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Municipal News & Jobs

Municipal News & Jobs2026-08-07T10:07:18-05:00

Kansas Municipal News

USD 383 releases a new guideline for students for using AI

The Manhattan-Ogden school board discussed AI policies at its meeting Wednesday. The three-page document directs students to keep use of generated content appropriate for school, to check for information accuracy, and to consider privacy concerns and content copyright. The guide also advises students not to depend on AI generated content for assignments but to use it as a resource when it is appropriate.
Source: 1350 KMAN

City split on giving tax breaks for downtown retail, residential project

Manhattan city commissioners are split on allowing a developer to use more than $2 million in tax breaks and assistance to turn the downtown Commerce Bank building into retail and residential space. Officials from Hutton Development on Tuesday requested a 10-year property tax abatement, a sales tax exemption on construction materials and for the city to pay for half the cost of improvements to Poyntz Avenue as they seek to buy the building at 727 Poyntz Ave., tear it down and construct a new one with retail space on the ground floor and residential space above. Commissioners John Matta and Jayme Minton favored fulfilling the request, while commissioners Peter Oppelt and Karen McCulloh had concerns about it.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Kansas TIF district audit reveals delayed returns, higher crime rates

Some of Kansas’ largest cities are struggling to gain full returns on tax increment financing districts meant to help bolster development activity and property values, a recent state audit found. TIF districts, as they are called, are intended to fund real estate projects that otherwise wouldn’t exist. The idea is that the development will increase property values in the designated district, resulting in higher property tax collections that are used to pay off the bonds that financed the project. State auditors surveyed six TIF districts from Kansas’ largest cities and found that half did not recover their costs in a timely manner. Most experienced construction delays and recorded increased crime rates after development finished. At least one city calculated its TIF collection incorrectly. Auditors presented their findings to legislators at an Oct. 7 committee hearing. Most of the districts surveyed saw benefits, but whether those benefits were worth the investment is subjective, the audit found.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

Tensions flare as commissioners consider unified approach to economic development

In a marathon session Wednesday, the Emporia City Commission grappled with the complex task of reimagining the city’s economic development strategy. The meeting centered on implementing recommendations from a recent VisionFirst Advisors report, particularly the creation of an umbrella organization to oversee various economic development entities. The plan, presented by VisionFirst President and CEO Gray Swoope in September, recommends consolidating several key organizations under a single umbrella structure. This would include the Regional Development Association, Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Main Street, and Visit Emporia.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ortiz delivers State of City address

Manny Ortiz, Garden City Mayor, and Matt Allen, City Manager of Garden City, answered that question during the annual State of the City address at the Oct. 16 Chamber Breakfast hosted by the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce at the Clarion Inn. Ortiz said the focus on key priorities have shaped Garden City’s growth in 2024. The priorities include developing strong relationships with community and beyond, updating and maintaining public infrastructure and facilities, encouraging private development and creating new public spaces to improve the quality of life. “These goals have driven every position, every project and every initiative we’ve taken on in the past few years,” he said. Infrastructure projects were a big part of 2024, Ortiz said. Road projects are a critical aspect of the city’s infrastructure, he said. This year the city completed mill and overlay projects on Fulton Street and Mary Street. “These improvements are part of a broader street inventory and evaluation project that has provided us with an eight-year maintenance plan to guide future efforts,” he said.
Source: Garden City Telegram

Grant funding parking, music, and beautification for Sedgwick

Sedgwick’s downtown will be getting an upgrade, thanks to a major state grant it recently received. The Kansas Department of Transportation announced this week that it awarded Sedgwick a $215,384.80 Transportation Alternative Grant. The award was part of $31.5 million in grants given out statewide, aimed at helping to make Kansas communities safer, more walkable, and bike-friendly. The program requires a 20 percent local match for the project cost. Sedgwick’s grant, for starters, would improve the block on Commercial Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets.
Source: Harvey County Now

Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick counties declared a drought emergency

