Manhattan – Week of June 8 2025

County Considers Funding Future of Recovery Court

Sudden Federal Closure of Flint Hills Job Corps Leaves Students, Community Scrambling

City Approves $200k and Tax Abatement for "The Hartford" Downtown Project

Jail Overcrowding Forces County to Pay for Off-Site Housing

Riley County Police Department Budget Grows Nearly 6%; Animal Control Moves to Police

1. County Considers Funding Future of Recovery Court

RILEY COUNTY - The Riley County Recovery Court program, a specialized court docket designed to help high-risk offenders overcome addiction and reduce recidivism, is facing a funding crisis as its five-year federal startup grant expires on September 30. During the May 29 Riley County Commission meeting, program leaders, including Judge Grant Bannister, presented a passionate case for local funding to continue the program, which they say saves taxpayer money, restores families, and improves public safety. The program, a collaboration between the courts, community corrections, the county attorney's office, and mental health services, provides intensive supervision and accountability in lieu of prison for participants. Supporters highlighted an employment rate that rises from 45% upon entry to 88% upon graduation. The total 15-month cost to continue the program is estimated at a maximum of $247,378, significantly less than the cost of incarceration. Commissioners were asked to consider using county opioid settlement funds to cover the expense, with a final decision pending as program leaders seek additional funding from the City of Manhattan and other sources.

2. Sudden Federal Closure of Flint Hills Job Corps Leaves Students, Community Scrambling

RILEY COUNTY - The U.S. Department of Labor's abrupt decision to close the Flint Hills Job Corps center has created chaos for its 137 students and staff, prompting a rapid response from local community groups and leaders. The federal government gave students less than a week's notice to vacate the facility, with a temporary injunction later extending the stay until at least June 17. At the June 2 and June 5 Riley County Commission meetings, commissioners discussed the fallout, noting that many students were left without housing or a clear path to complete their GEDs and job certifications. Kansas WorkforceONE, a regional workforce development board, stepped in to help find housing and provide funding for rent and deposits for the displaced students. Commissioners and city officials criticized the federal government for the sudden pull-out, which offloaded the responsibility onto the local community without warning. The future of the federally-owned facility remains uncertain.

3. City Approves $200k and Tax Abatement for "The Hartford" Downtown Project

MANHATTAN - The Manhattan City Commission unanimously approved a significant public-private partnership to support "The Hartford," a new mixed-use development at 700 Poyntz Avenue, the former Commerce Bank site. During their June 3 meeting, commissioners authorized a development agreement that provides up to $200,000 in public funds, sourced from sales tax revenue, to cover 50% of the cost for public infrastructure improvements. The improvements include reconfiguring Poyntz Avenue to add diagonal parking, creating a new streetscape with an outdoor dining patio, planting trees, and improving sidewalks. In addition to the direct funding, the developer will receive a 10-year, performance-based property tax abatement, contingent on a total private investment of at least $15 million and meeting commercial occupancy targets. The project, which aims to have "heads in beds" by May 2026, will feature public parking and enhanced landscaping to screen headlights from the adjacent neighborhood.

4. Jail Overcrowding Forces County to Pay for Off-Site Housing

RILEY COUNTY - The Riley County Jail is facing a sustained period of overcrowding, forcing the county to pay to house inmates in facilities in Washington, Dickinson, and Pottawatomie counties. Major Mark French of the Riley County Police Department reported on May 29 that the jail's average daily population has been over 120 for eight consecutive months, frequently maxing out the facility's capacity, especially for female inmates and those requiring separation. In 2024, the county spent over $52,000 on housing inmates elsewhere. For the first quarter of 2025 alone, the cost has already reached $11,860. Commissioners acknowledged the issue is a "harsh reality" and a statutory responsibility, approving the first quarter's invoice and recognizing that outsourcing is currently a cheaper option than building a new facility.

5. Riley County Police Department Budget Grows Nearly 6%; Animal Control Moves to Police

RILEY COUNTY - Following a contentious Riley County Law Enforcement Agency (Law Board) meeting, commissioners reported on May 29 that the board approved a nearly 6% budget increase for the police department. A significant part of the debate and cost increase involves the transfer of Animal Control Officer duties from the City of Manhattan to the Riley County Police Department. The move, which two county commissioners voted against, adds to the police budget and raises facility concerns, as it was noted the department currently lacks appropriate kennel space for animals. The final budget includes a 4.5% raise for the department itself, with an additional 1.2% increase attributed to the new animal control responsibilities.

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Sources

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uskgvVgzDc 
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwnEsHACU2c
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEz-AgDnACM 
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khASN9w0_wg
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uskgvVgzDc 
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uskgvVgzDc

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