Manhattan City Commission Summary
Week of July 1, 2026
RCPD details use, privacy guidelines of automated license plate readers
City advances $15.6 million taxiway replacement at Manhattan Regional Airport
American Airlines to offer nonstop flights to Phoenix for K-State football game
Proposed 2027 budget holds mill levy flat despite property valuation increases
Water, stormwater and franchise fees slated to increase in 2027 budget
City to eliminate Aggieville parking garage enforcement in 2027
Public works to build satellite salt domes to improve winter efficiency
Library budget increases to fund deferred maintenance, new security manager
Commission weighs early sunset of quality of life tax ahead of sales tax renewal
RCPD details use, privacy guidelines of automated license plate readers
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County Police Department (RCPD) Assistant Director Erin Freidline and Sgt. Mike Dunn presented an update on the department's use of automated license plate readers, noting the city currently utilizes 11 stationary Flock cameras, Axon Fleet 3 in-car cameras and a real-time crime center. The presentation prompted questions from city commissioners regarding privacy protections, auditing procedures and public transparency. Freidline clarified the cameras do not use facial recognition or track demographic data, and that all data is deleted after 30 days. Commissioners also urged the RCPD to increase public education on the technology to alleviate citizen concerns over data privacy.
City advances $15.6 million taxiway replacement at Manhattan Regional Airport
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan City Commission reviewed plans for a $15.6 million replacement of Taxiway Alpha at the Manhattan Regional Airport, a critical pathway connecting the runway to the ramp. Airport Director Brandon Keazer said the project, scheduled from March to November 2027, will be constructed in phases to avoid impacting commercial flight operations. Because the city submitted its grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) early, the FAA will cover 95 percent of the project's cost, leaving the city with a local match of just over $700,000, which is expected to be funded by passenger facility charges.
American Airlines to offer nonstop flights to Phoenix for K-State football game
MANHATTAN, Kan. — American Airlines is adding a special nonstop flight from Manhattan Regional Airport to Phoenix in October 2026 to accommodate fans traveling for the Kansas State University versus Arizona State University football game. Airport Director Brandon Keazer announced the flight will depart Manhattan on Oct. 23 and return Oct. 25, utilizing a 76-seat ERJ-175 aircraft. Keazer also noted that while American Airlines temporarily reduced its Chicago routes this summer due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) capacity restrictions at O'Hare International Airport, the second daily Chicago flight is scheduled to return in August.
Proposed 2027 budget holds mill levy flat despite property valuation increases
MANHATTAN, Kan. — City Manager Danielle Dulin presented the recommended 2027 city budget, which proposes maintaining a flat mill levy while shifting four mills to the city's bond and interest fund to address looming municipal debt challenges. Because the city's total assessed property valuation grew by $50 million this year, the flat mill levy will generate an additional $2.7 million in property tax revenue. The valuation growth prompted debate among commissioners regarding potential mill levy reductions to provide tax relief for residents facing higher property appraisals.
Water, stormwater and franchise fees slated to increase in 2027 budget
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Residents could see higher utility bills under the proposed 2027 city budget, which includes a 3 percent increase in water rates and a 4 percent increase in stormwater rates. The stormwater increase equates to an additional 50 cents per equivalent residential unit. The budget also proposes a 2 percent increase in franchise fees, marking the city's one-time contractual opportunity to renegotiate those agreements. City Manager Danielle Dulin noted that the city's wastewater rate will remain unchanged in the coming year.
City to eliminate Aggieville parking garage enforcement in 2027
MANHATTAN, Kan. — As part of broader efforts to reduce operating expenses, the city plans to eliminate enforcement operations at the Aggieville parking garage. City Manager Danielle Dulin noted in her budget presentation that the parking management fund will see a planned decrease in expenditures, reflecting recent conversations with the Aggieville and downtown business improvement districts. The move is one of several cost-cutting measures the city is adopting to balance the budget and stabilize its debt funds without heavily reducing major community services.
Public works to build satellite salt domes to improve winter efficiency
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan Public Works Department plans to spend $500,000 in 2027 to relocate its central salt dome from the fire station headquarters to two new satellite locations on the north and west sides of the city. City Manager Danielle Dulin said splitting the salt and sand storage into two facilities will improve snowplow efficiency by reducing the time trucks spend driving across town to reload during winter weather events. The move is also expected to save fuel costs, minimize wear and tear on city equipment and reduce material waste caused by weather exposure.
Library budget increases to fund deferred maintenance, new security manager
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan Public Library is requesting a budget increase to $4.5 million in 2027 to address deferred maintenance and heightened facility safety concerns. Manhattan Public Library Director Eric Norris told the city commission the facility recently spent nearly $500,000 from its reserves to repair two original 1968 elevators to pass inspection, and the library is now shifting regular operational costs back to the tax fund. Norris and Library Board President Linda Cook also noted the library was forced to hire a full-time safety and security manager this year to handle an increase in security incidents at the facility.
Commission weighs early sunset of quality of life tax ahead of sales tax renewal
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The city commission debated several ballot options for renewing the city's 0.2 percent dedicated street maintenance sales tax, which expires in 2027. City Manager Danielle Dulin presented three scenarios — a half-cent, three-quarter-cent or one-cent sales tax — that would simultaneously repeal the 0.25 percent quality of life sales tax a year early to combine infrastructure and park funding into a single ballot question. Commissioners debated the different aggregate tax options to fund streets, debt service and fire facility upgrades, as well as weighing whether to end the quality of life tax early amid concerns over the regressive nature of sales tax increases on low-income residents.
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