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Kansas Municipal News

Municipal Bond Trends for January 28, 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 Advisors.

Topeka Mayor hopes to see city implement local preference legislation

Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla advocates having the city government implement legislation that would give preference to local companies in its procurement decisions, she said Tuesday.

De La Isla said she and city manager Brent Trout were working out the details of a proposal that would put such an arrangement in place while also providing preference to companies that employ a diverse workforce.

But the city wouldn’t choose a local company over an out-of-town one in some situations, such as if that meant the city had to spend “a million more dollars,” De La Isla said.

(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

KDOT secretary presents ideas for new highway plan

Kansas Department of Transportation secretary Julie Lorenz outlined her vision Tuesday for a long-range highway plan built around an evolving pipeline of projects and attention to technology needs.

She presented lawmakers in the Senate Transportation Committee with the plan for “Forward,” the agency’s proposal for the next in a series of long-term blueprints for addressing the state’s infrastructure needs.

The idea behind “Forward” is to identify and deploy major projects every two years, as opposed to mapping out 10 years worth of projects all at once. Under T-Works, the most recent highway plan, years of funding sweeps let to severe delays and the elimination of projects.

(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)

Unable to reach a contract agreement, Shawnee Mission teachers warn of ‘mass exodus’

Union representatives in the Shawnee Mission school district warned there could be a “mass exodus” of teachers now that the two sides have failed to agree on a new contract for this school year — despite negotiating since last spring.

“Special education (teachers) could walk out today. There are openings in districts 10 miles from here in special ed. Young teachers can go to other districts and make more money,” said Linda Sieck, president of the National Education Association-Shawnee Mission. “Secondary teachers might be willing to take a pay decrease to know that their district is interested in working with teachers.”

School district administration and union officials met for five hours on Tuesday to take one last stab at reaching a contract agreement. The unsuccessful final session followed months of negotiations and a state-mandated fact-finding process.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Here’s what to know about the coronavirus that might be in Lawrence, Kansas

On Tuesday the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced that a person in Lawrence is being investigated for possible exposure to the virus. Missouri health officials say they have not identified any cases of the virus.

Though deaths have been reported in China, most people who get sick from the virus will recover on their own, says the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

People infected usually spread it to other people by coughing or sneezing, or through personal contact — such as touching or shaking hands.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Dodge City police officer wasn’t using lights and sirens before deadly crash, cops say

A western Kansas police officer who crashed his patrol vehicle into a car, killing its driver, while responding to an emergency call was not using lights and sirens.

The wreck happened early Saturday morning as Cpl. Shane Harris was responding to a break-in in progress call, law enforcement officials said. Vanessa Guzman drove into the path of the patrol vehicle, and the resulting collision rolled her car over a guardrail. She was ejected as the car rolled and died of her injuries.

The Dodge City Police Department said Tuesday in an update on the case that the officer was not using lights and sirens. The officers responding to the original break-in report downgraded the emergency response from lights and sirens due to information they received while en route.

(Read more: Local News |)

Labette County Judge hearing cases in new location

Starting this week, a Labette County Judge will hear cases in a new location and county officials may have to spend money outside the budget to accommodate the change.

The 11th Judicial District has moved Judge Fred W. Johnson’s docket from the Labette County Judicial Center in Parsons to the courthouse in Oswego.

The change came from the direction of 11th Judicial District Chief Judge Oliver Kent Lynch of Columbus, who did not give a reason for the change.

County leaders say moving the judge’s docket will cost the county and the city money.

Reno County supports public health funding increase

The Reno County Commission on Tuesday offered support for a request to state lawmakers to nearly double the state’s allocation for a category of annual public health funding.

“The State Formula Grant, which is dedicated funding for the KDHE in the state’s budget, has remained flat since 1992,” Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti advised the commission.

The Kansas Association of Local Health Departments, of which Reno County is a member, is seeking a $4.1 million allocation next year, which is then dispensed to health departments around the state.

The annual allocation is now only $2.2 million, from which Reno County usually gets between $14,000 and $15,000, Baldetti said.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Butler County Fire District #3 helps Rose Hill PD with boa constrictor

Butler County Fire District # was asked by Rose Hill PD for assistance with an unusual call in Rose Hill.
A citizen called 911 and reported finding a six foot Boa Constrictor in their living room couch!

Municipal Bond Trends for January 27, 2020

10-year Treasury yield falls to lowest since October as coronavirus fears deepen

The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield hit its lowest level in more than three months as investors grew increasingly concerned about the economic impact of the fast-spreading coronavirus.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note… was lower at around 1.609%, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also lower at around 2.058%. The 10-year Treasury yield touched a low of 1.603% in the session, its lowest level since Oct. 10.
Chinese officials confirmed Sunday that there had been more than 2,700 confirmed cases of the deadly pneumonia-like virus, including 461 people in a critical condition as the death toll rose to 80.
(Read more: CNBC and Wall Street Journal.)

Olathe temporarily changes street to Chiefs Ave. ahead of Super Bowl

Getting ready for the Big Game on Sunday, the City of Olathe decided to unofficially change one of their street signs to Chiefs Ave. to help cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs as they face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

On Monday the city announced the new street signs, which can be found on Santa Fe Street in front of City Hall. The city also lined the street with flags.

