Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

County considers acquiring ‘floating playground’

Shawnee County commissioners plan Monday to consider spending more than $31,000 to dredge the Lake Shawnee Adventure Cove, plus $80,000 to acquire a “floating playground” and have it put in place there.

Proposals to make those moves are among items on the agenda when Commissioners Bill Riphahn, Kevin Cook and Aaron Mays meet at 9 a.m. in their chambers in Room B-11 of the County Courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th.

The Topeka City Council won’t meet Tuesday because it will be the fifth Tuesday of the month, and the council meets only on the first three.

College is free for kids in this tiny Kansas town. Will more people move there now?

Paula Wells and her husband were just getting serious about how to fund their fifth-grader’s college tuition.

Then a wealthy businessman instantly absolved them — and their entire town — of that particular obligation.

“It’s almost like I just got an $80,000 bonus into my retirement plan,” said Wells, who also has a kindergartner. “And that’s very attractive to a lot of people.”

This southeast Kansas town of about 2,300 has been buzzing since a former resident in November announced the Neodesha Promise program, which offers a simple yet extraordinary pledge: Anyone who lives here and graduates from the local high school can qualify for free col

Lawrence libraries dropping late fines amid national push

The Lawrence Public Library is joining a growing number that are dropping fines for overdue books.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the library’s board voted unanimously Tuesday to make the change. Library patrons would still be charged for lost or damaged items.

Patrons also would be blocked from checking out additional books and materials once an item became two weeks overdue. But, the return of the overdue item would immediately restore access.

Earlier this year, the American Library Association officially came out against charging fines, citing concerns that fines create barriers to library materials and services.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Teleheath is changing healthcare in Kansas

For some Kansans, long drive times, physical disabilities or weakened immune systems can make a trip to the doctor’s office a struggle. Telehealth has changed that.

Telehealth gives patients the ability to see their doctors from the comfort of their home via video chat. This has made an impact on healthcare for some Kansans.

“The worst thing we do for people is make them travel hours and hours for their care,” said Dr. Susan Brian, Medical Director of Endocrinology at Stormont Vail, “We have patients that drive four or five hours to see us and some patients have to see us every three months.”

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Andover to close golf course temporarily

The Andover Municipal Golf course will be temporarily closed beginning January 1, 2020.

The City of Andover says the current operator will cease management at that time and no decision has been made regarding the future operation of the course.

The city says it has been working diligently to engage citizens regarding the future of the property.

City staff will continue to maintain the course and associated facilities, but no golf or other recreational activities will be permitted on the property until plans are finalized for the future operation of the property.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Northeast Kansas city stops legal notices in local newspaper

A growing community near Kansas City has decided this week to stop publishing its legal notices in its hometown newspaper.

Some City Council members in Gardner, Kansas, describe the move as cost cutting, but the city is acting after several officials publicly criticized the coverage the city was receiving.

The council changed its newspaper of record following a staff report that the city would likely lower its costs 75% by going with another weekly publication. But critics see it as retaliation.

Longtime publisher Rhonda Humble says, “They’re trying to shut me up.” The newspaper stands to lose thousands of dollars a year.

(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Downtown Overland Park is growing up: Retail, high-rises are ‘the way of the future’

After decades of trying to revitalize Overland Park’s historic downtown, community leaders say the area is finally in the midst of a modern renaissance.

A short walk from the first commercial building ever constructed in Overland Park and a 70-year-old independent theater, hundreds of luxury apartments and several modern office spaces are popping up. And now something completely new is opening in the quaint downtown: a coworking space for entrepreneurs to get start-up restaurants off the ground.

Strang Hall opened Friday at the new Edison District, at the corner of West 80th and Marty streets. In the style of Parlor KC in Kansas City or the Public Market in Lenexa, the food hall is the latest addition to the district’s five-story business incubator catering to young entrepreneurs.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Partington reflects on Finney County years

New challenges and new opportunities are on the horizon for former county administrator Randy Partington.

Partington, who was Finney County administrator for nine years, has accepted the county administrator position at Reno County starting in February 2020.

Partington said the most important accomplishment during his time as administrator was being able to empower and enable department directors to do their best and make their departments and organizations better.

“All the directors are doing great things,” Partington said. “That is what I feel is my accomplishment, assisting them to do great things for the community.”

During his years as county administrator, he has overseen numerous projects. Among the most important were a priority-based budget, employee clinic and wellness program, community services center and a soon-to-be-opened shelter at Wildwood Park.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Mayor: Olathe has much to celebrate, look forward to, this holiday season

The holidays are here, and that means the hustle and bustle of big celebrations. As you decorate your home, bake your cookies and wrap all those presents, I encourage you to stop and remember that you’re doing much of it for your family.

Family can mean many things to many people, and in Olathe, we’re proud to celebrate them all.

We have the best neighborhoods in the region, with neighbors who are like family, watching out for one another as our kids grow up together.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

‘Game-changer’: Choose Topeka incentive program garners national interest

Within 48 hours of Topeka and Shawnee County’s Joint Economic Development Organization approving funds for Choose Topeka, the capital city began showing up in publications across the country.

The New York Times, Fox Business, CNN, TIME — those were just a few of the news organizations that ran stories about Choose Topeka, a pilot economic incentive program announced Dec. 11 that is meant to help local businesses attract and retain talent.

