Kansas Municipal News
Johnson County health official: Early test results ‘good news’ in coronavirus fight
Early results from Johnson County’s random community testing program show mitigation strategies appear to be working to reduce the spread of coronavirus, officials said Tuesday.
But Sanmi Areola, public health director, said it is still too early — and data is still too limited — to draw any definitive conclusions. He warned that residents must continue following social distancing requirements and abiding by the stay at home order — which leaders have said could be extended past next week.
“I will say that our tactics appear to have worked pretty well. But it is way too early to definitively say that. And it’s definitely way too early to roll back. We don’t want to lose the gains we have made,” Areola said.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
‘It’s warmed my heart.’ Mayors in Johnson County see kindness throughout their cities
The view from a mayor’s desk in Johnson County — which is brimming with agendas, budgets, ordinances and regulations — could be considered daunting and even disheartening.
But several Johnson County mayors have said they are seeing special deeds and actions in their communities changed by COVID-19.
They see acts of kindness in the form of fresh flowers anonymously sent to seniors, teddy bears in home windows for children to count and warm greetings from those on walking trails.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
The City of Wichita explains decision to open two public golf courses
Starting Tuesday morning, the Auburn Hills and MacDonald golf course are opening their gates for the first time since a stay at home order was passed in Sedgwick County two weeks ago.
“When the order first came out, we looked at what is essential and golf is not really one of those essential things,” Troy Houtman, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Wichita said. “We wanted to be proactive and be on the safe side, but now that we’re feeling a little bit more comfortable with some of the processes that we put in place and it’s safe, we’re going to give it a try.”
Before the city decided to open these courses to the public, they put a long list of rules in place.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
County task force could help draft restrictions on businesses after state order expires
The county’s health director announced Tuesday he plans to create a task force to help address how businesses may begin to reopen when a state stay at home order expires, potentially as early as Sunday.
“I’m going to be reaching out to the business community,” Director Nick Baldetti said during a morning telephone conference. “Being that executive order 20-16, the stay at home order from the governor is set to conclude April 19, I want to sit down… to discuss what does post-April 19 look like in terms of businesses going back to work.”
“I want to talk specifically about steps to ensure the safety of the workforce,” Baldetti said. “What businesses open, with what guidelines.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
KCC extends order limiting utility disconnects until May 15
Citing the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas Corporation Commission used its emergency powers to extend a previous order suspending utility disconnects for nonpayment until May 15. The action, taken during a Commission business meeting Tuesday morning, will offer continued relief to those experiencing hardship from the COVID-19 virus. The previous order, issued March 16, was set to expire Wednesday.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Cities, Counties Worry on Losing Virus Funding
The $2.2 trillion federal rescue package could fail to deliver badly needed financial aid to thousands of smaller cities and counties where a majority of Americans live, according to documents and interviews with local officials.
The coronavirus outbreak has blown holes in the budgets of communities as the costs of battling it skyrocket and critical sources of revenue like sales and income taxes plummet.
The Coronavirus Relief Fund uses a formula based on population to parcel out tens of billions of dollars to the states while allowing cities and counties with more than 500,000 residents to apply directly to the Treasury Department for cash infusions. But localities below that population threshold are in limbo.
Among those affected: New Rochelle, New York, one of the cities hardest hit by the outbreak.
“I cannot understand the logic,” said Noam Bramson, the Democratic mayor of the city of about 80,000 people. “Cities with fewer than 500,000 people have been just as heavily impacted as those with more than 500,000 people. It strikes me as a completely arbitrary cutoff.”
(Read more: Kingman County News)
Wichita moves closer to construction of a new water plant
The Wichita City Council has given first-round approval to accepting a loan from the federal government to help pay for a new water treatment facility.
The $280,860,714 loan comes from the Environmental Protection Agency by way of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). It will pay for almost half of the new plant.
Alan King, the director of Wichita Public Works and Utilities, told the council members that one of the reasons the WIFIA loan is so attractive is a deferral of repayment for five years after construction.
“We figure about 4 to 5 years to build the treatment plant, and it’s a full five years after that we start the payment back,” said King.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Some commissioners say they’re getting pressure from residents who want to see shut downs lifted
As the stay-at-home restrictions to prevent COVID-19 wear on, the heat on some Johnson County commissioners has been ratcheting up from disaffected voters. On Monday, those commissioners passed some of that pressure on to county health officials who were updating them on the county’s need for more data.
“Simply telling people it’s for your own good, go home and sit down and we’ll tell you when you can come out is not resonating well,” said Commissioner Mike Brown, who represents much of the western part of the county. “I am hearing from people and they’re growing incredibly restless right now.”
“A plan to get us open must be developed,” he said, even if it isn’t immediately implemented.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Westwood hires new chief administrative officer, city clerk to succeed Fred Sherman
The city of Westwood on Friday announced it hired Leslie Herring as the city’s new chief administrative officer and city clerk.
The city held an open recruitment and selection process after Fred Sherman, former Westwood city clerk and chief administrative officer, took a position as a Johnson County Election Office Commissioner in late February 2020. Westwood Mayor David Waters said in the release that Herring “presented the ideal candidate” for the city.
“Leslie brings a passion for local government and a true sense of community service,” Waters said. “She has tremendous experience in issues of planning, budgeting and administration, but also keen insights into the values, needs and aspirations of modern cities and their residents.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
County block grants ready for Pratt-area small businesses
Small businesses that qualify for Community Development Block Grants should be receiving those funds very soon. Heather Morgan, Pratt County Economic Development, said once the funds are approved, it won’t take long to get them to the businesses. The funds have already been awarded to the county and are ready to go. The applications just have to be approved. Pratt County commissioners will give the final approval. Morgan addressed the Commissioners about the CDBG in a teleconference call at their March 30 commission meeting.
The CDBG micro loans have stringent requirements but because of the COVID-19 crisis, the Kansas Department of Commerce has loosened those requirements and is encouraging distribution of those funds as soon as possible, Morgan said.
(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)
Crawford County approves wind farm plans
The Crawford County Commission approved several agreements Tuesday with Jayhawk Wind, LLC, which is a renewable energy project in development by the company Apex Clean Energy, Inc. in northwestern Crawford and southwestern Bourbon counties.
In discussing the agreements, County Counselor Jim Emerson noted that the project is primarily in Bourbon County, with only 20 or so wind turbines in Crawford County.
“I think there were questions about the amount of money we were going to be receiving,” Emerson said. “The amount of money is proportional to the size of the project.”
(Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)
Shawnee rejects bid to relocate century-old Leawood home to Shawnee Town 1929
Shawnee has opted against relocating a century-old house in Leawood to its outdoor museum, Shawnee Town 1929.
Instead, city staff plans to build a replica house to represent the home of Dr. Sullivan, a doctor who lived and worked in Shawnee in the 1920s. Dr. Sullivan’s house is the next building scheduled for construction at the museum.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Johnson County spends $285K on COVID-19 gear for first responders, health workers
Despite placing orders since January, public safety and health care service providers in Johnson County haven’t received new shipments of protective equipment since the coronavirus outbreak began, county officials said.
To meet the growing need for safety gear to protect against the virus, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Monday allocated $285,000 to purchase masks, gloves, gowns and other equipment. The supplies will be distributed to police and fire departments, hospitals, nursing homes and correctional facilities.
The county entered into an agreement with the local firm Fully Promoted, which has multiple contracts for supplies coming from Greater China Industries — and is expected to meet the county’s immediate needs in one shipment.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
USDA Unveils Tool to Help Rural Communities Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (PDF, 349 KB) is a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address this pandemic.
“Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities preparing for and impacted by COVID-19,” Perdue said. “This resource guide will help our rural leaders, whether they are in agriculture, education, health care or any other leadership capacity, understand what federal assistance is available for their communities during this unprecedented time.”
USDA has taken many immediate actions to assist farmers, ranchers, producers, rural communities, and rural-based businesses and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on these actions, visit www.usda.gov/coronavirus.
Municipal Bond Trends for April 13, 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.
COVID-19 pandemic forces local governments to adopt tech solutions, host meetings online
Local government has been shoved and shoved hard by the coronavirus outbreak. And yes, things are bad.
But in one way, the pandemic is having a positive effect. It has pushed councils, boards and committees hard into the technology of the 21st Century. Elected officials, usually constrained by five-year plans, the bidding process and endless committee meetings, have been thrown headfirst into the world of virtual meeting apps.
Suddenly, there’s not enough time for preliminary discussions and staff investigations. Officials are forced to just try them out. And — temporarily at least — government has become a bit easier to access because of it.
Meetings from even the small cities are available to watch from home. Roll calls are being done where voice votes used to suffice. And soon, some viewers may be able to offer public comment without leaving their computers.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)
Muni-Bond Market Reviving After Fed Moves to Ease Cash Crunch
The Federal Reserve is helping revive the $3.9 trillion municipal bond market.
… as many as 200 new negotiated state and local debt offerings will price over the next few days, almost double the amount issued last week, fixed-income strategist Kevin Giddis said in a note to clients.
That would mark a turnaround for a segment of the capital markets that had virtually shut down after concerns about the coronavirus prompted a series of steep sell-offs last month when investors pulled out their funds. The market has since been steadied, with the Federal Reserve last month moving to increase liquidity for money-market funds and last week rolling out a plan to lend as much as $500 billion to states and local governments to help them avoid a cash crunch in the middle of the pandemic.
(Read more: Bloomberg)
Wamego coaches use technology to train and inspire student-athletes
Coaches at Wamego High are going above and beyond to keep their student-athletes in shape. With every squat, push up, and crunch, they get closer to their fitness goals, but how they’re continuing to establish a culture during a pandemic is equally impressive.
Red Raider coaches are facing challenges like every other school in the nation, usually, they inspire in person.
Now they need to do it from home.
(Read more: KSNT News)
Shawnee county leaders say their employees don’t need to worry about a pay cut
Shawnee County leaders said Monday their employees don’t need to worry about taking a pay cut right now.
County Commissioner Kevin Cook said the county’s emergency cash reserve has $33 million in it.
He said the county started saving that money more than seven years ago in case of a crisis like the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are not looking at having that budget cut to our employees,” Cook said. “That does not say that we are not susceptible to economic downturns, but we do have a healthy cash reserve.”
In some parts of the country, governments are pushing back property tax deadlines, but Shawnee County officials haven’t yet decided whether to push them back locally.
As of Monday afternoon, property taxes are still due by Sunday, May 10th.
(Read more: KSNT News)
Spike in Ford County COVID-19 cases related to beef plant
While they were hoping not to see it, Ford County’s Health officer said Monday, the county experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases over the weekend.
The county’s count jumped from two cases last Thursday to 13 by Sunday.
Just under half the total, he believed, are related to workers at local beef packing plants.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)