Manhattan Parks and Rec mulls new cost recovery policy to generate more revenue

Manhattan Parks and Recreation officials want to raise fees for some programs with a new cost recovery policy. Parks and rec director Aaron Stewart on Monday told KMAN the proposed policy aims to focus on total cost recovery instead of operational recovery, which is the basis of the current policy. Stewart said the new policy would reduce the percentage of taxes used for operations by generating more revenue. “We’re looking to approach the city commission with a fully vetted cost recovery, which includes all fees and services to be set administratively based on this policy,” he said. Parks and rec also is looking to help those with financial barriers to accessing those services. Stewart said the goal is to implement an equity program with help from the Parks and Rec Foundation to help those who can’t afford things like pools, for example.
Source: themercury.com

info2024-10-15T12:24:31-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 14, 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 Schmidt2024-10-15T07:11:46-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 11, 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 Schmidt2024-10-14T09:31:43-05:00October 14, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 10, 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 Schmidt2024-10-11T09:29:02-05:00October 11, 2024|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 9, 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 Schmidt2024-10-10T09:43:39-05:00October 10, 2024|News|

Douglas County to consider new pay plans that would boost county employee pay above area averages

Douglas County government should create a new goal to pay its employees — everybody from custodians to administrators — well above the median wage of similar employees in the region, county commissioners will be told at their meeting on Wednesday. … a human resources group, recommends that the county create a “compensation philosophy” that aims to pay county employees at a rate equal to the 70th percentile of wages for similar positions in the area.
Source: LJWorld

info2024-10-09T12:31:24-05:00October 9, 2024|News|

Governor Kelly Announces Virtual, On-Demand Meeting as Part of Water Local Consult Outreach

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that a virtual, on-demand meeting is now available for Kansans who want to provide input on water issues in the state. The virtual meeting is part of a second round of local consult meetings to gather input on strategies to implement the 2022 Kansas Water Plan. “These local consult meetings are critical to finding and implementing sustainable solutions to address our state’s water concerns,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By hearing directly from Kansans, we can make further progress on the goals of the 2022 Kansas Water Plan.” The recent in-person and new virtual meetings build on the first round of local consult meetings held this summer, as well as Regional Advisory Committee meetings. The virtual meeting mirrors the content from the eight in-person meetings held across the state in September.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

info2024-10-09T09:59:54-05:00October 9, 2024|News|

Increased prices contribute to continued housing shortage

Real estate agent Natalie Moyer has helped Kansas residents purchase homes for the past 16 years. But the housing market is so tight right now, it’s been very difficult for first-time homebuyers to find a house within their budget. The demand for a home has been much higher in recent years and there simply are not enough homes to go around. That shortage of supply is pushing up the costs of homes on the market, making it even more difficult for buyers to purchase an affordable or middle-market home. The trickle-down effect of the tight market is believed to be contributing to a lack of affordable housing and rising homelessness in the state.
Source: Derby Informer | Area

info2024-10-09T09:58:09-05:00October 9, 2024|News|

Plans being finalized for emergency room/hospital in Fort Scott

Bourbon County officials reported Monday that efforts to secure Freeman Health System’s plans to bring health care to the county are being finalized. Bourbon County Commissioners Jim Harris and Brandon Whisenhunt amended the meeting agenda to allow County Counselor Justin Meeks to speak on the topic of health care in the county. Commissioner Clifton Beth was not present for the commission’s second straight meeting within a week.
Source: Fort Scott Tribune

info2024-10-09T09:56:56-05:00October 9, 2024|News|

City Council approves steps for hotel, Expo

With a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and resolutions calling for two public hearings, the Great Bend City Council took preliminary steps Monday that will help a developer build an 80-room hotel and one or more restaurants on 10th St. The actions are also aimed at making the Great Bend Expo Complex a destination for tourism and entertainment using STAR Bonds. Improvements might include a drag racing museum and more seating at the drag strip; a banquet hall with multi-purpose courts for sporting events; an amphitheater; improvements to the existing rodeo grounds; and an additional hangar/restaurant.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

info2024-10-09T09:56:06-05:00October 9, 2024|News|