Kansas Municipal News
City of Derby dealing with computer network disruption
On Jan. 14, the city of Derby experienced a computer network disruption. Upon discovering the issues, administrative and IT staff immediately began working with third-party computer specialists to investigate the incident. Federal law enforcement was quickly notified and the city is cooperating with those agencies while the investigation continues in an effort to determine what impact the incident had on information stored on city network systems. Staff reported the city of Derby constantly monitors network security, carries cybersecurity insurance and works with the appropriate agencies when or if there are any concerns. Currently, all public services in Derby (including core services such as police, fire response and water/wastewater utilities) remain operational.
Source: Derby Informer
10-Year Indicates Fed Is Close to Ending Rate Hike Cycle
The Federal Reserve is expected to lift interest rates again at the next FOMC meeting on Feb. 1, but the futures market is pricing in high odds that the increase will be trimmed to a relatively mild 25 basis points. Animating the softer outlook for monetary policy changes is yesterday’s encouraging news on inflation. Consumer prices fell 0.1% in December, the biggest monthly decline since the pandemic ravaged the economy. The year-over-year increase, although still elevated, continues to ease, too, slipping to 6.4% at the headline level, the lowest since Oct. 2021 and well below the recent peak of 9.0% in June 2022.
Source: Bonds Analysis & Opinion
Newton’s Old Mill survives in three centuries
The Old Mill is a Newton landmark, first starting out as a new mill in 1879. Its purpose was to process, package and ship wheat. Originally, it was called The Monarch Steam Mill. In 1886, owners were D. Hamill, Bernhard Warkentin, David Goerz, C.R. McLain, S. Lehman and Jacob Linn, who bought it and renamed it The Newton Milling and Elevator Co. It’s towered over Newton during three centuries now, and in 1973, it was just days from being demolished but was saved by Newton inventor Lloyd Smith and his wife Jackie. At the time, three-fourths of the Mansard roof had been removed.
Source: Harvey County Now
Newton school board learns about Enterprise Fleet Management program
There’s no long-term commitment for the school district if the board of education decides to utilize Enterprise Fleet Management. That’s what Brandon Scott, Enterprise Fleet Management account executive, told the board during its regular Monday night meeting at McKinley Administration Center in Newton. “The condition of our passenger and working fleet vehicles has been an issue as we have an aging fleet that is at times unreliable and requiring more maintenance,” according to agenda information given to the board as requested by USD-373 Superintendent Fred Van Ranken, Director of Human Resources and Business Services Jane Nichols, Director of Facilities/Maintenance Chris Schaeffer and Director of Transportation Sheila Zwahlen. “The information presented this evening will be in reference to a potential solution we will recommend through which we pilot leasing several passenger and working vehicles.”
Source: Harvey County Now
In an ‘unexpected’ move, KCK grocery store is closing after three decades
In a surprising move, Ball’s Sun Fresh Market in the Red Bridge Shopping Center will close. Officials with Balls Food Stores in Kansas City, Kansas, have not confirmed the closing, but store employees are telling customers the news. The landlord, Lane4 Property Group, said Friday that the closing was “unexpected” and that it would close by the end of the month. Lane4 purchased the south Kansas City neighborhood center in 2015 and then spent about $10 million to renovate it. … The closing will leave surrounding residents with few grocery store options within a five mile radius. Lane4 said they are in talks with another grocery store to take the Sun Fresh spot.
Source: KC Star Local News
Derby partnering on private street upgrades
Through some recent work on a joint fuel station project, the city, school district and Derby Recreation Commission began discussion of upgrades to some private streets in Derby that generate shared usage. As with the fuel station, a funding percentage split for the road maintenance was brought up, with the pavement rehabilitation project officially brought before the Derby City Council at its Jan. 10 meeting. … City Manager Kiel Mangus noted that as part of the discussion, the city offered to handle the pavement bidding, given its familiarity with such projects. The project will be included in the city’s 2023 pavement plan. A funding percentage split was also based on ownership, with a majority (77.7%) going to the school district with the facilities building and soccer fields located along those streets. The DRC (13.9%) and city (8.4%) would fund smaller portions of the project, which Mangus reported is estimated to cost $120,000 total.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Lawrence City Commission to revisit source of income discrimination following meeting for landlords
City leaders are set to revisit a proposed ordinance Tuesday that advocates say could significantly help people in need of housing. Proposed city ordinance changes would prevent landlords from denying someone housing just because a prospective tenant’s rent money comes from assistance such as vouchers, settlements, benefits, subsidies, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers and more. The Lawrence City Commission on Dec. 13 voiced general approval for the ordinance, which would also create a protected class based on source of income. Mayor Lisa Larsen said she was concerned about passing it without further engagement with landlords who own Lawrence properties, and commissioners delayed final approval in order to seek landlords’ feedback on the proposed tenant protections.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Garden City Police assists elementary school with Bat call
It’s the type of call that certainly seems fitting for Friday the 13th. Garden City Police were called to Abe Hubert Elementary School after a bat was found flying around inside. The department posted the incident to Facebook, stating that because they can bite and the chance of contracting rabies, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism was called in to assist in capturing the winged mammal. The bat was successfully captured by KDWP who will determine what to do next. Garden City Police say they are “hopeful the bat will be reunited with its kind or Batman.”
