Riley County Commission Summary
Week of July 28, 2026
Commission contemplates second round of remote worker incentives
Rural business owners receive inaugural Ruralpreneur Recognition Award
Peterson Ranch Road special assessments approved despite developer concerns
Treasurer's office short-staffed after recent resignations
County clerk urges voters to return mail ballots promptly
Disability services waitlist surpasses 5,000 statewide
Commission contemplates second round of remote worker incentives
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission directed planning staff to draft a scaled-down proposal for a second round of the "Home in the Heartland" remote worker incentive grant. Planning and Special Projects Director Amanda Webb reported the current program successfully attracted 17 of its targeted 20 new residents, with 500 applicants remaining in the pipeline. While Kansas offers a maximum $250,000 grant to incentivize up to 25 movers, the commission expressed interest in seeking funding for just 10 to 15 movers to limit the county's 20 percent match requirement amid current budget constraints. Staff will return with firm financial estimates before the state's Aug. 12 application deadline.
Rural business owners receive inaugural Ruralpreneur Recognition Award
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Sara and Andy Larson were honored as the inaugural recipients of the Riley County Ruralpreneur Recognition Award for their contributions to rural economic development. The couple operates 1880 Beef, a local beef retail store on Poyntz Avenue, and Larson Angus Beef, a historic family ranch that traces its local roots back to 1880, alongside a floral shop in Randolph. Rural Economic Development Advisory Board member Kirk Crabtree presented the award, which was created following the adoption of the county's comprehensive plan to highlight successful rural business owners.
Peterson Ranch Road special assessments approved despite developer concerns
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission unanimously approved a resolution levying $390,408.37 in special assessments for the Peterson Ranch Road benefit district following a public hearing. The infrastructure cost will be divided equally across 18 properties, resulting in an average assessment of $21,689.35 per lot. Developer Lyn Blicka addressed the commission during the hearing, urging the county to establish the 15-year repayment term preferred by the homeowners association instead of a 10-year term. Despite the request, the commission maintained the 10-year term, with property owners given until Aug. 28, 2026, to prepay the assessment in full and avoid long-term interest.
Treasurer's office short-staffed after recent resignations
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission authorized Riley County Treasurer Shilo Heger to immediately begin recruiting to fill two vacant customer service representative positions. Heger reported that two recent resignations, compounded by sick leave and scheduled employee vacations, left her office short-handed by four staff members last week. The sudden staffing drop caused a backlog and longer wait times for customers at the counter. Because both positions are already funded in the upcoming budget, the recruitment process will have no new fiscal impact on the county.
County clerk urges voters to return mail ballots promptly
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo reminded voters not to procrastinate when returning mail-in ballots for the upcoming Aug. 4 primary election, citing ongoing legal uncertainty regarding state deadlines. While the Kansas Supreme Court is currently reviewing mail-in ballot delivery laws, Vargo advised residents that current state law requires ballots to be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day in order to count. Vargo also warned voters to review their sample ballots online, noting the presence of a lengthy constitutional amendment that could slow down the voting process at local polling places.
Disability services waitlist surpasses 5,000 statewide
RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — A Big Lakes Developmental Center representative presented a sobering update to the commission on the state of Home and Community Based Services, reporting that the statewide waitlist for disability funding has surpassed 5,200 individuals, with wait times approaching a decade. Locally, 137 individuals across a four-county area are currently waiting for state funding. To combat persistent staff shortages, the representative noted that a recent 6 percent Medicaid rate increase was fully directed toward employee wages, bumping starting pay for direct support professionals from $16 to $17 an hour.
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