Owning LED streetlights is saving Shawnee Mission area cities money compared to other Kansas towns

This is a tale of two types of Kansas cities: Those who had the foresight to own their own streetlights and those who do not.

Those who do have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars — even, they say, with the added maintenance. And they’ve been able to save more money by switching to LED bulbs. The energy-efficient lights cost more upfront, but pay for themselves over time, eventually leaving more money in city coffers.

The other cities’ streetlights are owned by Evergy, which charges the same flat monthly rates for LED bulbs as older less-efficient lights. In these situations, the cities say there is virtually no savings, neither in the short-or long-term.

(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)

Ranson Financial2020-01-27T07:00:29-06:00January 27, 2020|News|

County discusses wind farm funding windfall to Galesburg and Thayer

As part of a road use agreement, developer Apex Clean Energy will provide Payments in Lieu of Taxes that would be created by the Neosho Ridge Wind electric-generation project in the southwest part of the county during the time the project is tax-exempt. Commissioners want some of the funds to benefit the two towns that are within the approximate area of leased and non-participating properties roughly described as the “footprint.”

Representatives of rural fire departments have asked for support, and Commissioner Gail Klaassen has offered $80,000, an amount provided by other wind farms to nearby communities. Commissioner David Orr said he wants Thayer and Galesburg to be treated equally.

(Read more: www.chanute.com – RSS Results in news,news/* of type article)

Ranson Financial2020-01-27T07:00:11-06:00January 27, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for January 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 Advisors.

Ranson Financial2026-10-22T10:29:43-05:00January 27, 2020|Finance|

Senate bill requires state to pay for recount of close municipal races

State Sen. Randall Hardy knows agony of defeat and joy of victory of a razer-thin municipal election.

The Salina Republican prevailed in a 2015 race for Salina City Commission after a recount of ballots resolved in his favor a 2,141 tie that was temporarily broken with a flip of a coin for his opponent. A recount revealed 40 ballots hadn’t been properly counted, and allocation of those votes provided Hardy the margin of victory.

“There was a jam in a counting machine,” he said. “It was kind of a fluke thing, but fortunate in my case.”

Ranson Financial2020-01-26T19:20:00-06:00January 26, 2020|News|

Ranchers, landowners battle feds over conservation, property rights

Ranchers in Oregon, Washington and Kansas have been battling the federal government over property rights and conservation efforts for decades.

The states argue that in most cases, land owners know best how to manage their own land, not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.

In Kansas and Washington, ranchers filed a motion to intervene over recent changes to endangered species’ policies proposed by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Ranson Financial2020-01-26T19:18:14-06:00January 26, 2020|News|

Salina Police launch alert system to help first responders with emergencies involving those with special needs

A Kansas dispatcher is paving the way for how police respond to emergencies involving those with special needs.

Amber Pfiefer, lead dispatcher with the Salina Police Department, has answered many emergency calls over her 12 year career but there’s one call a few years back she’ll never forget.

“We responded to a call with a citizen with special needs,”said Pfiefer. “At that time we didn’t realize he was special needs and he was being just non communicating, not responding to what the officers were wishing him to do.”

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-01-26T19:11:55-06:00January 26, 2020|News|

Moderate income housing comes to a rural community

Its been almost 13 years since Greensburg was hit by a tornado, taking out homes and the towns’ population. Now, like most rural communities, they’re working to build more affordable housing to try and bring people in.

Greensburg and a dozen other communities were given a grant from the Kansas Moderate Income Housing Program to build housing that is affordable for those on a limited income.

With 400,000 dollars given to Greensburg, they have recently laid the foundation for two new duplexes, with the hope to have them completed by the end of summer 2020.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-01-26T19:10:19-06:00January 26, 2020|News|

New proposed KDOT program to help communities with construction

A new proposed Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) program, FORWARD, will help counties across the state with projects to improve their transportation needs.

That is, if the program is passed by the Legislature this session.

“KDOT wants to be a problem-solving partner with communities, with industry,” Deputy Secretary of Transportation Lindsey Douglas said. “We want to be able to respond to their needs sooner.”

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-01-26T19:08:07-06:00January 26, 2020|News|

Hutchinson landlords: City’s response to building-code violations goes too far

Some landlords in Hutchinson say it’s time for an end to what they say is the city’s overbearing enforcement of building code violations.
The city says the program in place is meant to keep tenants safe and rental properties maintained. Wednesday, Eyewitness News spoke with landlords on and off camera about why they say something needs to change.
“It’s all treated like a criminal matter,” Hutchinson rental property owner Robin Jackson says. “I think that’s a problem. I think that causes a lot of antagonism.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-01-27T07:07:29-06:00January 26, 2020|News|

Recruiting efforts looking up for the Topeka Police Department

After several years where it was nearly impossible to find people willing to consider a career as a Topeka police officer, things are on the upswing.

Lead recruiting officers for the Topeka Police Department credit a shift in strategies for their newfound success.

Sgt. Matt Cobb, lead instructor for the Topeka Police Department Academy, said recruiting officers now target prospective candidates in much the same way a college coach or military recruiter would try to sell his or her program to a prospect.

Ranson Financial2020-01-26T19:03:52-06:00January 26, 2020|News|