911 center faced chaos in wake of Friday’s storm

20 Thursday, July 20

911 center faced chaos in wake of Friday’s storm

info2023-07-20T08:43:59-05:00July 20th, 2023|

In just one hour after Friday’s storm passed, Allen County’s dispatchers handled nearly twice as many calls compared to the total of an average day. Between 6 and 7 p.m. on Friday, the dispatch center handled 235 calls, not including responding to radio traffic for law enforcement, fire and ambulance crews. An average day in June brought a total of 134 calls. To illustrate just how many calls that is, 911 Director Chelsie Angleton compiled a list of statistics about calls in June, the day of the storm and the days preceding and following. She presented the information to commissioners on Tuesday as part [...]

20 Thursday, July 20

Kansas wooed mega employers like Panasonic with mega tax breaks. But that may end

info2023-07-20T08:42:34-05:00July 20th, 2023|

As construction crews build Panasonic’s new $4 billion factory here, the Kansas tax subsidy law that helped bring the electric vehicle battery plant to the state is set to evaporate. Kansas officials no longer have the power to underwrite mega-deal projects with hundreds of millions of dollars in state incentives. The law, known as APEX, only let the state ink one deal each year in 2022 and 2023. Those tax giveaways for those two years went to Panasonic and Integra’s planned $1.8 billion semiconductor plant in the Wichita area. Paul Hughes, the state’s deputy secretary for business development, asked lawmakers to [...]

20 Thursday, July 20

Overland Park in early stages of discussing 2 tax rebate ideas

info2023-07-20T08:41:02-05:00July 20th, 2023|

The Overland Park City Council is in the early stage of discussing two separate tax relief proposals that would rebate a portion of food sales tax and property tax payments to vulnerable residents. Members of the council’s Finance Administration and Economic Development committee took a first look Wednesday at the proposals: one, a property tax rebate put forward by Councilmembers Melissa Cheatham and Logan Heley, and the other, a food sales tax rebate offered by Councilmember Faris Farassati. The proposals were offered more as concepts with details to be worked out later. Source: Shawnee Mission Post

20 Thursday, July 20

Sedgwick County Commission approves 2.5 million dollars for Exploration Place project

info2023-07-20T08:38:11-05:00July 20th, 2023|

Exploration Place received 2.5 million dollars from Sedgwick County Commission today. “Wichita, this county, and this region deserves projects like this,” said Jason Gregory, representing Greater Wichita Partnership. The money will go towards a massive upcoming project Exploration Place calls EP 2. “The first 23 years has been largely focused on what happens inside the building but this next vision for us focuses on what happens on the outside of the building,” said Laura Roddy, VP for Advancement at Exploration Place. This project, which is set to roll out in three phases, will break ground later this year. Source: KAKE - [...]

20 Thursday, July 20

Municipal Bond Trends for July 19, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-07-20T07:53:05-05:00July 20th, 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.

19 Wednesday, July 19

Pittsburg City Hall updates improve accessibility

info2023-07-19T11:51:34-05:00July 19th, 2023|

Pittsburg City Hall has undergone a significant facelift, following the completion of its City Hall Plaza – Front Steps & Ramp Project. 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 Pittsburg City Manager Daron Hall. “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 of Pittsburg partnered with Sprouls Construction, Inc., and Echelon Architecture and Design to make [...]

19 Wednesday, July 19

Atchison leaders reflect on plant’s pending closure

info2023-07-19T13:41:52-05:00July 19th, 2023|

The surprise announcement Thursday that a major Northeast Kansas distillery will be corked for good next year is causing a stir. MGP Ingredients, Inc. has been in business for more than 80 years, and its brand is closely linked with finely crafted liquor. Bourbons, ryes, whiskeys, gins, vodkas and more have all been produced in Atchison, Kansas, along with practical products like industrial alcohol and hand sanitizer, of particular demand in the COVID-19 era. However, citing reduced profitability in a news release, MGP said it will close its Atchison distillery by January 2024. Several other operations in Atchison are not affected. [...]

19 Wednesday, July 19

Riley County welcomes Phillips as new budget and finance officer

info2023-07-19T11:47:38-05:00July 19th, 2023|

Riley County recently welcomed a new Budget and Finance Officer. Brittany Phillips took on the role July 6th. Before joining Riley County, she served as board treasurer for the USD 473 Chapman School District. Phillips has also spent time in municipal budgeting for the city of Chapman. Her responsibilities will include preparing and coordinating budgets for the county programs and departments and working closely with commissioners, department heads and the county clerk to lead budget discussions. Phillips succeeds Darell Edie, who retired from the position in June. Source: 1350 KMAN

19 Wednesday, July 19

Packed City Council meeting in Colwich with most against proposed solar project

info2023-07-19T11:46:08-05:00July 19th, 2023|

The Colwich City Council meeting Monday night was packed with area residents protesting a proposed solar project that could be built east of town. "We just have eyesore after eyesore, and we are going to add another mile and a half onto that all the way into Maize," said one resident to the council. The proposed solar project would be built between Colwich and Maize. Another resident, Jeff Hardin, says he does not like the look of an industrial size solar farm, and it would change the landscape. "Because I grew up on a farm," said Hardin. "And I love the land. And as you [...]

19 Wednesday, July 19

Affordable Connectivity Program in Louisburg

info2023-07-19T13:43:37-05:00July 19th, 2023|

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers eligible households $30/month toward home internet service. The ACP is a long-term $14 billion program of the Federal Communications Commission, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program offers eligible households a $30/month discount toward high-speed internet and a one-time discount of $100 toward the purchase of a connected device such as laptop, desktop computer or tablet from a participating provider if the household contributes $10-50 toward the purchase price. In Miami County, fewer than 20% of eligible households are taking advantage of the Affordable Connectivity Program. In mid-July, only 26 of the estimated [...]