Harvey County was declared as a drought emergency with Sedgwick and Reno counties under a recent proclamation made by Governor Laura Kelly. “Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects,” Kelly said. “With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.” Parts of Harvey County, have been susceptible to wildfires in the past, especially the Sand Hills area near Burrton. In November of 2020, 5,000 acres burned near Burrton. In March 2022, 820 acres burned as part of a larger fire in Reno County that claimed 12,000 acres. Another fire in 2016 burned 1,200 acres northwest of Burrton. One in 2006 burned 8,800 acres. The release stated the declaration was recommended by Connie Owen, director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. “Although recent rainfall provided widespread drought relief, this relief was short-term, with many areas experiencing below-average rainfall for several months,” the release stated. “Forecasts indicate that drought will persist and expand across most of the state through October and into the winter.”
Source: Harvey County Now

Stump design chosen as North Newton flag winner

Blayne Stump of North Newton is the winner of the North Newton city flag contest with his sunflower design. The five finalists and winner were announced during the regular Monday night meeting of the North Newton City Council. Representatives from Conrade Insurance were there to hand Stump a $500 check. “Pretty crazy,” Stump said about winning. “I didn’t expect to win. I was excited to make a submission. I spent a lot of time making different designs.” The other four finalists were Byron Ediger, Elise McGinnis, Glen Ediger and Oscar Gonzalez. “I had a lot of fun designing this,” Stump said. “I spent a lot of time drawing out different designs on sticky notes and scratch paper. Finally, I enlisted the help of Oscar Gonzalez to digitalize my ideas and try out different color palletes. I am grateful for his help and to contribute an idea for the community. I only hope that all residents of North Newton can enjoy this flag and be proud as I am to live in such a beautiful community.” In making his design, Stump was inspired by the State of Kansas and the historical development of the prairie.
Source: Harvey County Now

Opposition to sales tax hike noted at public hearing

Local business owners expressed their opposition to increasing the county’s current sales tax rate during a special Jackson County Commission meeting last week. At the revenue neutral rate hearing for the county budget in August, some taxpayers asked about the possibility of increasing the sales tax in the county to offset a mill rate increase. About 50 people attended a special evening meeting on Sept. 30 to share their input on increasing the current sales tax in the county. The meeting lasted an hour and 45 minutes. Jackson County currently has a 1.4 percent sales tax rate, which includes a special .4 percent sales tax for road and bridge improvements and for each of the county’s cities. The state of Kansas has a 6.5 percent sales tax rate. In addition to county and state sales tax, the city of Holton has a .75 percent sales tax and the city of Mayetta has a 1.5 percent sales tax rate.
Source: Holton Recorder

Olathe OKs $350M in incentives for latest phase of Coca-Cola bottling plant

Olathe has signed off on $350 million in incentives for the next phase of the Heartland Coca-Cola bottling plant campus on the city’s southern edge. Earlier this week, the Olathe City Council unanimously voted to issue the industrial revenue bonds, which are also tied to a 10-year, 55% property tax abatement, to the development near 167th Street and Hedge Lane.
Source: Johnson County Post

Hays, Russell sue Edwards County over efforts to block water transfer project

Two western Kansas towns are accusing a neighboring county of interfering with their efforts to pipe in water for their residents to battle frequent drought and contamination. The cities of Hays and Russell last week filed a lawsuit against Edwards County over zoning regulations they argue target their plan to draw groundwater from the R9 Ranch in Edwards County to supplement their municipal water supplies. Hays and Russell’s lawsuit says their current supplies are “highly susceptible to drought and contamination” and calls their plan to pipe water from the ranch one of “existential importance.” According to the lawsuit, Edwards County has opposed the R9 Ranch project from the outset.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Edwardsville needs new city buildings. Why officials say added tax won’t burden residents

About 10 years ago, the city of Edwardsville bought its police station for $1. Meant as a temporary solution, the station has seen investments over the years well beyond that face value. Now, the building — more accurately a series of trailers bolted together, standing on cinder blocks about 200 feet from City Hall — is one of three major pieces of public infrastructure that Edwardsville officials hope to rebuild. And they’re asking residents to establish a 1% local sales tax to pay for it. “It’s not an initiative of want. The bottom line here is that the conditions within these facilities are deplorable. They’re intolerable to our employees, and at some point we have to do something,” Edwardsville City Manager Mark Mathies said.
Source: KC Star Local News

