Edwardsville voters approve sales tax to fund new City Hall, fire and police stations

Edwardsville residents voted Tuesday to create an additional sales tax that city officials plan to use for building a new City Hall, and police and fire stations. Voters supported two separate ballot measures that each carry a half-cent tax on every retail dollar spent in the town. Both passed by margins above 56%, according to unofficial results from the Wyandotte County Election Office. City leaders pitched the plan to residents as a necessary measure to rebuild aging and inadequate buildings.
Source: KC Star Local News

info2024-11-06T09:05:59-06:00November 6, 2024|News|

Survey: 1 in 2 Kansans concerned about state’s water supply

The survey, by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, found one-third of Kansans think the state and local government are not doing enough to conserve water.
Half of Kansans are either very or moderately concerned that Kansas may be running out of water, according to a new statewide survey by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University. “I can remember, 20 years ago, nobody wanted to talk about the depletion of the Ogallala (Aquifer),” said state Sen. Carolyn McGinn, who also serves as a member of the Kansas Water Authority. “And now, I mean, farmers are talking about it.” Parts of western and central Kansas have battled severe drought the last several years. Wichita is currently enforcing outdoor watering restrictions as a result.
Source: KCUR News

info2024-11-06T09:05:08-06:00November 6, 2024|News|

City of Topeka invites community to weigh in on finances

Topekans are invited to take part in a few upcoming community engagement sessions for budgetary feedback later this month. Taylor Bugg with the City of Topeka said in a press release on Monday, Nov. 4 that locals can take part in three different engagement sessions to give their opinions on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget process. Participants can also learn more about the city’s financial forecast, possible service reductions and sales tax options. People can use these sessions to provide their own input on decisions which impact city services and the overall community.
Source: KSNT 27 News

info2024-11-06T09:03:56-06:00November 6, 2024|News|

New tools help Shawnee County deputies hit the mark

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is showing off some new advancement in its shooting accuracy this week. Shawnee County Commissioners got a behind the scenes look at the new law enforcement training center in Berryton on Monday, Nov. 4. In addition to local law enforcement entities, the center is used by the FBI, Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and more. The main focus of the sheriff’s office presentation detailed the new sights on their weapons. Using the new red dot sight gives officers greater situational awareness, threat analysis and accuracy. Source: KSNT 27 News

info2024-11-06T09:02:51-06:00November 6, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 4, 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 Schmidt2024-11-05T10:01:37-06:00November 5, 2024|News|

Community open house to address stormwater management plan for controversial Douglas County solar project

An open house will be held to discuss a stormwater management plan for a large solar project in Douglas County on Wednesday. The Kansas Sky Energy Center plans to install 8 million square feet of solar panels on approximately 600 acres of farmland in the Kansas River valley, located in northern Douglas County. This project, which has been controversial among county residents, requires two approvals from the County Commission before it can move forward. The open house on Wednesday will discuss one of these necessary approvals, the stormwater management plan.
Source: LJWorld

info2024-11-05T07:41:14-06:00November 5, 2024|News|

City files suit against west Lawrence apartment complex alleging Section 8 discrimination

The city has filed suit against another apartment complex alleging discrimination against a prospective disabled renter based on the renter’s source of income. The 23-year-old disabled woman was ready to move into her new apartment at The Links, 5401 Rock Chalk Dr., in August of 2023 but just days before she moved, she was informed that because she intended to pay her rent using primarily a Section 8 voucher she would not be permitted to move in, according to the suit filed by the City of Lawrence in Douglas County District Court.
Source: LJWorld

info2024-11-05T07:36:34-06:00November 5, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for November 1, 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 Schmidt2024-11-04T11:08:10-06:00November 4, 2024|News|

City employee looks back on 35-year career

Payne was recognized at the Oct. 22 Derby City Council meeting for his 35 years of service to the city. He began his career with the city in 1989 as an engineering technician with the engineering department. This was a new team created to design and manage smaller engineering projects and oversee larger projects. With computers just starting to become popular in the workspace, Payne spent a lot of time producing hand drawings based on surveys he would complete. Those drawings were provided to contractors who would submit bids to the city. This included the addition of roads and underground infrastructure for residential neighborhoods. Eventually, Payne would see the incorporation of computers and the specific software that allowed for hand drawings to be created digitally. After working in the engineering department for nine years, Payne accepted the Director of Public Works position. With advances in the technology, Payne was eventually invited back to the engineering department.
Source: Derby Informer | News

info2024-11-04T10:38:54-06:00November 4, 2024|News|

UG will consider zoning for 120-pump Buc-ee’s near Kansas Speedway

A planned Buc-ee’s travel center — among the chain’s largest — soon could contribute to the growing list of tourism attractions aiming to pull visitors to Wyandotte County. Buc-ee’s Ltd. wants the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, to approve a zoning request for a new travel center at 601 Village West Parkway. The UG will review the request on Nov. 7. Founded in 1982, Texas-based Buc-ee’s chain of travel centers has developed a national following for its clean restrooms, Buc-ee the Beaver mascot and colossal convenience stores. It also offers a wide variety of food options, including Texas barbecue, jerky, fudge, kolaches and caramel-coated corn puffs called “Beaver Nuggets.” Buc-ee’s plans to build a 74,000-square-foot travel center with 120 gas fuel pumps as well as electric-vehicle charging stations. The travel center would have 560 parking spaces for passenger vehicles and RVs.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal

info2024-11-04T10:37:57-06:00November 4, 2024|News|