Fed officials see smaller rate hikes coming ‘soon,’ minutes show

28 Monday, November 28

Fed officials see smaller rate hikes coming ‘soon,’ minutes show

info2022-11-28T10:24:24-06:00November 28th, 2022|

Federal Reserve officials earlier this month agreed that smaller interest rate increases should happen soon as they evaluate the impact policy is having on the economy, meeting minutes released Wednesday indicated. Reflecting statements that multiple officials have made over the past several weeks, the meeting summary pointed to small rate hikes coming. Markets widely expect the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee to step down to a 0.5 percentage point increase in December, following four straight 0.75 percentage point hikes. Though hinting that smaller moves were ahead, officials said they still see little signs of inflation abating. However, some committee members expressed [...]

28 Monday, November 28

City leaders consider adding new Kansas Turnpike interchange

info2022-11-28T00:40:09-06:00November 28th, 2022|

Topeka City leaders are are moving forward with plans to give Topeka commuters more options on the Kansas Turnpike. Topeka City Council is pairing up with the Kansas Turnpike Authority to create a concept study to add an interchange to the turnpike near 29th and California Ave. This project is estimated to cost around $20 million. At their last meeting, Topeka City Council approved paying $125,000 to the Kansas Turnpike Authority to help fund the study. This would be one of two interchanges proposed for the Topeka area. Source: KSNT 27 News

28 Monday, November 28

More Prairie Village residents could get city property tax relief

info2022-11-28T00:37:36-06:00November 28th, 2022|

More Prairie Village residents may soon be eligible for property tax relief offered by the city. Catch up quick: The City Council Committee of the Whole on Monday unanimously approved raising income thresholds connected to the city’s property tax rebate program, making households with higher incomes potentially eligible. The program reimburses residents for the city’s portion of their property tax bill, which amounts to about 16% of residents’ annual bill in Prairie Village. Source: Prairie Village Post

28 Monday, November 28

An inside look at the North Lawrence camp for people experiencing homelessness

info2022-11-30T08:26:56-06:00November 28th, 2022|

As the Lawrence community considers different strategies for a citywide response to the homelessness crisis, residents of a temporary campsite are living through the reality of the situation day to day. Lawrence city leaders have been getting heat from community members ranging from business owners to housing advocates to local residents, both housed and unhoused, sharing numerous concerns about safety issues within and surrounding the camp. Some are advocating for more resources to be put into the camp’s management, to help support Jenn Wolsey, homeless programs coordinator for the city’s Homeless Initiatives Division, who has been running the site. Others believe [...]

28 Monday, November 28

Home ownership program fills slate of applications

info2022-11-28T00:34:50-06:00November 28th, 2022|

All 10 requests have been filled for the Washington County Home Ownership Pilot Loan/ Grant Program. The final spot was filled Nov. 3 with a home in Clifton. Because all 10 spots will have loans that will be closed by the Dec. 31 deadline, there will not be a queue established in Washington. Washington County received $125,000 to be split among 10 homes purchased in the county this year. The first two homes received their $12,500 allocation on June 20. Source: www.backroadsnews.com/rss.xml

28 Monday, November 28

County administrator search continues

info2022-11-28T00:32:24-06:00November 28th, 2022|

The Unified Government continues to move ahead with a search for a county administrator. According to Bill Johnson, Board of Public Utilities manager, who is co-chair of the UG search task force, meetings were held last week with a new search firm, gv HR. The other task force chair is Bonner Springs Mayor Jeff Harrington. Johnson spoke at the UG Commission meeting Nov. 17. Cheryl Harrison-Lee was appointed the interim UG county administrator after former UG administrator Doug Bach retired Jan. 6. Bach had served as administrator since 2014 and was deputy county administrator from 2003 to 2014. Source: Wyandotte Daily

28 Monday, November 28

Panasonic gives De Soto first look at site plan for $4B electric-vehicle battery plant

info2022-11-28T00:30:09-06:00November 28th, 2022|

With site selection, incentives and more streamlined zoning lined up for its $4 billion electric-vehicle battery plant, Panasonic Energy Co. Ltd. soon will ask De Soto to approve a doozy of a development plan, one piece at a time. The company anticipates submitting its first of three phased pieces — a preliminary site and mass-grading plan — for the city's Planning Commission to review in late December. The factory's architectural elevations then could follow in January, culminating with final plans for grading, landscaping, signage and lighting in April. Source: Kansas City Business Journal - The Business Journals

28 Monday, November 28

Topeka Metro set to launch on-demand transportation

info2022-11-28T00:27:50-06:00November 28th, 2022|

The Topeka Metro is gearing up to launch a new microtransit on-demand service in the southeast area of Topeka early next year. The new service is called "Metro On-Demand." MOD will let customers request curb-to-curb transportation in specific areas. Passengers will also be able to request a ride that would arrive in 15 minutes. “As we continue to look for new ways to improve, we believe the more personalized nature of microtransit will be a great addition to our service," said Bob Nugent, Topeka Metro general manager. "Microtransit has been around for a while and has proven to be a more [...]

28 Monday, November 28

County to move forward on sales tax direction

info2022-11-28T00:25:39-06:00November 28th, 2022|

Since voters approved a measure to lower the countywide 1 cent sales to .75 percent to fund solid waste and joint communications, county leaders took action to clarify and ensure a solid path forward. Vice Chairman Casey Quinn brought the issue to the forefront Nov. 22 when she told fellow commissioner she thought it best to repeal Resolution 2014-1390 sooner than later in preparation the new sales tax rate becomes effective April 1, 2023. goes into effect. Quinn expressed her concern the document currently in effect would only be one be replaced by a new one without thought and communication with [...]

28 Monday, November 28

Area eco devo agency staying busy for city

info2022-11-28T00:21:24-06:00November 28th, 2022|

In an update to the Great Bend City Council Monday night, Bob Wetmore, co-director of Dodge City-based Great Plains Development Inc., said his agency continues to work for the community as he outlined the services GPD provides. This is a non-profit economic development agency that works with cities and counties by helping with loans to them as well as entrepreneurs. Source: Great Bend Tribune