Kansas Municipal News
Federal Reserve Raises Rates, Signals Potential Pause
Federal Reserve officials signaled they might be done raising interest rates for now after approving another increase at their meeting that concluded Wednesday. “People did talk about pausing, but not so much at this meeting,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell said at a news conference. “We feel like we’re getting closer or maybe even there.” The unanimous decision marked the Fed’s 10th consecutive rate increase aimed at battling inflation and brings its benchmark federal-funds rate to a range between 5% and 5.25%, a 16-year high.
Source: WSJ.com: US Business
Municipal Bond Trends for May 3, 2023
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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
Cities, Towns and Villages Are Innovating to Adapt to the Changing Retail Landscape
The National League of Cities today released The Future of Cities: Adapting to Changes in the Retail Landscape, a report that analyzes the post-pandemic retail economy in cities, towns and villages nationwide. The report found that changes in central business districts have been profound, due in part to the rates of in-office work in certain geographies, and that recoveries have been uneven. “The difference in the ways that cities have recovered from the pandemic is striking and has local leaders rethinking the best ways they can support continued growth in their communities,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony.
Source: nlc.org
KHP’s ‘two-step’ technique for launching vehicle searches challenged on constitutional grounds
“You guys have a safe trip,” [Trooper] Rohr said. “Drive careful.” The video shows Rohr took a few steps toward the rear of the RV before spinning back to engage Erich again. It’s known as the Kansas Two-Step — a technique taught KHP personnel to signal termination of a routine traffic stop and initiation of a separate effort to elicit information and gain entry to a vehicle to search for contraband. … [Plaintiffs are] contesting KHP’s reliance on the two-step method to question motorists in anticipation of building reasonable suspicion and compelling involuntary searches of suspect vehicles. KHP policy has clashed with a 2016 decision in the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals that instructed the Kansas law enforcement agency to cease reliance on unreliable methods of detaining motorists for criminal searches.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Great Bend’s council backs raising city minimum wage
While many unknowns remain concerning the City of Great Bend’s 2023 budget, the City Council Monday night gave tacit approval of a plan that would raise the minimum wage for starting city employees to $15.50. The goal would be to make the pay more in line with other employers. The increase was the subject of a council work session following its agenda meeting. No final action could be taken. “This is really just an attempt to be more competitive in the in the job market,” Interim City Administrator Logan Burns said. The idea was born of Barton County’s raising its minimum wage to $15.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Erosion issues leave county ‘between a rock and a hard spot’
Cost increases, slow government approval and a lack of payment or extension guarantees have left Harvey County up the river without a paddle on an erosion mitigation and repair project. The county applied for a Federal Emergency Management Agency program to pay 75 percent of the costs of mitigating and repairing erosion in East Park, as well as erosion caused by the Little Arkansas River in West Park. A 2019 flood caused seven areas of erosion, and three sections threaten to swallow the roadway in West Park.
Source: Harvey County Now
Wichita street with ‘offensive’ name gets new name
There is a small stretch of road in a west Wichita neighborhood that is named Squaw Lane, but not for much longer. At Tuesday’s Wichita City Council meeting, the Council voted to rename Delano Avenue. The road is 357 feet long and intersects with Maize Road, just north of Central Avenue. It was platted in the Toh-N-Hah Village Addition. The City of Wichita Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board requested the name change due to the sensitivity of the word “squaw.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary calls the word “offensive,” “dated,” and “disparaging.”
Source: KSN-TV
The U.S. Supreme Court Could Upend Local Property Tax Laws
The property tax and seizure case argued before the high court last week has led to some unlikely alliances—bringing together all parts of the ideological spectrum. The case, Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, is about how much autonomy the U.S. Constitution allows state governments who have lawfully seized property from owners who are delinquent on their taxes. A ruling against Hennepin County in this case could limit how and when other local governments can execute a tax foreclosure and what they’re allowed to do with the sale proceeds.
The property tax and seizure case argued before the high court last week has led to some unlikely alliances—bringing together all parts of the ideological spectrum.
Source: Route Fifty
Here’s what to expect from today’s Federal Reserve announcement
There won’t be a lot of mystery surrounding what the Federal Reserve is going to do Wednesday with interest rates. Where the intrigue comes in is how the central bank proceeds from here. Markets have priced in a near-100% probability that the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee will approve a quarter percentage point increase at the conclusion of the two-day meeting. That will mark the 10th increase since March 2022, taking the Fed’s benchmark borrowing rate to a target range of 5%-5.25%. For investors, the hard part will be what happens next: Does the Fed signal that it’s done hiking, or will it leave open the option of tightening even further if it judges that more needs to be done to fight inflation?
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Caney city officials give an update on water situation
City officials in Caney say, about half an inch of rain at the end of April helped the city’s main water source Little Caney River and therefore avoided a water watch in town. Caney’s Public Works Supervisor David Munday says, city workers check the Little Caney River dam daily to make sure the water level doesn’t get below the dam. He says, the city’s secondary water source Timber Hill Lake, which is used to fill Little Caney River when in need, is now below 15 feet. Because of the low water levels, the city is planning to have a new primary water source with Copan, OK as well as an emergency line with Chautauqua County Rural Water District #4, according to Caney’s City Administrator Kelley Zellner.
