[what's new]

Welcome to the Office of Local Government’s new Internet Web site. Here, you will find information about our programs and activities. In the future, we will be adding content and features to the Web site, so check back often. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions about our services or requests for assistance.

NEW! 2008 Kansas County Situation & Trends
The Situation & Trends reports are custom county reports incorporating a host of social, demographic and economic data to provide a comprehensive view of local conditions and trends. Developed primarily as an aid for county Extension planning, community and business leaders have found the reports useful as well. Many use the information in the reports to help document and justify grant and funding requests. The reports were distributed through the county Extension offices. They are also available on our publications page.

2007 Kansas County Fiscal Conditions & Trends
Our 2007 county Fiscal Conditions & Trends reports are now available. The reports are available for 104 Kansas counties and detail actual county government budget information for 34 expenditure categories and 21 revenue categories from 1997 to 2005. The reports are distributed annually in the spring through the county Extension offices. They are also available on our publications page.

Kansas County Government Fiscal Trends and 2002 County Municipal Budget Data Book
This publication compiles data for all Kansas counties, making comparison between counties easy. The report begins by looking at broad trends in county government budgeting and provides a detailed look at revenues and expenditures for 104 Kansas counties. The data is current through 2002 actual budget year. The report is now available on our publications page.

Kansas Rural Health Works Partnership Begins Community Outreach
The organization and delivery of health care services have undergone rapid evolution in recent years. For many rural communities, the cost of services and access to care are more important issues. As economic forces and technical advances continue to change health care, it is more important than ever for rural community leaders and health care providers to work together to ensure affordable, sustainable health care systems.

In an effort to strengthen rural community health care systems, the Office of Local Government has teamed with the Kansas Rural Health Options Project (KRHOP) to bring the Rural Health Works program to Kansas. The program provides direct assistance to rural communities by generating information resources useful in determining community priorities for strengthening the local health care system. In the past year, we have provided direct assistance to the cities of Belleville and Goodland by generating a health care system impact analysis, a community health care directory, a compilation of health-related data, and a survey of residents in the market area. To see the information resources developed and to learn how your community can participate in the program, visit the Kansas Rural Health Works website.

Market and Trend Analysis for Rural Nursing Facilities
Dramatic changes in health and social services for our elder population are occurring. Older persons are choosing a variety of long-term care to meet their needs, including home health care, assisted living, and other community-based services. many rural nursing facilities are struggling financially and are facing an uncertain future. In addition to the essential services they provide, nursing facilities often are a major employer in the rural communities. To assist rural nursing facilities, the Office of Local Government has teamed with the Aging Research Institute of the Kansas Association of Homes & Services for the Aging to generate a Market and Trend Analysis study to serve as a starting point for rural nursing facility strategic planning. The report shows demographic trends and projections, and estimates future demand for nursing care beds. There is a sample report available on our publications page. To learn more about this initiative, contact the Office of Local Government.

Direct Resource Referral Service
Our Direct Resource Referral Service page has been expanded to include more links to information resources related to small business development, entrepreneurship, rural tourism, grants and grantsmanship, e-commerce, and more. These are some of the most frequently requested topics we receive. Check it out. We hope you will find it a useful starting point for information related to these topics. Please feel free to suggest additional useful resources we can include.

Office of Local Government
Department of Agricultural Economics
Kansas State University
10E Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3415
Phone: (785) 532-2643
E-mail: olg@.agecon.ksu.edu