Lenexa leans toward building new public safety complex in more centralized location

Location, cost and efficiencies within the Lenexa Police Department drove discussions this week, as city leaders consider whether to build a new public safety complex on the current site at 12500 W. 87th St. Parkway or relocate the facility to a more centralized location within the city, on city-owned property at Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street.

Nothing official has been decided, but comments from city leaders indicate they show support for the more centralized location, which has more room for future expansion than the current site and will also be cheaper to build.

“Especially for safety issues, when you consider the number of miles and coverage, this department — and I’m only focusing right now on the police — would be much better served more central,” said Councilmember Tom Nolte. “I’m a little bit more open-minded.”

Atchison Hospital buys Horton care center

Since Horton lost its local medical center in March, the fate of its building and related properties has been uncertain, but it is now apparent that these assets will remain in local hands.

Atchison Hospital made the high bid of $275,000 at auction for the defunct Horton Community Hospital on Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to Horton City Administrator John Calhoon. The auction, conducted as part of bankruptcy proceedings, offered for sale the hospital building at 240 West 18th St. in Horton, a medical office building and associated real properties.

“The mayor, commissioners and myself worked extremely hard to … regain some level of medical services within our community,” Calhoon said. “We are fortunate that we have two other qualified health care organizations bidding on our property. We are happy that one of them did buy it. We’ll be hopeful that some level of health care will return to Horton.”

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Roeland Park brightens holiday season for 24 families with first ever ‘Shop with a Cop’ event

A few Roeland Park Police officers added another item to their uniforms on Thursday: Santa hats.

Northeast Johnson County is no stranger to “Shop with a Cop” events, and now, neither is Roeland Park. The city hosted its first “Shop with a Cop” event on Thursday evening. The event allows children from the area to buy holiday gifts for themselves and their family members. Sgt. Clifford Chaffee, who spearheaded the event, said Roeland Park was ready to do its part.

“We don’t have a big department, we don’t have a big Walmart, but gosh dang it — we can still do the same thing,” Chaffee said.

Harvey County among most generous

Harvey County ranks among the top in the state for overall generosity.

That’s according to a Smartasset, a financial advising company, which used statewide tax returns to compile the percentage of county residents that gave to charity and the percentage of county income that was donated.

Harvey County ranked seventh in the state using those metrics out 105 counties.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Galesburg Fire Department asks county for funding

The Galesburg Fire Chief asked Neosho County Commissioners for assistance Thursday evening in light of the Neosho Ridge Wind project.

Moore said the department needs to update its equipment and that its trucks range from 1979 to 1997 models.

Stafford County makes plan for joint extension district with Edwards County

Declining budgets and difficulty hiring agents has led to many counties in Kansas consolidating into larger Extension districts under the umbrella of K-State Research and Extension services. Stafford County and Edwards County agents see advantages to a combination between the two counties that would enable them to provide better services to their constituents.

“It’s true, as they say, that most of us are better together or two of something is better than one,” said K-State Research and Extension Agent Stafford County Amy Collins. “The same holds true for rural areas trying to stay relevant, progressive and be resilient in an ever changing world.“

Collins said that K-State Research & Extension, which provides resources and information for many of the county’s 4-H and agricultural based programs, is an extension of Kansas State University.

Boot Hill Casino eager for 20 more years

The Boot Hill Casino and Resort celebrated its 10th anniversary last week with tables full of dinner, drinks and dice for the enjoyment of its longtime supporters and newfound fans.

The love child of an idea sprang from the “Why Not Dodge?” campaign and the sale of land to a man still very much involved in its growth and development, the casino has proven itself an overachiever of regional economic benefit.

The first state-owned casino opened Dec. 15, 2009. Since then, it has generated more than $12 million in city and county tax revenue and more than $89 million in state tax revenue, Dodge City Mayor Brian Delzeit said.

“There was a tremendous amount of courage shown by people 10 years ago who came out and weren’t always met with positivity,” Delzeit said.

Dunn receives surprise award for economic development

Stafford County Economic Development Director Carolyn Dunn was presented with a We Kan! award December 12 at White’s Foodliner in St. John where friends and family gathered for the surprise recognition.

The presentation was made by Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The Inman-based non-profit has been choosing ten recipients a year since 1993 to show appreciation for dedicated work in helping preserve and sustain rural culture.

Dunn’s award had the words “Ardent Achiever” engraved on a round plate made by Elk Falls Pottery. Foundation director Penner said, “When Carolyn sees a grant or an opportunity to go after, she is passionate in her pursuit. She would be the first to say that many others are involved but she is integral to the successes of Stafford County Economic Development, including the opening of White’s Foodliner. This award was to let Carolyn know that her efforts are noticed and respected.“

New travel plaza developments driving growth to Kansas

Major development projects are steering new opportunities and economic growth to Kansas. D&J Land and Development, of Hays, and Brown Stone 3 Development, of

Topeka, are building three multi-million dollar complexes in the state that include deluxe travel plazas, hotels, restaurants, retail, RV parks and truck washes.

The three sites are adjacent to high-traffic sections of Kansas interstate and highway routes.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

New air service provider approved for Dodge City

Federal officials have approved a new subsidized air carrier for the Dodge City airport.

The U.S. Department of Transportation agreed with a recommendation made by city officials in August to contract with SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express, to be the next Essential Air Service provider for Dodge City Regional Airport, starting in February 2020.

SkyWest will operate 12 weekly flights from Dodge City to Denver International with a 50-seat capacity jet.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)