County to end recycling program May 1

The Board of Harvey County Commissioners eliminated the county’s recycling program Tuesday morning on a 3-0 vote. The change will take effect May 1. County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber presented commissioners with additional fee structures that would be more affordable for those choosing to recycle. The suggested fees cost $12 for residents to bring in 100 pounds or fewer of recyclables and $36 for up to 300 pounds. Under the first proposal presented to commissioners last week, residents would have had to pay $48 for up to 500 pounds. Commissioner Randy Hague asked if the county would hold off on purchasing any equipment for the recycling program until the City of Newton decided whether to continue accepting recyclables. Swartzendruber said the county would make staffing and equipment decisions once it was aware of the volume of recyclables it could be receiving from the different municipalities. He said Solid Waste Director Justin Bland was making plans to continue hauling recyclables to South Hutchinson.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-03-09T22:11:43-06:00March 9, 2022|News|

Housing shortage touches Jackson County, northeastern Kansas

For potential homebuyers — not just in Jackson County or in northeastern Kansas, but anywhere in the nation — the inventory of available residences for sale is low while the price tags attached to those residences are high. But while many real estate markets have seen the prices rising and the inventory sinking during the COVID-19 pandemic, some realtors — including Roger Hower of Kellerman Real Estate — believe the current housing shortage issue began well before the coronavirus was on anybody’s mind and has more facets to it than just those related to the pandemic. Some steps have been taken to alleviate this shortage locally, such as the Banner Oaks subdivision currently being developed at Holton’s southern edge. But Hower said it will take more than just the construction of a few new homes to build up an inventory of houses that he and other local realtors can sell. That’s a problem, he said, especially now that Topeka and the surrounding area has been declared “the third-hottest market in the United States.”
Source: Holton Recorder

Ranson Financial2022-03-09T22:08:38-06:00March 9, 2022|News|

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: 100,000 borrowers are eligible so far under new rules

The Department of Education said Wednesday that it has so far identified 100,000 borrowers who are eligible for student debt cancellation due to the changes the agency made to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program in October. The cancellations for those people are expected to total about $6.2 billion in federal student debt relief. Not all of the eligible borrowers have been notified of their debt relief yet. They are being notified on a rolling basis, and the Department of Education could not provide a date when all of them will have been contacted.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2022-03-10T07:46:10-06:00March 9, 2022|News|

Inman cafe using verenika to help Ukraine

An Inman cafe is donating some of its proceeds from the sales of a dish that’s native to Ukraine to help the people there. Inman Harvest Cafe has been an existing restaurant in Inman since 1955. Cafe manager Katy Reinecker told KAKE News that her family took over the small business 14 years ago. “It’s been a wild ride,” said Reinecker. She said she started off as dishwasher at the business and over the years has seen the cafe through its many ups and downs. She told KAKE News she had been most thankful for the community’s support over the years. “They don’t feel like customers, they feel like extended family,” said Reinecker. “They’ve helped me raise my kids.” Reinecker said she’s thankful to get the opportunity to give back to them with warm conversation and food that customers KAKE News spoke to said that they loved.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2022-03-09T22:02:17-06:00March 9, 2022|News|

De Soto could issue $100M of industrial revenue bonds for a commercial facility

Industrial development near the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in De Soto continues as Prairie Village-based Flint Development’s commerce center picks up steam. De Soto’s City Council will hold a public hearing on the issuance of $100 million worth of industrial revenue bonds as an incentive mechanism for Flint Commerce Center’s construction at the northwest corner of 103rd Street and Edgerton Road. In a December memorandum of understanding, officials agreed to provide property tax abatements for 3.5 million industrial square feet of Class A warehouses. The rezoning for 371 annexed acres also was approved in January, alongside a 5,877-acre tax increment financing district for the nearby Sunflower plant.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Ranson Financial2022-03-10T07:46:37-06:00March 9, 2022|News|

‘A lot more art’: Lawrence leaders express interest in reexamining workings of public art program

Lawrence city leaders expressed interest Tuesday in reexamining how the city funds public art, selects artists, and places public art around the city. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission reviewed the city resolution governing the long-standing Percent for Art program as well as related city administrative policy. The resolution allows city leaders to set aside up to 2% of a capital project’s budget for public art, and the policy sets out a process for selecting art or artists.
Source: LJWorld.com

Ranson Financial2022-03-09T07:16:47-06:00March 9, 2022|News|

Western Kansas home of state’s first Black female mayor

The town of Stockton, Kan., is the county seat of Rooks County. It’s also where Kim Thomas became the first Black female mayor in the state and one of the longest-serving mayors. “Stockton has always been kind of, they’ve always welcomed black people. It hasn’t been like some places where you weren’t welcome,” said the former mayor. Thomas’ career in politics began in the 90s. “You know the first time I ran for city commission, I didn’t make it, but I tried again. I wasn’t defeated,” recalls Thomas.
Source: KWCH

Ranson Financial2022-03-09T07:15:19-06:00March 9, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 8, 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 Financial2022-03-09T07:10:56-06:00March 9, 2022|News|

Applications Open for Community Service Tax Credit Program

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that applications are currently being accepted for the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP). CSP provides an opportunity for private, non-profit organizations and public health care entities to improve their ability to undertake major capital campaigns for projects involving children and family services, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and youth technical training and health care. “The Community Service Tax Credit program is an incredible opportunity for nonprofit organizations to create lasting, meaningful changes for people across Kansas,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “These tax credits will foster local solutions to local challenges, and they will help improve the quality of life for Kansans now and into the future.” Under this program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors making contributions towards approved projects. Proposed projects should be unique or one-time in nature and create a lasting value for charitable organizations. For example, projects might include a capital campaign, major equipment purchase, major renovation, capacity building, etc.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-03-09T07:00:40-06:00March 8, 2022|News|

Riley County Fire District #1 tests new technology for emergency response

Riley County Fire District #1 will be using new technology for emergency response. Emergency Management Director Russell Stukey says the fire district is conducting a test for a startup company for a new program. Maps, personnel and apparatus resources, weather conditions, and incident pre-plan documents will be available in one location with this new program. Stukey says the pilot program as of now isn’t costing the department any money. The software pilot test started in February and will continue for the next several months.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2022-03-08T23:53:47-06:00March 8, 2022|News|