Riley County Commission Summary
Week of February 27, 2026
County considers eminent domain for sewer extension
$1.98 million contract approved for rural wastewater lagoon
Sudden change to U.S. 24 study draws commission ire
Commissioner advocates for Fort Riley infrastructure on Capitol Hill
Prosecutor reports 90 percent conviction rate in recent county trials
County IT department prepares for massive server overhaul
Commission tables $15,000 glass recycling subsidy for review
Commissioners voice concern over proposed property tax legislation
Upcoming meeting to address functional poverty in Riley County
County considers eminent domain for sewer extension
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Riley County Commission and the city of Manhattan are preparing to use eminent domain to secure a temporary construction easement for the Stottle Sewer Benefit District project. Manhattan Public Works staff informed the commission that while 80 percent of participating property owners have agreed to the sewer extension despite rising project costs, one property owner declined to donate an easement. The project, designed to replace failing septic systems in the area, will likely require the city and county to navigate a formal condemnation process to proceed with construction later this summer. The commission unanimously authorized the signing of the county's petition for its portion of the project located at a project site on Johnson Road.
$1.98 million contract approved for rural wastewater lagoon
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Riley County Commission unanimously approved a nearly $2 million construction agreement for a major rural wastewater infrastructure project. Bayer Construction Co. Inc. was awarded the $1,980,920 contract to construct a wastewater lagoon facility serving University Park. In a separate infrastructure purchase, the board also approved a $53,893 low bid from Prairieland Partners for a new compact utility tractor to be utilized by the Public Works Department.
Sudden change to U.S. 24 study draws commission ire
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Riley County Commission was caught off guard by news that a U.S. 24 corridor study has been unexpectedly shortened. The amended study will now stop at a local intersection instead of continuing to another endpoint as originally planned. Commissioners expressed frustration, noting the county's financial contribution to the study was made with the expectation that the entire designated corridor would be included. County officials plan to contact the Kansas Department of Transportation to demand an explanation for the unannounced alteration.
Commissioner advocates for Fort Riley infrastructure on Capitol Hill
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County Vice Chair John Ford reported on his recent lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., where he attended the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference and met with several federal lawmakers. Ford held extensive discussions with U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall's staff, as well as Reps. Derek Schmidt and Tracey Mann, to address rural infrastructure challenges and ongoing projects at Fort Riley. Ford noted that Moran's office is actively working on a local infrastructure project, reinforcing federal support for the region's military and civilian infrastructure needs.
Prosecutor reports 90 percent conviction rate in recent county trials
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Riley County Attorney's Office achieved guilty verdicts in more than 90 percent of its 26 trials over the past year, according to an update provided to the commission. Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson credited the high success rate, which included complex murder and sexual assault cases, to the financial resources provided by the commission to attract and retain top legal talent. Officials noted the conviction rate is particularly exceptional given the office's willingness to take difficult, "toss-up" cases to trial in order to keep violent offenders off the streets.
County IT department prepares for massive server overhaul
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Riley County Information Technology and Geographic Information Systems Department is bracing for a major infrastructure upgrade that will replace approximately 90 servers over the next two years. The information technology director informed the commission that unexpected licensing cost increases for current virtualization software — jumping from $16,000 to $38,000 — prompted the department to pivot to a new, more cost-effective backend system. Additionally, the county's website is now fully Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant for public documents thanks to a new software integration, an upgrade that saved the county $3,000 by sharing the service contract with the Riley County Police Department.
Commission tables $15,000 glass recycling subsidy for review
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Commissioners pumped the brakes on renewing a $15,000 annual contract with a recycling contractor to subsidize the county's glass recycling program. Planning and Special Projects Director Amanda Webb noted the subsidy covers only a fraction of the company's net loss to process the 192 tons of glass collected annually. Commissioners expressed skepticism about the cost-effectiveness of glass recycling compared to profitable materials like cardboard and aluminum, with one commissioner stating the subsidy primarily serves to make residents "feel good" without logical fiscal backing. The board tabled the five-year contract extension to request more detailed financial information from the contractor before making a final decision.
Commissioners voice concern over proposed property tax legislation
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County officials expressed strong frustration with Kansas House Bill 2745, a proposed state measure that would alter the property tax protest petition process. Commissioners and staff noted that lowering the petition signature threshold and forcing rapid election-related timelines would place a major administrative and financial burden on the county. Officials emphasized that the state's proposed sequence fails to account for the logistical realities of verifying signatures, securing polling locations and finalizing tax bills, calling the legislative approach out of touch with local election operations.
Upcoming meeting to address functional poverty in Riley County
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Following reports that Riley County continues to hold the highest rate of poverty in the state, a community action meeting has been scheduled to address the crisis. A public meeting on functional poverty will take place Friday, March 27, 2026, at an education center. The initiative follows a recent intergovernmental presentation highlighting a newly published report detailing the systemic economic hurdles facing local residents.
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