JoCo cities face difficult decisions as they work to close budget gaps caused by COVID-19

As businesses close in response to the coronavirus pandemic economic impacts are beginning to ripple beyond their shuttered front doors and windows.
Sales tax typically generates between 20 to 50 percent of revenue for cities in Johnson County, financing general funds, stormwater projects and public safety efforts. But with the stay-at-home orders in place, this typically reliable revenue source is thrown into question, and municipal budgets, most of which were planned half a year in advance, are being restructured.
To offset funding gaps Johnson County cities have largely been working towards cutting operational expenditures and capital improvement budgets, and some have said they will consider dipping into reserves if necessary.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T08:54:40-05:00April 17, 2020|News|

Topeka, Shawnee County officials announce new task force to aid in COVID-19 recovery

Topeka and Shawnee County leaders announced Thursday the creation of a task force that aims to strengthen local recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.
In a news conference held Thursday evening via Zoom, community leaders from the Greater Topeka Partnership, the City of Topeka and several Shawnee County agencies formally introduced the task force, dubbed “Topeka, Shawnee County Community Recovery.”
“It’s clear that this situation isn’t going to go away overnight, but as we respond to this crisis, we must start focusing on what our recovery plan should look like,” said Mayor Michelle De La Isla. “Right now, leadership must identify the issues our community will be facing so that, over time, we can address these and create actionable, long-lasting solutions.”
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T08:54:05-05:00April 17, 2020|News|

Conway Springs turns out for downtown cruising

The past two weekends have a seen a bygone activity return to downtown Conway Springs.
Dozens of cars – maybe as many as 100 last Saturday – turned out over the past two weekends to cruise Springs Avenue. For many, it recalled a time from their childhoods when life was simpler and rural towns across America were more active than they are today.
Chad Walker has organized the “Cruise Main” event on Facebook.
“A couple Thursdays ago, I was cruising around town and wanted to get some pictures of the sunset,” he said.
(Read more: Times-Sentinel Newspapers » Feed)

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T08:53:04-05:00April 17, 2020|News|

Lyon County in ‘good shape’ to take hit in sales tax collections

Lyon County Controller Dan Williams told Lyon County Commissioners during Thursday morning’s meeting that the county is in good standing to withstand a financial hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The county will not be able to see the scope of impact the pandemic is having on local sales taxes until May or June, but Williams told the commission he had recently worked out some “Doomsday numbers” in an attempt to predict how the county would handle a significant loss in revenue.
He said the good news was that last year the county had collected more than what it had budgeted in sales taxes. Though the second half of property tax payments aren’t due until May 10, he said many also chose to pay off the full amount when the first half was due. He said the county had also collected “quite a bit” in back taxes during the first quarter of the year.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T09:04:12-05:00April 17, 2020|News|

City of Lawrence to receive $446,000 as part of the coronavirus relief package; more aid expected

The City of Lawrence will receive a $446,000 grant as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
The CARES Act allocated $2 billion of additional funding to cities through the Community Development Block Grant program to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus, according to a city staff memo to the City Commission. As part of the commission’s meeting Tuesday, City Manager Craig Owens said the city expected additional funds to be provided but that the grant was a start to meet the city’s challenges.
“The needs here locally are substantial,” Owens said. “They will continue to be substantial as we move through this and move into recovery.”
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T09:26:26-05:00April 17, 2020|News|

Some Lawrence leaders want sustainability to be significant factor when prioritizing city projects

City leaders expressed support Tuesday for a new way of prioritizing infrastructure projects and other capital expenses, but some commissioners said they would like to see more emphasis on sustainability.
As part of its regular meeting, the Lawrence City Commission provided feedback to city staff about a new prioritization method for the city’s Capital Improvement Plan that weighs one-time projects based on nine factors. City Manager Craig Owens told the commission that what staff had proposed was a starting point, and it was up to the commissioners to modify the method as they found appropriate.
“You need to build the machine that’s going to produce the priorities of how we spend huge amounts of resources on behalf of this community,” Owens said.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T09:26:33-05:00April 17, 2020|News|

Manhattan challenges Lawrence to census response competition; mayor of losing city must wear other university’s jersey

Even though sporting events have been canceled because of the coronavirus, Lawrence residents still can get in the competitive spirit.
Mayor Jennifer Ananda recently accepted a challenge from the mayor of Manhattan for the two cities to compete for the highest self-response rate to the 2020 census for each city. The mayor of the losing city has to wear the other city’s university jersey to a City Commission meeting. Mayor Usha Reddi made a video challenging Ananda, who responded with a video of her own in which she accepted the challenge.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T09:24:56-05:00April 17, 2020|News|

Manhattan airport to receive over $2 million in grant funding

The Manhattan Regional Airport is receiving $2.1 million from phase III of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Eighty Kansas airports, including Manhattan, will receive funds to help compensate lost revenue since less people are flying because of the coronavirus outbreak. The total amount going to Kansas airports is $53 million with Manhattan receiving the fourth largest amount. Garden City Regional ($17.95 million), Topeka Regional ($16.86 million) and Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport ($11.32 million) are the top three recipients.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T09:09:41-05:00April 16, 2020|News|

State of the Cities in the Wake of COVID-19

Each year, mayors across the country prepare to give a very meaningful speech: The State of the City. This is a time for local leaders to communicate about the health, stability and future of their communities. This year, however, mayors are making dramatic changes due to the impact of COVID-19…
Some local communities are embracing technology to ensure they share their roadmap for the future with their residents, no matter the obstacle. For example, Mayor Emily Larson of Duluth, Minnesota announced she plans to deliver her speech electronically.
(Read more: CitiesSpeak)

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T09:11:14-05:00April 16, 2020|News|

Hazard Pay Decisions Challenge City Leaders

Cities have employees in many high-risk positions. Police, firefighters, paramedics, and EMT’s are typical examples. Private and public employers alike are considering additional compensation, or “hazard pay,” for employees working on the frontlines in midst of the COVID-19 crisis. For those cities that implement such a policy, there exists a labyrinth of rules and regulations from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that make this issue very complex.
…The OSHA Hazard Recognition provides guidance to employers on which types of jobs are at greater risk for COVID-19 exposure. Some workers have similar exposure risks as the general public, while others have a higher risk. Those occupations with potentially greater exposure risk levels may include several different health care positions, emergency medical services, correctional facility operations, solid waste and wastewater management, and janitorial services.
(Read more: CitiesSpeak)

Ranson Financial2020-04-17T09:11:34-05:00April 16, 2020|News|