People are allowed to stop by and take a selfie with the sign and post it on the city’s social media page.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Manhattan and Riley County leaders consider economic development sales tax renewal

Manhattan and Riley County leaders are taking the first steps towards renewing an economic development sales tax. This is a county wide half-cent sales tax that expires in 2022.

The tax generates around $4.5 million annually with $2.7 million going to the city of Manhattan. City and county leaders are now discussing whether to keep the tax as it is or expand it to include other parts of Manhattan and Pottawatomie County.

Assistant City Manager Dennis Marstall said the money gets used in a variety of ways across the city and county.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Diamond Vista gifts $85,000 to Hillsboro schools

After a longer than usual meeting, several actions were unanimously approved at the Hillsboro school board meeting on Jan. 13, including the acceptance of an $85,000 donation from the Enel Green Power Diamond Vista Wind Project. The gift will be placed in the gifts and grants fund line to allow more flexibility in using the funds said superintendent Max Heinrichs.

A representative from Prairie View mental health discussed options and ideas on providing social workers in the school. “This would allow us to make sure our students have someone to go to if needed,” said Heinrichs. “This is going to be a good partnering that we’re looking forward to.”

Activity accounts for student-led businesses — Blue Moon, KD Vinyl’s, Phire Designs, Wag’s N’ Whiskers, and Mr. Doth’s T-Shirt Business – were approved to handle finances these entrepreneurs will be raising to support their businesses.

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Johnson County city nixed controversial housing project. Now the developer is suing

Dozens of neighbors won a battle at City Hall last month when the Shawnee City Council rejected a $50 million housing development they worried would overcrowd the area

But now they risk losing the fight in court.

Johnson County development company Austin Properties is suing the city of Shawnee for denying its application to build apartments and homes on 30 acres along Woodsonia Drive, off Johnson Drive east of Kansas 7 highway. Plans included 14 triplexes with 42 townhomes, plus 16 multistory buildings with 380 apartments.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Former Marshall County Clerk sentenced to 2 years in prison for felony misuse of public funds

The former Marshall County Clerk has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for felony misuse of public funds, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.

Sonya L. Stohs, 44, of Marysville, pleaded guilty in November in Marshall County District Court to one count of felony misuse of public funds. District Judge John L. Weingart today sentenced Stohs to serve 32 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections with 24 months of post-release supervision. Additionally, Stohs was ordered to pay $372,003.12 in restitution to Marshall County and $438 in investigative and court costs.

The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service that showed between May 2013 and April 2019, Stohs used funds belonging to Marshall County to pay for various personal items, in excess of $100,000.

Merriam dedicates new aerial fire truck to serve Merriam, northern Overland Park residents

Merriam on Friday welcomed the latest addition to the fleet of fire equipment that serves the city: Truck 46, a $893,718 aerial truck.

A dedication ceremony was held Friday morning by the Overland Park Fire Department, which effectively merged with Merriam’s Fire Department back in 2014. The dedication included the cleaning of the tires and pushing of the truck into its bay, both traditions.

Capt. Pat Gantt said the department realized about five years ago — after Merriam and Overland Park began a partnership in which Merriam provides “fire coverage for the northernmost parts of Overland Park,” according to Merriam’s website — that the date for truck replacement needed to be moved up. Fire Chief Bryan Dehner said the purchase of the fire truck is not only the result of years worth of planning, it’s also a physical product of collaboration.

Austin Homes sues Shawnee over denial of Woodsonia West Multi-Family development

Austin Homes, a Johnson County-based development company owned by Greg Prieb, has sued the city of Shawnee for denying its application to build a multi-family project near Johnson Drive and K-7 Highway.

The Woodsonia West Multi-Family development was proposed as a $50 million project to build 42 townhome units in 14 triplex buildings and 384 apartment units in 16 multi-story buildings on about 29 acres in the 5300 block of Woodsonia Drive. The city council on Dec. 23 rejected a rezoning request and preliminary plan submittal from Prieb Homes on the project.

The Woodsonia plan had called for at least 14 dwelling units per acre — the underlying cause for concern for councilmembers and neighboring homeowners. Dozens of neighbors had come out in force and even signed a protest petition asking the city to reject the proposed plans in favor of a less dense project.

Two on Overland Park council prepare push to rescind tax abatement for Dimensional Innovations

Discord may be in store on the Overland Park City Council tonight as new member Scott Hamblin and mayoral candidate Faris Farassati try to rescind a tax abatement that was strongly favored by nine of the twelve-member council.

Hamblin and Farassati say the abatement is clouded by a faulty cost analysis and ethical concerns because of a family connection between one council member and a company official. But one council member who supported the tax break counters that it is a political move.

Hoping to discourage climbers, Roeland Park approves funding for landscaping around R Park sculpture

The Roeland Park city council last week approved material, installation and maintenance fees of up to $8,000 for landscaping around the See Red Run sculpture located at R Park, 5535 Juniper Drive. The piece, by artist Jorge Blanco, was commissioned after a citizens group raised funds for the public art and installed last May.

The Parks Committee brought forth a recommendation to approve funding for the landscaping around the sculpture — as it was not allocated for by the Arts Committee — in an effort to discourage people from climbing the art. The Parks Committee representative said going forward, the Arts Committee will not implement a piece of art without allocating funds for accompanying landscaping.