Gardner forgives many March electric bills for residents, businesses

With many residents and business owners hurting financially because of the new coronavirus, the city of Gardner is forgiving many of the electricity charges it billed during March.
The move, which will cost Gardner about $790,000 in lost revenue, eliminates the entire monthly bill for residential customers and will grant credit for the first 5,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity used by businesses.
“We know we have residents who are financially struggling with bills and other obligations due to the impacts of COVID-19,” Gardner Mayor Steve Shute said in a news release. “We are fortunate that we own our utilities, so we can authorize these changes and provide this much-welcome relief for all in our community while they wait for federal government assistance.”
(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-03T08:57:42-05:00April 3, 2020|News|

“Pittsburg Strong” shirts aimed at helping local businesses affected by COVID-19 outbreak

The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce has come up with a unique way to help local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
he chamber has partnered with Jake’s Fireworks to sell “Pittsburg Strong” t-shirts.
The shirts are $10, and every dollar will help businesses affected by the current coronavirus outbreak.
Participating businesses will be provided t-shirts free of charge and will keep 100% of every sale, thanks to the generous support of sponsors.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)

Ranson Financial2020-04-03T08:55:55-05:00April 3, 2020|News|

Munis again roiled by coronavirus-led volatility as spread-widening grows

The municipal market is facing never-before-seen challenges. A work-from-home workforce scattered about, liquidity constraints, ever-growing credit concerns and a mostly shut down economy that still somehow must provide market access.
Like the middle of March, the tone in the market has moved from a strong seller’s market to one where bidders could name their price.
Credit concerns are impacting the municipal market in a large way, according to Karel Citroen, head of municipal research at investment manager Conning.
“The spread widening is causing deals that were set to price, either get repriced or postponed, now showing up as day-to-day,” Citroen said Thursday before the close of trading.
“I believe two things are happening; at more attractive levels one is starting to see good crossover demand come in, and, at the same time, the traditional investor base is becoming more concerned with the credit implications of the COVID-19 virus,” Citroen said.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-04-03T09:01:08-05:00April 3, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 2, 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 Financial2026-10-22T10:29:40-05:00April 3, 2020|Finance|

Riley County Clerk pushing for all mail-in election; logistics still a huge question

Depending on the length of the COVID-19 pandemic, some questions are beginning to mount over what effect, if any it will have on the 2020 elections.
Current state law prohibits all mail ballot elections in an election with a candidate’s name on the ballot. They can only be used for special questions. Kansas State University Department of Communications Associate Professor Dr. Tim Shaffer says if a change is made, it will need to happen quickly.
“The reality is, voting by mail is going to require a lot of logistics if we were to do it on a national scale, at this level. The clock is ticking, the election’s in November, especially if we were to think about it from a logistical standpoint. When Amazon and everyone else can’t even mail you toilet paper, how do we do something like this.” he said.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2020-04-03T08:48:52-05:00April 2, 2020|News|

Kansas plans to increase testing soon in fight against virus

Kansas expects an influx of coronavirus tests in the compig weeks that should help with efforts to bring the pandemic under control, the state’s top health official says.
Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas secretary of health and environment, said Wednesday that he expects to have up to 64,000 test kits that can produce results in 45 minutes, the Lawrence Journal-World reports.
“Very clearly we need to do population studies, meaning testing people who are well,” Norman said. “It’s very fundamental work and will push the analysis (of the virus) upstream. But until that time, social distancing is the name of the game.”
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2020-04-03T08:49:16-05:00April 2, 2020|News|

State tax revenue steady in March; Gov. Kelly expects ’huge hit’ in April

The calm-before-the-storm state revenue report for March revealed a narrow uptick in income and sales tax collections.
In one month, the April report from the Kansas Department of Revenue is expected to reflect economic damage of a massive business slowdown and the influence of a decision by Gov. Laura Kelly to extend the deadline for filing state income tax returns until July 15.
“As consumer spending patterns change, retail sales tax and compensating use tax collections could experience a major decline in the months to come,” said Mark Burghart, secretary of the state’s revenue department. “We expect the uncertain business and employment landscape to negatively affect withholding and estimated income taxes.”
Read more: Community – Cherokee County News Advocate)

Ranson Financial2020-04-03T08:49:47-05:00April 2, 2020|News|

State looks for compliance in GPS data gleaned from cellphones; infections at 552 with 14 deaths

A promotional flyer last week beckoned Norton-area residents to “get out of the house” and cruise the town’s main drag “like we used to do,” a welcome respite from increasing pressure by health experts to avoid transmission of the coronavirus by sheltering at home.
About 300 showed up for Friday Night Lights in the small western Kansas town near the Nebraska border, where revelers stayed in their car and practiced social distancing before, during and after the event.
Norton County’s rating for social distancing dropped from an A to a F in a trendy scorecard promoted by Unacast, a private company that collects and sells GPS data from cellphones. The company has deployed a free online graphic that grades counties and states by overall reduction in movement reflected in the GPS data.
(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-04-03T08:50:11-05:00April 2, 2020|News|

How the CARES Act Will Benefit Local Government and School Districts

Last Friday, the president signed into law House Bill 748, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.” In it, the Federal government authorized more than $2 trillion in emergency relief aid for individual taxpayers, businesses, public health institutions, and state and local governments. We’ve looked through the bill to see where local governments might find some relief from the impact of the pandemic response and have identified a number of potential avenues.
The bill itself is little more than a list of authorizations for various expenditures with qualifications and formulas to determine where the money flows. There is still plenty of work to be done to create the mechanisms for distributing the money. Most of the appropriations are required to be invested on impacts related to the Coronavirus pandemic, although there are exceptions.
From what we see in the bill, there are a number of avenues for local governments and school districts to receive funds, both as pass-throughs from other agencies or as grants from specific programs, using pre-existing processes.
Below are areas of the bill that contain potential funding opportunities for counties, cities and school districts.
(Read more: ELGL)

Ranson Financial2020-04-03T08:51:17-05:00April 2, 2020|News|

Good Neighbor Program serves a need in Shawnee County

For those of you who are stuck at home, there is help nearby when it comes to getting your essential goods delivered. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office has a new program to deliver groceries and other necessities straight to your door.
Jackson, Geary and Brown County sheriffs’ offices are doing something similar. If you need assistance you can place your order with a participating store and then call the sheriff’s program number to provide them with the details.
The number for Shawnee County is 785-251-2444. The service is offered Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:00pm.
Sheriff Brian Hill said “the sheriffs’ office just wants to do what they can to help out during these difficult times. I know there’s a lot of people that are elderly, disabled or live out in isolated locations, maybe with minimal family contact, and we’re trying to assist those folks.”
(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-03T08:51:47-05:00April 2, 2020|News|