Riley County Commission Summary
Week of July 17, 2026
Commissioners approve 7 percent pay bump for health department interim leaders
Proposed $10 treasurer's fee could offset ad valorem taxes
County to review $38,000 animal shelter contract
County consolidates emergency services into single department
Riley County Police Department proposes arming non-sworn court screeners
Keats sewer project finally moves forward after 14 years
1960s agreement complicates potential fairgrounds sale
Livestock show schedule adjusted for Riley County Fair
County counselor to testify in election signature verification trial
Commissioners approve 7 percent pay bump for health department interim leaders
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County commissioners approved a 7 percent temporary pay increase for four health department employees taking on leadership roles due to major staffing shortages following a string of recent resignations. Human resources director Elizabeth Ward initially requested a 10 percent increase, citing the loss of more than half of the department's supervisory staff, including former Director Diane Creek, who resigned in June amid an internal investigation regarding financial processes and personnel management. However, commissioners adhered strictly to county policy, which mandates a minimum 7 percent increase, to avoid setting a precedent for future exceptions. The pay bump will be retroactive to May 11 and funded through salary savings accrued from the department's vacant positions.
Proposed $10 treasurer's fee could offset ad valorem taxes
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners indicated support for implementing a new $10 per-transaction fee for motor-vehicle services in the treasurer's office to help offset operational costs during budget discussions. Budget and finance officer Brittany Phillips noted the state requires the county to explicitly demonstrate how the fee revenues will be spent to ensure they are not solely used to offset ad valorem property taxes. Proponents on the commission argued that taxpayers generally prefer targeted user fees over broad property tax hikes, suggesting the measure will indirectly provide local property tax relief.
County to review $38,000 animal shelter contract
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners questioned the value of the county's nearly $38,000 annual contract with Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, suggesting the service may not be a priority for rural, unincorporated areas. While the contract has already been negotiated down from previous years to match actual usage, one commissioner, who declined to be named, argued that animal control in rural areas largely deals with roaming livestock rather than typical shelter animals. The board plans to review the contract's necessity as it continues to seek operational cuts for the 2025 budget.
County consolidates emergency services into single department
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution to officially establish a unified Department of Emergency Services, effective Aug. 1. The move formally combines Riley County Emergency Medical Services, fire, emergency management and 911 dispatch into a single department. The reorganization has been under discussion for the past year and aims to streamline operations and statutory responsibilities across the county's emergency response networks.
Riley County Police Department proposes arming non-sworn court screeners
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Police Department is drafting a policy to arm non-sworn court screeners to fulfill state requirements for adequate security measures, which are triggered by the local court's prohibition of concealed weapons at the courthouse. RCPD Deputy Director Erin Freidline told commissioners the change would act as a cost-saving measure, eliminating the need to staff the screening stations with fully sworn police officers. The proposed policy will be presented to the Riley County Law Enforcement Agency next week for final approval.
Keats sewer project finally moves forward after 14 years
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The long-delayed Keats Sanitary Sewer Benefit District project is officially underway after commissioners approved a notice to proceed at Tuesday's meeting. Commissioners celebrated the milestone, noting the infrastructure project is approximately 14 years in the making. County counselor Jacob Hansen also reported that the county will soon secure a property to construct the project's necessary sewage lagoon, bringing the decade-long community effort closer to completion.
1960s agreement complicates potential fairgrounds sale
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — As discussions continue about relocating the Riley County Fairgrounds, county counselor Jacob Hansen revealed that an agreement from the late 1960s could complicate the sale of the current property. According to the document, the county must obtain permission from both the City of Manhattan and the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education before selling the land. Additionally, state law requires properties valued at over $50,000 to be sold via public auction unless special legislative action is taken. Hansen will review the historical documents and meet with fairgrounds organizers in the coming weeks to develop an action plan.
Livestock show schedule adjusted for Riley County Fair
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Fair kicks off next week with several schedule adjustments designed to improve safety and animal welfare. The beef show, traditionally held on Saturday night during the peak of the fair's carnival, has been moved to 9 a.m. Saturday to keep the large animals calm and avoid the evening heat. The fair will run from July 23 through July 27.
County counselor to testify in election signature verification trial
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County counselor Jacob Hansen will spend next week in Topeka testifying as a fact witness in a bench trial regarding election signature verification standards in the case of League of Women Voters of Kansas v. Schwab. Hansen noted the timing is less than ideal, as the trial coincides with the busy primary election season and expected high voter turnout due to constitutional amendments on the ballot. The lawsuit, brought by several civic groups against Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Attorney General Kris Kobach, challenges whether current signature verification processes meet constitutional boundaries, and Hansen expects to undergo several hours of testimony regarding the county's practices.
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