MD PoliBlog

City weighing plans for water utility

City weighing plans for water utility: "

The city got three qualified proposals from firms to provide interim management for Wichita's financially strapped Water Utilities Department and re-evaluate its massive aquifer recharge project, City Manager Robert Layton said.

City officials are mum on which firm they'll recommend and how much it might cost, but they've completed their review of proposals.

The City Council was poised to vote on one Tuesday. But Layton said he pushed that vote back one week to give council members and the public, upon request, time to review proposal documents.

"

(Via Kansas.com: Local Government.)

Water financing is a major screwup

Water financing is a major screwup: "

There is no way to spin it: Wichita’s water financing shortfall is a major screwup. City Manager Robert Layton announced Thursday that water rates need to increase 15 percent as of June 1 in order to cover the costs of the city’s Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project (which treats and stores underground excess water from the Arkansas River). The financing came from water rates, and those rates were based on expected usage. Because of all the wet weather the past three years, and because of decreased industrial usage related to the economy, the usage projections were off significantly. As a result, and because of some other faulty projections, the city now has to jack up those rates in order to make its bond payments and continue the project work. City utility director David Warren has resigned, and the city finance department is now overseeing the water department’s finances (it had been an independently functioning department).

"

(Via WE Blog.)

City water director David Warren abruptly resigns

City water director David Warren abruptly resigns: "

The city's water utility director, David Warren, abruptly resigned earlier this week.

'After 39 years of public service, it's time for me to give it a rest,' Warren said Wednesday.

He didn't cite any other reason and said that he plans to examine other opportunities.

"

(Via Kansas.com: Local Government.)

Shortfall may mean 15% water rate hike

Shortfall may mean 15% water rate hike: "

Miscalculations by Wichita Water Utilities officials may force an immediate 15 percent rate hike for hundreds of thousands of people in the city and in surrounding communities that buy its water.

And yet more increases would be needed in coming years, though it's unclear how steep those would be.

Shortfalls have also endangered a $550 million aquifer recharge project that officials say is vital to the region's future water supply.

"

(Via Kansas.com: Local Government.)

City slowly spending stimulus

City slowly spending stimulus: "

More than a year after Congress began channeling billions of stimulus dollars to cities across the nation, only a fraction of the city of Wichita's share has been spent, and it's still impossible to accurately gauge how many jobs it has created or retained.

City Hall — just one of the many local agencies getting funds — is guaranteed about $26 million in stimulus dollars.

So far, $2.6 million of that has been spent and another $4.1 million is being processed or is coming in as block payments, according to the city's February update.

"

(Via Kansas.com: Local Government.)

Hartman takes early lead

Hartman takes early lead: "

The first SurveyUSA poll in the GOP primary race for the 4th Congressional District finds businessman Wink Hartman far out in front, with 36 percent of the support compared with 11 percent for state Sen. Dick Kelsey of Goddard and 10 percent each for state Sen. Jean Schodorf of Wichita and businessman Mike Pompeo. Businessman Jim Anderson earned 6 percent of the support. Fifteen percent of those in the poll, sponsored by KWCH, Channel 12, said they were undecided. The winner in the August primary will take on either state Rep. Raj Goyle of Wichita or Robert Tillman of Wichita to determine a successor to Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

"

(Via WE Blog.)

Higher water bills likely in plan passed by Wichita council

Higher water bills likely in plan passed by Wichita council: "

Wichita residents probably will see their water rates go up almost every year through 2015, and stormwater rates will also probably increase.

The increases, coming in 3 to 5 percent increments, are part of a 10-year capital improvement plan approved by the Wichita City Council on Tuesday.

The $2.5 billion plan includes dozens of road projects, a new airport terminal and renovations at Century II, Westlink Library and other facilities.

"

(Via Kansas.com: Local Government.)

Tiahrt Fills Out Campaign Team

Wichita US Rep. and Kansas US Senate candidate Todd Tiahrt filled out his campaign team battling order today.

General Consultant: Matt Schlapp. Served in the political shop of President George W. Bush. In 2000, a regional political director for Team Bush.Now part of Cove Strategies.

Finance Director: Alisha Kirby. A Johnson County native. That will help since JoCo will a huge battleground in this race. Worked for  fundraising firms in Ks. and Missouri.

Campaign Mgr: Chuck Knapp Held the same job in three of Tiahrt’s campaign for the Ks4. Also ran Ron Thornburgh’s successful ’94 run as SOS and Jerry Moran’s first run for the Ks1 in  ‘96. Morans won that.

Deputy Campaign Mgr. Josh Bell. Longtime Tiahrt hand. Former field director for Tiahrt and Deputy Mgr. in Ks4 races.

Communications Dir: Michelle Schroeder. Had the same job when Jim Ryun had the Ks2. Worked as the Legislative Dir. for the Ks. House Speaker. That job put her in contact with the Ks. House Campaign Cmte.

Political Director: Mark Dugan  Former YR President. He was Tiahrt’s Field Director in the 2008 Ks4 race.

(Via 20 Pounds Of Headlines.)

Karl Peterjohn is new chairman of Sedgwick Co. Commission

During his freshman year on the Sedgwick County Commission, Karl Peterjohn mentioned at most meetings that he was the newest member on the board.

Now, beginning his second year, he is the chairman.

Commissioner Gwen Welshimer nominated Peterjohn for the post Wednesday, and Kelly Parks seconded the nomination. Peterjohn, a Republican, won unanimously. Commissioner Tim Norton was absent.

(Via Kansas.com: Local Government.)

Goyle gets noticed in Kansas Congressional 4th

Goyle gets noticed: "

CQ Politics has changed the 4th Congressional District’s rating this year to ‘Likely Republican’ from ‘Safe Republican,’ saying ‘Democrats are now expected to stage a serious campaign and could make the race highly competitive under the right circumstances.’ What got the publication’s attention was the $400,000 in campaign funds raised in the third quarter of 2009 by state Rep. Raj Goyle, D-Wichita, described by CQ Politics as ‘one of the better Democratic recruits for a long-shot race.’ And with at least five Republicans vying in the August primary to replace Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, CQ Politics said, ‘if this crowded field turns into a negative advertising battle, Democrats could have a better chance at competing against a bruised and battered survivor.’

(Via WE Blog.)