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.
Jim Smart still remembers the day about 55 years ago when he learned the city of Washington hit the water jackpot. “I was dehorning cattle at the vet clinic and George Cox pulled up in his old Jeep with a trencher on the back and said, ‘I think I found you some water out at Bob Boston’s,’” said Smart, who is a retired veterinarian. Cox told Smart that the water was in ‘heavy gravel and down deep,’ and he was going to pump the water for a few days and see if it was as good as it appeared to be. At the time the city’s water was coming from Mill Creek, and Smart said all of the chlorine added to the water to meet health standards made it “taste terrible and smell strongly of chlorine.” Smart had recently moved back to Washington to work in a veterinary practice, and he got on the city council to help the community make some changes.
Read more: Washington County News.
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. – Jackie Robinson. This quote sums up Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine, not just because it was said by a baseball player, but because it so accurately describes all of Paine’s professional life. Paine has spent all of his career serving others. Even in the very beginning. After growing up in Bakersfield, CA, Paine started out in the military. He started out in the state of Washington where he served for almost three years. He worked as a public information officer. “That experience has proved valuable in my line of work. As a journalist, I know you need to know five things who, what, why, where, when and how. Having gone through defense information school, I am not intimidated by press. So then if you aren’t intimidated by the press, then you can help them do their job and get the story out that you want to get out,” said Paine.
(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)
Labette County will receive $3.9 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funding through the state, Labette County commissioners heard Monday. Charlie Morse, Labette County Emergency Preparedness director, updated commissioners on the federal money distributed by the Kansas Office of Recovery. The federal government allocated $1.25 billion to Kansas from the CARES Act. Counties with a population of more than 500,000 received a share of this pool directly. The rest of the counties will receive an apportioned share based on population. Gov. Laura Kelly formed SPARK, the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas Task Force, to help develop a way to distribute the money. SPARK came up with a three-phased approach. The first round will provide $400 million in direct aid to counties. The second phase will include $310 to $525 million for public and private entities in August. The third phase will provide $9 to $324 million to public and private entities in October, Morse told commissioners.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Not unlike businesses and households across Wichita struggling with the financial fallout of Covid-19, the city is also considering ways to cut costs as it deals with millions in revenue losses as a result of the pandemic. City manager Robert Layton says Wichita is facing a $11.5-million deficit this year, and recommends a slate of measures to help balance the 2020-21 budget. That includes closing the city’s pools and splash pads through summer, decreasing the frequency of mowing and forestry services and a plan to privatize the operations of Century II.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
The City of Salina is planning to host a discussion on policing policies next week after several weeks of comments from the public on the topic during City Commission meetings. A formal announcement will be made later this week, but during Monday’s meeting city commissioners reached a consensus on the format of the meeting, which is expected to be at 6 p.m. next Monday. While a venue has yet to be confirmed, City Manager Mike Schrage said Kansas Wesleyan University has offered the use of Sams Chapel on its campus for the event.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
Hays City Commissioners for now want to sock away an expected $700,000 annual sales tax windfall the city will start to get in 2021. The commissioners at their regular work session last Thursday evening looked at a long wish list of city projects. Those ranged from expanding multi-use recreational paths to park amenities to street improvements. No one mentioned giving any money to Ellis County. Ellis County Commissioners in early May formally asked Hays to pitch in $750,000 of its sales tax proceeds over the next two years toward the county’s planned $10.8 million Northwest Business Corridor project. The 55-mph bypass around Hays for north-south US-183 highway is key to a planned $40 million private travel and shopping plaza development off Interstate 70.
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Free non-surgical masks and face shields will soon available to local businesses, institutions, or even protest groups from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management, via the local emergency management office. Reno County Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar advised of the availability Tuesday during a weekly conference call on COVID-19. Forms should be available by next week for local entities to apply, Weishaar said. They’ll likely be available at the Reno County Health Department, which is open to the public.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Governor Laura Kelly announced that her administration, as well as officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recommend that communities do not move into Phase Out of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” which was originally planned to begin June 22, and instead stay in Phase 3 for at least two more weeks. “Though many Kansans and communities have been social distancing, wearing masks, and working hard over the past few weeks to mitigate the spread of the virus, we have unfortunately seen an increase in disease spread,” Governor Kelly said. “After consulting with Secretary Norman’s team at KDHE, I have decided that our state is not ready to move into the final phase of the ‘Ad Astra’ plan until July 6, 2020, at the earliest.” The emergency disaster declaration issued by the Governor on May 26 transfers reopening decisions back to local officials, which means counties continuing with Phase 3 of the plan is only a recommendation. However, the State continues to monitor health metrics daily, and remains committed to supporting local communities in a safe, gradual transition.
(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)
Southeast Kansas residents have made their decision on the new Pttsburg flag. This flag was designed by Levi Weilert. This design was up against two other concepts and this one received the most votes. Weilert says this flag is inspired by the mining and farming history of Pittsburg. The red and yellow is of course paying homage to Pittsburg State University.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE)
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