Johnson County Micro Transit and RideKC earn national transit system of the year award

Johnson County’s Micro Transit and RideKC were just awarded one of the highest awards a transit agency can receive. Friday, July 15, the American Public Transportation Association announced RideKC won the outstanding public transportation system achievement award for more than four million, but fewer than 20 million trips. RideKC was one of nine organizations and leaders awarded for its vision, leadership and commitment to public transportation. “Johnson County Transit is pleased to accept this recognition in concert with our regional RideKC partners,” said Josh Powers, director of the county’s transit division. “Our micro transit service has been an important part of our transit system since 2019, and with our new mobile app and the recent expansion of the micro transit service area authorized by the Board of County Commissioners, we look forward to improving access to transit service for our residents and the RideKC region.”
Source: Johnson County Kansas

Ranson Financial2022-07-20T21:43:13-05:00July 20, 2022|News|

Wichita board to hear debate on breeder ban for pet stores selling cats and dogs

Wichita’s Animal Control Advisory Board will resume community debate Wednesday on whether to recommend a city-wide ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats from breeders. At stake is whether Wichita’s two Petland stores should be allowed to keep their current business model of selling from breeders, which Petland east owner Brad Bockus says accounts for 70% of store sales. The proposal to reevaluate pet store practices was brought by a community member to the board’s May meeting, where it sparked passionate debate. The Kansas Humane Society and Wichita Animal Shelter remain at maximum capacity, and some say a city-wide ban on retailers selling from breeders could help alleviate the crisis of unwanted pets in the city.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-07-20T07:52:51-05:00July 19, 2022|News|

South Hutch opens hurdles for IdeaTek expansion

Some “creative financing” on the part of the city of South Hutchinson will assist internet provider IdeaTek in bringing its highspeed fiber-optic service to the community of 2,500. The South Hutchinson City Council approved a couple of actions on Monday night to set the plan in motion. That included creating a “Community Improvement District (CID)” that encompasses a small parcel of ground in South Hutchinson the Buhler-based provider will build its service hub on. … Creating the CID will allow the company to pay off the pass-through bonds using a portion of customer service fees, explained South Hutchinson City Administrator Joseph Turner. Turner said he’s been working with the provider for months to find a way to bring the company to town.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-07-20T07:51:34-05:00July 19, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for July 19, 2022

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.

Ranson Financial2022-07-20T07:45:57-05:00July 19, 2022|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Funding for Murals in 14 Rural Communities

Governor Laura Kelly today announced 14 communities will receive funding through the Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural and Public Art grant program. The $90,000 in grants enables communities with fewer than 10,000 residents to create new murals and public art projects that will beautify community gathering spaces and serve as new tourist attractions. “By funding the creation of murals and public art in communities across Kansas, we want to celebrate the beauty of our state and highlight everything our small towns have to offer,” said Governor Laura Kelly. Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community. Seventy-five percent of the grant funding will be gifted up front as several of the city projects plan to start in the next two weeks. “Rural Kansas has the opportunity to be a more popular tourist destination, which will promote economic growth in the smallest of Kansas communities,” said Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. “The development of high-quality destinations and improved infrastructure across the state will make these featured attractions more valuable and easier to reach than ever before.”

The organizations that are being awarded for FY 2023 include:

City of Caldwell, $9,100
City of Chanute, $9,000
Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation, $10,000
Community Arts Council of Council Grove, $1,500
Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Inc., $1,500
Ellsworth County Economic Development Corporation, $10,000
City of Girard, $500
Jackson County/Jackson County Tourism Council, $8,400
Meade County Historical Society Museum, $7,000
Michell County Strong, Inc., $10,000
Stepping Up, Inc., $4,500
Seneca Downtown Impact, Inc., $750
Wallace County Foundation, $7,750
Wilson Tourism Hub, Inc., $10,000

“Art, and murals in particular, help bring communities together to celebrate the history, culture and unique characteristics of their rural towns,” said Director of the Office of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon. “The Rural Mural program helps these communities showcase those amazing characteristics to their current residents, visitors and to the entire State of Kansas for generations to come.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-07-20T07:55:19-05:00July 19, 2022|News|

Localities aim to turn federal money into major road investments

Local governments plan to spend the majority of their Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds on roads, with water and broadband projects also getting high priority. That’s according to a joint survey by the National League of Cities and Polco, in which 82% of respondents said they intended to spend federal dollars on roads, bridges and major projects. Of those surveyed, 60% plan spending on water, 56% on road safety, 36% on broadband, and 27% on resilience. Another 27% said clean energy and power, 26% public transportation, 26% on electric vehicles, buses and ferries, 24% on environmental remediation, 13% on airports, 9% on ports and waterways and 7% on passenger and freight rail.
Source: The Bond Buyer

Ranson Financial2022-07-20T07:46:20-05:00July 19, 2022|News|

Kendal Francis earns international credentials

Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. Francis is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals, worldwide, currently holding credentials through the ICMA Credentialing Program. … To receive the prestigious ICMA credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; earned an advanced degree, preferably in public administration; and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development. Francis is qualified by 27 years of professional local government experience, 10 of which were at the executive level…
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2022-07-20T07:46:28-05:00July 19, 2022|News|

Lawrence to further discuss possible ban or fees for single-use plastic bags

City leaders indicated Tuesday that they are interested in further discussing regulations on single-use plastic bags, with the idea of an outright ban or a fee remaining on the table. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received a recently approved recommendation from the city’s Sustainability Advisory Board to ban single-use plastic bags provided at checkout at businesses and begin an educational campaign about their environmental impact. Commissioners didn’t indicate specifically whether they were in favor of the recommendation for a ban, rather than a fee, but agreed that they would like city staff to review options and bring the topic back to the commission for further discussion.
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2022-07-20T08:32:29-05:00July 19, 2022|News|

2022 edition of largest custom car show in the world back in Salina

More than 2,000 custom cars from the East and West Coasts, and plenty of places between, will cruise into Salina next week for the 2022 edition of the Leadsled Spectacular. Kustom Kemps of America (KKOA), the largest and oldest custom car and truck association in the United States returns to Oakdale Park July 28 to 31 for the 42nd annual edition of the Leadsled Spectacular, the largest custom car show in the country. While the show moved around some in its early years, Salina has been the permanent home to Leadsled since 2005.
Source: Salina Journal

Ranson Financial2022-07-20T08:07:36-05:00July 19, 2022|News|

Wind Energy Forum, 4-8 p.m. Aug. 3, 2022, Overbrook Public Library

Wind Energy Forum Climate + Energy Project invites you to hear from subject matter experts on wind energy and get your questions answered. Come and go at your convenience, hear from a variety of speakers, and enjoy the provided buffet. When: August 3rd, 2022 4-8p Where: Overbrook Public Library, Coffman Community Room 317 Maple Street,
Source: Osage County Online | Osage County News | News for Osage County, Kansas, Burlingame, Carbondale, Lyndon, Melvern, Olivet, Osage City, Overbrook, Quenemo, Scranton, Vassar, Pomona Lake, Melvern Lake

Ranson Financial2022-07-19T12:41:34-05:00July 19, 2022|News|