Here are the arguments both sides made in JoCo ‘dark store’ theory case at KS Supreme Court

Kansas Supreme Court justices began the process of disentangling legal arguments Thursday on the “dark store” theory of appraisals – a complex issue that could have big ramifications for county, city and school board budgets down the road. The case is an appeal by Johnson County of a lower court decision validating the state tax appeal board’s ruling that the county had overvalued 11 Walmart and Sam’s Club properties in 2016 and 2017, resulting in too high a tax bill.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-05-23T07:24:44-05:00May 23, 2022|News|

Manhattan and Riley County commissions to consider food master plan

Local governments will consider a plan to reduce hunger, invest in locally grown food and reduce food waste. The food and farm council presented an overview of a food master plan to city and county commissioners Thursday at a joint meeting of the Manhattan and Riley County commissions. Riley County will consider adopting the item on June 9, and the city commission on June 21. The Food and Farm Council began working with New Venture Advisors almost a year ago, starting with research and goal setting. They then conducted community engagement and surveys to identify key findings, draft action steps and create the plan.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2022-05-23T07:25:23-05:00May 23, 2022|News|

Riley County approves evaluation for adult drug court

Riley County commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement between Riley County Community Corrections and K-State’s sociology, anthropology and social work department to evaluate the adult drug court program. The U.S. Department of Justice gave the county a four-year grant on Dec. 9 to establish the adult drug court. Part of the grant requirement is to have an evaluation plan that includes strategies to collect, review and use data to better program performance. According to meeting documents, $60,000 of the $550,000 grant will go to K-State to help with the evaluation.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2022-05-23T07:26:08-05:00May 23, 2022|News|

Seven artists are painting murals live in Salina

As people come to downtown Salina this week they may notice work in progress on large pieces of art in the parking lot at 140 S. Fifth St. The city has invited artists from Kansas and surrounding states to take part in the Artwork Alley Mural Expo ’22. The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC), a part of the Kansas Department of Commerce, along with some funding by the National Endowment of the Arts awarded a grant to the Salina Arts and Humanities for murals. “It was funded to support the Make A Mark Mural initiative,” said Anna Pauscher Morawitz, the operations and development manager for Salina Arts and Humanities.
Source: Salina Journal

Ranson Financial2022-05-20T06:35:14-05:00May 20, 2022|News|

Abbyville Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo celebrates 60 years in the community

Six decades ago, the Abbyville Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo began as a small event during the last weekend before school ended. Over the decades, it grew to include the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, or PRCA, and thousands of attendees. Abbyville Rodeo production manager and arena director Bronc Rumford said more than 200 contestants would compete at the rodeo this year. “We’ll have some kids from all over the country, but we usually have a couple of international competitors from Canada or Australia. They come from everywhere,” Rumford said.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-05-20T06:34:24-05:00May 20, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 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 Financial2022-05-20T06:32:32-05:00May 20, 2022|News|

Russell – Where generations care for each other

Russell is more than just the hometown of Senator Bob Dole and a Main Street City. It is a community of 4,400 people who take care of each other. Part of the city’s vision is to be “a community that is truly dedicated to family, friends and neighbors where generations care for each other.” Russell is doing just that with its recent parks project completed in April 2022 with the assistance of a Community Development Block Grant. Katrina Woelk serves as the Finance Director and Treasurer for the City of Russell and has also been the local champion for the CDBG parks project. In addition to her daily city duties, Katrina has been putting together an asset management plan for Russell. This plan outlines the assets of the community and determines how those assets can be leveraged to address the greatest needs of the community.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
For assistance with grants and federal funding, please contact Rose Mary Saunders or Crystal Hinnen.

Ranson Financial2022-05-20T06:30:07-05:00May 20, 2022|News|

County starts planning how to pay for new jail

County commissioners started crunching numbers Monday as they began to look at a funding package for a new jail. Commissioners reviewed fund balances and looked at a list of commitments they have made for the federal American Recovery Plan Act funds that must be committed by 2024. They also discussed what type of cash balance they wanted to maintain for the county general fund moving forward.
Source: The Marysville Advocate

Ranson Financial2022-05-20T02:55:02-05:00May 20, 2022|News|

Governor signs bill paying off more than $1 billion of KPERS debts

Governor Laura Kelly signed bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill 421, that transfers more than $1 billion from the State General Fund to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). Senate Bill 421 will provide immediate and long-term benefits to the state by eliminating debt from the state’s balance sheets and reducing future employer contributions. “Balancing the budget, paying off debt and providing financial relief for Kansans has always been my top priority – and today we delivered on that promise,” Governor Kelly said. “We’re fixing the damage done to KPERS because our public service employees and retirees deserve their retirement fund to be replenished after the previous administration skipped payments to cover reckless tax policy.” SB 421 will provide immediate and long-term benefits to the state by reducing the debt owed to the fund and further enhancing the state’s historic financial strength.
Source: The Sabetha Herald

Ranson Financial2022-05-20T06:25:03-05:00May 20, 2022|News|

New law strengthens Kansas election security

Secretary of State Scott Schwab commended the signing of election security legislation that he proposed earlier this year. The bill is one of the most significant election reform measures since Kansas adopted Voter ID in 2011. It will further strengthen state election law and provide voters with additional assurances regarding the security and integrity of Kansas elections. The bill makes the following improvements to the states already rigorous election laws: Election Equipment Security: Prohibits counties from using voting equipment that has the capability of being connected to the internet, requires the Secretary of State to certify electronic pollbooks, and establishes a deadline for counties to perform post-election tabulator tests. …
Source: The Sabetha Herald

Ranson Financial2022-05-20T06:25:53-05:00May 20, 2022|News|