info2023-07-23T23:48:04-05:00July 23rd, 2023|
The Fort Scott City Commission plans to hold a work session in the future to discuss the idea of becoming a Certified Local Government, which, according to Mayor Matthew Wells, would provide an opportunity for building owners to apply for more grants for their historic properties. Source: Fort Scott Tribune
info2023-07-26T08:57:34-05:00July 23rd, 2023|
The nation’s “most pickleball-obsessed city” has clinched a big win: hosting the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, which will bring more than 1,000 professional and amateur players to Overland Park. The Vulcan Kansas City Open will be Aug. 24-27 at Elite Tennis and Wellness and is a “golden ticket” qualifier event, which means those winning their division will earn a spot in the bracket at the 2023 USA Pickleball National Championships in November in Dallas. Source: Kansas City Business Journal
info2023-07-26T08:57:57-05:00July 23rd, 2023|
The city of Park City is proposing a new 1 percent sales tax to its community and according to Mayor John Lehnherr, the community has responded positively. The sales tax will help with some of the city's needs such as adding additional law enforcement and helping fix the roads. Lehnherr said the city conducted a recent study and found that 88 percent of Park City's revenue comes from outsiders visiting. He said because they are near the interstate with four exits, people stop in to dine, shop, and get fuel. Lehnherr added leveraging this 88 percent can also be a benefit [...]
info2023-07-23T23:35:45-05:00July 23rd, 2023|
The Girard Kansas Fire Department today hosted its annual event with the intention of making it a recurring tradition. Organizers say the event aims to provide an opportunity for the public to view the department's equipment and raise awareness about the needs of different departments. It also serves as a platform for the public to ask any questions they may have. Participants had the opportunity to enjoy bounce house and offer tours of the fire trucks and police cruisers. "The goal is to keep the public informed on what we do here and our equipment and where we are," said Chris [...]
info2023-07-23T23:32:12-05:00July 23rd, 2023|
In February of last year, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed APEX (Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion) into law. It allows for tax incentives to be given to for-profit companies when they select Kansas as the site of their billion-dollar megaprojects. Through APEX, Kansas was able to secure a $4 billion Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto and a $1.8 billion Integra semiconductor plant in Wichita. But now, it's unclear if the Kansas legislature will extend the law past its expiration date, putting the prospects of future development deals in limbo. Dylan Lysen of the Kansas News Service says some influential conservative lawmakers are worried the state [...]
info2023-07-23T23:25:56-05:00July 23rd, 2023|
Singer, songwriter and philanthropist Dolly Parton is set to visit Kansas next month to celebrate her Imagination Library program. The Office of the Governor announced the plans for the visit for Monday, Aug. 14 in a press release. This was accompanied by an announcement that every child in Kansas from birth to the age of five can receive free books every month through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. In total, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 200 million books worldwide since it was launched in 1995. "I am pleased that we have reached this amazing milestone – being able to provide [...]
info2023-07-23T23:23:36-05:00July 23rd, 2023|
The front entrance to City Hall is now open after an extensive exterior renovation and accessibility improvements. “The previous steps to the front entrance were deteriorated and the exterior needed updated and preserved,” said City Manager Daron Hall in a statement. “With the help of our team, we were able to protect the structure, improve the aesthetics, and increase safety and accessibility to this important public asset.” The city partnered with Sprouls Construction Inc. and Echelon Architecture and Design to make City Hall more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Façade improvements were also included in the project, as well [...]
info2023-07-26T09:00:03-05:00July 23rd, 2023|
Like the average customer walking onto lots right now, the city of Derby is having a tough time buying cars at the moment. A little over a year after entering into a fleet leasing agreement with Enterprise, challenges remain, which has led to city to reassess its approach and shift gears to a hybrid model. The city will still continue to lease hard-to-find vehicles through Enterprise (police units, one-ton trucks, etc.) but will also look to purchase some through its own authority as needs – and availability – arise. Staff noted changing the approach has little to do with the efforts [...]
Henry Schmidt2023-07-23T20:19:17-05:00July 23rd, 2023|
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. 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.
info2023-07-21T11:23:49-05:00July 21st, 2023|
After awarding Wichita developers Dave Burk and Dave Wells millions of dollars in economic incentives in the past two decades, the city of Wichita is now suing them, alleging broken promises to repay a $2.5 million loan to redevelop the Ken-Mar shopping center. Burk, best-known for his redevelopment of Old Town, and Wells, president of Key Construction, have been partners on dozens of projects in downtown Wichita and are two of the most prolific campaign donors in city politics. The two developers owe the city more than $1.8 million for a loan it gave them in 2011 to redevelop the Ken-Mar [...]
