Dodge City Commissioners to cut own salaries

Budget adjustments were the talk of the recent Dodge City commission meeting as it is estimated $3 million would be lost from the 2020 budget for the city.
According to city officials, city administration and staff are taking steps to adjust the budget in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with substantial cuts needing to be made to account for the shortfall in expected revenues.
“Even with all of the cuts on the expenditure side of the ledger, we were still short over $700,000 in cuts that needed to be made,” city manager Cherise Tieben said. “Because we function on very tight operational budgets already, hard decisions had to be made at the City Commission meeting.”
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)

Ranson Financial2020-04-28T09:43:57-05:00April 27, 2020|News|

First cruise night a big hit in Hiawatha

Saturday’s Cruise Night in Hiawatha brought more action than local residents have seen downtown in a long time!
Oregon and First streets were packed with cars and trucks of all kinds and all years, with even a motorcycle or two thrown in. Local residents honked at other cars, or some residents sitting around the courthouse and on their porches of houses along the main drag. Everyone was all smiles and after a month of social distancing and a stay at home order, Hiawathans were ready to share the love! Organizers Steve Winters and Ryan Meininger said the event was great and they hope to plan another.
(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)

Ranson Financial2020-04-28T09:44:25-05:00April 27, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 24, 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 Financial2020-04-27T09:33:41-05:00April 27, 2020|News|

Municipal bonds on ‘fragile side of normalcy’ as benchmark yields rise but new deals get done

The secondary muni market was dislocated Friday with high-grade block trading showing swings in yields and rate volatility and price discovery remain problematic for investors and issuers alike. After a week of large issuers bringing sizable deals, Friday did not fully commit to a more stabilized muni market.
The news out of Washington did not help as headline risk clearly had participants questioning direction from D.C. on policies affecting the municipal market.
Triple-A benchmark yields rose by about five basis points across the curve.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-04-27T09:25:29-05:00April 27, 2020|News|

Fed’s near-zero rates to last into 2023, economists predict

The Federal Reserve may hold interest rates near zero for three or more years, and its balance sheet will soar above $10 trillion as policymakers seek to revive the U.S. economy from recession, economists said in a Bloomberg survey. Just over half the 31 respondents to an April 20-23 poll predicted the target range for the federal funds rate, now at 0-0.25%, won’t move up until at least 2023. Another 22% said not before 2022. …
Respondents had limited expectations for any substantial changes when the Federal Open Market Committee holds its next policy meeting April 28-29. Large majorities, 90% and 87%, said they didn’t expect policy makers to offer any additional guidance on how long they intend to keep rates near zero, or on the future pace of large-scale asset purchases.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-04-27T09:26:21-05:00April 27, 2020|News|

What will ‘reopening’ look like in Wichita area during the coronavirus pandemic?

When the Wichita area reopens businesses shuttered for the coronavirus threat, things will look a lot different than they did before the pandemic hit, according to an array of business leaders who spoke to Sedgwick County Commission on Friday.
The special commission meeting brought together leaders from the retail, restaurant, convention, entertainment, fitness, tourism and religion realms.
The clock is ticking on the commissioners, who are poised to set guidelines for businesses if Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-at-home executive order is allowed to expire in the coming week.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-04-27T09:27:00-05:00April 27, 2020|News|

Sedgwick County may have peaked on COVID-19, health officer says

Sedgwick County appears to have passed its peak for coronavirus infections, but there’s a long road back to normal, the county’s top doctor said Friday.
“Fortunately, the hospitals think they have seen the peak, although the peak is very flat,” said Garold Minns, dean of the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita. “They (local hospital administrators) are feeling good about the fact that we are not going to have a huge surge” of new COVID-19 cases.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-04-27T09:27:12-05:00April 27, 2020|News|

Reno County Health Department recommends use of cloth masks when out in public

Reno County Health Department joins Governor Laura Kelly, KDHE and CDC in recommending use of cloth face coverings when in public places. The recommendation is for cloth coverings, not N95 or surgical masks which are used by healthcare workers and first responders.
You can find instructions on how to make a cloth mask on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.
New evidence suggests that some people without COVID-19 symptoms can transmit the virus before getting sick. Using a cloth mask can help keep the virus from spreading from a person who may be infected and is not aware to others they are come in contact with. Wearing a mask should be used along with the following measures:
(Read more: Hutchinson, KS – News Flash)

Ranson Financial2020-04-27T09:27:17-05:00April 27, 2020|News|

New rules, same local flavor: Overland Park Farmers Market opens during pandemic

Much to the joy of thousands of customers, a seasonal mainstay found a way to open this weekend.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the Overland Park Farmers Market to open a few weeks late this year and in an entirely new location. However, the market is now set up and running in the north parking lot of the Overland Park Convention Center.
The location provides the crowds with lots of room for social distancing. It’s not much like the weekend morning party it used to be, but the vendors are still full of produce, lines of masked customers ecstatically exchanging money for radishes, strawberries, lettuce and flowers.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Ranson Financial2020-04-27T09:27:25-05:00April 27, 2020|News|

Pandemic not expected to delay property tax deadline

The coronavirus pandemic does not appear to be delaying the quickly approaching May 10 deadline for Kansas property taxes.
Kansas believes delaying property tax deadlines is more of a local government decision, said Zach Fletcher, a spokesman for the Kansas Department of Revenue.
“Property taxes collected at the local and county level help fund critical functions like public safety and schools,” Fletcher told the Lawrence Journal-World. “The governor cannot unilaterally change property tax structures or payments in general, and would not be inclined to cut critical funding sources during a prolonged public health emergency.”
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-27T09:27:49-05:00April 27, 2020|News|