Valley Center to consider water treatment plant

4 Wednesday, October 4

Valley Center to consider water treatment plant

info2023-10-04T13:08:50-05:00October 4th, 2023|

Valley Center is considering building its own water treatment plant. The city voted Tuesday to approve a special meeting on the topic next Thursday. It will hold a public hearing to decide on whether to ask for a maximum $19 million loan from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to build the facility. The city currently sells its untreated water to Wichita and then buys treated water from Wichita at a higher rate than Wichita residents. "What we do know is that once we're done that that per thousand gallons that we're charging monthly to our residents would be about half of what [...]

4 Wednesday, October 4

Lawrence city commissioners approve change to allow 2 affordable homes on more single lots

info2023-10-04T12:21:07-05:00October 4th, 2023|

Lawrence city commissioners approved a tweak that will open up more single residential lots to possibly be developed with two small affordable homes. City commissioners in 2019 approved a text amendment to allow two affordable homes to be built on one lot, if projects meet several conditions. But city code currently does not allow development of two smaller homes on certain types of lots. The new text amendment the commission approved Tuesday will change that, opening up more than 1,000 lots to the possibility of being developed with two affordable single-family homes. City staff members had had recommended opening up the [...]

4 Wednesday, October 4

Reno County alcohol vote could change business operations

info2023-10-04T12:19:06-05:00October 4th, 2023|

On Nov. 7, Reno County voters will decide on whether to get rid of the food rule. Reno County has been a semi-dry county since the 80s, meaning businesses that sell alcohol by the glass over 6% must ensure food makes up 30% of sales. "This is ultimately an outdated regulation that is obscure that very few people actually recognize is still here," Pippin Williamson, Sandhills Brewing co-owner, said. "I mean the number of times that we've heard people say like, I thought we got rid of that 20 years ago. If you're a non-food establishment, it is almost impossible to do 30% [...]

4 Wednesday, October 4

Municipal Bond Trends for October 3, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-10-04T08:51:56-05:00October 4th, 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.

4 Wednesday, October 4

Internet access is top priority for upcoming Topeka meeting

info2023-10-04T07:46:12-05:00October 4th, 2023|

City officials say Topeka is teaming up with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to talk broadband access later this week. City of Topeka spokeswoman Gretchen Spiker said in a press release that a joint listening session for stakeholder agencies will be held, courtesy of Topeka and the FCC, to discuss the topic of broadband access on Thursday. This is part of a push by the FCC to gain more information from different communities across the U.S. as to what challenges they are facing when trying to access broadband services. Broadband access is under discussion across the U.S., from the highest levels [...]

4 Wednesday, October 4

Junction City ready if government shuts down

info2023-10-04T07:45:11-05:00October 4th, 2023|

One Kansas community shares its plan if leaders in Washington, D.C. can't come to an agreement on the national budget. Saturday, the United States House of Representatives, Senate and President Joe Biden agreed to a 45-day extension for the congress to come to an agreement on budget. KSNT 27 News spoke with the city manager of Junction City who says anytime there's uncertainty, it can trickle down to the community. "I think a family has angst when you may not get paid for a month and you have bills due," City Manager of Junction City Allen Dinkel said, "And of course [...]

4 Wednesday, October 4

Transforming Halstead: SEED and HEAL Grants Fuel Prosperity and Community Growth

info2023-10-04T07:44:07-05:00October 4th, 2023|

For this month’s Spotlighting Prosperity, we are excited to showcase the City of Halstead and the great work they have been doing to help their community prosper. In the past year, they were awarded a SEED grant, and more recently, a HEAL grant. With assistance from the SEED grant, the Kansas Learning Center for Health facilitated an amazing Outdoor Fitness Equipment project that was recently completed and the library is getting some much needed updates. Utilizing the HEAL grant, they are expanding the Daphne Mae Café in their downtown. This will allow more dining seating, event space, and provide a new [...]

4 Wednesday, October 4

Bond yields could race through 5% in next couple of weeks, market forecaster warns

info2023-10-04T13:19:51-05:00October 4th, 2023|

Wall Street forecaster Jim Bianco expects Treasury yields to go a lot higher — and possibly overshoot through five percent in the next couple of weeks. "I don't think we're near the end of this move in the bond market," the Bianco Research president told CNBC's "Fast Money" on Tuesday. If the Federal Reserve hints about ending interest rate hikes while investors still sense inflation, Bianco warns they won't buy bonds. "That's what I think has been killing the bond market," he said. "The more the Fed talks about being done, waiting [and] assessing all the rate hikes they've done — [...]

4 Wednesday, October 4

A new Johnson County program gives landlords reasons to accept housing choice vouchers

info2023-10-04T07:34:59-05:00October 4th, 2023|

Housing choice vouchers, also known as Section 8 vouchers, help people in need find affordable housing. But landlords often won't accept them, saying they don't want to fill out the paperwork or are worried that tenants will damage their units. A new program in Johnson County aims to increase the number of landlords who do take vouchers by offering incentives to do so. Landlords who take on such a tenant will gain access to a damage claim fund and receive a one-time bonus equivalent to two times a unit's rent. Source: KCUR

4 Wednesday, October 4

City of Wichita changes policies to meet housing needs

info2023-10-04T07:33:36-05:00October 4th, 2023|

On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council voted to approve the 2024 Annual Agency Plan and 2024-2028 Capital Fund Grant Five-Year Action Plan Estimate to address housing needs in the community. A topic of discussion was the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Currently, all 3,420 vouchers are being used, and over 5,000 are on the waitlist. At Tuesday's Wichita City Council meeting, the housing and community services department asked the council to approve changes to policies to meet regulations and local needs. Source: KSN-TV