Emerald Ash borer continues to spread in Kansas

The emerald ash borer continues to spread in Kansas. The pest, which has already killed hundreds of millions of Ash trees across the U.S. and Canada, has now spread to 15 Kansas counties. The latest sighting was confirmed this week in Nemaha County by the Kansas Forest Service, working with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension Office. The emerald ash borer had been suspected to be in the county for some time. However, according to Kansas State, this is the first time a live insect was found to definitely confirm it. This is the second county with a confirmed sighting this year. The insect was discovered earlier this year in Lyon County.
Source: KSN-TV

McPherson’s Pfizer plant lays off 80 people

The Pfizer plant in McPherson laid off 80 people, KSN News confirmed on Thursday. Those impacted included professional/salaried employees, and production was not impacted. Tucky Allen, Kansas WorkforceONE, says there will be a meeting next week for those impacted. The statement explains the layoffs are based on projected product demands. They are being carried out as Pfizer makes operations more efficient at the McPherson plant. The McPherson plant manufactures sterile injectable medicines used in hospitals worldwide. The company employs around 1,800 people.
Source: KSN-TV

How these Kansas towns got their unique names

In terms of size, Kansas is 81,823 sq miles, larger than 37 other states, including most of its neighbors, with the exception of Colorado. Data from the Census Bureau shows there are 671 incorporated and unincorporated communities in Kansas where people live. Many of these communities have names associated with their founders or historical figures, such as Ulysses or Lincoln. Others have names of Native American or even French origin, like Kiowa or La Cygne. Still others are named after other towns and cities where their pioneer founders were originally from. Below is a list of some Kansas communities with some interesting or unexpected name origins. Please note that this list does not include any of the numerous ghost towns that exist across Kansas, although many of them, like the Butler County town of Bois d’Arc, also have unique names and interesting stories behind them.
Source: KSN-TV

Cities in Kansas competing for Tank of the Year

Eleven cities in Kansas are competing for the 2024 Tank of the Year. Tnemec Co. Inc., a commercial and industrial paint company, is hosting the competition with participating cities in the USA and Canada. A two-week voting window for the People’s Choice of water tank is currently open. The public vote will close on Oct. 18, and the Tank of the Year announcement is planned for Oct. 25. Last year’s winner was featured in Tnemec’s 2024 water tank calendar. A Tnemec committee of water tank enthusiasts will select the other 11 finalists.
Source: KSN-TV

Topeka receives $4 million grant to improve lead safety of local homes

The City of Topeka is celebrating after being awarded a $4 million grant to improve child safety and housing health. City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett announced in a press release that a $4 million Lead Hazard Reduction Grant will be distributed to the city’s Housing Services Division over the course of four years. The start date for the distribution will be Nov. 15, 2024 with the end date being Nov. 15, 2024. Garrett said the cash will be used to grow the city’s rehabilitation programs to address and mitigate lead hazards. The end goal is to make an estimated 180 homes lead-safe for families.
Source: KSNT 27 News

City leaders take action to address Topeka’s housing shortage

The council unanimously approved a deal with local developer, Gen III construction, on a new housing subdivision in north Topeka. They established a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) as part of a state-sanctioned program. Gen III will cover the costs to develop 15 houses up front. The city will reimburse them up to $385,000 on the back end using the increase in property taxes generated from the project. Prices for the houses in the subdivision will range from $260,000 to $325,000. RHIDs require city and state approval. In short, they help local governments address housing needs. Capital city leaders approved another RHID for low-income apartments back in August.
Source: KSNT 27 News

City to consider protecting renters from income source discrimination

Manhattan residents may soon be protected from discrimination based on their source of income. City commissioners on Tuesday will discuss expanding the city’s non-discrimination ordinance to bar landlords, property owners and real estate brokers from refusing to rent to prospective tenants who want to pay with legal income other than job wages. That means tenants would be able to pay for housing using vouchers, disability payments, rent relief programs and other sources of income. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, source-of-income discrimination disproportionately affects people of color, people with disabilities, elderly people and women. Lawrence and Kansas City, Missouri, recently have added source-of-income protections to their city codes.
Source: themercury.com

Municipal Bond Trends for October 18, 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.

