Lawrence City Commission approves land development code update, despite public outcry

Lawrence city commissioners heard from more than 50 community members Tuesday, most asking them to hit pause on the updated land development code. Ultimately, they voted to approve the update. The land development code regulates development in the city, including zoning regulations, residential occupancy limits and more. The document has wide-ranging implications for the growth and direction of the city. In the summer of 2022, the city started reviewing the code to make it simpler and aligned with goals like sustainability and housing. The commission created the Land Development Code Update Steering Committee to work on the process.
Source: The Lawrence Times

info2024-11-13T09:31:50-06:00November 13, 2024|News|

City to continue work on policies for housing incentive districts

Manhattan city commissioners at Tuesday’s work session will revisit policies on Reinvestment Housing Incentive Districts, or RHIDs. These districts are part of a state program meant to help developers build housing by assisting in the financing of infrastructure improvements. Specifically on Tuesday, commissioners will discuss RHID policies it recently adopted related to infill, which is housing projects that use existing infrastructure, and greenfield, which is housing on land that hasn’t yet been developed.
Source: themercury.com

info2024-11-13T09:29:52-06:00November 13, 2024|News|

How Topeka is dealing with affordable housing with need outpacing supply

A lack of affordable housing options in the capital city has been blamed for a growing number of unhoused Topekans. The Topeka Housing Authority is providing solutions by monopolizing on something the city has plenty of — vacant properties.
Source: CJonline

info2024-11-11T10:38:03-06:00November 11, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 8, 2024

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Henry Schmidt2024-11-10T20:13:08-06:00November 10, 2024|News|

Overland Park setting up pilot to address late trash pickup

Overland Park is pursuing a pilot program to ensure that residents whose trash pickup is delinquent have another option as a backup. The pilot proposal follows county-wide trash pickup delays that have left some residents in recent years going weeks without trash removal in their neighborhoods.
Source: Johnson County Post

info2024-11-08T10:07:16-06:00November 8, 2024|News|

Is the grass greener? Many from county make long commute to Moundridge factory

Although the 350,000-square-foot manufacturing campus for Grasshopper Mowers lies in McPherson County, outside Moundridge, 10% of its 280 employees hail from Marion County, with many workers making the 40-minute commute each day. Michael Simmon, who works in marketing communications at Grasshopper (and who commutes 40 minutes himself from Sedgwick County), said Marion residents appreciated the pay, the work environment, and job stability.
Source: Marion County RECORD

info2024-11-08T10:01:29-06:00November 8, 2024|News|

Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by a quarter point

The Federal Open Market Committee lowered its benchmark overnight borrowing rate by a quarter percentage point, or 25 basis points, to a target range of 4.50%-4.75%.
The vote was unanimous. Fed officials have justified the easing mode for policy as they view supporting employment becoming at least as much of a priority as arresting inflation.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

info2024-11-08T09:45:12-06:00November 8, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 7, 2024

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Henry Schmidt2024-11-08T09:44:39-06:00November 8, 2024|News|

Wichita crews get ready for winter snow operations

The City of Wichita is getting its crews and vehicles ready to handle snow events during the coming winter. Mayor Lily Wu held her weekly news conference at the Public Works Central Maintenance Facility at 1801 South McLean, with several plow trucks on display. The mayor said the city will have 8 brine trucks and more than 70 trucks with plows and spreaders. There will be three dispatch facilities to send the trucks out during winter storms. The city has 6,000 tons of a salt-sand mix that will be ready for use, and there is 10,000 tons of salt available to make an additional 20,000 tons of salt-sand mix for use on the streets. The city will have 153 operators, just above its minimum staffing level, and Mayor Wu said the city is looking for more drivers with a commercial drivers license who can help with snow and ice season.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

info2024-11-08T09:44:21-06:00November 8, 2024|News|

Sedgwick County Drug Court to hold graduation event

Sedgwick County’s Drug Court held a graduation ceremony Thursday for 24 people who have completed their work under the program. The graduates range in age from 29 to 69, and they have completed an 18-month program of intensive supervision, drug and alcohol treatment, drug testing, and comprehensive services as they work toward the goal of lifetime sobriety. The program is not mandated by Sedgwick County Community Corrections, so all of the graduates volunteered for the program. It helps promote change by reducing new crimes and ultimately reconnects clients to their families and to society.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

info2024-11-08T09:43:14-06:00November 8, 2024|News|