Shawnee Mission’s Michelle Hubbard named Kansas Superintendent of the Year

Michelle Hubbard of the Shawnee Mission School District has been named Kansas Superintendent of the year by the Kansas Superintendents’ Association — an honor that also puts her in the running for national superintendent of the year. Hubbard, who has been Shawnee Mission’s superintendent since 2021, was cited by the Kansas association for her leadership and commitment to student success. In particular, the Kansas superintendents’ group mentioned Hubbard’s prioritization of the district’s Market Value Assets program encouraging seniors to develop industry-valued skills that make for a smooth transition from school to the workplace or to higher education.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-10-18T09:27:54-05:00October 18, 2023|News|

City of Wichita to pave more than 150 dirt roads over next 10 years for $35 million

The City of Wichita plans to spend millions of dollars to pave more than 150 streets in the city. Its first priority is the streets around Wichita schools. One dirt road is about to get a facelift is Lilac Lane between Pike and Morris. Construction on the dirt road is expected to start on October 30th. The 10-year project will cost taxpayers $35 million. And, it’s making those who live along Lilac Lane very happy. “It’s going to be a lot better for the simple fact that my dog for instance him, he likes to go on roads and he doesn’t like the dirt going up in his paw pads, so it’s going to be a lot safer for him,” said Autumn Laguna who lives on Lilac Lane.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2023-10-18T09:22:13-05:00October 18, 2023|News|

Wichita adds CROWN Act to non-discrimination ordinance

The Wichita City Council approved changes to the city’s non-discrimination ordinance to include the adoption of the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act. It adds definitions of race and protective hairstyles, prohibiting discrimination based on hair texture or styles like braids, afros, twists, or tightly coiled hair. “If we aren’t offending anyone else, personally, financially or with bodily harm, I think that we all should be supportive of allowing people to be themselves,” said Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau. A similar ordinance has passed in Lawrence. Sen. Faust-Goudeau is pushing for it to be passed by lawmakers next legislative session.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-10-18T09:20:03-05:00October 18, 2023|News|

Renewed battle over eminent domain in energy sector starts taking shape

The stage is being set for a battle in the Legislature over how eminent domain is used to construct new electric transmission lines across Kansas in the aftermath of a controversial line approved for construction from Kansas into Missouri. The state’s leading agricultural groups – the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Livestock Association – signaled Tuesday that they may very well seek changes next year in how eminent domain is used in Kansas. Left hanging last session, the issue stands to be one of the bigger debates on the energy front when the Legislature convenes in 2024.
Source: Sunflower State Journal

Ranson Financial2023-10-18T09:19:00-05:00October 18, 2023|News|

Topeka City Council finalizes hotel purchase

City leaders have agreed to pay for Hotel Topeka, in full by the end of October. At Tuesday’s meeting, Topeka City council members passed a resolution finalizing the purchase of Hotel Topeka at City Center. Councilmembers approved paying the remaining $6.9 million needed to buy the property seven to two, with council women Christina Valdivia-Alcala and Sylvia Ortiz voting against it. The governing body approved the purchase in May of this year for $7.6 million. Before tonight’s meeting, $767,000 has already been deposited for the hotel. The city’s ultimate goal is to secure an entity that will purchase, operate, and manage the hotel.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-10-18T09:13:31-05:00October 18, 2023|News|

Topeka ahead of nation’s ‘murder capital’ with per capita homicide count

Topeka police recently marked a grim new milestone for the Capital City with the announcement that the all-time homicide count has been broken. In 2023, the Topeka Police Department is investigating 31 homicide cases with the most recent being reported on Oct. 15. This broke a previously established record set in 2017 for 30 homicides. As Topeka reaches this new record, how does it stack up when compared with other cities in Kansas along with other U.S. cities with traditionally high homicide counts? Earlier this year, Chicago was named the “murder capital” of the U.S. with 697 homicides in 2022. The city with the highest homicide rate per capita was New Orleans at 74.3 per 100,000 people at 280 reported homicides in 2022. Chicago’s per capita rate was only 26.2.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-10-18T09:12:40-05:00October 18, 2023|News|

Was private info accessed in Kansas courts security breach?

A security breach is prompting a statewide shakeup for Kansas courts. The Kansas Supreme Court issued a new order on Monday, putting all electronic filings and payments on hold. All filings for courts will have to be on paper or by fax, with paper filings to be hand delivered or sent by mail. “Reverting to a paper process, it is going to be a little slower after we’ve relied on technology for so long,” Lisa Taylor, a spokeswoman for Kansas Capitol Bureau said. “Hopefully, this won’t last too terribly long, we’re hoping to find out what’s wrong and fix it.” The new rules will impact all courts, except Johnson County. This comes after the Judicial branch experienced a security incident last week. The incident impacted court systems statewide, which are used to file and process cases and paperwork. Taylor said the incident left “more questions than answers.” So far, the state is still trying to figure out what happened, how it happened, and how far it reached.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-10-18T09:11:30-05:00October 18, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for October 16, 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.

Henry Schmidt2023-10-17T09:16:42-05:00October 17, 2023|News|

Push to ‘deconsolidate’ Wyandotte County Unified Government threatened

Key political leaders in Wyandotte County threaten a push to deconsolidate the Unified Government if they don’t see changes. Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Tyrone Garner gave a laundry list of complaints saying the UG could be on the path to bankruptcy by 2028. The mayor of Edwardsville, Carolyn Caiharr, said starting in November they’re forming citizen focus groups to hear from resident on ideas including deconsolidation. “If the Unified Government had been working as promised, I personally don’t believe we would have inherited a billion dollars’ worth of debt,” Caiharr said. Garner shared a long list of complaints with the current form of government in Wyandotte County launched 25 years ago.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2023-10-16T14:32:47-05:00October 16, 2023|News|

Rising rates shouldn’t scare off issuers

Cities and states should “keep calm and issue bonds” despite sticker shock from rising interest rates and a volatile municipal bond market. That was the message from panelists speaking Thursday at the Government Finance Officers Association’s annual MiniMuni event, a three-day online event for issuers. The rise in rates “makes our jobs as debt managers that much trickier and that much more painful,” said Paul Chatalas, capital markets manager for the state of Illinois. But there’s a silver lining, Chatalas said. “Volatility creates opportunity for the investor and opportunity for the investor is not necessarily bad for the issuer,” he said. “Fundamentals still apply, just as much now as they do in easier times. So, keep calm and issue bonds.”
Source: The Bond Buyer

Ranson Financial2023-10-16T13:51:18-05:00October 16, 2023|News|