Kansas rule could lower property tax bills; Lawmakers have ignored it for 15 years

Gov. Laura Kelly wants to provide property tax relief by reactivating a long-dormant subsidy program for Kansas cities and counties.

The Democratic governor’s tax council on Tuesday recommended lawmakers start following a state law they’ve ignored for 15 years at a cost of more than $1.3 billion to local governments. Her office said it would give localities “a strong tool to begin lowering local property taxes.”

Kansas is required to send a share of its sales tax collections to cities and counties each year through a program called the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund. But the Legislature has continuously waived the rule since 2004, opting to use the tax dollars as a hedge against the Great Recession and Gov. Sam Brownback’s signature tax cuts.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T21:51:33-06:00December 4, 2019|News|

Utility connection, building permit fees waived for low-income senior housing

Manhattan is waiving more than $90,000 in utility connection and building permit fees for a planned low-income senior living development.

The City Commission approved the waiver for the project in Lee Mill Village Tuesday by 4 to 1 vote with Commissioner Wynn Butler opposing. Manhattan had previously agreed to sell the 19 lots to the Manhattan Area Housing Partnership in January.

The land was bought by the city in 2012 on a tax sale after a previous development struggled to get off the ground. The land has been slow to sell, leaving Manhattan covering the special assessment taxes and collecting no property taxes. As part of the details of the sale, Manhattan will cover one third of outstanding specials — amounting to $190,000.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T20:41:16-06:00December 4, 2019|News|

County to apply for second Healthy Kansas grant

Bourbon County will take advantage of an opportunity for additional grant funds to promote a healthier community.

On Tuesday, Bourbon County Commissioners voted to allow Economic Development Director Jody Hoener to apply for an additional Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Communities grant.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T20:39:25-06:00December 4, 2019|News|

Goessel mayor leads $2.5M sewer project

Dave Schrag has retired from Marion Die and Fixture after 34 years, but Goessel’s mayor still has plenty on his plate.
Schrag is heading up a $2.5 million project to fix and renovate the city’s sewer lines.

Schrag said the sewer pipes had numerous cracks, which allowed rainwater to run into them, causing a buildup of water in the lagoons.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T20:34:36-06:00December 4, 2019|News|

Kansas receiving more than $2.6 million in federal grants to fight crime

The state of Kansas is in for some upgrades thanks to more than $2.6 million in federal grants given to the state to enhance public safety.

U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said Wednesday the money is part of more than $376 million in awards announced by the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs.

“We’re working with our state and local agencies to make Kansas safer,” McAllister said. “These grants are designed to give Kansas law enforcement the flexibility to spend the money based on the needs in their own communities.”

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T20:31:45-06:00December 4, 2019|News|

Gov. Laura Kelly’s tax council supports internet, digital tax changes

The advisory council appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly recommended Tuesday adoption of a $32 million tax on internet sales by out-of-state businesses and the imposition of a $30 million sales tax on digital products ranging from books, cloud-based applications as well as magazines, video games and other items.

Former state Sen. Janice Lee and House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer proposed adjustment of state law to compel “marketplace facilitators,” such as Amazon, to mandate collection and payment to the state of sales tax on third-party transactions. Kansas legislators have debated the idea, but remain one of five states without this provision in state statute.

“It’s very much a fairness issue, an equity issue for our Main Street businesses,” said Lee, who is co-chair of the bipartisan council.

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T20:28:51-06:00December 4, 2019|News|

Commissioners consider whether to renew Neighborhood Revitalization Program

Marshall County’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program will expire Dec. 31. On Monday, commissioners discussed renewing the program, possibly with changes.

The program gives county residents the opportunity to apply for a three-year county property tax abatement before renovating an existing structure or building a new one. An 80 percent tax rebate is given the first year, 60 percent the second and 30 percent the third.

Commissioner Barb Kickhaefer said the spirit of the program is to revitalize blighted neighborhoods. Commissioner Keith Bramhall agreed and said that new construction in rural areas that receive tax rebates through the program pay for themselves with the long-term taxes paid on the property’s added value.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T20:25:08-06:00December 4, 2019|News|

Wichita council approves $500 million water plant contract; calls rebid ‘too risky’

Wichita City Council moved forward with plans to build a new water treatment plant Tuesday, awarding a $500 million contract to Wichita Water Partners. The group includes two companies that spent thousands of dollars on Mayor Jeff Longwell’s golf outings and meals before he steered the contract in their favor.

City Council members voted unanimously to award the contract – the biggest single contract in the city’s history – saying they didn’t want to risk losing federal funding for the project and that they weren’t sure if any other companies would bid on the project.

None of the council members mentioned Longwell’s relationships or gifts, which became a key election issue. They did say they have been fielding questions from concerned citizens since The Wichita Eagle reported Longwell’s relationships with some of the water partners in September.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T19:50:56-06:00December 4, 2019|News|

It’s no nightclub, but that’s what neighbors fear for planned Wichita event center

If you’re going to the planning commission meeting on Thursday, you’d better get there early if you’d like a seat.

That’s the advice of the planning department, which has been hearing quite a bit from neighbors of a potential event center near 37th and Woodlawn.

“I just thought that this was something that was needed in Wichita,” Jake Hartman says of the business.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T19:47:47-06:00December 4, 2019|News|

Commission, trustee jobs could conflict

Eighteen months ago, Arkansas City commissioners voted to disband the South Central Kansas Medical Center Board of Trustees and take responsibility for the financially-struggling hospital themselves.

The commission essentially fired the trustees they had appointed to govern the medical center and took on dual roles of city commissioner and hospital trustee.

Since then, the medical center’s debt burden has been lowered, and the facility is operating at a profit under a new CEO. But questions linger about conflicting interest and even the legality of elected officials holding both positions.

Ranson Financial2019-12-04T19:45:47-06:00December 4, 2019|News|