Kansas Municipal News
Yates Center Police Department help raise money for autism awareness
Yates Center Chief of Police, Michael Strode is at the forefront of a new initiative to raise money for autism awareness. After discussions with his officers Chief Strode says they decided they wanted to find a way to help students in their school district. “The couple of teachers that I’ve talked with are ecstatic. They love the fact that we are willing to get involved and help. Of course, we have a very wonderful working relationship with our school anyway. [] being a small town of a little less than 1300 people, we all already know each other and work well with each other,” said Strode. The department is selling challenge coins. These coins that also can be described as medallions are designed in the same shape as the departments seal. On one side of the coin the seal is shown clearly. On the other a heart made of puzzle pieces with the words, It’s ok the be Different, surrounding it. These coins are being sold for $10 each. Strode says the proceeds will then go to the Organization of Parents and teachers who will then decide the best way to spend the money to help students with special needs. Strode says that this is not the first time the department has done something like this to raise money for an organization.
Source: KOAM News
Marysville City Council Selects New City Manager
Marysville city council met in special session last Thursday, and following executive session unanimously approved a motion to extend an offer to Joshua Haverkamp for the post of City Administrator, with a contract to be negotiated. Mayor Todd Frye indicated no update at the regular meeting Monday evening. Haverkamp was among three finalists interviewed for the position, and is currently with the Kansas City, Missouri city manager’s office. He is a graduate of Kansas State, with a major in political science and a master’s in public administration.
Source: Sunflower State Radio Network
Groundwater levels dropping in Kansas
The Kansas Geological Survey is reporting lower groundwater levels across the state.
The Survey, based at the University of Kansas, said while small increases were reported last year in western and northwest parts of the state, most other areas are tracking declines in water levels. There is an ongoing drop in levels of the southwest portion of the mighty Ogallala aquifer, which continues to shrink following back to back declines totaling almost five feet in 2022 and 2021. Authorities are also tracking ongoing declines of the Equus Beds, which serves Wichita and Hutchinson; and the Great Bend Prairie aquifer, which provides water for Pratt, Stafford and parts of neighboring counties.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Wichita planning group releases plan for electric vehicles
The Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) has released a plan to support electric vehicle use in the area.
The Electric Vehicle Network Plan is described as a strategic roadmap designed to facilitate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles throughout the Wichita area. It outlines EV ownership, expands charging infrastructure, and promotes sustainable transportation practices. By establishing a robust network of charging stations, WAMPO aims to eliminate range anxiety and make EV ownership accessible to all residents. The plan is open for public comment through April 11th, and there are two ways for Wichita area residents to provide input.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
City of Garden Plain to host city flag, logo contest
The City of Garden Plain announced they will be hosting a city flag and logo design contest for the community. A selection committee will review all entries and choose the winning design that will be presented to the Garden Plain City Council for official adoption on or before May 1, 2024. The winner will be recognized at a City Council meeting and will receive a $250 cash prize.
Source: KAKE – News
Clearwater Police announces death of officer in early morning car crash
The Clearwater Police Department and the City of Clearwater announced the death of a city police officer in a car crash.
In a post on the city’s Facebook page, Police Chief Kirk Ives and Mayor Burt Ussery said Officer Scott Hollingsworth died early Saturday morning while returning home from his shift. Hollingsworth had been with the department since March 2023.
In part, the post reads, ‘on behalf of our entire community, we offer our prayers, love and condolences to Scott’s wife, Hadley, daughter, Claire, parents, Greg and Nataly, and siblings, Jordan and Sydney during this time of unbelievable loss.’
Source: KAKE – News
Supreme Court sets rules on when public officials can block social media users
The Supreme Court on Friday laid out a new test for determining when actions taken by government employees on social media — such as posting messages, deleting comments or blocking users — constitute official business verses personal conduct.
The distinction has become critical as millions of local, state and federal government workers increasingly use social media to communicate with the public, often on “mixed use” accounts that also include purely private, non-official content.
“When a government official posts about job-related topics on social media, it can be difficult to tell whether the speech is official or private,” wrote Justice Amy Coney Barrett in a unanimous opinion in the case Lindke v. Freed. “We hold that such speech is attributable to the state only if the official (1) possessed actual authority to speak on the state’s behalf, and (2) purported to exercise that authority when he spoke on social media.”
