City considers high-tech fleet management system

Commissioner questions cost of new software contract

New system would allow public to track snowplows

Cameras proposed to improve safety and reduce liability

Staff recommends removing liens on home repair grants

Proposal includes funding increase for mobile home repairs

Habitat for Humanity reports on housing repair success

City floats idea for exterior improvement matching grants

Commissioners debate income limits for housing aid

Workforce housing tax revenue currently over-committed

County secures $1 million federal grant for Keats sewer project

Emergency Management and Fire facility construction advances

NBAF lifts hiring freeze, plans to add 150 employees

Fort Riley commander updates officials on upcoming deployments

Local leaders discuss housing challenges at Regional Growth Summit

Commissioners express concern over proposed state election legislation

City considers high-tech fleet management system

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Public Works Director Brian Johnson presented a proposal to transition the city's fleet management from a Verizon-based system to a Samsara fleet management platform during Tuesday's work session. Johnson described the current system as underperforming and outlined how Samsara's turnkey product would improve transparency, fiscal responsibility and safety through real-time diagnostics and data tracking. The city commission reached a consensus to review a formal contract for the system in February.

Commissioner questions cost of new software contract

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A commissioner expressed concern regarding the cost of the proposed fleet software, noting a price jump from the current $60,000 annually to $166,000 for the new system. The commissioner also questioned the timing of the proposal, describing the city as being "held hostage" by a looming 46.5 percent price increase if the contract is not signed immediately. City staff explained that the vendor is honoring 2024 pricing through the end of the month, which locks in the lower rate for a three-year term.

New system would allow public to track snowplows

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A key feature of the proposed fleet management upgrade is the ability to create a public-facing map for snow operations. City officials explained that the system would allow residents to view a delayed feed of snowplow locations and road conditions, similar to systems used in Lawrence and Geary County. This transparency initiative aims to help residents plan travel during winter weather events while reducing call volumes to city staff.

Cameras proposed to improve safety and reduce liability

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The proposed fleet system includes dual-facing dash cameras and "panic buttons" for drivers to record incidents instantly. During a pilot program involving 16 vehicles, the technology successfully exonerated drivers in dispute scenarios and identified safety issues such as harsh braking or distracted driving. Public Works Director Brian Johnson noted that video evidence could significantly reduce insurance claims and protect the city from liability in traffic disputes.

Staff recommends removing liens on home repair grants

MANHATTAN, Kan. — City staff recommended removing the mortgage requirement for the Home Rehabilitation and Repair Assistance Program, which currently places a lien on properties receiving repairs over $10,000. Community Development Director Stephanie Peterson argued that if the goal is maintaining the city's housing stock, the structural improvements remain valuable regardless of who owns the home. A commissioner questioned the move, suggesting that doing away with the requirement removes a mechanism to recapture taxpayer funds if a home is sold shortly after repairs.

Proposal includes funding increase for mobile home repairs

MANHATTAN, Kan. — As part of the Home Rehabilitation and Repair Assistance Program adjustments for 2026, staff proposed increasing the repair cap for manufactured homes from $2,500 to $5,000. The change addresses feedback that the previous limit was insufficient for meaningful repairs on mobile units. The program requires eligible manufactured homes to be less than 30 years old to ensure the longevity of the investment.

Habitat for Humanity reports on housing repair success

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Josh Brewer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills, reported that the organization successfully utilized the full $100,000 allocated for the 2025 Home Rehabilitation and Repair Assistance Program pilot year. Brewer noted that the program stabilized approximately $1.4 million in local real estate value through critical repairs. Based on the program's success, staff recommended entering a three-year agreement with the organization to streamline operations.

City floats idea for exterior improvement matching grants

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Community Development Director Stephanie Peterson introduced a concept called the Home Exterior Improvement Grant, designed to enhance neighborhood aesthetics rather than structural integrity. The program would offer a 50 percent matching grant, capped at $5,000, for exterior projects on homes built before 1990 with a value under a certain threshold, such as $215,000. Unlike the Home Rehabilitation and Repair Assistance Program, this program would require homeowners to apply directly to the city rather than through a nonprofit partner.

Commissioners debate income limits for housing aid

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A split in opinion emerged regarding income eligibility for housing assistance programs funded by the workforce housing sales tax. A commissioner voiced opposition to the new Home Exterior Improvement Grant lacking income limits and questioned the Home Rehabilitation and Repair Assistance Program's allowance for households earning up to 120 percent of the area median income, or roughly $108,000. The commissioner argued that tax dollars should be reserved for those with greater financial need, while staff and other commissioners contended that workforce housing targets a broader economic demographic essential to the local economy.

Workforce housing tax revenue currently over-committed

MANHATTAN, Kan. — During the discussion on housing programs, staff provided a financial update revealing that the workforce housing sales tax fund is currently over-committed. Through the end of 2025, the city collected approximately $2.3 million but has committed or expended roughly $2.7 million. Staff clarified that while the fund is technically over-committed, the payouts will occur over several years, and collections are expected to reach $8 million over the life of the tax.

County secures $1 million federal grant for Keats sewer project

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Riley County Commissioner Kathryn Focke announced that the county has secured a $1 million State and Tribal Assistance Grant to support the ongoing Keats sewer project, funding that was included in the federal appropriations bill recently signed by President Joe Biden. Focke said the county is currently coordinating with U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran's staff to navigate the administrative processes required to access the funds, which will aid in modernizing the waste disposal system for the unincorporated community.

Emergency Management and Fire facility construction advances

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Construction on the new Riley County Emergency Services Headquarters has made significant progress, capitalizing on unseasonably warm weather earlier in January. County commissioners reported that crews successfully completed the majority of the exterior concrete work before temperatures dropped, keeping the facility on track to house the recently consolidated emergency management and fire personnel.

NBAF lifts hiring freeze, plans to add 150 employees

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility has been released from its hiring freeze and plans to add approximately 150 new employees to its workforce in Manhattan. Officials indicated the hiring initiative will cover positions across the organization, expanding opportunities beyond upper-level scientific roles to include operational and support staff needed as the facility ramps up full operations.

Fort Riley commander updates officials on upcoming deployments

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Fort Riley Garrison Commander Col. Gerald "Jerry" Nunziato updated local leaders on troop movements during the Regional Growth Summit, confirming that while a significant number of soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division are scheduled to deploy soon, many military families will remain in the region. Nunziato assured community partners that the installation is prepared to support those families during the deployment period, emphasizing the continued economic stability they bring to the Flint Hills area.

Local leaders discuss housing challenges at Regional Growth Summit

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Riley County commissioners attended the Regional Growth Summit hosted by the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Friday, where housing and regional development served as the primary topics of discussion. The event featured a presentation titled "Why Development is Harder Than It Looks" by Market Street Services, a regional development firm, followed by a panel discussion on housing markets featuring representatives from Wamego and another development firm.

Commissioners express concern over proposed state election legislation

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Riley County Commissioner Kathryn Focke expressed frustration regarding proposed election bills currently under consideration in Topeka, including legislation such as House Bill 2452 which would move local elections to even-numbered years. Focke reported engaging in difficult discussions with state legislators, stating her belief that the measures are driven by the upcoming election cycle and could cause significant administrative difficulties for local election offices without solving existing problems.

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