County task force could help draft restrictions on businesses after state order expires

The county’s health director announced Tuesday he plans to create a task force to help address how businesses may begin to reopen when a state stay at home order expires, potentially as early as Sunday.
“I’m going to be reaching out to the business community,” Director Nick Baldetti said during a morning telephone conference. “Being that executive order 20-16, the stay at home order from the governor is set to conclude April 19, I want to sit down… to discuss what does post-April 19 look like in terms of businesses going back to work.”
“I want to talk specifically about steps to ensure the safety of the workforce,” Baldetti said. “What businesses open, with what guidelines.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:44:57-05:00April 15, 2020|News|

KCC extends order limiting utility disconnects until May 15

Citing the continued threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas Corporation Commission used its emergency powers to extend a previous order suspending utility disconnects for nonpayment until May 15. The action, taken during a Commission business meeting Tuesday morning, will offer continued relief to those experiencing hardship from the COVID-19 virus. The previous order, issued March 16, was set to expire Wednesday.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:43:23-05:00April 15, 2020|News|

Cities, Counties Worry on Losing Virus Funding

The $2.2 trillion federal rescue package could fail to deliver badly needed financial aid to thousands of smaller cities and counties where a majority of Americans live, according to documents and interviews with local officials.
The coronavirus outbreak has blown holes in the budgets of communities as the costs of battling it skyrocket and critical sources of revenue like sales and income taxes plummet.
The Coronavirus Relief Fund uses a formula based on population to parcel out tens of billions of dollars to the states while allowing cities and counties with more than 500,000 residents to apply directly to the Treasury Department for cash infusions. But localities below that population threshold are in limbo.
Among those affected: New Rochelle, New York, one of the cities hardest hit by the outbreak.
“I cannot understand the logic,” said Noam Bramson, the Democratic mayor of the city of about 80,000 people. “Cities with fewer than 500,000 people have been just as heavily impacted as those with more than 500,000 people. It strikes me as a completely arbitrary cutoff.”
(Read more: Kingman County News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:41:57-05:00April 15, 2020|News|

Wichita moves closer to construction of a new water plant

The Wichita City Council has given first-round approval to accepting a loan from the federal government to help pay for a new water treatment facility.
The $280,860,714 loan comes from the Environmental Protection Agency by way of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). It will pay for almost half of the new plant.
Alan King, the director of Wichita Public Works and Utilities, told the council members that one of the reasons the WIFIA loan is so attractive is a deferral of repayment for five years after construction.
“We figure about 4 to 5 years to build the treatment plant, and it’s a full five years after that we start the payment back,” said King.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:38:31-05:00April 15, 2020|News|

Some commissioners say they’re getting pressure from residents who want to see shut downs lifted

As the stay-at-home restrictions to prevent COVID-19 wear on, the heat on some Johnson County commissioners has been ratcheting up from disaffected voters. On Monday, those commissioners passed some of that pressure on to county health officials who were updating them on the county’s need for more data.
“Simply telling people it’s for your own good, go home and sit down and we’ll tell you when you can come out is not resonating well,” said Commissioner Mike Brown, who represents much of the western part of the county. “I am hearing from people and they’re growing incredibly restless right now.”
“A plan to get us open must be developed,” he said, even if it isn’t immediately implemented.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:35:22-05:00April 15, 2020|News|

Westwood hires new chief administrative officer, city clerk to succeed Fred Sherman

The city of Westwood on Friday announced it hired Leslie Herring as the city’s new chief administrative officer and city clerk.
The city held an open recruitment and selection process after Fred Sherman, former Westwood city clerk and chief administrative officer, took a position as a Johnson County Election Office Commissioner in late February 2020. Westwood Mayor David Waters said in the release that Herring “presented the ideal candidate” for the city.
“Leslie brings a passion for local government and a true sense of community service,” Waters said. “She has tremendous experience in issues of planning, budgeting and administration, but also keen insights into the values, needs and aspirations of modern cities and their residents.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:33:36-05:00April 15, 2020|News|

County block grants ready for Pratt-area small businesses

Small businesses that qualify for Community Development Block Grants should be receiving those funds very soon. Heather Morgan, Pratt County Economic Development, said once the funds are approved, it won’t take long to get them to the businesses. The funds have already been awarded to the county and are ready to go. The applications just have to be approved. Pratt County commissioners will give the final approval. Morgan addressed the Commissioners about the CDBG in a teleconference call at their March 30 commission meeting.
The CDBG micro loans have stringent requirements but because of the COVID-19 crisis, the Kansas Department of Commerce has loosened those requirements and is encouraging distribution of those funds as soon as possible, Morgan said.
(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:33:53-05:00April 15, 2020|News|

Shawnee rejects bid to relocate century-old Leawood home to Shawnee Town 1929

Shawnee has opted against relocating a century-old house in Leawood to its outdoor museum, Shawnee Town 1929.
Instead, city staff plans to build a replica house to represent the home of Dr. Sullivan, a doctor who lived and worked in Shawnee in the 1920s. Dr. Sullivan’s house is the next building scheduled for construction at the museum.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:36:05-05:00April 15, 2020|News|

Crawford County approves wind farm plans

The Crawford County Commission approved several agreements Tuesday with Jayhawk Wind, LLC, which is a renewable energy project in development by the company Apex Clean Energy, Inc. in northwestern Crawford and southwestern Bourbon counties.
In discussing the agreements, County Counselor Jim Emerson noted that the project is primarily in Bourbon County, with only 20 or so wind turbines in Crawford County.
“I think there were questions about the amount of money we were going to be receiving,” Emerson said. “The amount of money is proportional to the size of the project.”
(Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:37:02-05:00April 15, 2020|News|

Johnson County spends $285K on COVID-19 gear for first responders, health workers

Despite placing orders since January, public safety and health care service providers in Johnson County haven’t received new shipments of protective equipment since the coronavirus outbreak began, county officials said.
To meet the growing need for safety gear to protect against the virus, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Monday allocated $285,000 to purchase masks, gloves, gowns and other equipment. The supplies will be distributed to police and fire departments, hospitals, nursing homes and correctional facilities.
The county entered into an agreement with the local firm Fully Promoted, which has multiple contracts for supplies coming from Greater China Industries — and is expected to meet the county’s immediate needs in one shipment.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-15T08:52:35-05:00April 15, 2020|News|