States and cities slow to spend federal pandemic money

As Congress considered a massive COVID-19 relief package earlier this year, hundreds of mayors from across the U.S. pleaded for “immediate action” on billions of dollars targeted to shore up their finances and revive their communities. Now that they’ve received it, local officials are taking their time before actually spending the windfall. As of this summer, a majority of large cities and states hadn’t spent a penny from the American Rescue Plan championed by Democrats and President Joe Biden, according to an Associated Press review of the first financial reports due under the law. States had spent just 2.5% of their initial allotment while large cities spent 8.5%, according to the AP analysis.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-10-05T06:48:01-05:00October 5, 2021|News|

Derby holding ‘park hop’ through early November

Encouraging visitation of its more than 30 parks, the city is holding the Derby Park Hop from Oct. 5 through Nov. 5. Individuals who visit the 10 participating parks will receive a Derby Proud prize and be entered for a chance to win a free class at the Hubbard Arts Center. To participate, scan the QR code at each park with any smartphone camera and submit the requested information (name, email address, etc.) on the prompted, secure Google Form. Signs with QR codes will be posted at the parks on Oct. 5.
Source: Derby Informer

Ranson Financial2021-10-05T06:48:16-05:00October 5, 2021|News|

Edgerton discusses solar facility zoning

A proposed utility-scale solar facility was discussed by the Edgerton City Council at a work session Sept. 23. Johnson County is currently updating their comprehensive plan and zoning regulations to address utility-scale utility providers. NextEra Energy is considering a future solar facility in an unincorporated area. Area cities have been asked to review plans and provide comments. Following the regular meeting, council member gave feed back regarding the proposed solar regulations. They voiced concerns about the one-mile buffer area from cities which could impact future growth, buffering for neighboring properties, dangers involving battery fires and wildfires, the length of the term of the conditional use permit, environmental concerns about wildlife corridors and storm water, and keeping the solar projects contiguous. “I’d like to see the county solar projects go through the same development process that cities utilize,” said Don Roberts, mayor.
Source: Gardner News

Ranson Financial2021-10-05T06:49:24-05:00October 5, 2021|News|

Gardner planning commission meets discusses billboard regulations

The off site signage land development code amendment was tabled for further discussion and vote at the Sept. 27 meeting. Commission members said they needed more information and time to decide height requirements for billboards after hearing from citizens at the public hearing. David Knopick, community development director, said it would be easy to strike out the one sign per parcel requirement maximum from the code and could be flexible moving the setback distance from 50 to 15 feet. Knopick said he would suggest and look into a conditional use permit process for signs wanting to be over 30 feet. “We could look at each individual situation,” he said. “But it can never be higher than 50 feet because of the state requirement.” Knopick said he would err on the conservative side because he doesn’t know where Gardner’s future development is going to grow for residential, industrial and commercial use on the east side of I-35.
Source: Gardner News

Ranson Financial2021-10-05T06:50:30-05:00October 5, 2021|News|

Area history comes alive in Baxter Springs

Community members and history buffs alike brought the area’s past into the present. “We think history is important, we think people should know the real history of what happened here in the Civil War,” says Larry Rhodes, 22nd Arkansas Unit C Captain. That history was on display in Baxter Springs, where re-enactors from all over the Four States gathered to help bring the past back to life for a Civil War encampment. Mary Billington, Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum Director, says, “It is a fantastic tribute to the amount of work that goes into planning these things to have these people come out and enjoy it, and have a good time, for the weather to cooperate with us.” On top of displays, dances and soldier camp life, event goers were able to see the city turned into a battle ground once again.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-10-05T06:50:53-05:00October 5, 2021|News|

Kansas schools settle natural gas lawsuit

Several Kansas schools have settled in a lawsuit against a natural gas company over high energy costs during the February freeze. Many schools signed onto a class action lawsuit against Symmetry Energy Solutions after the February price spike. … Last week, KASB and Symmetry announced “a mutually satisfactory resolution of issues surrounding high market prices for natural gas supplied to Kansas schools.” The joint news release said Symmetry was “a willing partner” as they worked “in concert” with KASB to find solutions, noting the “long-standing relationships” between schools and the company. … The settlement agreement discounted gas prices on the February bill from what the school energy consortium claimed were “exorbitant, excessive, and or unconscionable rates.”
Source: Hutch News

Ranson Financial2021-10-04T06:51:59-05:00October 4, 2021|News|

September U.S. employment report, coming Friday, is expected to show whether people who had exited the job market during the pandemic are ready to return

Many economists would welcome a small rise in the unemployment rate. They are troubled by the rate’s swift decline from its pandemic peak because it partly reflects a lack of job seekers—effectively limiting the amount of fuel in the economy’s engine. The Labor Department’s official unemployment rate—the most well-known gauge of the labor market’s health—counts as unemployed only those who aren’t working but are actively seeking a job. That leaves out millions who stopped working and looking for work since the coronavirus hit the economy in early 2020, leaving many businesses struggling to hire.
Source: WSJ

Ranson Financial2021-10-04T06:48:38-05:00October 4, 2021|News|

Garden City Finance Director calls it a career after 30+ years

Thursday was designated “Melinda Hitz Day” in Garden City, a tribute to the longtime Finance Director who retired after more than 30 years overseeing the City’s financial health. Hitz began working for the City on April 22, 1991. After graduating from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in business and an emphasis in accounting, Hitz went to work for Lewis, Hooper and Dick in 1979. From 1981 to 1990, Hitz performed the annual municipal audit of the City of Garden City making her well familiar with the city’s finances, and things she wanted to improve, when she then started working for the City in 1991. Hitz and her husband Bob, a local general contractor who will also be retiring soon, have two adult children, Kristen Schultz and Jack Hitz, and two grandchildren, Mack and Hallie.
Source: Greater Garden City

Ranson Financial2021-10-04T06:36:47-05:00October 4, 2021|News|

Osawatomie Welcomes Deputy City Manager

The City of Osawatomie welcomes a new deputy city manager to its leadership team next week. Bret Glendening will take on the role of deputy city manager effective Monday, October 4th, 2021. The deputy position is part of the City’s ongoing structural reorganization meant to strengthen leadership capacity and better serve organizational and community needs. The newly created role is designed to assist the city manager with departmental oversight and to coordinate internal and external initiatives, specifically in the utilities and public works departments. In his new role, Glendening will oversee the City’s infrastructure and improvement projects, including water treatment and distribution, wastewater facility repairs, street repair, and solar array initiative. Glendening brings 10 years of large-scale project management experience, including solar projects and financial management, for Kiewet Corporation.
Source: City of Osawatomie

Ranson Financial2021-10-04T06:36:57-05:00October 4, 2021|News|

Canton Township Carnegie Library to celebrate 100 years

The Canton Township Carnegie Library is turning 100 in October. To celebrate, they will be holding an event from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2 at the library. In addition to serving homemade ice cream from old-fashioned crank operators, the staff and board members will have games that were popular in the 1920s available to play and they will have a silent movie playing during the event to feature additional 1920s technology. “We are going to go with the 1920’s theme,” said Kim Witt, library board president. “People can dress in 20s costume if they would like and we’ll have a photo opportunity for that.” The library has three stenograph viewers, a turn of the century technology that displays 3D images when looking through a set of lens that will be set up in stations for guests to use. The viewers were purchased by the library when it opened.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Ranson Financial2021-10-04T00:14:21-05:00October 4, 2021|News|