Source: KSN-TV
Emporia Water Treatment plant ozone system restored; residents may continue to notice strange odor or taste through Tuesday evening
After more than 48 hours, Emporia Water Treatment Plant staff and vendors have restored the plant’s ozone system. According to City Communications Manager Christine Johnson, the system was restored Monday afternoon after crews and vendors worked over the weekend to “sync” the system. The ozone systems issues were first reported Saturday morning due to the failure of a programmable logic-controlling unit. Due to the system’s issues, the city switched to chlorine as its main disinfectant mechanism. That decision led residents to notice an odd odor or taste in their water. Johnson says the taste and odor should return to normal by Tuesday evening and continues to assure residents that water quality was not compromised and is safe to drink.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Board learns of staff duties at Labette County Health Department
Tasked with promoting and protecting the health of the communities in the county, Labette County Health Department employees’ duties are vast and varied. The Labette County Commission, meeting as the board of health, this week learned all the responsibilities of Health Department personnel. Health Department Administrator Lisa Scott said most of the department staff is cross-trained, but each has a specialty area.
Source: Parsons Sun
Decoding your grocery bill after Kansas’ food sales tax cut
Groceries are slightly cheaper in Kansas following a food sales tax cut that went into effect Jan. 1, but you may still have questions about how much you’re paying. The cut lowers the sales tax rate on many food items from 6.5% to 4%. But some Kansas consumers have complained they’re still getting charged too much or have otherwise expressed confusion about the numbers on their receipts. … While the state sales tax on food was cut from 6.5% to 4%, that’s not the only tax you get charged at checkout. Shoppers still pay separate sales taxes on food to both the county and city they’re shopping in. You may also pay additional sales taxes if you are shopping in areas designated Community Improvement Districts, which are aimed at incentivizing developers.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Municipal Bond Trends for January 13, 2023
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, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Residents drive, shape Leawood’s brand of suburban luxury
Suburban luxury is Leawood’s brand, and it will continue to be so as long as its residents aim to keep it that way. The 75-year-old city began as a bedroom community of 1,000 residents who fled the bustle of Kansas City seeking the quiet of suburbia. As it evolved, the city has grown into the jewel of Johnson County with its multimillion-dollar neighborhoods and high-end storefronts to serve its population of roughly 34,700. Leawood’s terrain changed significantly when Tomahawk Creek Parkway was put in. Making room for commercial and office uses is an important addition to the city’s mix, Mayor Peggy Dunn said, but Leawood will never be a corporate town. Neighborhoods are the city’s niche. … Dunn said the city rarely grants incentives and never has used tax increment financing because other tools better fit residents’ needs. “We don’t want the public to pay to develop something,” Dunn said. “We’ve been persistent, and we’ve been consistent, and I think we’ve tried to treat everyone equally because other developers have foot the bill and paid for projects themselves. Our group of City Council and myself as mayor have wanted to just maintain that consistency.” One exception is if a project involves state incentives and structured parking.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
JoCo Commission votes to keep new public comment rules
Rules regarding public comments instituted by new county chair Mike Kelly remain in place after Kelly’s first meeting Thursday, despite some opposition from residents and other commissioners. Several residents attended Thursday’s meeting — Kelly’s first as chair — in person to protest the new rules, which end livestreaming of public comments at commission meetings and require residents to give their comments either in person or in writing. After discussion, the commission ultimately upheld Kelly’s rules in a vote by a narrow 4-3 margin.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Guns and fentanyl at high schools is a community problem, KCK officials say
As drug overdoses and gun deaths have been increasing on both sides of the state line, they’ve spilled into area schools – prompting administrators to look for solutions. In December, a student was arrested at Wyandotte High School for possession of a loaded gun with an extended magazine and fentanyl. In November, a student was arrested at the same school for possessing 15 fentanyl pills, according to incident reports from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. Dr. Anna Stubblefield, the district’s superintendent, says these incidents are reflective of the world that students live in. … Stubblefield says students are young and don’t always make the best decisions. That’s why she says it’s educators’ job to hold them accountable, but they also need to help them grow and learn how to make different ones in the future.
Source: KCUR News
Hannes Zacharias (KU professor and former Kansas municipal official) featured on GovLove Podcast
Culture eats strategy. Hannes Zacharias, Professor of Practice at the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration, joined the podcast to talk about high performance organizations. He shared the traits of high performance of organizations, the importance of culture, and how to constantly improve an organization.
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Source: ELGL
Municipal Bond Trends for January 12, 2023
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, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
KU researchers assert FCC map of high-speed broadband access in Kansas ‘highly inaccurate’
The Federal Communications Commission’s state-by-state map of broadband availability didn’t capture the potential of 1 million Kansans living in regions without adequate high-speed service, University of Kansas researchers said. The findings were significant because the federal government plans to distribute $42.5 billion in broadband expansion funding to states based on the FCC’s map. In November, the FCC released maps showing broadband was available across Kansas and more than three-fourths of the state’s residents had access to reliable service. The deadline for states to challenge the map is Friday.
Source: Kansas Reflector
At public meeting about wind farm rules, residents speak out against commercial wind energy projects in Douglas County
A public meeting about proposed regulations for wind farms in Douglas County became contentious Thursday evening as some members of the public spoke out against the possibility of any commercial wind energy projects coming to the county. That included some comments directed at representatives of Florida-based energy firm NextEra Energy Resources, who were present at the meeting and said the company is interested in the possibility of a future large-scale wind energy project in the county. The company has previously confirmed to the Journal-World that it’s exploring whether a wind energy project would be viable in southwest Douglas County.
Source: LJWorld
Douglas County district attorney, sheriff continue to battle over whether sheriff must produce personnel records of officers
A dispute between the Douglas County district attorney and the sheriff is continuing, with the DA issuing more subpoenas seeking testimony about the credibility of officers in the sheriff’s department. Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister continues to object to those subpoenas as an overreach on the part of the district attorney. All this comes after a Douglas County District Court judge late last month declined to require Armbrister to comply with previously issued subpoenas, but also declined to cancel — or quash, in legal terms — the subpoenas. Instead, Judge Sally Pokorny urged the two elected officials to cooperate.
Source: LJWorld