Dolly Parton to visit Kansas to celebrate Imagination Library program

23 Sunday, July 23

Dolly Parton to visit Kansas to celebrate Imagination Library program

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 [...]

23 Sunday, July 23

Pittsburg City Hall updates accessibility

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 [...]

23 Sunday, July 23

Derby moves to hybrid vehicle leasing approach

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 [...]

23 Sunday, July 23

Municipal Bond Trends for July 21, 2023

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.

21 Friday, July 21

Wichita sues developers, alleging broken promises to repay incentives for shopping center

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 [...]

21 Friday, July 21

As Lawrence works on land development code update, residents speak out about accessory dwellings, downtown, fear of change and more

info2023-07-21T11:23:05-05:00July 21st, 2023|

The steering committee working on new rules for where and how Lawrence should grow is getting plenty of feedback from members of the public — about topics as diverse as density, downtown development and the fear of change. Since last August, the city has been in the process of updating the Land Development Code, which dictates city growth along with changes that could affect the aesthetics and function of existing neighborhoods and commercial areas, for the first time since 2006. The Land Development Code Steering Committee has now passed the halfway point of a series of community input meetings taking place [...]

21 Friday, July 21

Fed Seen Hiking Final Time to a 22-Year Peak in Economist Survey

info2023-07-21T11:15:43-05:00July 21st, 2023|

Most economists expect the Federal Reserve to lift interest rates one more time next week as it ends a 16-month hiking cycle that has been the most aggressive fight against US inflation in 40 years. The Federal Open Market Committee will raise rates a quarter point at its July 25-26 meeting to a range of 5.25% to 5.5%, the highest since 2001, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg. With price pressures diminishing last month, almost all economists expect no change to rates at the September meeting and just one-fifth of the group predicts another hike by the November meeting. Fed Chair [...]

21 Friday, July 21

New Kansas Panasonic plant may lead to rate hike for Evergy customers

info2023-07-21T11:14:14-05:00July 21st, 2023|

Evergy could ask for additional rate increases due to the massive Panasonic battery plant development in De Soto, Kansas. Evergy said rates for serving Panasonic are not yet set and must be approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission. At full production, the future Panasonic plant is expected to have the same power usage as a small city and require two new substations, upgrades to others and 31 miles of transmission lines. The infrastructure and energy needed to power the plant could mean rate hikes for Evergy customers in Kansas. The power company filed documents with the Kansas Corporation Commission saying it [...]

21 Friday, July 21

Parsons to vote on Public Safety Sales Tax renewal

info2023-07-21T11:13:30-05:00July 21st, 2023|

The time is near for voters in Parsons to head to the polls in a special election to decide whether or not to renew a public safety sales tax. The current half-cent sales tax isn't new, and has been in place for more than a decade. On August 1, the Public Safety Sales Tax will be the sole item on the ballot. Officials say it's imperative that the tax stays in place for the betterment of the city. "It's something that's essential in the city's budgeting process. It's also a sales tax, which we feel probably one of the most fair [...]

21 Friday, July 21

Wichita turns 153 years old today

info2023-07-21T11:13:00-05:00July 21st, 2023|

Wichita is turning 153 years old today. On July 21, 1870, The City of Wichita was officially born, just three months after the establishment of Sedgwick County, Kansas. 124 people signed the petition to Judge Reuben Riggs of Sedgwick County to incorporate the town of Wichita. Judge Riggs granted the petition, and the town of Wichita was born. This weekend, on Saturday, July 22, from 1 to 5 p.m., there will be a birthday celebration at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. Source: KSN-TV