Three Kansas hospitals try rural emergency status

Kansas has more rural hospitals at immediate risk of closure than any other state in the nation, with 31 of Kansas’s 98 rural inpatient hospitals at risk. Since 2010, eight Kansas hospitals have closed, leaving patients with less access to health care in their communities. The added barriers can add more difficulty on a population that already experiences health disparities compared to urban and suburban populations.
Source: CJonline

Municipal Bond Trends for October 17, 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.

Municipal Bond Trends for October 16, 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.

Garden City approves plan for opioid litigation settlement funds

The Garden City Commission approved a strategic plan for the expenditure of the city’s Opioid Settlement funds. Courtney Prewitt, Garden City Police Chief, said the city is set to receive a total of about $290,000 over the next 14 years as part of their participating in the state’s litigation settlements with “major pharmaceutical companies, distributors and related entities as part of the state’s efforts to hold accountable those responsible for the opioid crisis.”
Source: GC Telegram/

Applications are open for Second Round of Funding to Improve Digital Skills for Kansans (Due: November 18)

A total of $1.95 million in funds will be available to enhance the digital skills of Kansans…. The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) encourages local governments, community organizations, educational institutions, and other organizations to continue collaborating on enriching Kansas communities through digital advancements. … To learn more about the entities eligible to apply, click here.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Municipal Bond Trends for October 15, 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.

Harvey County considers changes to road impact fees

Harvey County Commissioners looked at making changes to the road impact fees that only some residents are required to pay. Initially set up in 2000, road impact fees are designed to help the townships with road improvement costs. When a resident or business moves to an area where the roads need improvements, they are charged a road improvement fee.
Source: Harvey County Now

Bentley officers undergo drone training

Bentley Police Chief J.T. Bryan, Deputy Chief Scott Harris and Officer Jeff Lappin all attended Drone Assessment and Response Tactics training from Sept. 24 to 26. The trio was also joined by an officer from Mount Hope and one from Colwich … “We have already had drone complaints in Bentley,” Bryan said. “It’s obvious the ownership and use of drones continues to rapidly increase.”
Source: Harvey County Now

Merriam wants to move to single citywide trash hauler

The city of Merriam is moving its single trash hauler process forward. On Monday, the Merriam City Council unanimously voted to approve a resolution of intent to organize a single waste hauler for residential services. The vote was in line with new state statutes governing the process, which Merriam may be the first city to use specifically for waste haulers.
Source: Johnson County Post

Despite leaner times, Wichita stays the course on libraries

Wichita is cutting back to ready for a budget shortfall in the coming years. … But the Wichita Public Library stands apart. It’s a sign that, after a period in which libraries were labeled as obsolete, there’s growing agreement that they play a vital role in the community.
Source: KLC Journal

Rural hospital leaders ask for sales tax support on upcoming ballots

The CEOs of both Logan and Gove County hospitals said the cost of doing business has exploded, while patient hospital bills, owed to the hospitals, still go unpaid, leading to debt. They said education is what they hope will get them a yes vote on this year’s sales tax questions. Gove County Medical Center is asking for a renewal of a one-cent sales tax, which has existed since 2015. … Logan County Health Services CEO Aimee Zimmerman said the company wants to add a half-cent sales tax to the existing half-cent …
Source: KSN-TV

Mildred folks share concerns

The small but mighty community of Mildred remains positive about its prospects, Marcia Davis told Allen County Commissioners at their meeting Tuesday morning. “They like that it is quiet, that everybody helps each other, and they love their store,” was the upshot of an Oct. 1 Community Conversation, said Davis, who serves as Thrive Allen County’s Director of Community Engagement. The downside of being a population of 12, is that they lack funding for community goals, they admitted. And with the exodus of residents comes a lack of adequate housing.
Source: The Iola Register

Cato celebrates its history

The oldest town in Crawford County is gearing up for two events next week. The first is Cato Kids’ Day … to see presentations on life in the 1800s, and Cato history. The presentations will include the one-room school house, covered wagons, blacksmithing, 1800’s weaponry, cowboys, native Americans, drovers, and the Gettysburg Address.
Source: Morning Sun

