County to add vehicle transaction fee

Allen County will likely institute a nominal motor vehicle transaction fee to help cover operational costs within the Allen County treasurer’s office. A new state law allowing counties to add motor vehicle transaction fees could bring additional revenue to Allen County. County Treasurer Darolyn Maley told commissioners Tuesday morning that she plans to take a modest approach in implementing the change locally. Maley said the legislation comes after years of work by the County Treasurer’s Association to address funding gaps in motor vehicle departments across Kansas. “This is something that the state has finally passed to get a little bit more money in our funds,” she said. While some counties struggle to cover costs, she said Allen County has managed to stay afloat largely due to staffing arrangements that split duties between departments.
Read more: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2026-04-16T09:05:18-05:00April 16, 2026|Finance|

Marysville police chief completes FBI National Academy

Marysville Police Chief Anthony Escalante recently returned from the FBI National Academy, where he became the third consecutive Marysville police chief to graduate from the prestigious program on the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va. He was among 253 law enforcement officers who graduated in the 297th session of the academy, which consisted of men and women from 48 states and the District of Columbia. The 12-week class also included 26 members of law enforcement agencies from 24 countries, four military organizations and four federal civilian organizations.
Read more: www.marysvilleonline.net

Ranson Financial2026-04-16T09:04:37-05:00April 16, 2026|HR|

Blue Rapids, Frankfort firemen rescue 32 at rural campground

Fast-rising floodwaters on Corndodger Creek about 6 a.m. Saturday washed one person downstream among about 32 campers who awoke to water rising in their tents. A man caught inside his tent and unable to escape was aided by two fellow campers who cut him out after he became entangled and was overtaken beneath the rushing water. The other man, who was swept away, was soon rescued by two men as he clung to a nearby county bridge, said Lee Tebbutt, St. George, president of the Kaw Valley Muzzleloaders that regularly camp on his family’s land there. Blue Rapids and Frankfort firefighters soon arrived and helped 11 members of the group who remained in the floodwaters after others made it to higher ground. All campers, shaken but alive, were taken to refuge in a farmhouse not far from Corndodger Creek, a campsite about 1.5 miles south of Kansas Highway 9 near 15th Road between Frankfort and Blue Rapids. Campers included adults and a few teens who were part of a Spring Thaw Rendezvous, an annual muzzleloader reenactment weekend event that’s been held at Corndodger Station for the past 30 years.
Read more: www.marysvilleonline.net

Ranson Financial2026-04-16T09:03:47-05:00April 16, 2026|News|

City animal shelter plan moves along

Marysville City Council took another step toward an animal shelter Monday night, when it decided to seek information on stamped plans from an engineer or architect for a roughly 24×40-foot building. The city’s Unified Land Development Code regulations require plans stamped by an engineer or architect for the zoning category for the proposed location at 1701 Spring St., directly behind the water plant. The site was chosen because the city owns the property and the current plans for the building were scaled back to fit on that site. The city has purchased 14 kennels, but the exact number of kennels to be included in the building is uncertain.
Read more: www.marysvilleonline.net

Ranson Financial2026-04-16T09:02:19-05:00April 16, 2026|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 14, 2026

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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 Schmidt2026-04-15T09:57:13-05:00April 15, 2026|Finance|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 13, 2026

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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 Schmidt2026-04-14T09:01:48-05:00April 14, 2026|Finance|

National groups back Salina’s Cozy Inn as mural lawsuit continues against city

Salina appealed the decision of the U.S. District Court in November 2025 that ruled the city violated Cozy’s First Amendment rights by stopping the painting of the restaurant’s wall with a UFO-themed mural and ordered the city to allow it to continue.
Read more: Salina Journal

Ranson Financial2026-04-14T07:16:09-05:00April 14, 2026|Legal|

USDA Invests More Than $11 Million to Improve Rural Water Infrastructure Across Kansas

USDA is making this $11 million investment through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, which funds vital water infrastructure that directly benefits the health, economic vitality and environment of rural America.

The specifics of these Kansas projects are:

A $420,000 grant will help purchase and install standby emergency generators at two critical pumping facilities for the city of Stafford. The generators will make the drinking water and wastewater utilities more resilient during future disasters.
A $335,000 grant will help purchase and install Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system upgrades and a standby emergency generator at one water well pumping facility for the city of St. John. The generator and SCADA upgrades will make the drinking water utility more resilient during future disasters.
A $78,000 grant will help install standby emergency generators at two water well pumping facilities for the city of Burdett. The pumps will make the drinking water utility more resilient to severe winter storms.
A $1,000,000 grant and $3,500,000 loan will help the city of Linn Valley install a water transmission line from the City of La Cygne and distribution lines and meters throughout Linn Valley. Additionally, the city is constructing a 250,000-gallon elevated water storage tank.
A $492,000 grant and $618,000 loan will help Riley County upgrade and install approximately 12,000 linear feet of 4-inch and 8-inch collection lines, 43 manhole replacements, 67 septic tank demos, five grinder stations, and surface removal and replacement. It also includes a new lift station, a new wet well, 4-inch sewer force main connection, electrical work, backup generator, discharging lagoon and an irrigation pump station.
An $813,000 grant and $3,684,000 loan will assist the city of Mankato with their Phase II Water Project including installation of approximately 22,000 linear feet of water mains, 173 service connections with domestic water meters, 28 fire hydrants, 2-inch commercial water meters, a new water tower and a new chlorination building.
A $622,000 grant and $211,000 loan will help the city of Toronto construct approximately 41,000 linear feet of water line pipes. The project will also include 74 gate valves, 28 fire hydrants, 170 water meter assemblies, and interior and exterior coating of the existing water tower.

Ranson Financial2026-04-14T07:14:05-05:00April 14, 2026|Grants|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 10, 2026

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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 Schmidt2026-04-13T09:55:44-05:00April 13, 2026|Finance|

Taiwanese Battery Manufacturer Selects Liberal for New U.S. Facility

The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced Apogee Power, a Taiwan-based energy technology and advanced battery manufacturer, has selected Liberal as the location for its new U.S. manufacturing and assembly facility. The company will invest almost $16 million over the next three to five years and create 80 new jobs. “In Kansas, we have a strong advanced battery ecosystem, talented workforce and central location that companies from around the world are eagerly looking to access,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Apogee’s decision to expand their work into Liberal highlights the strength of our rural communities and Kansas’ ability to compete on a global scale.” The facility, located in Liberal’s industrial corridor, will support the assembly, testing and distribution of Apogee’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems and related energy storage technologies for commercial, industrial and grid-scale applications across the United States. The company anticipates hiring 30 employees in the initial phase — with additional positions coming online as production ramps up.
Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2026-04-13T08:45:29-05:00April 13, 2026|News|