Federal lawsuit says Dodge City’s election system keeps Latino candidates out of office

A coalition of voting rights groups says Dodge City’s election system is designed to prevent the community’s Latino population from holding office on the city commission. In a complaint filed late Thursday in federal court, the coalition argues the “at-large” election system is unconstitutional and a violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The lawsuit was filed by the UCLA Voting Rights Project, American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, the national ACLU, and New York City-based law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen and Hamilton. The city uses an at-large election system, in which all city residents can vote for each of the five seats on the city commission.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2022-12-15T23:38:04-06:00December 15, 2022|News|

Johnson County allocates additional $450K for community greenspace

Johnson County will now pay more to renovate greenspace outside the county courthouse. Thursday the Johnson County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) voted 4-3 to allocate an additional $450,000 to support the second phase of the Johnson County Square project. In August, the board partnered with the City of Olathe for a $2 million renovation project to upgrade the property between the Johnson County Administration building at the Johnson County District Courthouse. Johnson County Square enhancements include things like a memorial plaza, a multipurpose stage, a playground and various art installations.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2022-12-15T23:35:43-06:00December 15, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for December 14, 2022

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 Schmidt2022-12-15T09:37:14-06:00December 15, 2022|News|

GCCC enters into energy savings agreement

Garden City Community College Board of Trustees entered into an energy savings agreement with C& C Group at its regular meeting Tuesday. … Ryan Ruda, GCCC president, said the agreement is a no-cost study with C& C Group for them to study and evaluate options regarding the GCCC’s HVAC system to be able to “automate and enhance our HVAC system. We’re really looking at cost efficiencies and where there could be energy savings.” … There is no upfront cost to GCCC for this project, but GCCC will pay C& C Group through energy savings a total project fee of $1,109,232 that will be billed quarterly at an amount not to exceed 80% of energy savings realized from the updates.
Source: GC Telegram

Ranson Financial2022-12-15T08:48:30-06:00December 15, 2022|News|

Local bitcoin mine hits zoning speedbump

The Harvey County Planning Commission denied Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s rezoning request Dec. 6 by an 8-0 vote. The utility was seeking to rezone its property at 84th Street and East Lake Road from agriculture to utility use for Print Crypto Inc., which is a bitcoin mining operation. Planning and Zoning Director Karen Rothe said nearby residents complained about the noise, which affected their quality of life because it was no longer fun to sit outside. … Tim Wuthrich lives 635 feet directly west of the substation. He said the noise generated was not ear-piercing to the point where he has to wear headphones, but it’s constant. … “When I’m out in the yard with the family and grandkids […], this is a constant noise.” Wuthrich compared the sound to an 18-wheeler idling.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-12-15T08:45:54-06:00December 15, 2022|News|

Renovation planned for downtown Pittsburg

The Pittsburg City Commission … heard from “DVLP Redevelopment Projects,” who presented them with a $4.8 million plan to renovate three downtown buildings. … Plans call for the construction of 35-to-40 apartment projects, ranging from studio size to two bedroom. The residential units will be located in the upper floors of the buildings, while commercial space is planned for the ground levels. After hearing the presentation, the Commission voted to approve funding 10% of the project, or $480 thousand. … “We need housing. We need all kinds of housing, so to have some housing downtown is really complementary to the downtown business district, as well as the housing needs are getting met, which is nice,” said Pittsburg City Manager, Daron Hall.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-12-15T08:30:12-06:00December 15, 2022|News|

The Fed projects raising rates as high as 5.1% before ending inflation battle

The Federal Reserve will hike interest rates as high as 5.1% in 2023 before the central bank ends its fight against runaway inflation, according to its median forecast released on Wednesday. The Fed announced a 50-basis-point rate hike Wednesday, taking the borrowing rate to a targeted range between 4.25% and 4.5%, the highest level in 15 years. The so-called dot-plot, which the Fed uses to signal its outlook for the path of interest rates, showed 17 of the 19 “dots” would take rates above 5% in 2023. Seven of the 19 committee members saw rates rising above 5.25% next year.
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2022-12-15T07:58:59-06:00December 15, 2022|News|

Marion County pushes ahead with administrator

Despite lengthy discussion of whether the public had had enough opportunity to weigh in on the subject, county commissioners cast a split vote Monday to create a county administrator position. … The resolution does not specify a salary. Compensation is to be set out in an employment contract. The county has for several years budgeted $125,000 for an administrator and office staff. … Commissioners don’t yet have a timeline for hiring an administrator. Mueller said the first step would be to decide how to conduct the search.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Ranson Financial2022-12-15T08:06:19-06:00December 15, 2022|News|

Newton considering changing government

Residents should soon expect a survey asking them how exactly they want to structure their city government. In October, the city held a work session discussing making the mayor position a separately elected office. Tuesday, they circled back to the topic, as staff asked for more direction on the subject…. Currently, the top vote-getter in an election serves first as vice mayor for one year and then mayor for the next year in Newton. This isn’t in law as much as it is observed in practice. Technically, the mayor position is nominated by members of the commission and then voted on along with the vice mayor position. A change to that could result in people running for the specific office of mayor. Depending on the style of governance the city would choose, the mayor could be a voting position or non-voting position.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-12-15T08:08:55-06:00December 15, 2022|News|

Hesston approves $6 million in IRBs for AGCO improvements

Hesston City Council on Monday approved the issuance of $5.8 million in industrial revenue bonds for AGCO Corp. AGCO approached the city in 2021 with a request for support in the planned purchasing and equipping of improvements to its manufacturing facilities over give years. The city held a public hearing in June 2021 on the issuance of $72.8 million in IRBs and a tax abatement. The city issued $22.6 million in IRBs in 2021. The city has issued more than $242 million in IRBs for AGCO since 2001.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-12-15T08:09:10-06:00December 15, 2022|News|