The latest sales tax numbers show the city of Lawrence is on pace to have a more than $3 million budget shortfall in sales tax collections this year, in part due to local online shoppers becoming less spend-happy. ... During the pandemic, citywide collections of those taxes — called a use tax — soared by nearly 28% and 25% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. This year, the use tax dollars are on pace to grow by less than 1%, a sign that shoppers haven’t abandoned online shopping, but seemingly are no longer treating it like the national pastime. If the trend [...]

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.

Rick Meyer, known as “Mr. Winfield” due to his work for the city and assistance with numerous events around town, died Saturday after an illness. Meyer, 71, had worked for the City of Winfield for just shy of 35 years, according to Winfield city manager Taggart Wall. At the time of his death, Meyer was the city’s facilities service coordinator. Wall said Meyer began working for the city after his previous employer, St. John’s College, closed down. “Rick was known for his grin and wit,” Wall said. “He always had a way of pulling people together to get things done.” Mr. [...]

Live art is back in town right now as the second annual Boom! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival is happening in Salina. The creation of eight murals is currently underway as artists from around the world work in various locations throughout downtown Salina. Boom!, which began in 2022 by the Salina Kanvas Project and funded through private and crowd sourced donors, is an annual mural festival which has a goal to "bring in street artists and muralists from around the world to enhance the visual landscape of our city." Source: Salina Journal

Saline County continues to look at creative ways to address top local issues which have contributed to a stagnant workforce and are building upon a plan the board developed early this year to improve various aspects of the county. The plan was developed as part of a visioning process the board of commissioners went through to address top local needs and come up with tangible actions based on those needs. Its five key areas are the county workforce, county services and infrastructure, the county's public communication and outreach, working relationships with local partners, and physical and economic community health. Source: Salina [...]