Municipal Bond Trends for February 18, 2026

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

2026-02-19T08:48:44-06:00February 19, 2026|Finance|

Century II lost money 22 of the last 27 years while city directed funds to CVB

Century II lost money 22 of the last 27 years, and that didn’t have to be the case, the city’s records show. Money from Wichita’s transient guest tax — a 6% tax levied on hotel rooms — is supposed to make up for operating deficits at Century II. The video player is currently playing an ad. You can skip the ad in 5 sec with a mouse or keyboard Instead, some of it first has been going to Visit Wichita, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, which has criticized Century II and has funded studies aimed at expanding the city’s convention center offerings.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

2026-02-18T09:09:58-06:00February 18, 2026|Finance|

How did Kansas City lure 3 top-10 World Cup teams? Here’s the inside story

Inside the private room of a Country Club Plaza steakhouse, top officials from the England national team contemplated their World Cup future. Or, more specifically, their future home. Still several months shy of the FIFA tournament’s draw, they’d made a half-dozen stops in Kansas City, touring practice facilities, hotel venues, even off-day entertainment.
Read more: Wichita Eagle

2026-02-18T09:08:59-06:00February 18, 2026|News|

Moddie hired for City Manager of Ottawa

Herington’s City Manager will become the new City of Ottawa City Manager. The city commission, in a unanimous vote Wednesday, selected Thatcher Moddie from an initial group of 40 candidates to replace Brian Silcott. He will start working for the city next month. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the community as city manager,” Moddie said. “I appreciate the city commission and staff for trusting in me to help lead this organization. My family and I are excited to call Ottawa home. I look forward to engaging with citizens and working with staff and the governing body to move Ottawa forward.” The city manager position operates as the chief executive officer, works directly with the city commission and is responsible for Ottawa’s government operations and activities.
Read more: The Ottawa Herald

2026-02-18T09:07:48-06:00February 18, 2026|HR|

Bill would allow voters to sink property tax hikes

A Kansas House committee offered bipartisan support for legislation authorizing a protest-petition option for taxpayers eager to block city or county property tax increases that pushed revenue more than 3% above the previous year’s total. A key amendment approved Monday by the House Taxation Committee deleted from House Bill 2745 provisions for relying on special public votes — an idea sharply opposed by cities — to resolve objections to property tax growth above the threshold. In the bill sent to the full House, the election option was replaced by a protest-petition process for contesting property tax revenue growth over the artificial cap. The bill would require petition signatures from 10% of those voting in the previous presidential election to prevent local property tax revenue growth from exceeding 3%, excluding revenue collections tied to new construction or building improvements.
Read more: The Iola Register

2026-02-18T09:05:59-06:00February 18, 2026|Finance|

Chanute looks to upgrade water system

It’s time to bite the bullet and address the city’s outdated water and wastewater plants, Chanute City Manager Todd Newman told Chanute Commissioners last week.  “We have no choice. We’re lucky they’re still standing,” The Chanute Tribune reported Newman saying.  The projects have been delayed since 2010, Newman told commissioners. By now the wastewater plant no longer meets regulatory requirements. Estimated costs are $26 million for water plant improvements and $36 million for wastewater upgrades, The Tribune reported.
Read more: The Iola Register

2026-02-18T09:05:13-06:00February 18, 2026|News|

Landlord-friendly bill would roll back one Kansas city’s protections for low-income renters

A Kansas property owner wants to impose a restriction across the entire state because of one city’s rules. Stan Weber, CEO and president of Tower Properties, was one of several housing industry professionals who pushed for twin pieces of legislation Feb. 5 during back-to-back hearings, which centered on whether landlords should be required to accept federal rental assistance payments. House Bill 2504 and Senate Bill 391 seek to overturn a city of Lawrence ordinance that outlawed the practice of turning away renters solely based on their source of income, which allows people participating in federal rental assistance programs to be equally considered for housing.
Read more: Butler County Times-Gazette

2026-02-18T09:04:39-06:00February 18, 2026|Legal|

Commerce Launches Two New Kansas Community Empowerment Grants

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the launch of two new grant opportunities through the Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) program. KCE, which is housed within the Quality Places Division at the Department of Commerce, supports locally driven projects that strengthen quality of place, volunteer engagement and long-term community vibrancy across Kansas. Applications for the KCE Kickstart Grant and Impact Grant are now being accepted. For the first round of funding, the Kickstart Grant will have $40,000 available and the Impact Grant will have $30,000. “While we bring opportunities and prosperity to all parts of our state, these new grants will specifically target rural and smaller communities across Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Whether it’s helping a small volunteer-led initiative or funding a transformational placemaking project — these grants are designed to meet the needs of the communities while building their pride, momentum and lasting impact.” The Kickstart Grant is designed to provide funding for smaller, community-driven projects that build capacity, engagement and momentum.
Read more: Press Releases Archives – Kansas Department of Commerce

2026-02-18T09:03:01-06:00February 18, 2026|Grants|

Are Kansas’ economic wins also translating to population wins?

By many measures, one could argue the Kelly-Toland years have been the biggest economic boon the state has ever seen. Pick any measure…$30 billion of private sector investment (most per capita in nation), almost 80,000 new or retained jobs that pay 7.7% more than the average private sector wage in Kansas, highest ever Kansas exports, four consecutive Golden Shovel awards, a recent $3 billion budget surplus, or the coup de grace…securing the biggest economic win in state history, luring the Chiefs from Missouri. Just don’t pick population growth. At least on its face.
Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com

2026-02-18T09:02:14-06:00February 18, 2026|News|
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