Kansas Municipal News
Governor calls tax plan ‘too expensive’; expert weighs in
Gov. Laura Kelly is weighing in on a tax package sent to her desk, which includes a slew of tax cuts. The package received bipartisan support in the Senate, with one Democrat voting in favor of the plan, and it passed unanimously in the House. However, Gov. Kelly said Tuesday that her initial interpretation of the bill is that it’s ‘too expensive.’ “I think what I said when it got passed, though, is it’s a little out of the ballpark. It’s too expensive so I really need to take a look at that and have some serious conversations with my budget people looking forward to see if my gut sense is that it is too expensive and not sustainable,” Kelly told reporters Tuesday. Kelly is tight-lipped on whether she’ll veto the plan. She only has about a week left to decide as lawmakers return to the statehouse next week. The package that passed just hours before lawmakers adjourned this month provides property tax relief and eliminates the income tax on social security. It also removes the state food sales tax by July 1. It is something Gov. Kelly has been pushing for since her re-election campaign in 2022. Another key feature of the plan includes moving the state to a two-rate income tax system. It eliminates the bottom bracket and reduces the top two brackets by 0.15%.
Source: KSN-TV
City looks at plans to restore buildings destroyed in April 2023 storm
Chanute city commissioners looked at plans from owners of four buildings in downtown Chanute destroyed by a storm in early April 2023. Buildings the commission reviewed at last Monday’s meeting were 23/25 W. Main,; 29 W. Main; 101 S. Grant; and 313 E. Main. Commissioners looked at a packet of plans for each property and also heard from some owners. The city hired Keystone KC Engineering, LLC in order to develop studies for each of the buildings. City Manager Todd Newman said the owner of 23/25 W. Main has a plan to replace the building. The owner, who lives in New York, plans to finish the roof repair by the end of June and then begin the process of restoring the inside. “I think that one I would just monitor over the next 90 days, see what happens,” Newman said. Garrett Sharp, owner of 29 W. Main, spoke to commissioners about that building. Newman said in terms of damage, this building is probably in the worst condition out of the four the commissioners looked at last week. “Just bad luck,” Newman said.
Source: The Chanute Tribune
Riley County no longer requiring licenses for pets in unincorporated areas.
Most pets are no longer required to be licensed in unincorporated Riley County. Riley County commissioners on Monday adopted an animal control resolution that included changes to the licensing policy. “We removed the licensing requirement for just general pets,” deputy county counselor Shelley Woodard said. “There’s still a licensing requirement for potentially dangerous animals — dogs and things that are just more rare.” Another change relates to animals that are kept tied or chained up. “One of the issues with tethering is making sure they had access to food and water,” Woodard said. That’s required under the new rules. Negotiations also continue with Prairie Paws for its contracted shelter services at the T. Russel Reitz Animal Shelter, she said. The goal is to provide services for residents in rural parts of the county. Prairie Paws initially asked for $90,000 from Riley County, but county commissioners are set on a figure closer to $60,000 or less. “We’re hoping to have that back soon,” Woodard said.
Source: themercury.com
Newman, Garden City CC expand collaboration to battle Kansas education desert
One of Wichita’s universities is expanding its resources in southwest Kansas. The aim is to alleviate southwest Kansas’ higher-education desert while also keeping them near home to enter the professional workforce. That’s what is behind a collaboration between Garden City Community College, a 2-year school, and four-year Newman University based in Wichita. The schools are working beyond their two-decade startup effort to offer elementary education degrees to Garden City students and expanding to degree programs in business, agribusiness and nursing. The city and business community benefit by having a better chance of keeping young adults in the area, said Jessica Bird, Newman’s dean of the School of Education and Social Work. “They are ecstatic, excited, and I think they see this as a way to strengthen the community and retain talent,” said Bird, who lives in Garden City. “Brain drain is a real thing and anytime a student leaves here, there’s a really good chance they are not coming back.” Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) spoke at Garden City last month about the expansion of the program. “I’m grateful to the leadership at both entities for their pursuit of filling the higher education gaps in our state and offering young Kansans the opportunity to achieve their dreams,” Moran said.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
City approves resolution revising how incentives will be funded for housing projects
The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday revised a recent decision to provide incentives for low-income housing projects, seeking state tax credits. Commissioners debated three options, ultimately selecting a resolution that involves covering the project’s building permit and water/sewer connection fees without specifying the exact funding source. Commissioners had previously opted to utilize workforce housing funds for most of it and cover the remainder with economic development funds. Commissioner Peter Oppelt supported not specifying where the money comes from, noting it’s not that important. The incentives are aimed at helping the Sunflower Flats and Cypress Ridge projects have better standing for its applications for state low-income housing tax credits. The Hunter Drive Apartments project is no longer under consideration after city officials told KMAN Tuesday the developer had also asked for the city to provide funding for a road. Commissioner John Matta supported the first and second options presented, ultimately favoring approval of the projects as soon as possible. Commissioner Karen McCulloh also noted that the city has done incentives for other projects in the past. Mayor Wynn Butler suggested a recommendation for future commissions spelled out in policy.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Derby is getting a 160 million dollar beach, ziplining, BMX and more
When you think of Derby, Kansas you may not necessarily think of a vacation destination, but that may soon change. “We’re very excited about what this means for Derby, we’re excited for what this might mean for the future,” said Derby City Manager Kiel Mangus. Derby Shores is the latest and greatest development project hoping to add plenty to do, not just for Derby residents, but for tourists from all over. Developers include the owners of Genesis Health Clubs. “It’s like a small ocean experience you know you’re looking way across, you have beach all the way around. It’s massive,” said Jake McCabe, Genesis VP of Marketing. Derby Shores is a 4.5-acre lagoon with white sandy beaches and plenty of other amenities. It’s estimated to bring in millions of dollars into the community. “Derby Shore is just one piece, so there’s a senior housing component, an apartment component, there’s ziplining, BMX, climbing facility and then Derby Shores which is a lagoon hotel and indoor waterpark piece,” said Mangus. The senior housing and additional apartments will take over another 15 acres in Derby. This development uses STAR bond and private funding, making it Derby’s 3rd STAR bond project. It’s the largest entertainment and tourism destination investment in South Central Kansas history. About 160 million dollars to be exact. STAR bonds come from a state program that utilizes tax dollars to add tourist attractions to Kansas.
