Legislators float proposal to lower property taxes by reviving dormant LAVTR fund

A three-part proposal to reduce property taxes could save Kansas homeowners millions, Democratic lawmakers said during a news conference Monday at the Statehouse. Rep. Vic Miller, D-Topeka, and Rep. Mike Amyx, D-Lawrence, released the plan for consideration in the next legislative session, which begins in January. The plan includes reducing residential property assessment rates from 11.5% to 9%, financing a statewide property tax reduction fund and raising residential property exemptions from the state mill levy that funds public schools. Miller and Amyx want to refinance the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund, which was designed to help local governments lower property taxes. The fund was suspended in 2002, but the two believe the state government now has enough funds to resume payments.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2022-09-27T07:31:35-05:00September 26, 2022|News|

70,000 attend McConnell open house and air show

The free air show at McConnell Air Force Base appears to have been a big success this past weekend. Organizers say approximately 70,000 people attended the Frontiers in Flight Open House and Air Show. It was the first air show at McConnell in four years. They plan to hold the next one in 2024, most likely in September. In addition to enjoying the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and other flying acts, visitors were able to get an inside look at dozens of planes and vehicles on display.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-09-26T23:22:30-05:00September 26, 2022|News|

SEK attorney & municipal judge to serve as honorary bailiff for Supreme Court special session in Parsons

Longtime attorney and municipal judge Rick Tucker has had his share of days in court, but he will take on a new role when the Supreme Court comes to Parsons. Tucker was selected to be honorary bailiff at the Supreme Court’s special session, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, October 3, at Parsons High School. “I am excited to be able to ‘suit up’ and serve as bailiff for the Supreme Court in the presence of my community,” Tucker said. Chief Judge Lori Bolton-Fleming nominated Tucker for the position, noting his nearly half-century of service to the southeast Kansas legal community.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-09-26T23:19:43-05:00September 26, 2022|News|

Johnson County Library patron returns video tape 19 years after it was due

Staff at the Johnson County Central Resource Library saw a particularly unusual return last week when a patron brought back a video tape 19 years after it was originally due. The patron returned a copy of the Oscar-winning Russian language film “Burnt by the Sun” on VHS — a type of media staff say the library largely doesn’t carry anymore.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-09-27T07:32:28-05:00September 26, 2022|News|

Dodge City residents to vote on various tax initiatives

On November 8, 2022, Dodge City voters will have the opportunity to consider a one-half percent, or 0.50% retail sales tax increase on the ballot. … This special dedicated sales tax can only be used to provide City of Dodge City property tax relief (4 mills in 2024), costs of street improvements and associated utilities. Associated utilities refer to water and sewer lines, most of which are 50 to 100+ years old and located within the streets to be reconstructed and repaired. If approved, the Sales Tax will generate approximately $3.5 million dollars a year to be used to reduce property tax and for street improvements.
Source: Western Kansas News

Ranson Financial2022-09-27T07:33:28-05:00September 26, 2022|News|

Teachers cite salaries, work-life balance among top reasons for leaving Lawrence Public Schools

The Lawrence school board on Monday heard a report including specific reasons why teachers are leaving the district, like low salaries and overflowing class sizes, as well as an update on the district’s efforts to better recruit and retain employees. Members of the district’s Human Resources team, including Executive Director Kristen Ryan, Director of Human Resources and Safety Ron May, Director Sarah Hamlin, and Facilitator of Recruitment and Retention Kaitlin Shulman, presented to the board their findings from last school year’s survey on exiting certified staff. As of May 2021, approximately 150 teachers were exiting the district for a variety of reasons. The HR team conducted an exit survey to ask teachers their reasons for leaving. 86 out of the approximately 150 teachers participated.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2022-09-26T23:05:28-05:00September 26, 2022|News|

2-Year Yields Indicate Fed Funds Rate Could Rise Another 2%

One major theme of 2022 is the Federal Reserve raising to squash. Case in point, the Fed raised rates another 75 basis points on Wednesday. Will this be enough? What’s to come of interest rates? That question brings us to today’s chart, where we compare Fed Funds to the (a good short-term gauge of interest rates). As you can see, the 2-year yield and Fed Funds have been pretty correlated over the past 30 years. Typically, the 2-year yield leads Fed Funds on the way up and down. But what happens when it reaches extremes? Because this is what we have today.
Source: Bonds Analysis & Opinion

Ranson Financial2022-09-26T07:50:12-05:00September 26, 2022|News|

Wichita Libraries Waiving Long-Overdue Fees During “Amnesty Week”

Wichita Public Library will host Amnesty Week September 26-October 2, 2022 to give customers the opportunity to return long overdue materials and have processing and replacement fees eliminated. This is an effort to reintroduce lapsed customers to the Library and get lost materials back into circulation. During this week, customers with materials considered long overdue (multiple months or years not returned) can visit any seven Wichita Public Library locations and return materials at the front desk, no questions asked, no matter the condition.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-09-26T07:47:59-05:00September 26, 2022|News|

Greater Andover Days Begins Friday

Greater Andover Days kicks off next weekend It runs from Friday, September 30th to Sunday, October 2nd, at Central Park in Andover (1609 E. Central Ave.). Greater Andover Days is a family-friendly festival that features food trucks, live music, kid’s activities, fireworks, Zumba, a car show, golf tournament and more.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2022-09-26T08:02:18-05:00September 26, 2022|News|

Marion County towns working together for SEED grant

The Marion County Board of Commissioners met for their regular meeting on Monday and opened with information from Hillsboro City Administrator Matt Stiles. Stiles informed the commissioners that he, along with several others, is applying for the KDOC SEED grant. “It’s for a lot of different things, but we are looking at helping grocery stores primarily. I’m trying to put everyone together so we don’t have a bunch of applications from the county since it can only be awarded once to the county,” said Stiles. There are several items on the list from multiple towns in Marion County and this way will allow all of the places to benefit.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

Ranson Financial2022-09-26T07:41:30-05:00September 26, 2022|News|