Commission considers raising utility franchise fees to offset city debt

Proposed 2027 budget includes 3 percent water rate increase

Strong cash reserves prompt zero percent wastewater rate increase

Stormwater base fee expected to rise 50 cents monthly in 2027

Manhattan property valuations jump 7.7 percent, impacting upcoming budget

Union Pacific Railroad dispute delays final Manhattan levee project phase

City to partner with KDOT for major Tuttle Creek Boulevard storm sewer overhaul

Unfunded Casement Road widening project remains on city's wishlist

Second quarter tourism generates millions in local economic impact

Local "Manhattrick" partnership hosts successful World Cup watch parties

Commission considers raising utility franchise fees to offset city debt

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan City Commission is exploring a potential 2 percent increase to the city's franchise fees with Evergy and Kansas Gas Service to help fund future debt service. The current 20-year agreements, which charge a 4 percent fee, expire at the end of the year and in early 2027. City staff noted that raising the fee to the state-capped maximum of 6 percent would generate an estimated $1.89 million annually, which could be shifted to the bond and interest fund to alleviate the burden on the local property tax mill levy. For an average residential customer, the 2 percent bump would result in approximately a $4 monthly increase on their utility bills.

Proposed 2027 budget includes 3 percent water rate increase

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Manhattan residents may see a slight increase in their water bills next year, as the Public Utilities Department recommended a 3 percent rate hike for 2027 during Tuesday's city commission work session. Public Utilities Director Kevin Niles reported that the hike aligns with the city's strategy of frequent, low and manageable increases rather than implementing drastic adjustments all at once. If approved, the rate increase would raise the average residential water bill by $1.23 per month, or just under $15 a year, keeping Manhattan's utility rates competitive with comparable Kansas cities.

Strong cash reserves prompt zero percent wastewater rate increase

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Unlike the proposed water rate hike, city staff recommended holding wastewater rates flat for the 2027 budget year due to a remarkably healthy fund balance. The wastewater fund entered 2026 with a beginning balance of $16.5 million — $4 million higher than initially budgeted — largely due to project savings and unexpected investment income. Public Utilities Director Kevin Niles advised the commission that the strong financial position eliminates the need for an immediate rate increase, which will keep the average residential monthly sewer bill steady at $48.73 for the upcoming year.

Stormwater base fee expected to rise 50 cents monthly in 2027

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The base stormwater fee for property owners is projected to increase by 50 cents per equivalent residential unit (ERU) per month in 2027. Stormwater Compliance Engineer Bill Heatherman informed the commission that the 6 percent increase is necessary to cover general operating expenses and infrastructure projects. The fee is calculated based on a property's impervious surface area, with one ERU equaling 3,600 square feet. Despite the base fee increase, Heatherman confirmed that the separate stormwater levee surcharge implemented in 2019 will not see a rate hike next year as the city continues to finalize levee improvement costs and internal credits with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Manhattan property valuations jump 7.7 percent, impacting upcoming budget

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Total assessed property valuations in Manhattan increased by 7.76 percent for the upcoming budget year, rising to roughly $798.6 million. Benjamin Hart, a financial consultant with Baker Tilly, informed the city commission that one mill is now worth approximately $798,000, up from roughly $750,000 last year. To maintain the exact same property tax revenues as the previous year — known as the revenue-neutral rate — the city would have to drop its mill levy from 54.506 to 51.056 mills. Commissioners will utilize these new valuation figures as they begin formal budget discussions and finalize the 2027 mill levy next week.

Union Pacific Railroad dispute delays final Manhattan levee project phase

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A permitting process involving the Union Pacific Railroad is currently delaying the final infrastructure upgrades of the Manhattan levee improvement project. Stormwater Compliance Engineer Bill Heatherman informed the commission that despite having congressional funding secured and a 65-35 federal-local cost split finalized, negotiations continue regarding several conditions requested by the railroad. Heatherman noted that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently struggling with 60 to 70 similar railroad permit delays nationwide, and city staff plans to bring an update to the commission in the fall if the deadlock continues.

City to partner with KDOT for major Tuttle Creek Boulevard storm sewer overhaul

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Manhattan plans to partner with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) in 2030 to install significant stormwater infrastructure while the state rebuilds a large portion of Tuttle Creek Boulevard. The city aims to intercept water off the capacity-constrained Tuttle Creek ditch, which currently overflows during a standard 2-inch rain event. Coordinating the city's master plan with KDOT's project — which will tear the roadway down to the base from the mall entrance to Casement Road — is expected to yield substantial savings in both design and construction costs while minimizing prolonged traffic disruptions.

Unfunded Casement Road widening project remains on city's wishlist

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The widening of Casement Road between Allen Road and Berkmont Drive remains on hold as city officials search for an adequate funding source. The proposed project would expand the currently open-ditch, two-lane road into a three-lane section and add a trail on the west side to connect the city's pedestrian network. Public Works Director Brian Johnson noted that while the city has $2.2 million in stormwater dollars available to contribute to the underground infrastructure, there is a $5 million funding gap for the roadway improvements. The project has been penciled in for 2030 but has been repeatedly delayed due to the lack of dedicated street funding.

Second quarter tourism generates millions in local economic impact

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Visit Manhattan Director Marcia Rozell reported a robust second quarter for local tourism, securing 147 pieces of business year-to-date and outpacing the previous two years. Between April and June, the city hosted 69 conferences and meetings that generated an estimated $6 million in economic impact. Additionally, sports tourism brought in $1.3 million, heavily aided by Manhattan stepping up to host 12 games across three days for the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) state baseball tournament.

Local "Manhattrick" partnership hosts successful World Cup watch parties

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan community has rallied around the ongoing World Cup with a series of local watch parties dubbed the "Manhattrick." Visit Manhattan highlighted the collaborative effort during its second-quarter update to the city commission, pointing to a successful June 12 event at Blue Earth Plaza that followed a youth soccer tournament featuring 80 participants.

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