Johnson County residents should ‘fully expect’ another property tax cut

20 Thursday, April 20

Johnson County residents should ‘fully expect’ another property tax cut

info2023-04-20T13:53:32-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Another rollback in Johnson County’s property tax rate appears likely, now that county officials have had time to absorb the news of a second consecutive year of double-digit property value increases. County commissioners and administrators are only beginning their consideration for a 2024 budget that is presenting challenges on multiple fronts: inflation, a workforce shortage and persistent fears of a possible recession. Source: Prairie Village Post

20 Thursday, April 20

Shawnee’s Don Cawby heads to Leawood

info2023-04-20T13:55:24-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Don Cawby, Shawnee’s city finance director, has resigned, taking a job in another Johnson County city. He is the latest in a string of recent high-profile departures from Shawnee City Hall, including former city manager Nolan Sunderman, who is now the chief strategy officer in Olathe. Shawnee recently hired Doug Gerber to be the new permanent city manager. More recently, city communications manager Julie Breithaupt also left and is now working in the private sector. Cawby’s final day with the city of Shawnee will be Tuesday, May 2. He said he will start his new job in the city of Leawood on [...]

20 Thursday, April 20

Manhattan discusses programs to lower cost of housing

info2023-04-20T13:55:41-05:00April 20th, 2023|

The Manhattan City Commission heard Tuesday about programs that could help address needs identified in the recent housing market analysis. Stephanie Peterson, director of community development, outlined two state programs, the Moderate Income Housing and Rural Housing Incentive District, for the commission. Peterson said the two programs can work together to reduce the cost of housing in new developments. The Moderate Income Housing grants and loans come from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporations. The funds could apply to single- or multi-family structures between 60 and 150% of the area median income. Source: themercury.com

20 Thursday, April 20

Cowley County to continue discussion on solar project

info2023-04-20T13:56:01-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Cowley County Commissioners gave their approval Tuesday to continued discussion between the county administrator, county counselor and representatives from Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources regarding a potential solar panel installation southwest of Winfield. The project would cover between 1,000 and 1,500 acres, acquired through private leases with landowners, according to John Felitto with NexEra, who spoke to commissioners at the meeting. Felitto said the company is in the process of finalizing leases with the landowners. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

20 Thursday, April 20

Dozens of police K-9s are in Butler County this week. Here’s what they’re doing

info2023-04-20T10:39:47-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Dozen’s of K-9 officers from roughly 37 law enforcement agencies across Kansas roamed an open field in rural Butler County. Barks and sniffs could be heard across the field as dogs and their handlers performed training exercises during the 25th annual Kansas Police Dogs Association weeklong re-certification conference. Training exercises include search and rescue, patrolling, detection and trailing tactics for the annual re-certification. Most Kansas law enforcement agencies make it mandatory for their K-9 units to get re-certified, said Andover Police Department Lt. Mickey Farris, treasurer for the association. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

20 Thursday, April 20

Facade program making a difference

info2023-04-20T13:56:17-05:00April 20th, 2023|

Mel Waite of Ellinwood was grateful for the Barton County Commission’s Facade Improvement Grant Program, telling the commissioners Wednesday morning that it has made an impact and sparked countywide effort to make communities look better. “I applaud the commission for taking the initiative to take on this project,” said Waite, who came before the governing body Wednesday with a project of his own. Other improvement in Ellinwood inspired him (or shamed him) to seek the funds for his business. Source: Great Bend Tribune

20 Thursday, April 20

Municipal Bond Trends for April 19, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-04-20T07:18:37-05:00April 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.

19 Wednesday, April 19

Catalytic converters added to regulation law amid property crimes

info2023-04-20T10:12:24-05:00April 19th, 2023|

Junk dealers will now have to collect information from catalytic converter sellers, if they weren’t already, under an amended Kansas scrap metal law signed Monday by Gov. Laura Kelly. Kelly signed House Bill 2326 into law after it previously passed the House 119-0 and the Senate 39-1. The bill started as an extension of the scrap metal law, which was set to expire July 1, but lawmakers chose to add language clarifying that catalytic converters are covered by the law. The renewed law is now set to expire in 2028. Source: CJonline

19 Wednesday, April 19

Hutchinson neighborhood has new name

info2023-04-20T10:11:00-05:00April 19th, 2023|

Hutchinson’s oldest neighborhood has a new name − Founders Neighborhood. Hutchinson City Council voted to approve the name the residents came up with during this week’s city council meeting. They also approved allowing a tract of land to be donated to the city so fire trucks can have an easier time maneuvering, helping support a day initiative of New Beginnings and giving designated ARPA funds to businesses who applied for them. Source: Hutch News

19 Wednesday, April 19

Electric Distribution Systems Recognized By APPA For Reliability Efforts

info2023-04-19T14:09:06-05:00April 19th, 2023|

The American Public Power Association has honored 219 public power utilities with a Certificate of Excellence in Reliability for reliable performance in 2022. In Kansas, Garden City Electric Utilities, Gardner Energy, McPherson Board of Public Utilities and Russell Electric Distribution System were honored. Utilities that are subscribers to APPA's eReliability Tracker service are eligible to earn these certificates. To earn a certificate, a utility's 2022 System Average Interruption Duration Index must fall in the top quartile of all utilities' SAIDI numbers averaged from the past five years based on Energy Information Administration Form 861 survey data. The certificates recognize utilities that have provided exceptionally reliable service and [...]