Manhattan City Commission to consider new “Reddi rule” ordinance

25 Wednesday, January 25

Manhattan City Commission to consider new “Reddi rule” ordinance

info2023-01-25T00:59:25-06:00January 25th, 2023|

The Manhattan City Commission tonight will consider an ordinance on first reading that would prohibit a sitting commissioner from holding a dual office. The move is a direct response to current commissioner Usha Reddi’s recent appointment to the Kansas Senate, to fill out the remainder of former Sen. Tom Hawk’s term. State law doesn’t currently prohibit someone from holding two offices simultaneously. According to the Kansas League of Municipalities, if the ordinance were passed, Manhattan would be the only known city in Kansas with such a restriction. Source: 1350 KMAN

25 Wednesday, January 25

Reed to resign as Winfield USD 465 superintendent; accepts job in Wichita area

info2023-01-25T07:21:00-06:00January 25th, 2023|

Dr. Nathan Reed, superintendent of Winfield USD 465, will resign from his current position to take a job in the Wichita area, he confirmed Tuesday. Reed, who announced the news to the board of education at their Monday evening meeting, declined to comment Tuesday on the specifics of his new position, but said he will remain as superintendent until his contract is up in June. The board will determine the next steps on how to seek a replacement in the coming weeks, Reed said. Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

25 Wednesday, January 25

Mulvane Fire pledges funds to Derby facility

info2023-01-25T00:53:01-06:00January 25th, 2023|

Following discussion over recent years regarding a joint training facility, Mulvane Fire Rescue has pledged support to help realize that goal in Derby – with such a facility currently in the works. Already having auto-aid agreements in place, the training facility in Derby would allow Mulvane firefighters to experience a live fire in a safe, controlled environment at a three-story facility – meeting training requirements. The Mulvane City Council recently approved a contribution of $35,000 from Mulvane Fire Rescue to help with construction of the training facility in Derby. Source: Derby Informer | News

25 Wednesday, January 25

Candice Alcaraz is Wyandotte County’s first Black female judge

info2023-01-25T00:46:36-06:00January 25th, 2023|

During November's local elections, Candice Alcaraz defeated 15-year incumbent Wyandotte County Judge Wes Griffin by an overwhelming majority. The win made Alcaraz the first Black female judge in the history of the county, at just 32 years old. Up until last week, she had been serving as an assistant district attorney. Alcaraz said she first decided she would run for the position back in 2020. Source: KCUR

25 Wednesday, January 25

Law enforcement agencies supporting one another after OIS shooting

info2023-01-26T07:14:32-06:00January 25th, 2023|

Four law enforcement officers are recovering after an officer-involved shooting (OIS) in Dodge City on Monday. Throughout this situation, law enforcement agencies say they stick together, describing their relationship as a family. Trooper Michael Racy is a Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) technical trooper, and he says in rural Kansas, so many people know one another. "We're not in the metro," Trooper Racy said. "We're out here, and in rural areas, so we know each other. We know each other's families most of the time." Source: KSN-TV

25 Wednesday, January 25

WPD studies Retail Pet Sales Bans, offers suggestion

info2023-01-25T00:41:27-06:00January 25th, 2023|

It has been six months since the Wichita Animal Control Advisory Board asked the Wichita Police Department (WPD) to research a Retail Pet Sales Ban. On Tuesday, the WPD took its report to the Wichita City Council. People who want the ban see it as a way to shut down sales avenues for commercial breeding operations sometimes referred to as puppy mills. Captain Dan East, over WPD Administrative Services, told council members that his team spent a lot of time researching the topic. He says they met with people both for and against the ban and discussed the issue with the [...]

25 Wednesday, January 25

New bill could create change on where you drink alcohol in Kansas

info2023-01-25T07:26:57-06:00January 25th, 2023|

A new bill introduced in the Kansas Legislature may create new common consumption areas across the state. House Bill 2059 was introduced in the Committee on Federal and State Affairs on Tuesday at the request of the City of Topeka and support from the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. If the bill is passed, it would allow cities across Kansas to expand the use of common consumption areas. According to the City of Topeka, these areas already exist in states such as Arkansas, Colorado, Tennessee and others. They allow people over the age of 21 to drink alcohol from various liquor-licensed [...]

25 Wednesday, January 25

Consultant’s report on Wichita police department to be released online soon, city says

info2023-01-25T07:29:02-06:00January 25th, 2023|

Jensen Hughes, a top law enforcement consulting firm in the U.S., is expected to issue its report suggesting reforms to the Wichita Police Department next month. City officials say that analysis will be published online in its entirety. The report, which will investigate the breadth and depth of bias within the police force, focusing on racism, officer discipline, public oversight and violent interactions with civilians, is on track to be finalized sometime in February. “I do not have a date yet for the final report that we will receive in February but it will be posted on the website,” city spokesperson [...]

25 Wednesday, January 25

Mayors Try to Cope With Pickleball Craze

info2023-01-25T00:17:20-06:00January 25th, 2023|

In a crowded room during a gathering of mayors in Washington, D.C. last week, Mayor Buddy Dyer of Orlando, Florida acknowledged that his fellow city executives in other conference sessions were discussing “some pretty heavy issues,” like homelessness and drug addiction. But, he said, bringing chuckles to the audience, “we're gonna talk pickleball.” A game where people loudly whack a ball with a paddle back and forth over a net may not have the same stakes for municipal leaders as issues like housing or immigration. But even so, mayors and their cities are taking steps to respond to the game’s rising [...]

24 Tuesday, January 24

Municipal Bond Trends for January 23, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-01-24T08:04:29-06:00January 24th, 2023|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.