‘Trade Pull’ shows Pittsburg’s growing strength

One of the ways commonly used to determine the strength of a local economy is to calculate a statistic called the “trade pull factor.” … As the largest city in Southeast Kansas, Pittsburg could expect to have a PF greater than 1; however, prior to the construction of the Town Center development, Pittsburg had a trade pull factor of less than 1, probably due to the proximity of shopping alternatives in Joplin.
Source: Morning Sun

Governor Kelly Announces More than $17M Investment for Energy Grid Resiliency

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that 11 Kansas communities have secured more than $17 million for energy grid resilience. This investment combines nearly $12 million in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s 40101(d) Grid Resilience Grant Program and more than $5.8 million in matching funds from the Kansas Infrastructure Hub and Build Kansas Fund.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

Is Zoning Government’s ‘Most Significant Regulatory Power’?

Eight in 10 Americans live in a city, and zoning determines their daily experience of life in ways that few realize. Sara Bronin, an architect, lawyer, academic and historical preservation expert, has written a book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World, to raise awareness of the essential role of zoning in making cities healthy, sustainable and enjoyable places to live. “By and large, people think of zoning as an often-bewildering set of rules enshrined in inscrutable maps and regulations,” Bronin writes. She grew up in Houston, the only large city in the country without zoning, but became a national expert, including contributing to legal reference books on the subject. “The paradox of zoning — the tragedy of zoning — is that it often starts out in a hopeful attempt to improve our cities and the lives we live in them,” Bronin says in her book. “Then, all too often it fails; it even does the opposite.” In a conversation with Governing, she offers examples of “zoning for good,” and the need for more people to understand how zoning reform can improve communities.
Source: Governing

Sedgwick, Reno, Harvey counties placed in emergency drought status

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has released an updated drought declaration that places three counties, Sedgwick, Reno and Harvey, into an emergency status. Kingman, Harper, Sumner and Cowley counties are in a warning status, while Butler, Rice, McPherson, Marion and Chase counties are in a drought watch. In a statement issued Friday, Governor Kelly said, “Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects. With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.” The drought declaration placed three counties into emergency status, 55 into warning status, and 47 into watch status. The action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. Although recent rainfall provided widespread drought relief, this relief was short-term, with many areas experiencing below-average rainfall for several months. Forecasts indicate that drought will persist and expand across most of the state through October and into the winter.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Bel Aire files lawsuit over Woodlawn project

The City of Bel Aire has filed a lawsuit against an engineering firm, a planning firm and a construction company over the failure of pavement in a project to improve a section of Woodlawn. The suit claims professional negligence and a breach of contract resulted in pavement failures on a project to improve Woodlawn between 37th and 45th Streets North. The city is looking to recover damages to redesign and reconstruct the road, and the Kansas Department of Transportation has estimated that the cost could be between $3 million and $8 million. The lawsuit names Mid-Kansas Engineering Consultants (MKEC), Pearson Construction and Garver, LLC. City leaders said they spent more than a year in discussions with all interested parties but could not reach a satisfactory option. The city has canceled its contract with MKEC and has hired Professional Engineering Consultants to begin work on the reconstruction of Woodlawn. KDOT will help the city with short-term financing for the project. Bel Air Mayor Jim Benage said in a press release, “The failure of this project has been a huge burden on the citizens of Bel Aire. Our City staff and Council are frustrated by this adversity, but we are more determined than ever to get this job done right, and get it done as quickly as possible.”
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Riley County Fire Department working to protect against wildfires

Local officials are seeking a grant that provides resources to help communities protect against wildfires. Together with the Kansas Forest Service, the Riley County Emergency Management and Fire Department applied for a Community Fire Defense Grant. “That protection plan is a guide for public entities and citizens on practices, techniques, things to keep in mind on how to prepare for or protect your property for a wildfire,” said Russel Stukey, Riley County emergency management director.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ark City set to install new welcome signs

Ark City commissioners will consider a resolution to replace three city entrance welcome signs. If approved, new signs will be installed at the north, east and south entrances with a cost not to exceed $42,474.95. Several contractors would be involved in the project. Silverdale Stone would install the three signs; Sign Solutions would install the lettering on the bridge sign at the west entrance; and Alcon Lighting would install outdoor LED commercial lighting. There will be additional costs for in-house crews setting foundations and troughs along with the electrical work on the west bridge.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

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