Cities adopt representation flags across the state

The city of Newton is just the latest in a host of Kansas towns working to adopt a new flag this year and in years just past. “We received 65 entries from Newtonians of all stripes — from kids to seniors, amateurs to professional artists,” a Facebook post at Newton Flag Project reads. “Thank you for having fun with this and celebrating our community with us!”… In southeast Kansas, Pittsburg citizens just completed a city flag design contest last month. Their winning design incorporates a pickax to pay homage to the city’s mining history, wheat to represent farming traditions, a Balkans banner representing the community’s heritage, and the red and gold colors to reflect the spirit of Pitt State University. Last year, Topeka adopted this new city flag that features a sunflower and pays tribute to the Sunflower State. The nine petals of the flower represent the nine founders of the city.
(Read more: News – Butler County Times Gazette)

Ranson Financial2020-08-06T08:02:59-05:00August 5, 2020|News|

Merriam tree sale closes Aug. 10, available for residents only

The city of Merriam is hosting a tree sale that will take orders until Monday Aug. 10. The tree sale is available only to Merriam residents, who can choose from a number of trees including maples, oaks, elms and flowering crabapples. Residents will get a $15 subsidy on the first two trees, with a maximum of $30 off their tree order.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)

Ranson Financial2020-08-05T08:00:14-05:00August 5, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for August 4, 2020

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 Financial2020-08-05T07:52:16-05:00August 5, 2020|News|

Roeland Park begins second phase of Roe 2020 with curb, sidewalk, and driveway replacement

The city of Roeland Park on Monday entered a new phase for the largest infrastructure project in its history, Roe 2020. Crews will remove curbs, sidewalks and driveways along Roe Boulevard at Johnson Drive and then move north to 51st Street during the project’s second phase. Temporary driveway access for residents along Roe will be created using gravel until curb construction and driveway installation is complete. Vehicles cannot drive on the new curbs or driveways for at least seven days after concrete pours. The construction crew will try to pour the curbs one day and the driveways the following day in an effort to limit the number of days a resident cannot drive on the concrete.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-08-05T07:48:44-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Wichitans speak out about proposed city budget that includes police increases, cuts to the animal shelter

Several Wichitans spoke out Tuesday about the proposed city budget before the Wichita City Council. The total budget comes out to $630 million. The documents are available online at wichita.gov. The city says they are facing a revenue deficit of more than $11 million due to the COVID-19 pandemic. City of Wichita working on balancing budget amidst coronavirus pandemic Under the proposal, there is an increase for police to adjust for new hires, wages, pensions and IT costs. Century II operations would be based on contract management to put less burden on the city. The proposal also includes cutting the city’s animal shelter. Residents spoke out against several on the table.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-08-05T07:51:00-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

State board approves historic designation for Century II, former downtown library

The Century II center in Wichita got another layer of protection over the weekend when a state board voted it onto the Register of Historic Kansas Places. The state will now forward the building’s nomination to the National Park Service for possible inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review in a Saturday teleconference meeting also voted to grant historical status to the former Central Library building that shares the parking lot with Century II, the city’s convention and performing arts center since 1969.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Ranson Financial2020-08-05T07:51:11-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Aguilera takes over as city administrator in Altamont

The city of Altamont has welcomed a new city administrator, Audree Aguilera. Aguilera holds associate degrees in business and technical accounting from Barton Community College. She earned a bachelor’s in business administration from Ottawa University in 2018 and a master’s in public administration from Wichita State University this year. She has received added education from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Institute, the certified public manager program at the University of Kansas and the Municipal Training Institute through the League of Kansas Municipalities. Prior to joining the city of Altamont, she was the community development coordinator for Lyons for more than four years.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:32:39-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Arkansas City could save more than $2 million with water loan refinancing

A proposal to refinance three loans related to water services in Arkansas City could save the city more than $2 million through next 15 years. Arkansas City commissioners will consider two resolutions today that would allow the city to refinance the loans at a lower rate. The outstanding balance for the three loans is $23,114,128, the bulk of which ($19,844,813) is for the water treatment plant that opened in 2018. If approved, the refinance could save the city $2,194,041 in interest and shorten the term of all three loans, City Manger Randy Frazer said. “Right now interest rates are extremely low,” he said. “Any time you can save the citizens that kind of money, it’s worth looking at.”
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:31:33-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

Broadband upgrades go in south of Pratt

Improving broadband service in Pratt County has taken a step forward with an SC Telcom project south of Pratt, but it didn’t have anything to do with millions of dollars the USDA is purportedly funneling towards such projects. SC Telcom recently completed installing fiber for internet service upgrades that will connect 30 locations as part of the South Highway 281 Pratt project. Of those, 22 are existing customers who are converting from an inferior technology …
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:23:24-05:00August 4, 2020|News|

U.S. long bond demand raises prospect of whole curve yielding below 1%

A decline in U.S. Treasury yields over recent weeks has investors eyeing the approach of an unusual phenomenon – the entire U.S. yield curve sinking below 1%. Policymakers are looking to position the country to recover once the COVID-19 pandemic eases and allows the Fed to raise interest rates again. But those steps look a long way off as the virus continues to spread and talks on a new aid bill in Washington drag out. “Everybody thinks the Fed is going to be running rates near zero indefinitely. That’s bringing down the 30-year bond yield to incredibly low rates,” said Brian Bethune, chief economist for Alpha Economic Foresights LLC.
Read more: Reuters.

Ranson Financial2020-08-04T08:18:18-05:00August 4, 2020|News|