Riley County Commission Summary
Week of June 26, 2026
Commissioners reject 2027 budget proposal over tax increases
Health department space study canceled in budget cutting move
Surging data center demand doubles county IT costs
Annual property tax sale features reduced inventory
County administrator job description and pay grade approved
Advisory board unveils rural economic development initiatives
Commission prepares to expand fairground alcohol sales
Commissioners reject 2027 budget proposal over tax increases
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission unanimously rejected a preliminary 2027 budget draft, citing an unacceptable 8-mill increase in property taxes. Budget and finance officer Brittany Phillips presented the draft, but commissioners argued the tax hike would place an undue burden on local taxpayers, noting the county must be more responsible with its spending. The commission directed staff to find deeper cuts, including potentially stripping funding from outside community programs, and scheduled a special budget session for July 1.
Health department space study canceled in budget cutting move
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — In an early move to trim the upcoming county budget, commissioners directed staff to cancel an ongoing space study contract for the Riley County Health Department. Commissioners agreed that the department's current two-building setup is sufficient for now and the study is an unnecessary expense. However, the board opted to maintain an active consulting contract for a long-delayed judicial services space study, noting that court facilities remain a high priority for the county.
Surging data center demand doubles county IT costs
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County information technology department is facing a massive surge in equipment costs that could impact future budgets. Information technology and geographic information systems director Cory Meyer reported that two computer servers originally quoted in January have more than doubled in cost. Meyer attributed the price hike to the global expansion of artificial intelligence and large data centers, which have strained supply chains and driven up the cost of computing hardware. Meyer placed a hold on all standard desktop and laptop purchases for the remainder of the year to conserve funds for mission-critical infrastructure.
Annual property tax sale features reduced inventory
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County's annual property tax sale will take place Friday, June 26, at the Riley County Public Works building, featuring a significantly smaller inventory of abandoned and delinquent properties than in recent years. County counselor Jacob Hansen reported that all occupied homes have had their taxes redeemed and were removed from the auction block. The remaining list comprises roughly 26 to 35 properties, a sharp decrease from the 80 to 90 parcels auctioned during last year's sale.
County administrator job description and pay grade approved
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission officially approved the job description and pay grade for the newly created position of Riley County administrator. Human resources director Elizabeth Ward confirmed the role will fall under the county's "JJ" pay grade. With the parameters now set, the county intends to finalize marketing materials in July and begin advertising the position by September. The commission's goal is to have the new administrator hired and working out of a temporary office space by January.
Advisory board unveils rural economic development initiatives
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Rural Economic Development Advisory Board outlined its strategic goals for the year, focusing on comprehensive plan awareness, business engagement and rural housing. REDAB representative Kirk Crabtree announced the creation of a proposed rural business recognition program, which will issue quarterly awards recognizing innovative business leaders in Manhattan's surrounding small cities and unincorporated areas. The board is also organizing a roundtable with local builders and financial institutions to identify the primary hurdles to constructing affordable workforce housing in rural Riley County.
Commission prepares to expand fairground alcohol sales
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The county is drafting a resolution to expand alcohol sales at the upcoming Riley County Fair in partnership with Manhattan Brewing Company,. The pending resolution will create a second designated area where alcohol sales are permitted on the fairgrounds. Additionally, the measure will allow vendors to sell all types of alcoholic beverages, removing a previous county restriction that limited fairground alcohol sales exclusively to beer.
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