Saline County begins deep dive into budget, with a focus on trimming expenses

2 Friday, June 2

Saline County begins deep dive into budget, with a focus on trimming expenses

info2023-06-02T11:21:00-05:00June 2nd, 2023|

Saline County's Board of Commissioners began to look at a preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with a focus on trimming down expenses and limiting potential tax increases. Department heads and other county staff presented their requested portions of the budget at the commission's weekly meeting May 30. In the next couple months, the county will continue to revise and refine the budget, narrowing the requests made by the county departments and non-county entities. Last week, the commission got a brief first look at the preliminary budget. At that time, County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes noted property-tax supported fund requests were [...]

2 Friday, June 2

City raises concerns about water supply as Wichita records driest spring in decades

info2023-06-02T11:10:29-05:00June 2nd, 2023|

Wichita is in an exceptional drought. Thursday, Wichita officials talked about measures to stave off the drought during a briefing that had to move inside because of rain. “I know it’s raining, but we do have to talk about our drought situation here in Wichita and this region,” Mayor Brandon Whipple said. Joining Whipple was Don Henry, assistant utilities department director of Wichita Public Works & Utilities. Henry said the day’s rain may mean short-term improvements in greener grass, but the threat of the drought still looms. “I know that the farmers will appreciate the rain, but in terms of public [...]

2 Friday, June 2

Wichita warned about political sign ordinance

info2023-06-02T11:08:36-05:00June 2nd, 2023|

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is warning the city of Wichita that it's not adhering to a state law regulating the placement of political signs during an election. Kobach last week sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Whipple flatly stating that the city's sign code was illegal. The letter points out that under state law, a city may not prohibit the placement or the number of political signs on private property or in the right of way for 45 days before an election and two days after the election. Source: Sunflower State Journal

2 Friday, June 2

Atchison Firefighters wrap up May with unusual rescues

info2023-06-02T11:08:02-05:00June 2nd, 2023|

Some might say that several out-of-the-ordinary calls for rescues Atchison Firefighters responded to during the month of May mostly resulted in “purr-fect” outcomes. Chief Patrick Weishaar, Atchison Fire Department, reported three of these rescues involved cats that were not the “cat in the tree” like firefighters normally respond to. The latest of these occurred Tuesday, May 30, at about 4:30 p.m. at the AFD station located at 218 N. Sixth St. Source: www.atchisonglobenow.com

2 Friday, June 2

Baxter Springs Historical Society breaks ground on Route 66 roadside park

info2023-06-02T11:07:41-05:00June 2nd, 2023|

Members of the Baxter Springs Historical Society broke ground recently on a future Route 66 roadside park. It will adjoin the Route 66 Visitors Center and provide parking for downtown Baxter Springs, a mural wall and a statue commemorating Baxter Springs’ heritage as the first cowtown in Kansas. “I’m incredibly excited to start work on this project,” Jordan Adams, Historical Society Board president, said in a statement. “This will serve as a fantastic gateway to downtown shops and restaurants while highlighting the colorful history of our area.” The historical society noted the community’s diverse history, from being a stop on the [...]

2 Friday, June 2

Galesburg seeks community building funds from county

info2023-06-02T11:07:00-05:00June 2nd, 2023|

Representatives of Galesburg asked the Neosho County Commission for $100,000 Tuesday to continue renovations to the community building. Galesburg Mayor Adam Tromsness and council member Nancy Dague requested the amount from the funds the county receives in lieu of taxes from the Neosho Ridge wind farm. The Galesburg Community Building has undergone $200,000 in renovations since the city bought it in 2021 and is two-thirds complete. It now houses the city offices and plans call for a meeting area and kitchen improvements. Source: www.chanute.com

2 Friday, June 2

Topeka’s TopCity Intern program sees record enrollment

info2023-06-02T11:04:29-05:00June 2nd, 2023|

The Capital City welcomed a record number of interns to its summer internship program. Forge Young Talent held a kick-off event Thursday evening at the Topeka Zoo for this year’s group of TopCity Interns. Organizers said close to 400 interns from 39 companies in Shawnee County are taking part in the program this summer. Forge Young Talent offers them a chance to see everything Topeka has to offer. Forge Executive Director Rhett Flood said they hope to convince these young professionals to stay in the Capital City once they enter the job market. Source: KSNT 27 News

2 Friday, June 2

Municipal Bond Trends for June 1, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-06-02T07:27:57-05:00June 2nd, 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.

2 Friday, June 2

Holton city sales tax election is Tuesday, June 6

info2023-06-02T11:10:51-05:00June 2nd, 2023|

A special election to determine whether a half-cent sales tax for infrastructure maintenance and improvements and debt service will continue for the next 10 years in Holton will be held next Tuesday, June 6, it has been reported. Holton residents will be able to vote on the sales tax issue from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day at Holton First Baptist Church, located at 404 Juniper Drive in Holton, and voters are reminded to bring an ID to vote. The election was set by a resolution approved in April by the Holton City Commission. Source: Holton Recorder

2 Friday, June 2

Kansas Appleseed highlights food insecurities at Topeka summit

info2023-06-02T00:30:33-05:00June 2nd, 2023|

When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, Paige Olson was struggling to provide for her Iola family of five, unsure when their next meal would come. Olson talked about her struggles as part of a Kansas Appleseed summit Wednesday at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Olson, southeast Kansas advocate for Kansas Appleseed, and her colleagues met with the public to address the needs of Kansans and available resources. “During the pandemic, I was working at a coffee shop and making minimum wage, and my husband had lost his job, he was unemployed, and we have three kids,” Olson said [...]