Lenexa offering up to $5K in city funds for home repairs

Some homes in Lenexa may be eligible for the expanded Exterior Grant Program, which offers money for residents looking to improve or repair their houses. Lenexa is putting up more money in 2023 for its annual grant program designed to help residents in older homes maintain their properties. “It encourages homeowners who obviously have older homes in our community to make exterior or neighborhood benefiting upgrades or repairs to their homes,” Angel Whitaker, Lenexa’s community standards supervisor, said.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Ranson Financial2023-02-07T13:02:51-06:00February 7, 2023|News|

Plans in works for celebration mural celebrating Winfield’s 150th birthday

Plans are under way to paint a mural celebrating Winfield’s 150th birthday, a project sponsored by the Winfield Arts and Humanities Council. The theme of the mural is “The Building Blocks of Winfield,” WAHC director Cheri Kindt-Gonzalez told the CourierTraveler. It will be painted on the north-facing wall of Home Lumber and Supply Co., at 1201 Main St. The mural will reflect the values, occupations, recreational activities and significant events that are part of Winfield’s heritage and have shaped its culture.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Ranson Financial2023-02-07T12:54:55-06:00February 7, 2023|News|

Fed’s Kashkari says strong jobs data show need for more hikes

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said Tuesday that explosive jobs growth in January is evidence that the central bank has more work to do when it comes to taming inflation. That means continuing to hike interest rates, as he sees a likelihood that the Fed’s benchmark borrowing rate should rise to 5.4% from its current target range of 4.5%-4.75%. “We have a job to do. We know that raising rates can put a lid on inflation,” Kashkari told CNBC during a Tuesday morning interview on “Squawk Box.” “We need to raise rates aggressively to put a ceiling on inflation, then let monetary policy work its way through the economy.”
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2023-02-07T12:48:38-06:00February 7, 2023|News|

Making Ellsworth County bright with art

Last summer, the Ellsworth County Economic Development received a $10,000 grant from the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity and the Kansas Department of Commerce. The matching grant was used to create new murals and public art projects. Ellsworth County Economic Development Executive Director Stacie Schmidt said the funds completed three murals in the City of Ellsworth and one in the City of Holyrood. “Not only does it improve our aesthetics, we also think it draws attention to the businesses hosting those murals,” said Schmidt. “It draws a little bit of a tourist component too. We wanted to make them for an opportunity for photos so tourists will walk the streets of Ellsworth County a little bit.”
Source: Great Bend Post

Ranson Financial2023-02-07T10:48:00-06:00February 7, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for February 3, 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 Schmidt2023-02-07T07:36:24-06:00February 7, 2023|News|

Lawrence to hold public meetings about transitioning city’s fleet of 850 vehicles to environmental options

The City of Lawrence will hold two public meetings this week to share information and gather input about the city’s plan to transition its fleet of vehicles to more environmental options. The Lawrence community is invited to attend “discovery session” presentations for the city fleet analysis process that will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, according to a city news release. The meetings will help the city develop a plan for combating transportation emissions and improving the environmental performance of the city’s vehicle fleet.
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2023-02-07T07:19:15-06:00February 7, 2023|News|

Proposed KPERS bond buyback program could save Kansas millions in interest

A new finance bill would buy back bonds used to inject much-needed cash into the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System two years ago, potentially saving the state millions of dollars in future interest payments. The House Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee had a Monday hearing on House Bill 2102. The bill would allocate $250 million from the State General Fund to repurchase bonds issued two years ago under House Bill 2405. HB 2405 authorized the Kansas Development Finance Authority to issue bonds to pay off KPERS unfunded pension liabilities. The strategy was to lower the cost over a 30-year period, addressing a $6 billion unfunded liability in the state government worker and teacher portion of KPERS. The system received $500 million in 2021 as a result of the deal.
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Ranson Financial2023-02-07T01:21:39-06:00February 7, 2023|News|

Sedgwick County judge offers Kansas legislators package of bills to stem domestic violence

District Judge Phil Journey knows the grim statistics on domestic violence and regularly comes face-to-face with perpetrators and victims of violence in the home. His vantage point from a courthouse in Sedgwick County — epicenter of the state’s domestic violence caseload — led to development of a package of reform bills he wants the 2023 Kansas Legislature to consider. Improving the state’s response to 22,500 reported incidents of domestic violence annually, he said, could put downward pressure on 3,000 aggravated assaults, 900 kidnappings and the rapes, strangulations and homicides tied to those incidents.
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Ranson Financial2023-02-07T01:19:10-06:00February 7, 2023|News|

Manhattan to unveil new $22.5 million joint maintenance facility

A public dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Friday as the City of Manhattan unveils its new $22.5 million Joint Maintenance Facility. City Manager Ron Fehr, Mayor Mark Hatesohl and representatives from BBN Architects, McCownGordon Construction and Public Works Director Rob Ott will provide comments in the north vehicle repair and maintenance shop. y.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2023-02-07T12:50:45-06:00February 7, 2023|News|

Derby PD bringing back Citizens Police Academy

After a few years of being placed on hold, the Derby Police Department is bringing back its Citizens Police Academy in 2023. The COVID pandemic interrupted the last session of the CPA three weeks in, meaning no complete session has been held since 2018 (as it is something the department has traditionally put on in even years). Given that extended hiatus, Derby PD Lt. Caleb Rue noted the department looked forward to offering that once again in 2023.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2023-02-07T00:55:36-06:00February 7, 2023|News|