Source: KAKE – News
Neighbors bring trucks and tractors to help area tornado victims in Overbrook
Ethan Steenback said he was away in the greater Kansas City area when the tornado hit the farm where he lives with Ashley Steenback and their 7-year-old daughter, Paisley. … He expressed amazement at how many area residents came afterward to check on their family and see how they might be able to help. “There were people I didn’t even know,” he said. Overbrook resident Rae Colson said it brought tears to her eyes to see how much support she and her husband got from their community.
Source: CJonline
Largest Belt Buckle a successful tourist attraction in its first year
“It surpassed my wildest imagination,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau director. Towering beside the rodeo stadium at 19 feet 10 1/2 inches wide and 13 feet 11 1/4 inches tall (even taller since it rests on a frame) is the World’s Largest Belt Buckle. While the buckle outsizes the previous record by several feet, the buckle also was the center of one Kansas’ greatest social media campaigns in 2023. The campaign, run by the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, won Midwest Travel Network’s 2024 best social media campaign.
Source: Abilene RC
‘Gunsmoke Trail’ encourages trips to western Kansas towns
Images of cowboys and gunslingers still resonate with the public, long after the Old West came to an end. Tourism professionals for Wichita, Dodge City, Abilene and Hays announced an effort last week seeking to capitalize on that. They said they were launching the “Gunsmoke Trail” to encourage tourists to take a road trip through those four cities, each of which was mentioned on the long-running, Emmy Award-winning TV western series “‘Gunsmoke.”
Source: Hutch News
Municipal Bond Trends for April 16, 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.
Municipal Bond Trends for April 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.
Investors weighed the path ahead for interest rates
Investors weighed the path ahead for interest rates as they considered the latest economic data and comments from Federal Reserve officials. Retail sales figures for March, which were published Monday, came in far higher than expected at 0.7%… Meanwhile, San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly said there was “no urgency” for the Fed to cut interest rates.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Meet the two finalists for Topeka City Manager
On Thursday, the City of Topeka announced it had narrowed down the applicants for city manager. The City of Topeka has narrowed down the field of candidates to Alan Howze and Robert Perez. The search started with 42 candidates.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Kelly vetoes plastic bag bill second time in three years
For the second time in three years, Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a bill barring local governments from regulating plastic grocery bags and other material. “I believe in local control and that local officials should be held accountable by their constituents, stakeholders, and businesses,” Kelly said in a statement. “This bill lacks sufficient protection to ensure local units of government are able to play a meaningful role in decision making on issues impacting their communities,” she said.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
Panasonic plant spurs 800-unit apartment and retail proposal in once-quiet De Soto
A large mixed-use development in De Soto aims at alleviating housing concerns for workers and families near the new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant. At a meeting last month, the De Soto City Council discussed an Economic Incentive Application from Lawrence-based Williams Management LLC for a $250 million, 78-acre mixed-use development that will include multifamily residential units and commercial retail space. No action was taken by the council. The development is planned for a site along the southwest side of 95th Street, a half-mile west of Lexington Avenue. Adam Williams, owner of Williams Management, said there is a need for housing in De Soto, especially with expectations that the $4 billion, 300-acre facility will employ an estimated 4,000 employees. “I’m not sure many people were looking at De Soto for development prior to Panasonic,” he said. “Now that it’s been announced and with the activity that’s there, I think it’s going to do nothing but grow the area, and we want to be a part of that.” De Soto Mayor Rick Walker expects employees at Panasonic will be a mixture of local residents and commuters living outside the city. Regardless of where they’re coming from, he said the need for housing is something that’s been weighing on the city. “There’s been a lot of residential pressure for (housing), even before the Panasonic announcement,” he said. “(Panasonic) has heightened it.” At last month’s city council meeting, Williams provided a preliminary sketch of the 1-million-square-foot development. It will feature about 800 housing units, including one- and two-bedroom apartments, housing for older adults and townhomes. If approved, it would be built in four phases, with an anticipated completion date of 2030.
