Kansas Municipal News
Marion County departments tackle COVID-19 response
County department heads met with county clerk Tina Spencer Tuesday morning and are announcing procedures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus at county offices.
“Marion County is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our community and work force,” Spencer said. “We are not closing the courthouse at this time; however, we are taking steps to limit counter access within individual county offices. Many services are available online, or can by handled by phone or by mail, and we highly encourage people to use the alternative service delivery methods as they follow the recommendations to practice social distancing. …”
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)
Topeka bus service safety in coronavirus crisis debated
The Topeka Metro transit service will temporarily stop charging fares as part of an effort to make its buses safer amid the current coronavirus crisis.
That was among two steps the board of directors of the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority voted 7-0 to approve late Thursday afternoon, said its president, Jim Ogle.
Topeka Metro said in a news release that the board adopted “a no-fare policy as well as rear door bus entry to improve social distancing inside the buses.”
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Bourbon County Public Health Officer places restrictions on businesses
Bourbon County Public Health Officer Becky Johnson issued an order Sunday night restricting or prohibiting businesses activities in Bourbon County for all non-essential businesses and making recommendations for essential business functions.
The following have been determined to be Essential Business functions for Bourbon County:…
(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)
Voters reject De Soto’s park plan. With COVID-19 threatening revenue, it’s on hold
De Soto Mayor Rick Walker said he was disappointed that voters on Tuesday rejected a proposed bond issue for a long-planned citywide park improvement plan.
But even if the $3.3 million bond issue were approved, Walker said officials would have had to seriously reconsider whether the project is still feasible as the coronavirus pandemic threatens city revenue.
Some officials worry the metrowide stay-at-home order that took effect Tuesday will cut into consumer spending and residents’ incomes, which could lead to plunging revenues from sales and income taxes.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Osage County introduces program to bring essentials to self-isolating residents
The Osage County Sheriff’s Office has launched a new program to assist those in need during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Sheriff’s Office staff and pre-approved volunteers will be available to pick up necessities, like prescription medications, groceries and more for those who are unable to leave their homes, according to a Facebook post from the Sheriff’s Office.
The Office said that they will offer this assistance Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To use the service, call the administrative line for the Osage County Sheriff’s Office at 785-828-4657.
(Read more: KSNT News)
Schools adjust to lunch on go
For students, parents, teachers and others in Newton Unified School District 373, Monday was supposed to be the first day back to school after spring break.
It wasn’t. At least not school the way they knew it two weeks ago.
On March 17, Randy Watson, the commissioner of education in Kansas, and Gov. Laura Kelly announced that all public school buildings in Kansas would be closed for the remainder of the year in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
(Read more: Education – Morning Sun)
Newton City facilities closing in response to COVID-19
To protect the health of City employees and the public and help limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the City of Newton will close City facilities to the public starting Wednesday, March 25.
The closure is planned to last through April 12 and will be re-evaluated then. The City will strive to limit the disruption of services as much as possible during this time.
“We are taking this step to do what we can to help curb the spread of the virus,” said Interim City Manager Kelly McElroy. “Delivering services and caring for our residents remains our highest priority. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the public’s understanding and patience during this unprecedented time. We are all in this together as we work to ensure the safety of our community.”
(Read more: KWCH News)
Parsons PD adopting new procedures amidst virus
The Parsons Police Department is making changes to the way it handles calls.
Effective immediately, the department lobby will remain open, but the records window is closed.
All business will be done through the dispatch window and requested documents will be delivered electronically.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)
Bourbon County Declares Emergency, Issues New Guidelines
Bourbon County Commissioners announce a state of emergency declaration in response to their first confirmed coronavirus case.
In a special session, Commissioners declared a state of local public health emergency for 60 days or until they are able to recover.
During this time, all non-essential businesses can remain open but will have to prohibit the public from being allowed within their facility.
This goes for bars, restaurants and car repair shops.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)
Spirit Aerosystems suspends Boeing work in Wichita
Spirit Aerosystems says it is suspending work for Boeing that is performed here in Wichita. The suspension also includes facilities in Tulsa and McAlester, Oklahoma. The move comes after Boeing announced it was temporarily suspending production at its plant in Washington.
Spirit did not say how many employees this would impact, but the suspension begins on Wednesday, March 25 and will last two weeks, until April 8. The company says it will continue to pay employees who are sent home during the two-week period. Spirit says it will also use the time to further deep-clean and sanitize work spaces and facilities as they continue to protect against COVID 19.
The company says when production resumes on Boeing programs, they will align costs and workforce to the new level of production set by Boeing, which could potentially include “additional workforce actions.”
(Read more: KWCH News)
Parks are open during stay-at-home order — but officials warn against gathering for sports, using playground equipment
State and county orders about the need to practice social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic haven’t kept some groups of people from gathering at parks and playing fields for organized games in recent days.
With the metro-wide stay-at-home order now in effect, officials are reminding Shawnee Mission area residents that, even though parks remain open, there is a limit of 10 on the number of people who can congregate — and even smaller groups pose a risk for spreading the virus.
Scattered reports came in over the weekend that groups of people were gathering for games of soccer, flag football and other activities at parks in Johnson County.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
‘It’s not martial law’: KC officials offer some clarity on stay-at-home order
Cities and counties are working together in the fight against COVID-19, and people staying at home are the best weapon to stop its spread.
Kansas City, Missouri, law enforcement officials gathered Monday to explain what will happen after midnight, what’s expected of the public and to clear up confusion about what the order means.
“It’s not martial law,” said attorney Maureen Brady with McShane Brady, LLC.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)
Neosho County reports first positive case
The Neosho County Health Department reported its first coronavirus (COVID-19) positive case Tuesday.
Upon arrival to Neosho County the citizen contacted the health department and informed officials of international travel. The patient has been quarantined and other people are known to have had direct contact.
(Read more: www.chanute.com)
Municipal Bond Trends for March 23, 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.
Spirit suspends Boeing work due to coronavirus pandemic; job cuts could be ahead
Spirit AeroSystems will shut down production of parts for Boeing in Wichita for the next two weeks as both companies grapple with the coronavirus pandemic and business issues it’s causing.
Boeing on Monday announced it is halting production for two weeks at its plants in the greater Seattle area, one of the nation’s hardest-hit by the coronavirus COVID-19 disease.
Spirit, a major supplier of Boeing parts and subassemblies, will mirror the larger company’s actions, suspending work on Boeing contracts at its facilities in Wichita, Tulsa and McAlester, Okla., the company announced in a statement early Tuesday morning.
(Read more: Wichita Eagle)
Shawnee County fights misinformation; city of Topeka announces coronavirus website
The city of Topeka announced at the Shawnee County Health Department’s daily news conference Monday the creation of a new website that will help Topeka residents locate any information they might need about the city’s operations at this time.
“We have information on that website that details all kinds of contact information for city of Topeka departments, and it also provides how people can pay their water bills, including the U.S. Bank locations where you can pay your water bills,” said Molly Hadfield, director of media relations for the city.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Sedgwick County recommends stay-home order; critical functions, defense industries exempt
Sedgwick County has become the latest in Kansas to order an array of businesses to shut down and most workers to stay home in the ongoing battle against the coronavirus and COVID-19, pending a decision from the county’s local health officer.
In a special meeting late Monday afternoon, the County Commission, acting as the Board of Health, recommended a widespread closure of business in and around Wichita for a period of 30 days starting March 25. To take effect, the local health officer Garold Minns would need to sign off on the order.
Commissioner Lacey Cruse said the order is necessary, in part, because the county doesn’t have a good handle on how the disease is spreading locally because testing is severely limited.
(Read more: Local News |)
Miami and Doniphan counties in Kansas follow others in issuing stay at home orders
Two more Kansas counties issued stay at home orders Monday as the novel coronavirus continues to spread and transform daily life across the country.
The order in Miami County, just south of Johnson County, goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The order in Doniphan County, in northeastern Kansas, goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, officials announced.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
Reno County officials discuss steps for ‘shelter in place’
The Reno County Commission met in a special session Sunday evening to discuss with Reno County health director Nick Baldetti the potential for imposing a “shelter in place” order for Reno County and what measures would have to be taken.
“It was to make them aware that it is my intent as health officer of Reno County not to be making such an order lightly, nor in a vacuum,” Baldetti said Sunday evening. “Basically it was to give the commission, which sits as the county board of health, an update in terms of our status nationally.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Kansas coronavirus update: Gov. Laura Kelly issues new batch of executive orders; 82 confirmed cases
Gov. Laura Kelly issued four new executive orders Monday evening after declaring her intent to impose a statewide directive limiting gatherings of people to no more than 10, down from the current cap of 50, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
She said the situation in Kansas didn’t — at this time — necessitate a statewide order to stay at home. The restriction on grouping of people takes effect Tuesday.
“All of these actions, while disruptive and unpleasant, are absolutely necessary to keep Kansans safe and healthy and to prevent overwhelming emergency rooms and our larger health care system,” Kelly said. “We’ve all got to do our part and work together to protect our families and communities.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)