Source: KOAM News
Lifeguard shortage could cause problems for other area summer programs
The City of Wichita announced Tuesday morning that 40 lifeguard positions are open ahead of the upcoming pool season beginning May 29. If the positions don’t fill in time, the pools may have to close on a rolling schedule, and hours could be reduced. Many summer festivities could be affected by the lack of proper staffing. “We often have parties and get-togethers and gatherings at the swimming pools, and that’ll just make it a little more difficult for those families to schedule those,” said Troy Houtman, the City of Wichita Director of Parks and Recreation.
Source: KSN-TV
Concerns of feral hog activity abating in Lyon County
Concerns about feral hog activity in Lyon County seem to be easing. Lyon County Game Warden Aaron Scheve says there haven’t been any feral hog sightings for weeks, indicating any feral hog or hogs in Lyon County early this year may well have departed. At least one hog was spotted between Emporia and John Redmond Reservoir as well as southwest of Olpe, although the initial concern was a possible herd was dumped. Feral hogs are considered a problem animal because of the health issues they pose, including pseudorabies, tuberculosis and parasites, and because of the damage they can cause to agriculture and public infrastructure systems.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Cities – the foundation of society
Before there were counties, states, or nations, there were cities. Though the topic is still debated, most scholars agree the first city appeared around six thousand years ago in 4500 B.C. Established in the fertile crescent in Mesopotamia, more commonly known as the middle east, the first true city was known as Uruk. … Over the centuries, city/states and the territories they encompassed rose and fell according to economic, political, social, and military conditions. Regardless of who was in power, the city continued to be the center of people’s lives. … all cities reflect the characteristics and demands of their populations, and they continue to be the level of government most directly accountable to the people.
Source: Morning Sun
Opening day for Wichita pools is a few weeks away. Will city have enough life guards?
Although it might not feel like it yet, pool season is just a few weeks away. All six Wichita pools will open on Memorial Day, May 29, and Joe Master, the aquatics recreation supervisor, said there could be some early surprise openings for the splash pads. Keeping an eye on the Wichita Park and Recreation social media is the best way to find out when these will be open. The city is still looking to hire 40 more lifeguards to ensure all the pools can be open during regular business hours. The goal is to have 12 to 15 lifeguards at each pool. If that number isn’t met, open swim hours may be shortened. There could also be rolling closures, with some pools closed during regular hours to ensure there are enough lifeguards on duty at the open facilities.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Art connects to conservation in Johnson County Parks & Recreation District effort
The art being created this spring by Cydney Ross and Alix Daniel in Kill Creek Park will disappear one day — exactly as planned. Ross and Daniel are this year’s resident artists in a Johnson County Parks Department public art program that pairs the eye of artists with the department’s work in natural resources. The public will have an opportunity Saturday to be a part of the ephemeral temporary art piece and contribute to the restoration effort by creating their own sculpture work with clay seed. The Art and Natural Resources Residency is a short-term program where local artists are embedded with the recreation district’s natural resources team to learn, respond artistically and amplify the work. The program was started because the community wanted park spaces and public art used in a new way, said Susan Mong, superintendent of culture for the Johnson County Parks & Recreation District.
Source: KC Star Local News
Sedgwick County, Butler County crews rescue horse stuck in the mud
A horse on a property near McConnell Air Force Base on Woodlawn Blvd. was rescued after finding himself nearly fully submerged in mud. Sedgwick County emergency crews and Butler County rescue were quick to respond and found the horse, named Chrome, still breathing but struggling. “He was pretty fatigued and definitely in need of assistance getting out,” said co-coordinator of Butler County Animal Rescue Janell Jessup. “So we deployed our rescue trailer and equipment and Sedgwick County assisted in getting the horse glides and getting him up out of the ravine.”
Source: KAKE – News
Municipal Bond Trends for May 2, 2023
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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
Great Bend gets new city administrator
Concluding a process that started this past December, Great Bend Mayor Cody Schmidt Monday night appointed Brandon Anderson as the next city administrator. This was the culmination of a series of executive sessions and discussions spanning five months. Anderson will begin his duties in Great Bend June 30. A Caney, Kan., native, Anderson is a 1995 Kansas State University graduate who has served as the city manager in Levelland, Texas, since 2006. Levelland is a town of 12,652 residents west of Lubbock.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
If signed, bill could give state chance to buy Walton Rural Life Center
What’s the plan for the Walton Rural Life Center building? Recent changes added to the state’s education funding bill would give the Kansas Legislature a seat at the planning table. During Friday’s legislative veto session, the Kansas Legislature approved an education funding package that included a provision to give the State of Kansas the right of first refusal to purchase a recently closed school. Sen. Molly Baumgardner chairs the Senate Education Committee and served on the conference committee. She explained the reasoning behind adding the provision.
Source: Harvey County Now
Tonganoxie will add a pet food nutrition manufacturing plant
Netherlands-based multinational corporation DSM plans to build a plant in Tonganoxie to produce nutritional premix for pet food. It plans to break ground in July and be operational by early 2025, according to a release. The plant will create 28 jobs. Nutritional premix includes vitamins and minerals that are assembled and later added to food to improve its nutritional value. The mix made in Tonganoxie will be used in branded pet food throughout the world. Tonganoxie was chosen strategically to be included in Kansas City’s Animal Health Corridor.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal