Riley County Fair to feature beer garden with local brews and liquor

Commission approves special alcohol grants despite concerns over conference funding

County explores legal options amid city de-annexation rumors

County lacks veto power over upcoming city STAR bond district

Commission hears strategies for handling potential data center developments

'Make My Move' incentive program surpasses first-year relocation goal

Fire department to replace 60-year-old truck with military surplus vehicle

Noxious weed department battles heavy rains and invasive honeysuckle

Riley County Fair to feature beer garden with local brews and liquor

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission unanimously approved a request to allow alcohol sales at the upcoming Riley County Fair, establishing a designated beer garden between Potter Hall and the Casement building. Manhattan Brewing Co. will serve locally crafted beers, while A&H Farm will offer adult slushies using Kansas liquor. The area will be heavily monitored by security and designed to be family-friendly, allowing patrons to eat with their children while consuming alcohol. Profits generated from the vendor fees will be reinvested into local 4-H youth projects.

Commission approves special alcohol grants despite concerns over conference funding

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission approved just over $26,000 in special alcohol fund grants to four local organizations, but not without debate over how the tax dollars should be utilized. While funds for Be Able's substance use counselor and the House Cafe's Refuel Teen Center in Ogden were praised, commissioners expressed reluctance about funding out-of-town training conferences for Riley County Community Corrections and Pawnee Mental Health staff. The board ultimately approved the Joint Corrections Advisory Board's recommendations for this cycle, but directed that future grant funds be strictly prioritized for direct-impact community services.

County explores legal options amid city de-annexation rumors

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — County officials expressed concern over recent discussions from a Manhattan City Commission meeting suggesting the city might de-annex certain residential neighborhoods, an action county commissioners characterized as an effort to shift financial burdens onto the county. Riley County Counselor Jacob Hansen is researching the legality of the move, noting that while state statutes exist for de-annexation, the county as a public entity may have limited legal standing to protest unless private bondholders or citizens claim injury. Commissioners argued the maneuver would unfairly burden rural taxpayers with the costs of city infrastructure, fire protection and road maintenance.

County lacks veto power over upcoming city STAR bond district

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County will likely not have the legal authority to veto or alter the city of Manhattan's proposed tax increment financing and STAR bond districts ahead of an upcoming June 16 public hearing. County Counselor Jacob Hansen informed the commission that state statutes only grant the county veto power if a proposed district includes privately owned land subject to ad valorem taxes. Because the land targeted by the city is tax-exempt educational property — specifically the Kansas State University Foundation's proposed Edge 3.0 development near College and Kimball avenues — the county's options to intervene and protect its tax base are severely limited.

Commission hears strategies for handling potential data center developments

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — As artificial intelligence drives a surge in data center construction across the Midwest, the Riley County Commission received a presentation from municipal advisory firm AcreStrong on how to negotiate and manage the massive facilities. AcreStrong Managing Partner Oleg Alba advised commissioners on establishing frameworks for handling potential developers, emphasizing the importance of securing adequate payment in lieu of taxes agreements, decommissioning bonds and strict limits on water and power usage. Alba cautioned that counties must negotiate aggressively based on energy usage rather than building square footage to ensure taxpayers are fairly compensated.

'Make My Move' incentive program surpasses first-year relocation goal

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County's participation in the "Make My Move" incentive program has already exceeded its first-year goal of attracting 10 new households to the community. Planning and Special Projects Director Amanda Webb reported that 11 movers have officially committed to relocating — with four already living in the county and seven more on the way — while eight additional households are in the final stages of the process. Commissioners opted to keep the program's web branding focused on Riley County rather than shifting it strictly to Manhattan, citing the campaign's unexpected early success in attracting remote workers and out-of-state residents.

Fire department to replace 60-year-old truck with military surplus vehicle

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Fire Department is acquiring a surplus military vehicle from Fort Riley to replace a fire truck that is more than 60 years old. Russel Stukey, who serves as both emergency management director and fire chief, reported that the federal surplus vehicle is less than 20 years old and will be mechanically vetted by the Kansas Forest Service shop. The county plans to wrap the vehicle in vinyl to resemble a traditional fire truck and transfer existing tanks and equipment onto the bed, resulting in a significantly newer apparatus at a minimal cost to local taxpayers.

Noxious weed department battles heavy rains and invasive honeysuckle

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Wet spring weather has delayed roadside mowing across Riley County, with the noxious weed department currently prioritizing the mandatory spraying of musk thistle before the invasive plant goes to seed. Noxious weed director Michael Boller also warned commissioners about a severe infestation of Amur honeysuckle, which was recently designated as a noxious weed in Kansas. The dense, invasive plant is overwhelming forested areas like Stag Hill and McDowell Creek Road, prompting the county to offer cost-share chemicals to landowners for a highly labor-intensive "cut and stump" treatment.

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