Proposal to consider changing Johnson County’s name one of 18 items before Charter Commission

A recommendation to consider whether Johnson County should be named after its slave owning namesake is among 18 suggested changes that have been submitted by members of the county Charter Commission for its consideration. The list of amendments and recommendations also includes some ideas about which county races should be partisan and which should be elected — subjects that have proved controversial among people who have attended the charter commission’s recent public hearings. The proposal to consider a name change asks county commissioners “to adopt a process for meaningful consideration of Rev. Thomas Johnson as the namesake of Johnson County.”
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Ranson Financial2021-11-05T07:34:06-05:00November 5, 2021|News|

Sales tax questions approved in area elections

Voters in Andover approved a one-cent sales tax proposal in Tuesday’s general election. The sales tax will fund the construction of a second fire station as well as renovations to the current fire station. Some of the tax revenue will also support renovations to the 13th Street Sports Park. … Voters in Sumner County approved the extension of an existing sales tax for health care services. The half-cent tax provides funding for the health department, emergency medical services, mental health programs and other needs. The tax will be extended for ten years. The proposal received 1,584 yes votes and 813 no votes in the unofficial results from Tuesday’s election. … Voters in the Wellington School District, USD 353, approved a proposal to have all school board members elected at large. Currently, there are two board members elected from each of three districts plus one at large member.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2021-11-05T07:33:16-05:00November 5, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 4, 2021

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 Financial2021-11-05T06:57:36-05:00November 5, 2021|News|

Johnson County voter turnout set a record this year

More Johnson County voters went to the polls or mailed in ballots for the 2021 general election than in any other recent odd year election. Before Tuesday, county election officials predicted a 20% turnout among registered voters, but actual turnout comfortably surpassed that estimate. As of Wednesday, the Johnson County Election Office reported 110,027 ballots cast, for a turnout of 24.88%. And that number will continue to creep up over the next few days as mail-in ballots that were dropped off or postmarked before polls closed on Election Day are added to the total, along with provisional ballots.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-11-05T06:53:24-05:00November 5, 2021|News|

New Grant Program Launches for Historic Building Revitalization

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced a new grant program that will move quickly to help revitalize underutilized, vacant and dilapidated downtown buildings in rural Kansas communities. The Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses; housing; arts and culture; civic engagement; childcare; or entrepreneurship. The matching grants will help address emergency needs for neglected buildings and assist building owners with eligible expenses for the revitalization of historic properties. Projects submitted must show potential as economic drivers in the community.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce » Press Releases Category Feed

Ranson Financial2021-11-05T00:50:50-05:00November 5, 2021|News|

New Grant Program Launches for Historic Building Revitalization

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced a new grant program that will move quickly to help revitalize underutilized, vacant and dilapidated downtown buildings in rural Kansas communities. The Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for new or expanding businesses; housing; arts and culture; civic engagement; childcare; or entrepreneurship. The matching grants will help address emergency needs for neglected buildings and assist building owners with eligible expenses for the revitalization of historic properties. Projects submitted must show potential as economic drivers in the community. “We have a shortage of ready to occupy buildings across the state, but also an abundance of historic buildings with good bones that make them great candidates for rehabilitation,” Lieutenant Governor/Secretary Toland said. “The HEAL program provides an immediate opportunity to close financial gaps in restoring these properties and making downtown districts throughout our state more economically vibrant, while also creating new jobs and services for Kansans.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2021-11-05T00:49:29-05:00November 5, 2021|News|

Great Bend Public Library receives staff health and wellness grant

The Great Bend Public Library has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Kansas Library Association to support staff health and wellness. This grant was made possible through a 2019 gift from the Kansas Health Foundation to the Kansas Library Association. The installation of artificial turf at the Great Bend Sports Complex “is moving along very well,” City Administrator Kendal Francis said in an update to the City Council Monday night. The City of Great Bend received its most recent tax distributions from the Kansas Department of Revenue and the numbers looked promising, City Administrator Kendal Francis told the City Council Monday night.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2021-11-05T00:47:45-05:00November 5, 2021|News|

Jackson County Tourism Council plans mural project

In an effort to bring more visitors to the county, members of the Jackson County Tourism Council are launching a mural project here. Three new murals will kick-start the project in downtown Holton, according to Suzette McCord-Rogers, a member of the tourism council and mural committee. The new murals, which are expected to last 20 to 30 years, are being planned on the exterior of three buildings. Wichita artist Heather Byers has been hired to paint two murals – one on the west side of the building on the northwest corner of the Square owned by Colette Carson and the other on a wall in the alley behind More Than Lemons on the east side of the Square.
Source: Holton Recorder

Ranson Financial2021-11-05T06:54:53-05:00November 5, 2021|News|

KSHSAA, local schools note shortage of available officials

Middle and high school sports programs in Kansas, it has been reported, continue to face an ongoing shortage of one important element that could postpone or even cancel games — a lack of available officials. That’s why athletic directors at local schools are joining with Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) officials in putting out the call for middle and high school sports fans who would like to give back to their favorite games — and enable those games to continue. “It’s a way to make an impact with kids and sports without committing every day as a coach,” said David Schooler, athletic director and assistant principal at Royal Valley High School.
Source: Holton Recorder

Ranson Financial2021-11-05T00:43:21-05:00November 5, 2021|News|

Kansas sheriffs letter: Operations and management at LSH have reached a crisis level

It’s a letter from 59 Kansas sheriffs to Governor Laura Kelly and they’re demanding changes at Larned State Hospital. They criticized management and the state policies, and said the leaders “created a culture that has become a quagmire of red tape and bureaucracy.” One of the problems highlighted in the letter explains what happened during the John Colt escape. However, they said there are other problems that put the public in danger, and bring disservice to the mentally ill. John Colt was in the “Sexual Predator Treatment Program” at LSH, and escaped in June. Authorities didn’t capture him until late September, when they found him in Utah. Three women, who were all employees at LSH are accused of helping Colt escape.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-11-05T00:41:40-05:00November 5, 2021|News|