Manhattan local news summary

Commission Passes 2026 Budget, Raises Property Taxes in Contentious 4-1 Vote

Commissioner Matta Details Opposition to Budget

Budget Funds 2.4% Pay Raise for City Employees

Residents Voice Anger Over Tax Hikes, Affordability Crisis

Moro Street Workforce Housing Project Expanded and Approved

Big Lakes Halts Admissions Amid Severe Staffing and Funding Crisis

Commission Approves $2.8m Contract for Emergency Management Station Remodel

EMS Reports Unusually Busy K-State Game Days

Commission Passes 2026 Budget, Raises Property Taxes in Contentious 4-1 Vote

MANHATTAN – The City Commission approved the 2026 city budget on a 4-1 vote Tuesday night, finalizing a 1.35-mill levy increase following extensive public comment and sharp debate among commissioners. The $167 million budget includes a 2.4% cost-of-living adjustment for most city employees and maintains current service levels. City Manager Danielle Dulin explained that while 60% of the new property tax revenue comes from rising property valuations and new growth, the remainder is from the direct tax rate increase. Commissioner John Matta cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing the cumulative tax hikes over the past two years were unsustainable for residents.

Commissioner Matta Details Opposition to Budget

MANHATTAN – Commissioner John Matta, the sole vote against the 2026 budget, detailed his concerns that city spending has grown too quickly. He stated that the city services portion of the budget has increased by nearly 40% over the last two years. Matta also criticized the city’s decision to shift how it funds anticipated delinquencies for the Riley County Police Department, calling the accounting change a “red herring” that effectively increased property taxes to free up revenue for other city expenses, rather than being a direct need for the police department.

Budget Funds 2.4% Pay Raise for City Employees

MANHATTAN – Included in the newly adopted 2026 budget is a 2.4% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for city employees. City Manager Danielle Dulin noted that to fit the pay increase within the budget, the city’s department directors, the deputy city manager, and the city manager herself were excluded from the raise. The funding for the COLA is primarily supported by a 0.216-mill increase in the general-fund levy.

Residents Voice Anger Over Tax Hikes, Affordability Crisis

MANHATTAN – Dozens of residents addressed the commission during the budget hearing, pleading with officials to reject the proposed tax increase. Citing the cumulative impact of inflation, rising rents, and previous tax hikes, speakers shared stories of financial hardship and the difficulty of affording life in Manhattan. Others pointed to a rising tax delinquency rate as evidence that the tax burden is becoming too much for the community’s middle-class and retired residents.

Moro Street Workforce Housing Project Expanded and Approved

MANHATTAN – The commission unanimously approved an amended development agreement for the Moro Flats housing project at 716 Moro Street, allowing the project to expand from five to seven units. The total investment will now be $1.25 million, with the developer receiving a proportional increase in incentives, including $125,000 from the city’s dedicated workforce housing sales-tax fund. The agreement utilizes multi-family housing revenue bonds to grant the developer sales-tax exemptions on construction materials and a 10-year, performance-based property-tax abatement.

Big Lakes Halts Admissions Amid Severe Staffing and Funding Crisis

RILEY COUNTY – Big Lakes Developmental Center has frozen admissions to its group homes due to a severe staffing crisis, a representative told the commission Monday. The organization is facing a staggering 90 open positions for its 147-member staff, forcing current employees to work significant overtime. The report also highlighted deep uncertainty regarding future funding, as state agencies are redesigning payment structures and federal cuts loom. The state’s waiting list for services has now swollen to 4,830 people, with approximately 115 from the local four-county area.

Commission Approves $2.8m Contract for Emergency Management Station Remodel

RILEY COUNTY – Commissioners unanimously approved the $3.1 million total project budget and a $2.8 million construction contract for the remodel of the former EMS station into a new facility for Riley County Fire and Emergency Management. The budget includes allowances for furniture, technology, and a 4% contingency. Public Works Director John Ellermann stated the contractor is ready to begin work as soon as the contract is finalized.

EMS Reports Unusually Busy K-State Game Days

RILEY COUNTY – EMS Director David Adams said the first home football games were “very, very busy,” with seven patients transported from the stadium during the first game—unusual given the good weather.

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