Riley County Commission Summary
Week of July 3, 2026
County commission directs departments to cut budgets by 2 percent
High rate of tax exemptions shifts burden to homeowners, appraiser reports
Commission approves 15 percent funding cut for Downtown Manhattan, Inc.
Commission evaluates restructuring Riley County Health Department
Keats Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project approaches August groundbreaking
County seeks community partners for MakeMyMove incentive program
Riley County Noxious Weed Department warns of highly toxic poison hemlock
County commission directs departments to cut budgets by 2 percent
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission directed department heads to find a 2 percent cut in their operating budgets to help fund cost-of-living adjustments and expanded positions for the 2027 fiscal year. Budget and Finance Officer Brittany Phillips presented updated figures showing a $2.4 million gap from the previous budget year. Commissioners emphasized the need to prioritize existing staff compensation over adding new positions and requested that department heads submit their revised budget numbers to the county by next week to keep the budget process on schedule.
High rate of tax exemptions shifts burden to homeowners, appraiser reports
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County residential property owners are carrying approximately 75 percent of the local property tax burden due to a substantial amount of tax-exempt property, according to County Appraiser Anna Burson. Burson informed the commission that over $4 billion of the county's $10 billion tax base is entirely exempt from taxation, pointing to large properties held by institutions such as Kansas State University, Fort Riley, and Ascension Via Christi Hospital, which gives the county one of the highest exemption rates in the state. She noted that without legislative changes at the state level to adjust 100 percent exemptions or implement payments in lieu of taxes, the financial burden on local homeowners will continue to climb.
Commission approves 15 percent funding cut for Downtown Manhattan, Inc.
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — As part of ongoing efforts to rein in the 2027 budget, the Riley County Commission unanimously agreed to a 15 percent reduction in funding appropriated to Downtown Manhattan, Inc. The commission had previously applied similar 15 percent cuts to several other local outside organizations but had inadvertently left the downtown group off the initial list during earlier discussions. The decision aligns with the board's stated strategy to implement fair, across-the-board cuts to external community appropriations.
Commission evaluates restructuring Riley County Health Department
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission is exploring long-term structural changes to the health department, including the potential reduction or streamlining of public programs. Following recent transitions in department leadership, officials are comparing the county's 42-employee operation to similar, smaller departments in Leavenworth and Douglas counties to find efficiencies. Commissioners plan to clearly define expectations for streamlining services before officially hiring a new health department director, while also considering adding an assistant director role to manage grants and daily operations.
Keats Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project approaches August groundbreaking
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The long-awaited Keats Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project is moving forward, with a pre-construction meeting scheduled next week with Bayer Construction Co. Planning Director Amanda Webb reported that while the county is still waiting to finalize some funding details, the infrastructure project is already 87 percent funded by secured grants. Officials anticipate breaking ground in August, bringing critical sanitary sewer improvements to the rural community.
County seeks community partners for MakeMyMove incentive program
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County's MakeMyMove remote-worker recruitment program has successfully attracted 14 out-of-state movers to the area, but commissioners are looking for local financial help to continue the initiative. As the state opens a second round of grant funding that runs through August, commissioners and the planning department are discussing partnerships with local businesses and the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce to help offset the county's incentive costs. The program currently offers financial and community-based incentives to out-of-state remote workers who relocate to Manhattan.
Riley County Noxious Weed Department warns of highly toxic poison hemlock
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County Noxious Weed Director Michael Boller issued a warning about the rapid spread of poison hemlock along county roadways, notably between Keats and Manhattan. Although not officially classified as a noxious weed in Kansas, the invasive plant is highly toxic to humans and livestock, with Boller noting that coming into contact with or ingesting the plant can cause severe medical reactions. The county is currently utilizing chemical sprays to control the plant as part of its regular ditch maintenance program.
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