Affordable housing complex in Baldwin can modernize nearly 40-year-old units; without ARPA aid, it would’ve taken another decade

Baldwin Retirement Apartment Complex Inc. … received $733,711, which will help the nonprofit modernize Jersey Street Apartment Suites, a 24-unit complex of one-bedroom apartments spread across four buildings. It will also allow for two of those units to be converted to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and it will allow a maintenance update that BRAC staff described to the Journal-World as crucial. It’s a project that definitely wouldn’t be happening if not for ARPA aid. In fact, it would be a 10-year project without it….
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2022-09-25T08:50:02-05:00September 25, 2022|News|

Derby seeks to expand tools in addressing current housing market needs

Following completion of a housing study specific to Derby, presented to both the planning commission and City Council in the past month, two major needs were outlined in the community. The study showed a rather unique market need for homes targeted to households making more than $75,000 annually – as well as a more common demand for availability of units for households with an annual income below $25,000. In conjunction with the city’s comprehensive plan and eligibility for new programs, the housing study was completed to help the city determine ways to address both of those needs. City Planner Scott Knebel noted that a number of subsidy programs exist to help develop housing for lower income households, outlining those opportunities in a recent report to the council – while also pointing out their underutilization in Derby.
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2022-09-26T08:23:39-05:00September 25, 2022|News|

‘World class’ justice center sure to be inviting to public breaks ground in Lenexa

Lenexa leaders held a groundbreaking on Sept. 13, the ceremonial start of construction on the city’s new Justice Center at Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street. Completion is expected in the spring of 2024. “Our organization has needed a new facility for a significant amount of time. Setting aside the obvious deteriorating necessities such as air conditioning and plumbing, we need a space that will better allow our personnel to complete their work efficiently,” Police Sgt. Curtis Weber said. “On top of that, the police department needs to be a facility that is inviting and engaging for the community. Our current facility does not allow for that type of environment. The new Justice Center will allow our facility to reflect the standard our staff is expected to strive for: world-class.”
Source: KC Star

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T07:44:04-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

2-year Treasury tops 4.2%, a 15-year high as Fed continues to jolt short-term rates higher

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury fell on Friday as markets adjusted to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike and attention turned toward flash PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) data for September that is due to be released later in the day. … The policy-sensitive 2-year Treasury continued to hover around 4.1% after having risen off the back of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike. On Thursday, it had soared as high as 4.163% — a level not seen since October 2007… September flash PMI data is set to be released on Friday, giving markets preliminary insight into the economic state of the manufacturing and services industries for the month. PMI data is used as a key indicator for inflation and recession concerns as it reflects whether industries are growing or shrinking, as well as supply and demand.
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T07:43:42-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Baldwin City to ask voters for additional half-cent sales tax to rehab brick streets

The Baldwin City government will ask city residents to approve on the November ballot an additional half cent of sales tax authority to be used to rehabilitate brick streets in its historic district. Baldwin City Mayor Casey Simoneau said that the City Council in June approved placing the sales tax referendum before voters. If approved, the additional half cent in sales tax, which would be permanent, would be added to the existing 1.25-cent sales tax the city collects on retail sales in Baldwin City to help pay for various infrastructure needs. With county and state sales taxes, approval of the measure would increase the total amount of sales tax charged in Baldwin City to 9.5 cents on $1 of retail sales.
Source: LJWorld

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T07:35:00-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Scott City finally has leverage with problem trees

Individuals who are worried that a neighboring tree is a potential hazard for their property finally have a remedy. The Scott City Council has adopted an ordinance that offers a legal option to trim tree branches or remove dead or diseased trees from private property if they are a hazard to life or property, or if they harbor insects or disease that put other trees at risk.
Source: Scott County Record

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T07:25:35-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for September 22, 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 and Beth Warren.

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T07:01:40-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Garden City launches new customer service tool

The City of Garden City has launched a new customer service tool, My GCKS, a text messaging service that lets residents quickly and easily connect with the City 24/7 without the need to download an app. Launced in partnership with Citibot, the leading provider of interactive chat solutions for local government, My GCKS grew from feedback from public surveys in August of 2021 in which residents indicated support for using a texting option if it were available. With that information, Staff moved forward with the best text messaging options to fit the needs of the residents and the City.
Source: Greater Garden City

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T06:50:33-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Wamego poverty simulation shines light on difficulties families face

The K-State Research and Extension Office recently hosted a poverty simulation at Wamego High School. Tuesday’s event, Living on the Edge – The Realities of Living Paycheck to Paycheck in Today’s World, was attended by about forty community members. Pottawatomie County Family Consumer Science Agent Erin Tynon explains. The decisions involved housing and utilities, clothing and laundry, meals, transportation, childcare, communications, personal care, recreation, and insurance. Each decision created decisions in other areas of the budget. If the family owned a used car, they had to use some of their budget for auto insurance. If they chose work-sponsored health insurance, they first had to obtain full-time childcare for the three-year-old.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T06:50:59-05:00September 23, 2022|News|

Newton City Commissioner Vogts leaves a legacy of helping others, entrepreneurship

Newton City Commissioner Rod Kreie and Al Vogts used to dream out loud to each other about how to make Newton a better place to live. “Our relationship evolved to where we really liked being around each other,” Kreie said. “We looked at buildings and spaces together to see how they might fit into an overall master plan, talked about how to get people on board and his patent dream was to make Main Street an angle parking street.” Parallel parking had to change for things to work, Kreie said. Vogts died on Sept. 12 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita at the age of 62. Vogts, with a business degree under his belt, followed his brother’s and father’s paths to become an entrepreneur, according to his obituary. For the past 40 years, Vogts used his business plans for construction companies, an event center, real estate companies and developments, and an athletic training club, as well as other ideas for which he wanted to impact his community.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-09-23T06:57:39-05:00September 23, 2022|News|