund and local option funds are down around $300,000. However, since they are not over the budget authority, this is good. Recent spring state revenue estimates from the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group show an estimated $827 million decrease for this year, with an additional $445 million next year for a total of $1.3 billion. Faust says the ending balance for next year is over 600 million in the hole, which the state cannot be in. A fix may include an allotment from the governor, which is a cut across the state. “An allotment of 1% for each student in the funding formula would equal $46. We have about 10,200 FTE, which would amount to over $469,000. If the entire 9.8% was covered through allotments, it would equal almost $4.6 million dollars for the district,” says Faust.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
Kansas Legislature to return for 1-day virus-focused talks
The Kansas Legislature will focus on the fallout from the coronavirus when it reconvenes for a single day later this month to wrap up the 2020 session, a leading lawmaker said. A panel of legislative leaders on Wednesday decided that lawmakers will return May 21. The truncated session is aimed at limiting exposure to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. House Speaker Ron Ryckman, a Republican from Olathe, told the Topeka Capital-Journal that it appears no vote will take place on a proposed constitutional amendment on abortion. Ryckman said expansion of Medicaid will likely be discussed, but “we really need to work on what’s a want versus a need.”
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)
Lyon County roads to see reimbursement for 2019 flood damage
Lyon County Commissioners approved a near-$50,000 agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for emergency-relief roadway repair during a regularly-scheduled meeting Thursday morning. The funds will be used in the maintenance of “federal aid roads” within Lyon County, some of which suffered damage during last spring’s flooding events. According to County Engineer Chip Woods, federal aid roads — such as Americus Road — are classified by KDOT and the Federal Highway Administration as “major collectors,” making them eligible for federal aid. “Being through KDOT and the Federal Highway Administration, this won’t have anything to do with our non-federal aid routes,” Woods said, referring to other area road projects currently overseen by FEMA and local emergency management groups. “They’re not eligible for reimbursement through FEMA since they were constructed by the federal government years back, but they’re still eligible through the highway administration.”
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
WSU announces plan for reopening
Wichita State University officials have announced a plan that will allow for some access to the campus starting in late May. Seven working groups across the campus have developed a plan called Shockers United. The first phase of the plan still has classes offered online or by remote and the campus is closed to students, faculty and staff. Crews will continue to disinfect facilities across campus. The second phase begins May 26th with some campus access. Students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing, and gatherings would be limited to 30 people or less. Classes will still be offered online or by remote, with faculty and staff still encouraged to work remotely. This phase runs through July 31st.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)
Amtrak will soon require face masks for passengers
Amtrak will soon require passengers to wear face masks, joining numerous travel companies that have recently put similar policies in place. According to Amtrak’s website, the company is still operating as an essential service for those who must travel and has suspended certain services due to reduced demand, but will require facial coverings for passengers beginning May 11. “Facial coverings can be removed when customers are eating in designated areas, in their private rooms, or seated alone or with a travel companion in their own pair of seats,” Amtrak’s policy says. “Service will be denied to customers not wearing facial coverings.” Customers must supply their own face masks. Small children who are not able to maintain facial coverings are exempt from the requirement. Amtrak is advising passengers to take precautions when traveling to other states, as each state may have different policies for face masks.
(Read more: KMBC.com)
Cloud County Community College offers discounted tuition for summer courses
As Cloud County Community College continues remote courses, it announced it will offer a reduced rate for summer courses. The college said Thursday that courses during its summer term, June 1 through July 30, will have the comprehensive fee waived. According to the college, this results in a $19 per credit hour savings for students or $57 savings on a three-credit hour course. This rate will apply to all Cloud County students taking summer courses, both via Zoom and online. The college said the rate will also apply to students attending other institutions who take summer classes at CCCC for transfer to their current college or university.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
Virtual basketball practices a regional hit
Kenny Eddy, head boys basketball coach at Skyline, recently started a virtual ball handling drill to help athletes get better while stuck at home. The program has doubled and tripled in area-athlete participation each week. These meetings are at 7 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Players need only their phone or laptop, and a ball to participate. “Right after all of this quarantine stuff started, I created a ball-handling zoom meeting for our Skyline guys.” Eddy said. “It was just a way for them to stay sharp for this summer or next year and for us to connect still.”
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Support builds for direct federal aid to counties, municipalities
Support is building in the House and Senate for direct federal aid to counties and municipalities in addition to separate funding for states to address their revenue shortfalls. A bipartisan group of New York lawmakers announced Wednesday plans to introduce the Direct Support for Communities Act that would evenly split federal emergency aid between counties and municipalities. The bill authored by freshman Democratic Rep. Antonio Delgado of New York’s Hudson Valley would create a new federal aid formula for counties and municipalities. The county fund would go directly to all counties based on their population. The “municipality fund” would use a modified Community Development Block Grant formula with 70% going to cities, towns and villages with a population of over 50,000 and the remaining 30% to municipalities under 50,000 in population. That’s identical to the plan announced Monday by House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., for a new round of federal emergency aid.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)