Riley County approves $1.56 million in capital improvements, lobbies governor on radio contract
Commissioners draw on pandemic relief funds for emergency equipment and award the Keats sewer project despite a funding shortfall.
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Riley County Commission unanimously approved $1.56 million in capital improvement projects Monday, drawing on federal pandemic relief reserves to upgrade emergency response and public facilities. The approved purchases will require a $600,000 draw from the county's CARES and ARPA funds. Upgrades include a new ambulance, a generator for the Law Enforcement Center, updated jail cameras, an SUV for the health department and $75,000 in new playground equipment for a county park.
Commissioners also voted to formally urge Gov. Laura Kelly to line-item veto a $5 million legislative proviso regarding the state radio system. Emergency Management Director Russell Stukey warned that the proviso could restrict the state to a closed-bid contract with Motorola. Officials said the restriction could cost taxpayers millions and prevent seamless disaster communication by cutting off integration with Riley County's existing Harris radio system.
The commission unanimously awarded a contract to Bayer Construction for the Keats sanitary sewer improvement project. Planning and Special Projects Director Amanda Webb said the 15-month project faces a $250,000 funding shortfall after a promised pipe material donation fell through. The county is preparing a supplemental loan request through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and awaiting federal grant guidance to cover the gap before construction begins in August.
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