Federal Reserve leaves interest rates and asset purchases unchanged, sees growth slowing

The Federal Reserve kept its foot to the floor Wednesday in terms of the help it is providing for an economy that central bank officials say has slowed down. Consistent with market expectations, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee said it was keeping its benchmark short-term borrowing rate anchored near zero and maintaining an asset purchasing program that is seeing the Fed buy at least $120 billion a month. At the core of the move to keep policy historically accommodative was an economy in which the sectors most vulnerable to the pandemic are taking the hardest hit.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:53:15-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Sedgwick County commissioners add citizens advisory boards to promote transparency, accountability

Sedgwick County commissioners continue to develop citizens advisory boards to keep elected officials accountable, while working to remain transparent. Commissioners Lacey Cruse and David Dennis created citizens advisory boards for their districts last year, while Commissioner Jim Howell will have the first meeting with his board next month. Commissioner Sarah Lopez is in the beginning stages of developing her own and the last commission is following suit it the near future. The citizens advisory boards are official groups formed by commissioners and the members are selected citizens who live in each district.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:52:24-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Marion’s drug dog earns her keep in 1st year

In her first year as a drug dog, Blue’s nose for illegal substances already has led to multiple drug busts for Marion’s city police. A few times, an arrest would not have been possible without her, said officer Aaron Slater, who serves as Blue’s handler for the department’s K-9 unit. “She has been working really well,” he said. “I’ve bonded with her for sure.”
Source: Marion County RECORD

Ranson Financial2021-01-28T06:51:41-06:00January 28, 2021|News|

Grant Opportunity: “WaterSMART Funding”

Through the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Reclamation provides 50/50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states and other entities with water or power delivery authority for small water efficiency improvements that have been identified through previous planning efforts. Projects eligible for funding include installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system, lining of a section of a canal to address seepage, or other similar projects that are limited in scope.
More information is available here. The Bureau of Reclamation has published a notice of funding opportunity for the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects. The notice of funding opportunity is available on grants.gov by searching for opportunity number R21AS00257. Applications are due on March 18, 2020, at 4 p.m. MDT. View Funding Opportunity

Ranson Financial2021-01-27T16:52:01-06:00January 27, 2021|News|

City officials will soon begin discussing proposal to allow accessory dwelling units in more Lawrence neighborhoods

City planners are moving forward with drafting a code change that would allow homeowners to build garage apartments and other smaller living quarters in all neighborhoods. The city will soon begin taking public input regarding the details of the code amendment, and it is expected to go to the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission for consideration this summer. The local comprehensive plan as well as an affordable housing plan have called for expanding the areas where such living quarters, known as accessory dwelling units or ADUs, can be built, and city planner Sandy Day said the units can be used for a variety of purposes.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2021-01-27T08:17:05-06:00January 27, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for January 26, 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 Financial2021-01-27T08:15:25-06:00January 27, 2021|News|

Johnson County voters approve $264M bond, tax increase for Shawnee Mission schools

Johnson County voters overwhelmingly approved a $264 million bond issue and property tax increase in the Shawnee Mission school district to rebuild and renovate schools, plus hire additional teachers as a way to address workload concerns. More than 49,600 voters cast ballots, which were due at noon Tuesday. According to the unofficial results, 69.4%, or 34,441 voters, approved the bond referendum, while 30.6%, or 15,178, voted against it.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2021-01-27T08:14:35-06:00January 27, 2021|News|

Douglas County approves plan to distribute Phase 2 vaccinations

Douglas County says it has approved an initial plan to begin distributing COVID-19 vaccines to groups identified in Phase 2 — residents 65 years and older, those who live and work in congregate settings and essential workers. “Doses right now are extremely limited based on the supply. Given that everyone in Phase 2 is considered critical and a priority, each group will receive an allocation of doses every week,” said Dan Partridge, director of Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.
Source: KMBC.com

Ranson Financial2021-01-27T08:12:22-06:00January 26, 2021|News|

No more Shawnee Mission North Indians: District to drop all Native American mascots

Shawnee Mission North High School and three district elementary schools must retire their “Indians” and “Braves” mascots under a new policy after thousands petitioned for the change. The Shawnee Mission school board voted unanimously Monday to approve removing the mascots. The new policy states that school mascots must be culturally and racially appropriate, and that they may not be derogatory or offensive toward a person or class of people protected under the district’s nondiscrimination policy. North, which has had “Indians” as its mascot for almost a century, as well as Belinder, Shawanoe and Rushton elementary schools, will begin the process of finding new mascots.
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2021-01-27T08:12:30-06:00January 26, 2021|News|

Labette County to buy air trailer for firefighters

Labette County commissioners on Monday agreed to buy a new air trailer for volunteer fire departments in the county to share. The trailer to be purchased from 1st Due Emergency Response Solutions in Bartlett will cost $93,320. The trailer will contain equipment to refill air tanks used by firefighters when they enter smoke-filled homes or respond to other emergencies that require them to use a self-contained breathing apparatus. The current truck uses older technology and does not fully refill the air tanks, commissioners heard. Oswego Fire Chief Jon Eck, Bartlett Fire Chief Perry Sorrell and Chetopa Fire Chief Bryan Midgett attended Monday’s meeting to discuss the need for the air trailer.
Source: Parsons Sun

Ranson Financial2021-01-27T08:12:59-06:00January 26, 2021|News|