Panasonic project brings focus to Johnson County’s rural roads

The massive project to build a new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition plant in De Soto has re-ignited interest in the future of western Johnson County’s rural road system as officials consider a new set of planning guidelines for the area. The county planning commission unanimously recommended changes in its comprehensive rural plan Tuesday that remove land annexed by De Soto from its planning jurisdiction. Now that it is in De Soto, the city will set its own guidelines. The remaining unincorporated land will be in a “rural policy area,” meaning it will be planned as agricultural, with a rural character, limited development and a low density of one residence per 10 acres.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-05-26T12:17:06-05:00May 26, 2023|News|

Michelin announces $100 million investment in Junction City

Tire manufacturer Michelin announced it will be investing over $100 million into Junction City to increase production of tracks for agricultural equipment. Over the next five years, around 200 new jobs will be added to increase the output of Camso agricultural rubber tracks, according to a press release from Michelin. Camso is a brand under the Michelin Group that specializes in off-road tires, tracks and systems…. In March, Michelin announced it would invest more than $20 million to expand its facilities in Emporia, Kansas as part of its investments in North American production, according to the press release. Michelin currently employs about 175 people at their facility in Junction City. The new investment will add around 200 jobs between 2023 and 2026.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-05-26T12:13:28-05:00May 26, 2023|News|

Hillsboro mourns the death of former mayor

The Hillsboro community recently mourned the loss of former Mayor Delores Dalke and many showed up to pay their respects at the heavily attended funeral at Ebenfeld Mennonite Church last week. Dalke died on May 12, at the age of 82, on what would have been her 61^st Wedding Anniversary to her deceased husband John Foster Dalke. She served Hillsboro as the oldest and only female mayor for 27 years before leaving the position in January of 2018. Between her role as mayor and her service on many boards and commissions, Dalke contributed much to making Hillsboro what it is today. Son Matt, who spoke at her funeral, believed that his mother was an extremely special person. He said, “She always made sure that she went out of her way to help others. She was a mom to all of her children’s friends. She believed in developing relationships and strived to help those in need. So many have reached out to me since my mom became ill to tell me how she helped them with financial assistance and/or emotional support or when they were in dire straits. Many of these people I have never met, but Mom made a huge difference in their lives and they are forever grateful. I feel that is a true testament to the person she was.”
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Ranson Financial2023-05-26T12:12:59-05:00May 26, 2023|News|

Effecting change at the neighborhood level in Pittsburg

In my last article I talked about how the growth in Pittsburg will lead to significant changes and it is important to look for ways to participate in defining Pittsburg’s future. There are many ways to engage through city advisory boards, committees, or initiatives, but one of the most direct ways to impact where you live is in your own neighborhood. I’m sure there are aspects of your block that you would like to see improved – maybe there is an empty house that is in disrepair, street signs that need replaced, or maybe you’d like to have a neighborhood cleanup or block party. Whatever you’d like to see, they are more likely to happen if the people in the neighborhood work together.
Source: Morning Sun by Jay Byers / Deputy City Manager

Ranson Financial2023-05-26T12:12:31-05:00May 26, 2023|News|

Local Governments Escape Ruling that Could Have Upended Property Tax Laws

A Minnesota county violated the Fifth Amendment when it sold and kept the excess proceeds from an elderly woman’s home, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a unanimous decision. “A taxpayer who loses her $40,000 house to the state to fulfill a $15,000 tax debt has made a far greater contribution to the public fisc than she owed,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion. “The taxpayer must render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but no more.” The case, Tyler v. Hennepin County, centered on how much autonomy state governments have regarding property that is seized lawfully from owners who are delinquent on their taxes. The Fifth Amendment specifies that governments cannot take private property without justly compensating its owner. So the question was whether Hennepin County improperly took the profits it made from selling the woman’s house. In Roberts’ decision, the court blocked states from allowing counties to keep surplus funds from the homes they sell after residents fail to pay property taxes.
Source: Route Fifty – All Content

Ranson Financial2023-05-26T12:11:31-05:00May 26, 2023|News|

‘Somebody Somewhere’ finds big heart in the ‘Little Apple’ of Kansas

“Somebody Somewhere” is an emotional comedy on HBO and streaming on MAX that takes place in Manhattan, Kansas. It follows Sam, played by Kansas native Bridget Everett, as she returns home in search of herself. Along the way she meets chipper and compassionate Joel, played by Jeff Hiller. Hiller’s acting career spans almost 20 years — many of his roles have been bit parts. He says his success on this show comes from years of playing “someone that we all know.” “I love being able to play a character, honestly, that has a last name,” Hiller said.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2023-05-26T12:10:57-05:00May 26, 2023|News|

Spring Hill police ask for votes to help pay for K-9 Loki’s kidney surgery

The Spring Hill Police Department is asking you to cast a vote to help to support its K-9 officer. K-9 Loki, a Belgian Malinois/Shepherd mix, joined the Spring Hill department in 2021 after being donated by the Olathe Police Department. Loki was initially purchased by Olathe police from a kennel in Pennsylvania, but a medical scan showed Loki had an underdeveloped kidney that would need to be removed. When Olathe police notified the kennel of Loki’s condition, they were told a replacement dog would be given to the department free of charge, but if Loki was returned, he would be euthanized. To prevent Loki from being put down, Spring Hill police adopted him as a replacement for K-9 Niko, who was set to retire later that year.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-05-26T12:10:25-05:00May 26, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 25, 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 Schmidt2023-05-26T09:31:06-05:00May 26, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 24, 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 Schmidt2023-05-26T08:14:21-05:00May 24, 2023|News|

Communities Across Kansas Receive Nearly $3.2M CDBG Grant Funding

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced 10 communities received almost $3.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Grant awards were made in three categories: Water and Sewer, Commercial Rehabilitation, and Housing. The three programs, which provide crucial funding for community development projects in Kansas, received a total of $3,193,740. “CDBG grants are tailored to assist in funding broader needs of communities across our great state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These programs play a vital role in the health and well-being of cities and counties throughout Kansas.”

The Water and Sewer Program is designed to support communities by upgrading and expanding their water and sewer infrastructure. The following cities and counties have been awarded Water and Sewer grants for a total of $2,299,990:

Belle Plaine; $476,760; removing nitrates from potable water sources
Herndon; $152,583; repairing lagoons
Miami County; $305,126; building a lift station to pump sewage
Osage City; $470,801; rehabilitating sewer mains and manholes
Palco; $417,960; constructing a new water treatment plant
Wakefield; $476,760; constructing additional lagoons

The Commercial Rehabilitation program provides funding to assist private property owners in the rehabilitation of blighted structures in downtown commercial districts. The following cities have been awarded Commercial Rehabilitation grants for a total of $593,750:

Atchison; $250,000; repairing a historic property downtown
Independence; $250,000; rehabilitating a historic downtown building
Meriden; $93,750; rehabilitating a local bar and restaurant

Finally, the CDBG Housing program provides funding to support the rehabilitation of housing units and the demolition of blighted structures in communities across the state. One city received a Housing grant award this round:

Holyrood; $300,000; rehabilitating eight homes and demolishing three

Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2023-05-25T10:38:06-05:00May 24, 2023|News|