Labette County extends disaster declaration

Labette County commissioners on Friday extended for 60 days the county’s declaration of a local disaster emergency. The declaration is in place so the county can recoup money from state and federal sources in case it spends money related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, commissioners voted that the county could return to normal business without restrictions after Gov. Laura Kelly lifted her executive orders that shut down portions of the economy and forced some Kansans to stay home and others to work from home. Kelly issued her stay-home order March 30 and lifted state restrictions Tuesday, but she recommended that counties keep some restrictions in place to keep virus case counts down.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-06-01T08:30:30-05:00May 31, 2020|News|

Kansas counties mull their approach to virus restrictions

Kansas counties had various reactions on Wednesday to Gov. Laura Kelly’s decision to give them the authority to determine their own coronavirus restrictions, with some deciding to keep the current rules in place and others effectively allowing most activities to resume. …Wyandotte, Douglas, Lyon and Coffey counties issued news releases saying they would continue to stick to the governor’s plan, while Johnson, Reno, Sedgwick and Ford counties said restrictions on the size of gatherings and how businesses can operate would now be only guidelines.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:43:47-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Rebuilding America: Officials shift Topeka tourism target to locals

The slogan “stay local, play local” hasn’t been officially adopted by Topeka in its quest to stimulate the city’s tourism. But as the city and state slowly reopen and start to trend toward normalcy following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a philosophy that city leaders are starting to fully embrace as a means of bridging the gap until widespread travel becomes commonplace again. “Our normal reach is far and wide,” said Jessica Schenkel, vice president of Visit Topeka. “We know our persona, we know our target markets and we’re trying to reach them in every way possible. But we also know that right now people aren’t traveling across the country or even state to state. So we’ve changed our focus to reach out to those close around us.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:43:21-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Shawnee County to open courthouse June 1, not require mask use

With public health concerns and practical considerations in mind, county commissioners voted 2-1 to reopen the Shawnee County Courthouse to the public on June 1 and opted to recommend but not require the use of masks when visiting the courthouse for county functions. Before entering the courthouse to conduct business, patrons will be asked to complete a screening questionnaire to identify potential COVID-19 symptoms. Though masks won’t be required of those visiting county offices, there will be masks on hand for courthouse visitors who request them.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:42:49-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

South Central Kansas Medical Center hospital finances slowly improving

After going through several hard months financially due to the impact of COVID-19, South Central Kansas Medical Center and its clinics are beginning to see at least some improvement. “We’ve done more surgeries by May 14 than we did the entire month of April,” CEO Jeff Bowman said during a trustee board meeting Thursday. Bowman said the daily census at the hospital had remained consistent during March. Expenses remained consistent, he said, but the medical center saw a total income loss of $473,000.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:41:40-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 28, 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 Financial2020-05-29T08:27:15-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

A sense of credit caution is being felt in the municipal market

The municipal bond market was steady Thursday amid the pricing of several new issues, including a low-rated Guam Waterworks $134 million deal. Despite the market’s recent firmness, however, a real sense of caution is coming into play. Some sources say the municipal market needs to begin pricing in downside risk from the coronavirus-led revenue losses for issuers across the country, and that the market is largely ignoring the potential of real risk of impairments and defaults. Municipal to U.S. Treasury ratios have been a focus for many participants of late. Historically attractive ratios, low supply, and continued fund inflows are creating some strength in the municipal market.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:20:55-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Emporia discusses budget, appropriations concerns amid pandemic

City of Emporia Finance Director Janet Harouff spoke with city commissioners about estimated decreases in the transient guest tax fund during a Wednesday morning study session. The decrease, which has been spurred on by the novel coronavirus pandemic, could affect some remaining appropriations payments for 2020. Without such economic drivers as the Glass Blown Open and Dirty Kanza over the summer, Harouff estimated the city could see an approximate $400,000 decrease in guest tax revenue. She advised that commissioners could be facing some tough decisions in the realm of appropriation requests moving forward, especially for entities such as Emporia Granada Theatre, the arts council and Red Rocks historic site.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:21:45-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Greenwood County sets Phase 2 end date for June 8

Greenwood County commissioners met for a special meeting Monday evening after Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced control would pass to local counties to establish restrictions for their individual county reopening plans. Commissioners voted to continue the current restrictions put in place by the modified Phase 2 of the state reopening plan until June 8. Greenwood County Public Health Officer Vickie Lindsey-Ross recommended continuing to observe this two-week period in order to monitor any outbreaks of COVID-19 resulting from gatherings over the Memorial Day holiday. If there is no outbreak of positive COVID cases by June 8, commissioners will allow the order to expire and Greenwood County will open up in full at that time with no restrictions.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:21:59-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Slower economic recovery feared in Wichita

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said lower demand in travel and previous disruptions to Boeing production orders could lead to a slower economic recovery in Wichita. “We may be slower to recover, the needs may still be there in Wichita,” he said. “Where employment may be slower than in other places in the country to return as we work to get our commercial airlines back in the country.” He made the remarks on Thursday while touring a food pantry, which has seen a forty percent increase in the demand for services since the pandemic began. Moran’s tour comes before he goes back to Washington. Last month, Senate Republicans declined to pass a relief package proposed by House Democrats. They wanted, among other things, provisions to protect small business liability.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:22:13-05:00May 29, 2020|News|