McPherson – Week of April 9 2025

McPherson Secures Favorable Municipal Bond Terms Amid Financial Turbulence

McPherson Police Use Data Analytics to Fight Crime

Construction Projects Advance Across McPherson

County Building Renovation On Track, Local Businesses Benefit

County Public Works Expands Technical Team

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Emergency logs

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Wall Street Versus Main Street

1. McPherson Secures Favorable Municipal Bond Terms Amid Financial Turbulence

The City of McPherson successfully completed a $3.3 million general obligation bond sale despite facing significant market volatility, with commissioners approving the transaction during Monday's meeting. Financial advisor David Arteberry from Stifel, Nicolas and Company reported that Country Club Bank of Kansas City submitted the winning bid with a 3.655% interest rate, edging out three other financial institutions during what he described as "a historically volatile day" in the municipal bond market. The city benefited from its AA- credit rating from Standard & Poor's, which highlighted McPherson's stable economy, strong reserves, and moderate debt levels as key factors. Arteberry noted the city's timing proved fortuitous, as municipal bond rates spiked by three-tenths of a percentage point by day's end – a historic single-day increase that would have significantly impacted borrowing costs had the sale been delayed. The bond proceeds will be used to refinance the Veranda West subdivision development and fund the Turkey Creek irrigation project, with formal closing scheduled for April 30.

Reporting on the general Q125 city finances, Finance Director Richard Miller raised concerns about projected interest revenue, reporting that the city has collected only 17% of budgeted investment income through the first quarter. "This worries me a little bit," Miller told commissioners, explaining how interest income fits into overall city financial projections. Miller outlined plans to adjust investment strategies, including more frequent withdrawal of interest earnings from certificates of deposit rather than waiting for annual payments. He indicated that without improvement, the finance department may need to recommend expenditure reductions by mid-year to offset the potential revenue shortfall.
Source: City of McPherson

2. McPherson Police Use Data Analytics to Fight Crime

The McPherson Police Department has taken a significant step forward in modern policing by implementing data-driven strategies to fight crime more effectively. The department recently brought in USAF Captain Victoria Curtis, an experienced intelligence analyst, to establish their first dedicated crime analysis program. Captain Curtis, who joined the department through the military's SkillBridge internship program, has already produced valuable insights from the city's crime data for the first quarter of 2025, identifying patterns such as peak criminal activity times and location-specific trends that allow for more strategic patrol deployments.

The department's new analytical approach is already yielding tangible results, with officers now receiving weekly "hot spot" maps that highlight shifting criminal activity patterns across the city. "These are early but encouraging steps that show how data, enforcement, and community involvement are all working together," Curtis reported during her presentation to city commissioners. Police Chief Mikel Golden noted that this data-informed approach represents a fundamental shift in how the department allocates resources, allowing them to be more proactive rather than reactive in addressing community safety concerns.
Source: City of McPherson

3. Construction Projects Advance Across McPherson

McPherson Public Works Director Jeff Woodward reported progress on multiple projects during Monday's city commission meeting. The Elm Street drainage project has reached approximately 75% completion with sidewalk and parking improvements on the north side of Euclid Street west of Main Street nearly finished. In a positive development for residents, contractors have adjusted their schedule to prioritize the Maple and Euclid intersection, which officials now expect to reopen by May Day festivities. Meanwhile, after extended delays, Union Pacific Railroad has finally confirmed plans to replace the troublesome crossing on Avenue A between April 29 and May 3, with traffic control to be handled by railroad contractors rather than city personnel.
Source: City of McPherson

4. County Building Renovation On Track, Local Businesses Benefit

The McPherson County Commission received a positive update on the county building renovation project during their Monday meeting. Max Fuqua and Matt Ritz of Bucha Construction reported steady progress on the $6.67 million project, with approximately $2.1 million in payments made to date. The renovation is advancing floor by floor, with the fifth and fourth floors nearly ready for sheetrock installation, while lower floors remain in various stages of completion. Mr. Fuqua noted that no significant unexpected issues have arisen, and the project remains on track for its January 2026 completion date. Commissioners were particularly pleased to learn that 14 of the 18 subcontractors currently working on the project are from either McPherson County or immediately adjacent counties, fulfilling the Commission's goal of supporting local businesses. Following the update, commissioners were invited to tour the construction site at 2:00 PM to view the progress firsthand.
Source: McPherson County

5. County Public Works Expands Technical Team

The McPherson County Public Works Department is actively expanding its technical team, Public Works Director David Bohnenblust reported at Monday's County Commission meeting. Bohnenblust informed commissioners that the department has interviewed one engineer candidate with another interview scheduled for this week, as they look to fill two posted engineering positions. The department is considering applications from three civil engineers and one recent industrial engineering graduate. Beyond engineers, the department is also recruiting for one to two engineering technicians, two maintenance workers (with one designated to run their shop), a surveyor, and plans to fill a maintenance foreman/supervisor position internally. These hirings come as the county undertakes multiple projects, including road maintenance at Maxwell State Park and upcoming road milling.
Source: McPherson County

No sports update today but exciting news coming soon!

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Introducing the McPherson Citizen Journal Score Network! 

We're expanding our local sports coverage beyond varsity athletics to include middle school, JV, and other youth sports programs. To make this possible, we're launching a community-driven reporting system where parents, relatives, coaches, and team supporters can easily submit game scores and tournament results. 

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Sources

1. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/29923304103927096
2. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/29923304103927096
3. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/29923304103927096
4. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
5. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video