Commission approved $1.98 million bid for wastewater lagoon project

Keats sewer project cleared to go to bid after decades of delays

Commission approves $151,000 in materials for Airport Road bridge

Commission authorizes funding for park improvements in Leonardville and Ogden

County faces 8.3 percent hike in employer health insurance costs

Appraiser reports $1 million tax refund for Aggieville garage

Update provided on $34 million Wareham Opera House renovation

Fort Riley economic impact estimated at over $2 billion

Commission approved $1.98 million bid for wastewater lagoon project

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission voted unanimously to award a bid for the University Park wastewater lagoon project to Buyer Construction. The approved bid, totaling $1,980,090, will fund necessary upgrades to the infrastructure. The board accepted the low bid for the project without debate, moving a significant capital improvement project forward for the University Park area.

Keats sewer project cleared to go to bid after decades of delays

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The long-awaited Keats sewer improvement project has received all necessary approvals to go to bid. The project schedule has been finalized with consultants and county staff. During the commission discussion, it was noted that the project has been in the works for "way longer" than a decade, with estimates suggesting the effort has spanned nearly 20 years.

Commission approves $151,000 in materials for Airport Road bridge

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission approved two separate purchases to facilitate the construction of the Airport Road bridge. The board voted to purchase steel materials from Nebraska-based Oden Enterprises for $101,573 and bridge decking from Kansas-based Wellborn Sales for $49,860. Public works staff noted that splitting the bids allowed for cost savings on the project.

Commission authorizes funding for park improvements in Leonardville and Ogden

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The board approved a capital improvement project amendment allocating $10,000 each to community parks in Leonardville and Ogden. The funds, requested by the Public Works Department, are intended to support upgrades and maintenance for the local recreational facilities. The motion passed unanimously.

County faces 8.3 percent hike in employer health insurance costs

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Human Resources Director Elizabeth Ward reported that Riley County is facing an 8.32 percent increase in the employer portion of health insurance costs for 2027. Ward proposed increasing the benefits budget rate from the current 39.5 percent of projected salaries to 42 percent to absorb the hike. While acknowledging the sticker shock, Ward noted that peer counties are seeing increases as high as 30 percent to 60 percent. Commissioners expressed concern over the rising costs, noting that rising premiums effectively negate salary increases for employees.

Appraiser reports $1 million tax refund for Aggieville garage

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — County Appraiser Anna Burson reported that a tax roll correction regarding the city of Manhattan's parking garage in Aggieville resulted in a refund of over $1 million to the city. The refund was processed after the property was granted a tax exemption. Burson emphasized the importance of timely exemption applications, noting that entities must have an application on file to pause tax liability while awaiting decisions from the Board of Tax Appeals.

Update provided on $34 million Wareham Opera House renovation

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The ongoing renovation of the historic Wareham Opera House is estimated to cost between $34 million and $40 million and is slated for completion in the second half of 2027. Project owner Evan Grier told commissioners that recent excavation work beneath the building uncovered artifacts dating back to the 1880s, including newspapers and tunnels, as crews work to create a basement level for the venue.

Fort Riley economic impact estimated at over $2 billion

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Fort Riley Garrison Commander Col. Jerry Nunziato announced that the installation's annual payroll has reached approximately $1.27 billion, with the total economic impact on the surrounding region estimated at over $2 billion. During a military relations luncheon, officials also highlighted a combined scholarship fund designed to help soldiers attending Kansas State University offset hourly class charges.

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