The Kansas Supreme Court could strike down a Wichita ordinance used to arrest a protester

Kansas Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical Tuesday of a Wichita city ordinance used to justify arresting a protester. They will decide whether the ordinance is a violation of First Amendment rights. In 2020, Gabrielle Griffie led a protest over the death of George Floyd. The group marched through Wichita, even walking through streets and blocking some traffic. The demonstration ended at the steps of the federal courthouse. Nobody was arrested the day of the protest. But Wichita Police watched social media videos after it happened and charged Griffie with disorderly conduct for blocking traffic. … At the heart of the debate is a city ordinance outlawing “noisy conduct tending to reasonably arouse alarm, anger or resentment in others.” That was used to justify her charge.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2023-09-13T14:34:03-05:00September 13, 2023|News|

Saline County takes advantage of new federal provision, redirects ARPA money to roads

Saline County canceled two projects that failed to get off the ground and reallocated American Rescue Plan Act funds to go toward road projects Tuesday. Following a new federal provision which provides counties with additional options for investing coronavirus relief dollars, the county elected to create a new category to help fund a couple small road improvement projects. The U.S. Department of Treasury, through an interim final rule approved in August, now allows ARPA funds to be used for three new areas: transportation and infrastructure, disaster relief and community development. Federal provisions had previously not allowed the funds to be used toward road projects. Saline County has shifted its list of project priorities, given this new rule.
Source: Salina Journal

Ranson Financial2023-09-13T14:33:02-05:00September 13, 2023|News|

At many banks, pandemic-era bond purchases are still tugging at profits

Banks’ pandemic-era bond investments are still hampering some lenders, dragging down the profitability of those that are saddled with low-yielding portfolios for months or even years to come. The concerns are far less severe than they were in March and April, when the failure of Silicon Valley Bank brought scrutiny of surviving banks whose large bond portfolios were also underwater. The question now is less about whether more banks are at risk of failing — and more about how much their profitability will be squeezed. The pressures aren’t universal since some banks held off on putting much cash into bonds during the pandemic, or chose shorter-term options that freed up their money more quickly. But those that did buy longer-term bonds before interest rates started rising in 2022 are facing more pain.
Source: The Bond Buyer

Ranson Financial2023-09-13T14:40:29-05:00September 13, 2023|News|

Wichita city council approves changes to short term rental rules

Inside the Wichita City Council chambers on Tuesday, Kelli Reid is sitting and listening to the council debate an issue that will impact her directly. They’re talking about new rules and regulations regarding short term rental properties. “When we first started out in 2018, there were there really was no policy per se,” Reid said about getting her Airbnb’s up and going. She added that she went “through the process of making phone calls to the city and to the county and to the state to find out how we go about doing this here in Kansas. It was cumbersome.” The city of Wichita has been working this policy since 2021 after a fatal shooting at a house party at an Airbnb.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2023-09-13T09:30:30-05:00September 13, 2023|News|

Overland Park will require some new streets to be paved with concrete

Starting at the end of this year, Overland Park will require some new streets to be built with concrete instead of the traditional asphalt mix. The move is expected to cut down on the disturbance from regular street maintenance on these new roads and, overtime, reduce the city’s reliance on chip seal as a road resurfacing tool. Overland Park expects to eliminate about 220 lane miles from the future list of candidates for chip seal over the next 15 to 20 years. On Monday, the Overland Park City Council unanimously accepted the city staff’s plan to begin paving all new residential and collector streets with concrete.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-09-13T09:27:15-05:00September 13, 2023|News|

Douglas County Commission to consider policy to pay people with lived experience

Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday will consider a new policy that would allow the county to pay people who have lived experience for their input on community issues and initiatives. County staff members want to seek input from people who are experiencing homelessness, in particular, and the new policy is in hopes of addressing barriers that prevent people from participating in listening sessions and work group meetings.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2023-09-13T09:26:02-05:00September 13, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for September 12, 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 Schmidt2023-09-13T07:32:21-05:00September 13, 2023|News|

Kansas schools brace for utility rate increases

It’s been five years since energy provider Evergy requested a rate increase for customers in the Wichita area. This year, the company has asked the Kansas Corporation Commission for a residential rate of just less than 10%. But the base rate increase for school customers starts at 25%. An Evergy spokesperson tells KSN this week the net increase for schools in rates could be between 11-12%. Some schools say they have budgeted for energy increases, but they are closely watching to see what gets approved by the KCC.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-09-12T10:24:27-05:00September 12, 2023|News|

Great American Market draws crowds to downtown Emporia

With nearly 180 vendors this year, Commercial Street was lined with goodies from the 600 – 1100 blocks. Visitors found everything from plants and handcrafted jewelry to collectibles and antiques, resin art, crochet and knitted items, jams and jellies, food trucks and more. Thousands of people turned out for the Great American Market, as hundreds of vendors drew crowds of visitors to downtown Emporia Saturday for a day of shopping.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2023-09-12T10:11:43-05:00September 12, 2023|News|

USD 216 Deerfield cancels school for second day due to storm damage

A school in western Kansas has canceled class for the second day in a row due to storm damage on Sunday, the district says. According to a release, USD 216 Deerfield will not have school on Tuesday as they work to clear storm damage and, “make the school safe for staff and students.” School was also canceled on Monday due to the damage. It is currently unknown when classes will resume.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2023-09-12T10:10:15-05:00September 12, 2023|News|