The Information Network of Kansas is hosting an educational event for state and local government officials to demonstrate the programs and tools we provide to hundreds of local government and state agency partners. Join us on Friday, May 17th from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at the Sunflower Foundation, 5820 Southwest 6th Avenue in Topeka to learn more.

We will demonstrate the Kansas Department of Revenue new “Assessment Connect” program. Plus, tools for payment processing, public appointment scheduling; digital forms as well as customized data solutions for State/County/City Governments; Schools and organizations. We will also discuss the INK Grant program.

Please RSVP online using this link

**The Information Network of Kansas is a quasi-governmental entity focused on enabling digital access to Kansas state and local government information and services for public use and benefit.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR), in partnership with Tyler Technologies, announced the launch of Assessment Connect, a new application that will allow KDOR’s Property Valuation Division to access statewide property appraisal data and provide improved analytical tools for county appraisers. In addition, the project will feature the Kansas Property Valuation Division Data Portal, an open data, public facing website with up-to-date and easily accessible property value information.

The launch of Assessment Connect is part of the KDOR’s ongoing efforts to streamline the property appraisal process and increase transparency and accountability. By making this data available to the public, KDOR hopes to empower citizens to make informed decisions about their property and their community.

“We’re excited to launch this new site and provide Kansans with easy access to important property valuation data,” said David Harper, KDOR Property Valuation Division Director. “We believe that transparency is key to building trust between government and citizens, and this site is an important step in that direction.”

The open data portal of Assessment Connect will feature appraised value data on all property types from every county in Kansas. Kansans will be able to view the most up-to-date data in easily readable charts and graphs.

Assessment Connect was funded by a grant from the Information Network of Kansas (INK).
The site is available to the public free of charge and can be viewed at ksopendata.ksrevenue.gov

The Information Network of Kansas is now accepting grant applications. INK has provided approximately $10 million in grants over the years to governmental agencies. The grant program is part of INK’s mission is to enable digital access to state and local government information and services for public use and benefit. The grants are made possible from the proceeds generated from the services developed by INK.

Grant applications are accepted from May 1 to May 31. They are available online at Grants or by e-mail upon request to INK Executive Director Murray McGee.

Past projects funded through the INK Grant program include the following:
• Assessment Connect (Kansas Department of Revenue)
• Statewide Broadband Mapping (Kansas Department of Commerce)
• Updating the Amber Alert System (Kansas Bureau of Investigation)
• Online Streaming of Legislative Committee Hearings (Kansas Legislature)
• Property Tax Estimator Tool (Kansas State University)

All grant awards must be approved by the Information Network of Kansas Board of Directors.

**The Information Network of Kansas is a quasi-governmental entity focused on enabling digital access to Kansas state and local government information and services for public use and benefit.

The Information Network of Kansas was statutorily created in 1992 to assist state and local government agencies to collect, analyze, and disseminate data/ information. INK was the first such organization created in the U.S. and is a model other states have followed. Our mission is to enhance public access to government data and information. We want to enable people to have access to government information and services where and when they are needed.

In September 2023, INK hired a new Executive Director, Murray McGee. Murray is a Certified Public Manager with over 20 years’ experience in local government. Most recently he served as the City Administrator in Moundridge, KS, and comes to INK with a collaborative “can do” attitude. McGee recently conducted a statewide listening tour to educate people about the Information Network of Kansas and share ideas with local government and business leaders on services we offer. The conversations have already led to several new opportunities for us to collaborate.

INK provides a broad range of services and serves over half the Kansas Executive Branch agencies as well as over 400 local government entities. INK is the largest provider of payment processing to state and local government offices in Kansas. INK has a broad range of capabilities that include transforming paper-based systems to online solutions, making government data more accessible to individuals and businesses, payment processing, as well as appointment scheduling, website development, and multi-agency collaborative projects.

Some examples of what we provide to Kansas agencies include:
• Online Marriage License Applications – Office of Judicial
Administration
• Amber Alerts – Kansas Bureau of Investigation
• Scrap Metal Reporting System – Attorney General
• Website – Governor’s Office
• Online Income Tax Filing – Kansas Department of Revenue
• Appointment Scheduling-Department of Motor Vehicles
• Annual Report Filing – Kansas Secretary of State
• Kansas Business One Stop – Multiple Agency Collaboration
• Licensing and permitting systems-Multiple Statewide
Associations
• Utility and tax payment systems-Hundreds of city and county offices