Riley County Commission Summary
Week of March 30, 2026
Commission approves $1.56 million in capital improvement projects
State property tax legislation prompts local budget concerns
Public hearing set for road vacation near historic stone bridge
Stockdale Park Road closed for culvert replacement
Commission approves Aggieville substation lease agreement
County begins budgeting for proposed administrative department
Downtown county offices nearing completion
Commission approves $1.56 million in capital improvement projects
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission unanimously approved $1.56 million in capital improvement project requests during its Monday meeting. The approved equipment and infrastructure list will require an estimated $600,000 draw from the county's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and American Rescue Plan Act reserves. Major approved purchases include a new ambulance, a generator for the Law Enforcement Center, jail camera upgrades, a health department SUV and $75,000 for new playground equipment at a county park. A master plan for a park site was tabled for future discussion.
State property tax legislation prompts local budget concerns
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — County Counselor Jacob Hansen briefed the commission on active state property tax legislation, Senate Substitute for House Bill 2396, which is currently pending a Senate floor vote. If enacted, the law would trigger an election process if the county increases its property tax budget by more than 3% or the regional Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. Under the current version of the bill, budgets would have to be presented by June 15, and if the budget exceeds the property tax cap threshold, citizens would vote at the polls the first week of August rather than relying on a protest petition process.
Public hearing set for road vacation near historic stone bridge
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission accepted a legal petition from two landowners to vacate a portion of a county road near the Bala stone arch bridge and the former Bala Park. Public Works Director John Ellermann noted the landowners are seeking to close the road due to liability and insurance concerns regarding unauthorized visitors at the old park site. A public hearing on the proposed vacation is scheduled for April 30.
Stockdale Park Road closed for culvert replacement
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — A culvert replacement project began Monday on Stockdale Park Road, closing the route to through traffic from Blue River Hills Road to the Stockdale Park Campgrounds. The project is located six-tenths of a mile east of Blue River Hills Road. Weather permitting, the public works department expects the road to reopen by Friday.
Commission approves Aggieville substation lease agreement
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved a lease agreement for a new police substation in the Aggieville district. The agreement was approved exactly as originally presented after the lessor declined the county's request to cap the lease at three years. The county retains the ability to cancel its current lease with 30 days' notice once the final move-in timeline is established.
County begins budgeting for proposed administrative department
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Budget and Finance Officer Brittany Phillips received commission consensus to begin drafting a 2027 operational budget for a proposed new county administration department. The organizational shift would consolidate existing personnel from human resources, finance and the public information office, while creating a placeholder for a newly proposed county administrator position. The preliminary budget will be presented to the commission in May.
Downtown county offices nearing completion
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — County officials reported that renovations to the county's downtown offices and board chambers are in their final stages. Following a site visit, officials noted that furniture has been moved back into the offices and the board chambers are actively being set up with televisions and electronic components. The county expects to resume full operations in the space shortly.
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