Muni Finance and the Federal Fiscal Food Fight

19 Tuesday, September 19

Muni Finance and the Federal Fiscal Food Fight

info2023-09-19T19:48:49-05:00September 19th, 2023|

Deficit financing has caught up with Uncle Sam, as federal outlays for interest payments have surged to record levels and the nation’s annual budget deficit is on track to double in this fiscal year. That’s just for starters: To dampen inflation, the Federal Reserve has hiked short-term interest rates and keeps jettisoning U.S. bonds, not buying them as it had been. ... In theory, the cost of high-quality muni debt should be less than the inflation rate, in light of the 30 percent tax-exemption advantage that many wealthy investors glean from them. But in today’s market, most states and localities must increasingly pay the price [...]

19 Tuesday, September 19

Paola returns invaluable Peruvian artifacts

info2023-09-19T19:50:04-05:00September 19th, 2023|

A Peruvian artifact estimated to be more than a thousand years old, well-wrapped in white tissue paper and stuck into a borrowed school duffel bag, marks the first success of a rural town’s plans to repatriate its art collection. The museum in Paola began its ongoing efforts of trying to return objects from a 38-piece collection of pre-Columbian artifacts a year ago, after first receiving the artifacts from a Kansas City couple’s trust five years ago. Pre-Columbian is a term used to describe an era of thriving indigenous art in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. “Although this is [...]

19 Tuesday, September 19

UG approves new tax incentives for $838M Homefield project

info2023-09-19T11:32:35-05:00September 19th, 2023|

A new wave of tax incentives will support part of a $838 million mixed-use development in Wyandotte County. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas Board of Commissioners approved plans to create a new Community Improvement District (CID) for the Homefield project in Kansas City, Kansas. The CID will cover about 146 acres of the nearly 400-acre Homefield development at 94th Street and State Avenue. Under the CID, visitors will be charged an additional 2% sales tax on purchases made in the district. The CID will include a $145 million Margaritaville hotel; $20 million Big Shots golf bar; $60 million multisport training facility developed [...]

19 Tuesday, September 19

Augusta overturns dog breed ban

info2023-09-19T11:27:31-05:00September 19th, 2023|

On August 21st, the Augusta City Council approved the overturning of the “dangerous” dog breed under the city’s animal ordinance. The new ordinance removed all provisions that defined certain dog breeds as dangerous, meaning all breeds previously listed as dangerous are now allowed within city limits. The old ordinance, City Code Ch. 2, Article 1, 2-114 Dangerous Dogs; prohibited stated “It shall be unlawful for any person or legal entity to keep, harbor or in any way possess a dangerous dog as defined by this article within the limits of the City of Augusta, Kansas.” According to the ordinance, it made the following [...]

19 Tuesday, September 19

City of Pittsburg experiences cybersecurity incident

info2023-09-19T20:37:29-05:00September 19th, 2023|

Over the weekend, the City of Pittsburg discovered a cybersecurity incident impacting the city’s network. This incident resulted in a temporary IT outage impacting city emails, phones, and online payments. The City of Pittsburg Incident Response Team immediately took proactive measures to protect city data and network systems. The city is working with forensic experts to fully understand the extent and implications of this incident, and to ensure that the city can operate within a safe and remediated network environment. Despite this temporary disruption, the city operations and services will continue. Public safety services, including 9-1-1 dispatch, and utility services remain [...]

19 Tuesday, September 19

Municipal Bond Trends for September 18, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-09-19T09:23:39-05:00September 19th, 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.

18 Monday, September 18

Newton City Clerk awarded Master Municipal Clerk designation

info2023-09-18T14:26:07-05:00September 18th, 2023|

The City of Newton is proud to announce that City Clerk Denise Duerksen this week was awarded her Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. This is the highest recognition a city clerk can achieve. The MMC program has an extensive and rigorous educational component and a professional and community contribution component. Through advanced continuing education programs, participants receive further development to perform more complex municipal duties. Denise has worked so hard on her continuing education to achieve this goal. In her 33rd year with the City of Newton, she has become a leader, mentor, and valuable [...]

18 Monday, September 18

Hutchinson’s Prairie Dunes Country Club to host USGA championships

info2023-09-18T14:24:43-05:00September 18th, 2023|

An esteemed heartland course that’s hosted several top golf tournaments in the past is back in the USGA rotation after an announcement Tuesday that it will host a pair of future championships. Prairie Dunes Country Club, in Hutchinson, Kansas, will be the host site for the 2029 U.S. Senior Open and 2032 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, the USGA announced. Hosting high-profile events is nothing new for the course, as these tournaments will mark the ninth and 10th time the Perry Maxwell treasure will host a USGA Championship, although the last came in 2006. Source: Hutch News

18 Monday, September 18

Localities warn of risks in federal cuts

info2023-09-18T10:57:51-05:00September 18th, 2023|

As the appropriations tug of war goes back and forth in Congress, municipalities are concerned about a wide range of federally-supported infrastructure projects which might end up on the chopping block. The National Association of Counties is already ringing a warning bell via a letter addressed to both chambers of Congress imploring the need to "prioritize federal investments in crucial local government activities through the appropriations process." NACo is especially concerned about the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund running dry after a season marked with wildfires and hurricanes. Per their letter, "Without the DRF being adequately funded, recovery projects [...]

18 Monday, September 18

Chase County Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee honored with flag flown over U.S. Capitol

info2023-09-18T10:55:41-05:00September 18th, 2023|

The Chase County Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee was presented with a flag flown over the United States Capitol this week, in honor of the Chase County Courthouse. Grace Greene, Director of District Operations for the Office of U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner (R-KS) presented the committee with the flag and a proclamation by LaTurner, highlighting the significance of the Chase County Courthouse as it reaches 150 years on continuous operation. Source: Emporia Gazette