Holton switching to electronic ticketing

Traffic tickets and other police citations will soon be issued in Holton using an electronic ticketing system instead of traditional paper tickets, according to action taken on Monday by the Holton City Commission. Commissioners approved a “pay-for-use” contract with Saltus Technologies of Tulsa, Okla. for police use of two DigiTicket mobile electronic ticketing systems, which are also in use by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol, as Holton Police Chief Steve Frederick told commissioners. The monthly contract will entail the use of two DigiTicket systems at a total cost of $812 per month, or $9,744 per year…
Source: Holton Recorder

Ranson Financial2022-05-26T07:33:32-05:00May 25, 2022|News|

Grant approved for Paola broadband internet project

An option for faster and more reliable internet will soon be available to residents and businesses in northern Paola after it was announced Friday, May 20, that KwiKom Communications and the city were able to obtain a state grant. It was the culmination of a group effort that began earlier this year when KwiKom Communications identified Paola as an ideal community for the Kansas Office of Broadband Development Acceleration Grant. The 50-50 state grant allows for up to a 50 percent co-investment of the matching funding, and KwiKom asked the city of Paola for a co-investment commitment of $250,000, which is 25 percent of the project’s nearly $1 million total.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com

Ranson Financial2022-05-25T23:39:24-05:00May 25, 2022|News|

Wichita City Council strikes new deal with tow companies, sets up repayment plan

The city of Wichita struck a compromise with three towing companies on Wednesday that avoids rate increases for people whose cars are impounded by police. The City Council also approved an ordinance that would allow economically disadvantaged people to get their cars out of impound without breaking the bank. Under the repayment plan, the city would carry the cost — up to $600 — of returning vehicles to their owners. The vehicle owner could then pay back the city $25 a month until the debt is paid off. The plan also offers a one-time waiver of up to $600 for people who are registered with the city as homeless. Mayor Brandon Whipple, who spearheaded the repayment plan, said the new contract is a “win-win-win” for the city, the tow companies and for vehicle owners who get their cars impounded.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-05-26T07:33:58-05:00May 25, 2022|News|

Lenexa approves special taxing district, grant to convert former Kohl’s into furniture store

Calling it a “win-win,” for the company and the city, the Lenexa City Council last week gave unanimous approval to a special taxing district and economic development grant that will help developers convert the former Kohl’s department store into Living Spaces, a furniture store company mostly active in western states. Council members approved the two development incentives quickly and with little discussion. Mayor Mike Boehm said the area will be “enhanced by having a big building not sitting empty, not to mention the property taxes they will pay. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-05-26T07:35:18-05:00May 25, 2022|News|

Waterville gets electric vehicle charging station — first in county

Waterville recently became home to an electric vehicle charging station thanks to the Kansas Power Pool. The power pool, provider of electricity to the city of Waterville, installed the station on the east side of Kansas Street across the street east of the historic Weaver Hotel. Anyone is welcome to use it.
Source: The Marysville Advocate

Ranson Financial2022-05-25T23:25:38-05:00May 25, 2022|News|

Pott County once again tables permits for two rural tourism projects

For several weeks, the Pottawatomie County commissioners have been mulling over whether to approve two rural tourism conditional use permits. The commissioners are new to the process of approving or denying CUPs, as this is something that previously was done solely by the planning commission. … Greg Ferkol is requesting a CUP for a children’s playground and an event center at his apple orchard along Myer’s Valley Road. The planning commission has already approved the CUP and there are no protest petitions, therefore only a simple majority from the commission is needed.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article

Ranson Financial2022-05-26T07:36:19-05:00May 25, 2022|News|

Nearly a third of Manhattan’s road in ‘poor’ or worse condition

About 32% of city roads are in “poor” or worse condition, according to the city government’s pavement condition findings. This puts the city’s roads in worse condition than they were in 2017, when a sales tax intended to repair them was enacted. The majority of the city commission on Tuesday indicated support in renewing the tax. Public works director Rob Ott on Tuesday spoke to the Manhattan City Commission about the pavement condition index (PCI), which it is measured between 0 and 100. The last PCI assessment in 2017 showed that 26% of Manhattan roads were poor or below, with an overall average of about 73.6. The current assessment shows that 32% of roads were poor or below, with an overall average of 66. This is based on pavement distress, including distress type, and the severity and density of stress.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2022-05-26T07:37:49-05:00May 25, 2022|News|

USD 258 passes bond issue in special election

A bond issue for USD 258 passed by a resounding margin Tuesday night. Unofficially, a total of 381 ballots were cast for the special election, with more than 67 percent of the vote in favor of the $17.45 million bond issue. … The construction phase will then take 18 to 24 months to fully complete. The state of Kansas will pick up some of the tab, contributing 11 percent — equaling $3 million of the bond’s total principal and interest. The bond’s blueprint is geared toward upgrades of the district’s buildings, while prominently addressing security and maintenance needs.
Source: www.chanute.com

Ranson Financial2022-05-26T07:39:19-05:00May 25, 2022|News|

Judge: Lawrence strip club violating city code

A judge has ruled that a longtime Lawrence strip club has been operating illegally under city code and has issued an order permanently prohibiting the club from doing business at its current location. In a lawsuit filed Feb. 2 in Douglas County District Court, the city alleged that Allstars has been operating without the license required for a sexually oriented entertainment business. The city also claimed Allstars is ineligible to receive such a license under city code due to its proximity to homes and a city park, and requested that the court permanently prohibit Allstars from operating at its current location at 913 N. Second St.
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2022-05-25T07:32:54-05:00May 25, 2022|News|

State-ordered sales tax collection refunds cut into Hutchinson, Reno County May receipts

State Revenue officials say sales tax refunds authorized by the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Audit Division required all municipalities in Reno County to take a hit in sales tax receipts for May. Additional details on those refunds, including how much they amounted to, what period they were from and how many businesses were involved, were not available. It was also unclear if the refunds related specifically to compensating use taxes or if that’s just how the state decided to tap the funds. Either way, the result was a 91% drop in compensating use tax receipts going to the county compared to May of last year and an overall 96.4% drop for the city of Hutchinson.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-05-25T07:21:31-05:00May 25, 2022|News|