In short, Barrett explained, the distinction turns on “substance, not labels.”
Source: KAKE – News
Pitt Plastics breaks ground on new facility expansion
Pitt Plastics, known as one of Pittsburg’s most iconic businesses for over 50 years, has broke ground on a new expansion building that is planned to be completed in 2025. The expansion is planning to add 200,000 square feet to the Pitt Plastics facility. The construction is being undertaken by Koehn Construction Services.
Source: KOAM News
Altamont, Kansas prepares for new pocket park
A pocket park is coming to the city of Altamont, Kansas. City officials are working to convert Lansdowne Garden into the unique space. The small area at the corner of US-160 and Huston Avenue has been unoccupied for quite some time. The vision consists of two patios with a space for food trucks to set up, a farmers market, a veterans memorial, and a community garden. A $10,000 grant from Network Kansas has already helped install the first patio. “I think it’s important that we are proactive in our positions and listening to the wants and the needs of our community and figuring out ways that we can fund those things without dipping into their pockets and having to, you know, get more tax dollars,” said Heather Beasley. The Local Health Equity Action Team in Labette County awarded Altamont a $1,000 grant to start the community garden. The city has applied for more grant funding to fund the veterans memorial and a shade structure.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Kansas towns compete for ‘best small town’ title
Two Kansas towns are neck-and-neck in a nationwide contest set to determine the best small town in the Midwest. Voting is currently open for a contest hosted by USA Today to find out which small town people think is the best of the best in the Midwest. The leaderboard has 20 towns listed in its ranks this week, with Marysville and Council Grove both near the top. (…) Council Grove has access to a wealth of history thanks to its numerous historic sites, according to the town’s website. The National Park Service (NPS) lists the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Kaw Mission State Historic site, Lanesfield Historic site and more as noteworthy places to visit in town. Council Grove is also located near a scenic tallgrass prairie and the nearby Flint Hills. (…) Primarily known for its abundance and love for the local black squirrel population, Marysville is located along the historic Oregon Trail in northern Kansas, according to the town’s website. The town shows its love for its local squirrels by building artistic statutes of them every year. More than 30 squirrel statues can be found across Marysville.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Municipal Bond Trends for March 15, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. 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.
(Some) exotic pets allowed
Exotic pet ownership can be found in most cities, including Topeka. Before giving exotic pets a try, owners need to consider how the city regulates said ownership and what is permitted. Topeka senior animal control officer Jessica Bowers said the city ordinances give a broad definition of exotic pets, so it can incorporate animals not yet considered when the code was written.
Source: CJonline
Exotic pet provisions are typically found in Section 2-300s of many Kansas city codes.
Legislators plan to end program for local property tax cuts, cut state tax instead
Kansas Republicans are advancing plans to abolish an unfunded program intended to help local governments provide property tax relief. Instead of putting money into the local ad valorem tax reduction fund for the first time in two decades, Republican lawmakers would formally end the program and put money toward cutting state property taxes…. Republicans say the logic behind their bills are that the LAVTRF, if it were funded, would be roughly the same amount of tax relief as cutting the state mill levies.
Source: CJonline
Businesses’ lawsuit against City of Lawrence to close homeless camps will go to jury trial in early 2025
A group of Lawrence businesses’ lawsuit against the City of Lawrence, which asks a Douglas County court to close a pair of homeless camps, is scheduled to go to trial at the beginning of 2025. According to updated Douglas County case filings, the case will go to a jury trial in late January 2025. The first day will be Jan. 20, 2025, and the trial will resume from Jan. 28 to Jan. 31 of that month. As the Journal-World has reported, the lawsuit is asking a judge to declare a city-sanctioned camp — Camp New Beginnings — located behind Johnny’s Tavern in North Lawrence and an unsanctioned camp behind the Amtrak depot in East Lawrence as public nuisances. Rick Renfro, a founder and owner of Johnny’s Tavern, and Johnny’s North Lawrence Inc. are among the 24 plaintiffs in the suit.
