Lawrence City Commission to consider putting changes to form of government on upcoming ballot

Lawrence city leaders will soon consider asking voters to change the city’s governing body to include some seats elected by districts and a directly elected mayor. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider adopting a resolution to put the changes on the November 2024 ballot. The commission will also consider an ordinance to amend city code to establish four-year terms on the commission, a change that would occur regardless of the outcome of the ballot question. In January, city leaders expressed support for asking Lawrence voters about changing the city’s form of government to a hybrid system that includes some commissioners elected by districts, other commissioners elected at large and a directly elected mayor with limited voting powers.
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2023-02-14T08:12:07-06:00February 14, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for February 13, 2023

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.

Henry Schmidt2023-02-14T05:29:24-06:00February 14, 2023|News|

Kechi voters approve town’s first local sales tax

Voters in Kechi have approved a citywide sales tax of one cent. The City did not have a local retail sales tax before this. The City of Kechi said it will use the $90,000 collected annually for general street and capital improvements. It says this is a fair way to share the expenses of city improvements with visitors. The City said the money will also fund projects associated with the Kechi Arts and Business District Master Plan. The goal of the plan is to improve the aesthetics and walkability of the town.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2023-02-14T00:17:54-06:00February 14, 2023|News|

Johnson County to begin enforcing truck traffic restrictions in parts of the county on Feb. 20

Monday, Feb. 20, Johnson County will start enforcing truck traffic restrictions on certain narrow gravel and chip seal roads in unincorporated Johnson County. The use of operation of any commercial vehicle or any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Combination Weight Rating of 16,000 pounds or greater are prohibited on the roads designated on the map below. “No truck” signs are posted in those areas. Various city, county and state law enforcement agencies will enforce the truck traffic restrictions. A violation will lead to a $200 fine.
Source: Johnson County Kansas

Ranson Financial2023-02-14T07:01:44-06:00February 14, 2023|News|

Hutchinson Regional cites lasting pandemic effects, cost increases as causes for layoffs

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center has announced that it will be laying off 85 employees due to the healthcare landscape being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing supply costs, lower health insurance reimbursement rates and decreased patient volumes compared to pre-pandemic days. Interim CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System Jeff Egbert said that the reduction is necessary as they continue to navigate the substantial and lasting financial impacts of the global pandemic. “These challenges aren’t unique to Hutchinson,” Egbert said. “Many hospitals and healthcare systems across our nation are facing similar challenges, including many in the Midwest. We are confident that this necessary step will help ensure a secure and stable future for our organization and the patients we serve across Kansas for generations to come,” said Egbert.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2023-02-14T00:15:25-06:00February 14, 2023|News|

Revamped Lenexa skate park’s new name has history behind it

The skate park in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa will bear a name with some local historic significance — Rolling Magic. Last week, the Lenexa City Council unanimously supported the previously unnamed skate park’s new moniker. It’s the first step of what’s expected to be a complete revamp of the aging facility. The name Rolling Magic alludes to a 1970s-era privately run skate park that’s long since closed. It was located near 95th Street and I-35 and is now the site of a vacant lot.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2023-02-14T00:13:59-06:00February 14, 2023|News|

Lawrence City Commission to vote on proposed ordinance change aimed at helping people find housing

Lawrence city commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on proposed changes to city ordinances that advocates say could help people secure housing. Commissioners — for the third time in recent months — will discuss the proposed change, which creates a protected class based on source of income. That means that landlords could not discriminatorily deny someone housing just because their rent money will come from a housing voucher, settlement, benefit, subsidy, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher and more. The ordinance also provides protection for tenants regardless of their status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2023-02-14T00:11:16-06:00February 14, 2023|News|

Sedgwick County home sale prices dip as volume continues year-over-year drop trend

That Sedgwick County monthly home sales experienced a year-over-year volume drop in January is not a new development, as a once-hot housing market has cooled in recent months. The median sale price decreasing compared to the previous year is. That’s what the latest South Central Kansas MLS data shows, with the median sale price moving down 2.6% year over year to $190,000. The county’s 388 homes sold came in 24.7% fewer than January 2022. While Sedgwick County didn’t see a single year-over-year median price drop in 2022, Stan Longhofer, Wichita State University Center for Real Estate director, said a one-month move like this does not mean a home-value depreciation trend is happening.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Ranson Financial2023-02-14T00:09:31-06:00February 14, 2023|News|

Riley County proposes new fees regarding land use regulations

Riley County planning director Amanda Webb proposed two new land use fees as part of an ongoing review of the department’s fee structure at Monday’s Riley County Commission meeting. The proposed fees would be $100 for administrative adjustments and exceptions. Both of these categories were part of the new land development regulations that took effect in January 2022. Webb said the administrative adjustment fee applies to the process of bringing existing structures in the county into compliance with the land development regulations. She said these adjustments are done in house by the planning department and are similar to property boundary line adjustments and lot splits, which both carry $100 fees.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2023-02-14T00:07:34-06:00February 14, 2023|News|

USD 413 looks to overhaul summer school program

Potential changes to the USD 413 summer school program could soon become a reality. During the Feb. 6 Board of Education meeting, Assistant Superintendent Matt Koester said that he and Taryn Sigler, After School program coordinator, have explored ideas that offer greater flexibility to students and staff participating in the program. “Our whole discussion was about carrying our after school program to the summer time and redesigning our summer learning program to be more week-by-week based,” he said.
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Ranson Financial2023-02-14T07:05:18-06:00February 14, 2023|News|