President Biden gives shoutout to Reno County-based IdeaTek for offering free internet

Buhler-based internet provider IdeaTek received a shout-out this week from President Joe Biden during a press conference at the White House on an initiative to bring free or reduced-price internet service to those who struggle to afford it. IdeaTek is one of about 20 providers in the nation participating in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, and the only Kansas-based one. The company has participated in the program since it was started in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it is expanding the effort further as additional federal funding was authorized, said Jade Piros de Carvalho, the company’s director of industry & community relations. Under the program, the federal government will cover $30 a month for service for those who qualify.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-05-12T07:46:11-05:00May 12, 2022|News|

Haven Police Department removes “In God We Trust” from department vehicles

The Haven City Council voted to remove decals stating “In God, We Trust” from Haven Police Department vehicles at the City Council meeting Monday, May 2. Haven Police Chief Stephen Schaffer described the varied support from the community, some in favor of removing the decals and some against the removal. “(The Haven City Council) brought it up as a motion during council concerns. Within a few minutes, they just voted and seconded that it was a done deal,” Schaffer said.
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2022-05-12T07:45:35-05:00May 12, 2022|News|

‘God’ decals to remain on Cowley sheriff’s vehicles

A recent decision in a Reno County town to remove decals with “In God We Trust” from police department vehicles has led to questions about similar items on Cowley County Sheriff’s Office trucks, with local officials saying the decals have mostly been well-received. The Haven City Council voted May 2 to remove “In God We Trust” decals from all police vehicles after a citizen complaint, according to The Wichita Eagle. The motion, which was approved unanimously, also required Haven Police Chief Stephen Schaffer to remove a post including a scripture quote from the department’s Facebook page.
Source: ctnewsonline

Ranson Financial2022-05-12T07:44:54-05:00May 12, 2022|News|

Lenexa improves pay, benefits to attract talent

he key to providing exceptional services is having excellent employees. But like many other organizations, the City of Lenexa has found it difficult to attract and retain staff over the last few years. New enhancements to pay and benefits are designed to bring in great new employees and keep them on the job. At the beginning of 2022, the City had a historic 50 vacant full-time positions. Most of those were in entry-level positions, which are critical to providing day-to-day services like public safety; parks, streets and stormwater maintenance; and pool lifeguards. A pay and benefits study completed in late 2021 revealed that inflation and economic factors had led comparable public organizations in our area to significantly increase their wages since Lenexa’s last pay study in 2018. The new study concluded that employee pay had fallen behind, making it difficult to recruit and retain staff in such a competitive market.
Source: City of Lenexa

Ranson Financial2022-05-12T07:41:01-05:00May 12, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 11, 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 Financial2022-05-12T07:38:42-05:00May 12, 2022|News|

Riley County to require licenses for Airbnb, Vrbo owners

Residents operating short-term rental properties in unincorporated areas of Riley County now must apply for a license, with yearly renewals, following updated regulations passed by the County Commission May 5th. This applies to Airbnb and Vrbo rentals. Licenses will be granted only once properties are in compliance with a list of requirements in the updated Riley County Land Development Regulations. That includes having working smoke detectors in each bedroom, weekly trash collection and appropriately sized egress windows for the property. Planning and Development Director Amanda Webb says the goal of the new short-term rental license program is to protect the health, life and safety of occupants.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2022-05-12T07:37:43-05:00May 12, 2022|News|

Rural Pottawatomie County residents voice concerns over potential rock quarries, wedding venue requests

Conditional use permits for proposed rock quarries in Pottawatomie County are getting some attention, primarily from local residents uninterested in living too close in proximity. One of them, requested by Mid-State Materials, would be located on Reves Road, south of Wheaton. But the planning commission recently recommended denying approval. The Pottawatomie County Board of Commissioners can override that decision with a two-thirds majority on the three seat commission. Resident Travis Ross is a fourth generation farmer in the area and spoke against the Mid-State Materials request at Monday’s meeting. “As a resident we are concerned about the gas line by Wheaton, Blaine and Westmoreland, not to mention the water lines that feed some of these residents. Also, some of our biggest concerns are the natural springs. Everyone out there has a well and relies on these waters. The possibility of pollution that will float downstream. All of this is going to go down Rock Creek as this (proposed) quarry is at the head of Rock Creek,” he said.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2022-05-12T07:12:08-05:00May 12, 2022|News|

Governor signs bill to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a bipartisan bill Wednesday to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries. The governor signed the bill in a ceremony at a grocery store in Olathe. The bill will phase out the sales tax starting this year, and it will be eliminated by 2025. The governor said House Bill 2106 will provide Kansas residents with financial relief, especially as costs continue to rise. Kansans currently pay more for groceries than residents of almost every other state, due to the state’s 6.5 percent tax on groceries.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-05-12T07:10:25-05:00May 12, 2022|News|

Local and state leaders focus on safe driving in Sedgwick County

The Kansas Department of Transportation is working with state and local leaders to promote a safe driving campaign in Sedgwick County. Over the past year, Sedgwick County has seen a rise in crashes, several of which have resulted in deaths. This campaign is stressing the importance of seatbelts and other good driving habits. Speakers at a conference Wednesday morning also highlighted the dangers of speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence. In Sedgwick County, more than 23% of fatal crashes involved some kind of impairment. When looking at seatbelt use, 41% of traffic fatalities were found to involve a driver without a seatbelt, highlighting how important seatbelts are.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-05-12T07:09:17-05:00May 12, 2022|News|

Crawford County enters new highway pilot program

Keith Browning, a road engineer with the Kansas Association of Counties, spoke Tuesday with the Crawford County Commission about a new pavement management system. Browning, recently retired as the director of Douglas County Public Works with over 25 years of experience, facilitates communication and education between counties and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) on road issues and transportation matters. “I am trying to encourage this around the state,” said Browning. “A lot of money is spent to maintain our roads, and the goal is to have the best pavements possible with the resources available.” According to Browning, his system is simply a spreadsheet program designed to optimize maintenance funds and influence short and long-term budget needs. By breaking up each road into smaller segments determined by its shape, structure, amount and type of usage, county road crews can track the amount of maintenance required for each segment, which can vary in length between a few hundred feet to several miles.
Source: Morning Sun

Ranson Financial2022-05-12T07:40:28-05:00May 12, 2022|News|