Source: LJWorld
Trial for lawsuit between church and City of Lawrence begins
The question of just how many duplexes are allowed on one lot under Lawrence’s city code was front and center as the two-day bench trial for a church’s lawsuit against the City of Lawrence began Wednesday morning…. First Presbyterian Church is suing the city and Dallas-based Fountain Residential Partners to halt a project that would combine two lots at 2300 Crestline Drive into an approximately 9-acre site and build a more than 300-bedroom apartment complex. Rather than one large building, the project plans filed in 2020 instead call for those units to be spread across 57 duplexes and six detached dwelling structures on the lot.
Source: LJWorld
Newton loves a parade: crowd turns out to watch house moving
People lined the north end of North Main in Newton and the south end of North Main in North Newton during the move as if there was a parade going by. People watched while others took photos or videos. The transport was slow moving since power lines going across the street had to be lowered to make way for the house. Local law enforcement helped out by blocking traffic control so the white house could pass.
Source: Harvey County Now
Park City equipment company expands in region with 30 jobs in next decade
Midwest Truck Equipment, a Park City-based truck equipment and body parts business, was approved Tuesday by the local City Council to expand its footprint at 61st Street North near Seneca St. The truck equipment company is constructing a 35,000 square-foot building to add to its current building across the street at 200 W. 61st North, according to an agenda report. Midwest Truck is a distributor for Knapheide, a national truck body and bed manufacturer with roots in Quincy, Illinois. It serves the Wichita area and southern Kansas with Knapheide truck bodies. With 17 employees, the company plans to expand operations and add three full-time jobs for its first year, then add 30 over the next 10 years, the report said. “It’s so new,” Midwest Truck owner Mike Hahnfeld said of the project. “We’re just trying to get everything started and going and all that right now.” Park City unanimously approved Tuesday the use of up to $3.5 million in industrial revenue bonds, with a 100% property tax exemption for the next five years, for Midwest Truck Equipment to acquire, construct and equip its new facility. This will also include a sales-tax exemption on materials during construction.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
City of Wichita deploying Veo electric scooters ahead of spring
The City of Wichita says with the nice weather residents and guests will start seeing Veo electric scooters around town again. During the winter, most of the electric scooters are put away. “As of [Wednesday], they have deployed around 80% of the rest of the fleet,” said Megan Lovely, the communications manager for the City of Wichita. There are rules for riding an electric scooter in city limits. (…) The City of Wichita also encourages riders to wear a helmet for safety. You can ride a Veo by downloading the VeoRide mobile app, available for Apple and Android.
Source: KSN-TV
Half dozen tornados hit Wabaunsee County, sheriff’s office says
The Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office shared pictures of Wednesday’s storm. At 7:43 p.m., the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for Wabaunsee, Geary and Morris Counties. Shortly later, at 7:50 p.m., a tornado was reported on the ground in Alma heading northeast. The KSN Storm Tracker and Meteorologist Jack Maney caught video of the tornado above. According to the sheriff’s office, at least half a dozen tornadoes were confirmed by spotters and sheriff’s office staff. Damage has been reported to structures in the rural area of the county. The sheriff’s office reports that tornadoes struck no cities. Wabaunsee County Emergency Management will be making a full damage assessment on Thursday. At 8:25 a.m., WCEM said most of the damage was 5 miles southwest of Alma. Sheriff’s deputies, emergency management and the county’s road and bridge department are inspecting the damage.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas congressman introduces bill to help rural hospitals
Kansas congressman Jake LaTurner has introduced a bill that would allow previously closed rural hospitals to re-open and apply for a designation to help them continue to serve their communities. The Rural Emergency Hospital Adjustment Act would create a designation of Rural Emergency Hospitals. Previously closed hospitals can apply for the designation and if they meet the eligibility requirements, they can re-open their emergency and outpatient operations. The designation will allow certain hospitals to convert to the new Medicare provider designation, which would allow rural hospitals to continue operating with limited services. Hospitals are only eligible for the designation if they met the requirements when the legislation was signed into law on December 27th, 2020. LaTurner’s bill would extend the eligibility date to January 1st, 2015, for hospitals that were either critical access hospitals or rural hospitals with no more than 50 beds.
Source: 101.3 KFDI