Roe 2020 project update reflects nearly $670,000 cost increase, completion date pushed into 2021

The Roeland Park city council on Monday evening heard the most recent update to the Roe 2020 project, which included a 9.7% increase — $666,000 in total — to the construction cost estimate and extending the construction into 2021.

Roeland Park’s Roe 2020 project aims to improve the thoroughfare within city limits, and will be the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history clocking in at a little over $10 million after the recent increase. The city’s engineer, Dan Miller, said there has been significant progress behind the scenes to get the project started.

Ranson Financial2020-01-07T22:12:28-06:00January 7, 2020|News|

Wichita City Council approves stadium CID

The Wichita City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to pass the ordinance establishing the Multi-Sport Stadium Community Improvement District.

It is a 2% sales tax that will help cover the cost of the stadium. It will be in effect for 22 years. It includes areas west and east of the Arkansas River.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-01-07T22:10:04-06:00January 7, 2020|News|

Topeka City Council OKs ordinance regarding panhandling

Topeka’s city government will ban pedestrians — including panhandlers — from interacting with people in vehicles at 23 of Topeka’s most dangerous intersections, though not at any other crossings.

City council members voted 8-1 Tuesday evening to approve an ordinance putting those rules in place.

Council members Sandra Clear, Sylvia Ortiz, Tony Emerson, Mike Padilla, Brendan Jensen, Neil Dobler, Jeff Coen and Mike Lesser voted in favor of the proposal. Councilwoman Karen Hiller voted against it.

Ranson Financial2020-01-07T22:08:52-06:00January 7, 2020|News|

Parsons honors Vietnam War hero

Outgoing City Commissioner David Larsen received a pleasant surprise as he arrived for his last meeting on Monday.

The city staff organized a reception for the highly decorated Vietnam War era Navy veteran in the lobby of the Parsons Municipal Building to honor him with the renaming of a city street.

Shortly after the short reception, the city commission renamed Conference Boulevard as Larsen Boulevard. The street runs east and west just south of the newly built Parsons Conference Center.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-01-07T07:14:42-06:00January 7, 2020|News|

Galena Fire Station to be named after longtime fire chief

Galena Council members approve naming the city’s fire station after longtime Fire Chief Bill Hall.

He has been a loyal member of the department since the 1950’s.

It will be named Galena Fire Department, Bill Hall Station #1.

Hall has been the fire chief since 1983.

Ranson Financial2020-01-07T07:13:23-06:00January 7, 2020|News|

Decline in global recycling markets could affect Lawrence residents’ utility bills

If the market for recycled materials remains low, the city’s costs for processing recyclables could go up — and so could residents’ utility bills.

The City of Lawrence contracts with the Hamm recycling facility to process recyclable materials, but changes in global markets have led to a significant decline in the value of those materials over the past couple of years.

The city already has been feeling the effect of those changes — it’s received tens of thousands of dollars less in rebates from Hamm’s sale of the materials it processes. But the city will need to negotiate a new contract with Hamm soon, and there could be even more of an impact if Hamm decides it needs to charge more to make up for the sluggish market. The current contract expires next year.

Municipal Bond Trends for January 6, 2019

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 Financial2026-10-22T10:29:44-05:00January 7, 2020|Finance|

Mystery drone sightings spread to Kansas

The Federal Aviation Administration is working with state and local authorities to determine who’s behind a series of mysterious nighttime drone flights over northeastern Colorado and western Nebraska. A few sightings have also come from northwest Kansas, close to the Nebraska border.

A Colorado sheriff hosted a meeting with law enforcement agencies and government officials Monday to talk about the recent rural sightings. The drones reportedly have 6-foot wingspans and fly in grid-like patterns hundreds of feet in the air in groups of six to 10.

(Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Ranson Financial2020-01-07T07:13:56-06:00January 7, 2020|News|

Riley County commissioners take next steps for the RCPD firing range project

Riley County commissioners took the next steps necessary to begin construction on the Riley County Police Department firing range project.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman walked the commissioners through what a design/build and design-bid built process would look like in comparison. The public works department recommended the design/build concept.

“You can use design/build on some projects, but you cannot use it for most of what public works does,” says Holeman, “You can use it for certain facilities and improvements to real property.”

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2020-01-06T20:20:47-06:00January 6, 2020|News|

Long-time employee retires from city of El Dorado

After nearly more than four decades, Robert Simmons recently retired from the city of El Dorado, leaving his position as the Chief Operator at the Water Treatment Plant.

Simmons dedicated his life to providing clean, safe water to the citizens of El Dorado. That part of his life came to an end, as after 46 years he retired from his position at the El Dorado Water Treatment Plant.

His career started more than 46 years ago, on Oct.1, 1973, working on the night shift and continuing his education part-time until finally earning a teaching degree. As part of his job, he helped teach fourth and fourth graders from Butler County about water.

(Read more: andoveramerican.com)

Ranson Financial2020-01-07T07:04:11-06:00January 6, 2020|News|