Source: Johnson County Post
Douglas County Commission approves permit for solar farm north of Lawrence
Following a nearly 10-hour meeting Saturday, Douglas County commissioners voted to approve a permit for the Kansas Sky Energy Center, a massive solar farm to be built north of Lawrence. The meeting drew dozens of public commenters. Commissioners planned the special Saturday meeting knowing that there would be numerous members of the public wishing to speak on the topic. A unanimous (3-0) vote was required to approve the project because planning commissioners had tied in their vote and a protest petition had been filed against the project. The 159-megawatt solar farm will be built, owned and operated by Evergy with designs provided by Savion LLC, a division of Royal Dutch Shell based out of Kansas City. The commission will consider additional studies and plans related to the project as it gets further along. Plans call for the solar farm to be located on parcels that constitute 1,105 acres north of Lawrence, west of the airport and south of Midland Junction. The site area will include about 604 acres, and if all the solar panels were laid edge to edge, they’d cover about 218 acres. All but 6 acres will remain vegetated, according to the agenda materials.
Source: The Lawrence Times
KDOT holds town hall on K-96 renovations
Richard Zrubek lives in Bel Aire, an area of suburban Wichita that’s seen growth in the last few years. “Now it’s getting to the point where during rush hour traffic, you’ll find pretty much every exit on 96 from Woodlawn, Hillside, Rock Road, and now they’re backed up clear to the highway when people are trying to exit the road,” Zurbek said. As this growth continues, the Kansas Department of Transportation is proposing several new changes to the K-96 highway. “We’re taking seven interchanges; five of them are going to become diverging diamond interchanges. And then toward K 15, where it meets us 54, we’re gonna be expanding from four to six lanes,” says KDOT representative J.B. Wilson. Since the last public town hall last February, some of the public’s input was used to update the plan. Jake Borchers helped design the current version with those diamond interchanges and said that those working on the project continue to be open to suggestions. “It’s not like if we miss something tonight, there’s no more chances,” Borchers said. “So we’re open to those comments, that input to the life of the project.” Although many residents agree that new interchanges would work well and be safer, people like Zrubek say they’d like to see additional renovations, like new stoplight technology.
Source: KAKE – News
Abilene places 3rd in USA Today 10Best Historic Small Towns
Abilene has placed 3rd in USA Today’s 10 Best Historic Small Towns. Abilene has placed in the top 10 list for the last 6 six years. “Abilene’s consistent Top 10 ranking is a testament to our community’s relentless commitment to preserving and promoting its history,” says Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Director in a news release. “Our enthusiasm to promote and share Abilene is contagious and inspires thousands of voters each year to vote for Ike’s hometown.” A USA Today panel of expert submits town nominations each year and then USA Today selects 20 for the public to vote on for the Top 10. In order to be selected, the towns must have a population below 25,000 people. Abilene has also received awards and recognition from multiple publications including True West and The Smithsonian Magazine.
Source: KSN-TV
6,000 acres burned in Ellis County wildfire on Thursday
According to Darin Myers, Ellis County Fire Department, the fire started around 11:30 a.m. in the far northeast corner of Ellis County near Codell Road. Kansas State Fire Marshal Mark Engholm says the wildfire burned southeast through grass and brush. Ellis County Fire reports mutual aid was requested from fire departments in Russell, Rooks, Trego, Lincoln, and Osborne counties, and the Hays Fire Department. Public works provided water trucks, fuel, graders and supervisors. Two tankers from the Kansas Forest Service provided aerial assistance and made 11 trips to drop water on the fire. The fire was under control around 6:30 p.m. Crews stayed on the scene until midnight to put out hot spots. Crews will monitor the sites for hot spots on Friday. Ellis County says the fire burnt approximately 1,750 acres, was nearly 5 miles long, and about a third-mile wide. One vacant structure was burned. There were no injuries reported. Engholm originally stated the fire burned through around 6,000 acres but later clarified the acreage.
Source: KSN-TV
Seward County Community College receiving federal funds
Seward County Community College is receiving $1.2 million in new federal funding. The funding comes from the Department of Labor as part of a line item in the labor, health, and human services bill sponsored by Sen. Jerry Moran. The funds are earmarked for the school’s expanding truck driving program. Demand for the SCCC CDL program has increased for several years, leading to a waitlist. In 2021, the college received a $1.81 million grant from the state to expand its CDL and Diesel Technician programs. “We’re excited about the impact this program can have in our community and everywhere truck drivers are needed,” said SCCC President Brad Bennett in a news release. “Sen. Moran’s support for our vision underscores the way this can change the game for individuals, business and industry, and communities in our service area.” In January, SCCC received a $335,625 match grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Kansas Innovative Technology Program. In late 2023, the community college purchased a 42,000-square-foot existing building and 12 acres of land north of Liberal High School. “This facility creates more opportunities for the college,” said Bennett. “The building will be used for the two programs that are the focus of state and federal funding. In addition, space will be dedicated for a partnership with USD 480 to provide access to technical education.”
Source: KSN-TV