Analysts bolster Kansas revenue projections, envision less dire budget outlook

TOPEKA — Kansas’ official revenue forecasters say economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic will be far less severe than previously projected for the state’s bottom line. Next year’s budget shortfall now is expected to be $152 million, a considerable upgrade from the $1.4 billion deficit anticipated earlier this year. The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, composed of state analysts and university economists, released revised figures on Friday that include an increase of $477.2 million in revenue for the 2021 fiscal year, which ends in June. J.G. Scott, director of the Kansas Legislative Research Department, said positive economic factors include job gains between April and September, improved trade with China, farm revenue bolstered by federal subsidies and a rise in commodity prices, and recovery of oil and gas sectors.Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2020-11-09T06:48:33-06:00November 9, 2020|News|

Conservation project aims to restore Ogallala Aquifer through naturally occurring landforms

The future of water availability in western Kansas is receiving support from a multimillion-dollar project aimed at using existing land formations to recharge a major underground water source. Final details of the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project, or GRASP, are being worked out within the offices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Earlier this year the project received an injection of $1.4 million from NRCS, and another $1.5 million from multiple partnering conservation organizations, including the Playa Lakes Joint Venture and Ducks Unlimited. The plan calls for the restoration and enhancement of playas — natural wetlands that dot the state. There are more than 22,000 playa lakes in Kansas, with 85% of that playa acreage in cropland. The remaining 15% are part of natural grasslands, with the average size of a playa being 3.7 acres.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2020-11-09T06:47:19-06:00November 9, 2020|News|

Hays welcomes new ice skating rink

Three men were hard at work Wednesday morning in downtown Hays piecing together half-inch-thick plastic polymer pieces to form what would soon become an ice skating rink made of artificial ice.That outdoor rink is downtown Hays’ newest attraction. It sits beneath the Downtown Pavilion at 10th and Main Street, and the artificial ice allows it to withstand whatever weather conditions a Kansas fall or winter might throw at it.
Source: Leavenworth Times

Ranson Financial2020-11-09T07:04:38-06:00November 9, 2020|News|

McLouth, KS boasts unusual road attraction

When the town was being laid out, the boulder couldn’t be moved, so they simply built the city street—aptly named Granite Street—around it. After years of resurfacing, it sticks out of the ground over two feet, with just enough room to drive around it. But what you see in street is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. “It’s said to be at least 30 feet in diameter underground,” said Meador. “It was probably six or seven feet higher than it is now. That’s how much we’ve built the area up.”
Source: KCTV.

Ranson Financial2020-11-07T21:14:34-06:00November 7, 2020|News|

City of Russell Launches 10-day Community Challenge to Slow COVID-19

The City of Russell is launching a 10-day community challenge in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19. The STOMP COVID 10-day Community Challenge begins November 7 and ends November 16. This challenge is in partnership with Russell Regional Hospital and USD 407. “We are experiencing an alarming increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the Russell area”, said Mayor Curt Mader In the latest report from the Russell County Health Department, we now have 242 cases, with 54 people currently in quarantine. There have been 25 hospitalizations and five deaths. Our current positivity rate is 23.7 percent. At the November 3 city council meeting, Russell County Health Officer Paula Bitter and Dr. Tyrel Somers encouraged more mask use in the community. The Russell City Council discussed a mask mandate but would prefer leaving the option of wearing a mask to individuals. “Russell has come together many times, said Mayor Mader. We need your help to curb the spread of COVID-19, prevent our hospital from being overwhelmed, and protect our neighbors from critical illness!” Residents are asked to take the STOMP COVID 10-day community challenge. When in public or group settings, wear a mask. We are ONE Russell, and together…let’s Stomp COVID.

Ranson Financial2020-11-06T10:04:51-06:00November 6, 2020|News|

Garden City to consider mask mandate

The Garden City Commission considered a petition put forth by Lindsay Byrnes to implement a citywide mask mandate at Tuesday’s regular board meeting. No action was taken at the meeting. However, the commission will hold a special session at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 to consider putting an ordinance in place requiring the wearing of masks. Byrnes is the Finney County medical director, but said she put forth the petition neither as an employee of the county health department nor is she speaking on behalf of the county. She did so as a physician and someone who’s invested in the community.
Source: News – The Garden City Telegram

Ranson Financial2020-11-06T08:15:28-06:00November 6, 2020|News|

Younger generation steps up to public service

Bryce Garner, 26, will be sworn in Jan. 13, 2021, as the youngest Stafford County commissioner on record when he assumes office representing District 3 following the 2020 general election. “I’ll be wearing a smile, that’s for sure,” Garner said. “It’s not that I wanted to set a record, but I am pleased that my generation will have a voice in decisions that will impact their futures. “I’m a fifth-generation Stafford County resident and that makes me dedicated to wanting to assure a good future for all Stafford County residents.” With family ties that trace back nearly a century, Garner is following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather Victor “Vic” Garner, who served as 3rd District county commissioner from 1969-1976.
Source: News – The Garden City Telegram

Ranson Financial2020-11-06T08:14:50-06:00November 6, 2020|News|

Wichita mayor urges caution; small hospitals under strain

The mayor of Kansas’ largest city is warning the public to take the coronavirus “seriously” as case numbers soar and rural hospitals struggle to find larger facilities with room for their patients. Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple blamed a rise in cases on a “perfect storm” of people becoming fatigued over prevention measures, longing to see their families, and moving events indoors as the weather grows colder.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2020-11-06T08:03:30-06:00November 6, 2020|News|

Fed holds interest rates steady near zero, says economy is still well below pre-pandemic levels

The Federal Reserve held short-term borrowing rates near zero in a decision Thursday that characterized the economy as growing but not near where it was before the coronavirus pandemic hit. As markets widely expected, the Fed kept its benchmark interest rate anchored in a range between 0%-0.25%, where it has been since an emergency cut seven months ago in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. …The Fed’s decision to hold steady comes amid concerns over the direction of the economy as Covid-19 cases accelerate and public officials contemplate restrictions on activities that could hamper growth. As it has done multiple times before, the Fed emphasized that the growth trajectory is largely dependent on the path of the coronavirus.
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2020-11-06T08:01:55-06:00November 6, 2020|News|

STAR bond projects structured to fund themselves

From a financial standpoint, the state’s Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bond projects are set up to essentially pay for their own development. The tool allows Kansas municipalities to issue bonds “to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects,” which are then paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development. … While there are a few more wrinkles, once a STAR bond district is established (like Derby did in 2015), such bonds can then be issued to make payments for development of tourism attractions, infrastructure improvements, etc. … In metropolitan areas, those bonds can only be used for projects with an anticipated capital investment of at least $50 million. In rural areas, though, there is no specific financial threshold on STAR bond projects – just the mere requirement bonds be issued for a project of major regional or statewide significance.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2020-11-06T08:00:19-06:00November 6, 2020|News|