Property tax rates vary wildly among states as some consider limits

9 Wednesday, August 9

Property tax rates vary wildly among states as some consider limits

2023-08-09T23:09:27-05:00August 9th, 2023|

Property taxes vary significantly across the U.S. with northeastern states imposing effective property tax rates ten times higher than in southern states. That comes from a Washington D.C. group that noted some states are exploring property tax caps. The Committee to Unleash Prosperity, which advocates for free trade and limited government spending, found that the average single-family-home property tax in New Jersey hit $9,500 in 2022. That compares with the average of $928 in West Virginia and $1,022 in Alabama, according to a report from the group. Source: The Miami County Republic

9 Wednesday, August 9

Manhattan City Commission wants more businesses to keep property tax in check

2023-08-10T11:33:44-05:00August 9th, 2023|

During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners discussed the city government’s five-year strategic plan progress. Local officials said there is an “intolerance” toward property tax increases, and that won’t go away any time soon. “With these assessments going up like they did, I thought we did a good job cutting a million dollars of revenue out of property tax,” commissioner Wynn Butler said. “But the folks out there don’t appreciate that because their taxes are still going up even though we lowered the mill levy. They’re still sending us notes saying, ‘You guys gotta do something about fighting this,’ but I also agree that [...]

9 Wednesday, August 9

Wakefield to honor POWs, MIAs

2023-08-10T11:34:16-05:00August 9th, 2023|

Because of its efforts in recognizing, remembering and honoring the service and sacrifices of former prisoners of war, missing in action, and their families, the City of Wakefield has been officially proclaimed a POW-MIA City by the Jefferson Barracks POW-MIA Museum project, located in the Historic District of Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis. The official unveiling of the Wakefield’s POW-MIA City proclamation and POW-MIA City sign will take place on Aug. 26 as part of the town’s annual birthday bash. Source: www.ccenterdispatch.com

9 Wednesday, August 9

National law enforcement association recognizes Franklin County Sheriff as Sheriff of the Year

2023-08-09T11:34:23-05:00August 9th, 2023|

A national law enforcement organization has honored Franklin County Sheriff Jeffrey Richards for dedication not only to his profession, but to the community he has sworn to serve and protect. Richards was recognized as the recipient of the 2023 Sheriff of the Year Award by the Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association. The organization honored Richards for his dedication to his community and significant contributions to the improvement of small, rural ad tribal law enforcement across the nation. He was presented with the award during the group’s annual conference Aug. 1. With more than 30 years of service in law [...]

9 Wednesday, August 9

Sky is the limit for quality of life projects in Great Bend

2023-08-09T09:17:13-05:00August 9th, 2023|

The November 2021 General Election results saw 1,067 Great Bend citizens vote in favor of a .15% quality of life sales tax increase. The sales tax question passed with nearly 55% of the vote, and now City of Great Bend officials are going through a master plan of ideas to enhance the community. Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns said there are big dreams of what can be created with the sales tax in the future if enough money is set aside including community centers, indoor walking track and an indoor pool. Source: Great Bend Post

9 Wednesday, August 9

Homeschool outside the home: Wildfire Education opens in Victoria

2023-08-09T09:15:50-05:00August 9th, 2023|

Homeschooling remains a popular choice for millions of American parents each year, however, for some, the choice to oversee a child’s education at home is not feasible. One Victoria woman believes she has a solution that gives students the flexibility needed to achieve their goals, provides support and instruction to students looking for the benefits of homeschooling, and takes the educational burden off of parents. Wildfire Education is essentially a homeschooling service, where kids can come and do their online schoolwork instead of going to school, said owner Jacy Klaus. Source: Hays Post

9 Wednesday, August 9

Municipal Bond Trends for August 8, 2023

2023-08-09T09:12:54-05:00August 9th, 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.

9 Wednesday, August 9

Wichita works to strengthen licensing ordinances for bars, nightclubs

2023-08-09T09:04:45-05:00August 9th, 2023|

The City of Wichita recommended changes to the city’s entertainment establishment, cereal malt beverage (CMB), drinking establishment, and private club and tobacco licensing ordinances on Tuesday. The discussion comes a month after 11 people were injured in a mass shooting at City Nightz nightclub in Old Town. The recommendations to the Wichita City Council focused on the inconsistent processes to suspend or revoke such licenses. The city said current policies are inconsistent on grounds for a suspension, who can issue the suspension and for how long. For example, not all ordinances allow for an immediate suspension of an establishment if there’s [...]

9 Wednesday, August 9

Lawrence City Commission does not reach consensus on proposed changes to public comment

2023-08-09T08:40:11-05:00August 9th, 2023|

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday could not come to a decision on how to change general public comment procedures and, therefore, opted to make no change. Mayor Lisa Larsen had asked her fellow commissioners on Aug. 1 whether they would like to again discuss making changes to public comment procedures. She proposed the commission move its general public comment to the end of meetings; only hold general public comment on the first Tuesday of the month; and designate a specific area in City Hall where the public can record video during meetings. Commissioners heard from about two dozen people about the [...]

9 Wednesday, August 9

Great Bend uses ordinance to deal with council vacancies

2023-08-09T10:42:36-05:00August 9th, 2023|

Using for the first time an ordinance created to deal with council vacancies, Great Bend City Council Monday night declared the Ward 4 seat currently held by Brock McPherson vacant due to his continued absences and lack of participation. Now, Mayor Cody Schmidt “with advise and consent of the council” will begin the process of finding a suitable elector for appointment at the next council meeting Monday, Aug. 21. ...The reason for the ordinance approved in June by the council was the repeated lack of attendance by McPherson. Each of the city’s four wards has two council representatives, leaving Ward 4 with only [...]

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