Jail population reaches all-time high in July

RCPD to arm civilian screeners at District Court

Commission finalizes 2027 mill levy in split vote

County stretches opioid settlement funds with partial grants

Road and bridge sales tax measure delayed over voter fatigue concerns

Tax sale recovers delinquent funds, abates subdivision specials

Speed limits reduced in Ogden Township due to increased traffic

DMI announces fall arts and symphony events for downtown

Planners begin drafting zoning regulations for future data centers

Jail population reaches all-time high in July

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Jail's average daily population reached an all-time high of 142 inmates in July [1], according to a report from the Riley County Police Department (RCPD). RCPD Major Mark French [1] informed the commission that the historic influx has placed significant stress on facility operations and staff. Despite the facility constraints, the official stated that personnel are working diligently to ensure the proper care and security of those currently in county custody.

RCPD to arm civilian screeners at District Court

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) will soon arm two civilian court screeners at the District Court, allowing a sworn police officer to return to frontline patrol duties. RCPD Major Daryl Ascher [1] told the commission that the newly armed screeners will undergo the exact same firearms and use-of-force training as standard police officers. The change, which maintains required building security while optimizing RCPD staffing, was recently approved by the local law board and the county's liability insurance providers.

Commission finalizes 2027 mill levy in split vote

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission finalized the county's 2027 budget parameters in a split vote, ultimately agreeing to cap the property tax rate at 38.012 mills [3]. To keep the mill levy at that rate, commissioners voted to reduce a planned transfer to the Capital Improvement Program to roughly $4.4 million. One commissioner opposed the motion, advocating instead to leave the initially proposed $5.15 million transfer intact and lower the mill levy further.

County stretches opioid settlement funds with partial grants

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners voted to partially fund two internal opioid-related requests to ensure the county's settlement money isn't depleted too quickly. The commission approved 50 percent of a $59,200 request from the Riley County Health Department for drug education and supplies and 75 percent of a funding request for a Community Corrections Recovery Court position and defense attorney contract. The respective departments will now utilize reserve funds and seek outside specialty grants to cover their remaining programmatic costs.

Road and bridge sales tax measure delayed over voter fatigue concerns

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission will wait until at least next year to ask voters to renew a 0.2 percent countywide retailer sales tax dedicated to road and bridge maintenance. The tax, which generates approximately $2.5 million annually, expires at the end of 2027. Commissioners opted to keep the measure off the upcoming November ballot due to concerns over voter fatigue, noting that the city of Manhattan is already considering placing its own sales tax questions before voters this year.

Tax sale recovers delinquent funds, abates subdivision specials

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County's recent tax sale successfully recovered the vast majority of standard delinquent property taxes, though the county was forced to abate roughly $250,000 in special assessments. Assistant County Counselor Michael Hawthorne [4] reported that pre-sale collections and the auction recovered all but $14,000 — or just 2.2 percent — of standard outstanding ad valorem taxes. However, the abated special assessments were tied to empty lots in a northwest Manhattan subdivision that did not generate sufficient proceeds at auction to cover the significant special assessment balances attached to them.

Speed limits reduced in Ogden Township due to increased traffic

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Speed limits on Rover Road, Daniels Drive and 80 Road in Ogden Township will be reduced to 20 mph following a speed study conducted by the Public Works Department. Traffic in the rural residential area jumped from fewer than 10 vehicles per day to up to 50 following the opening of a nearby distribution center. The commission unanimously approved the reduction to address dust and stopping-distance concerns on the unpaved gravel roads.

DMI announces fall arts and symphony events for downtown

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Downtown Manhattan Inc. (DMI) announced a slate of upcoming fall events designed to drive foot traffic to local businesses. Highlighting the schedule is the "Symphony on the Plaza" on Sept. 11, featuring the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra [3] in an open-air performance at Blue Earth Plaza [3] as part of the America 250 celebration. DMI is also launching Plein Air on Poyntz on Oct. 3 centered on outdoor plein air painting and related arts programming.

Planners begin drafting zoning regulations for future data centers

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Planning and Development Department has begun drafting land-use regulations to prepare for the regional influx of technological data centers. While Planning Director Amanda Webb [4] noted the county currently lacks the electrical and water infrastructure to support massive "hyperscale" facilities, she stressed the county must proactively update its zoning codes to manage noise, height, utility usage, and fire-safety concerns. The commission directed staff to implement a 180-day moratorium on such facilities while the regulations are drafted [4].

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