Commissioners certify primary election results

Vehicle sales boost sales tax revenue

County to host Northeast Kansas officials meeting in September

Emergency funding approved for Public Works conference room AV system

Groundbreaking set for long-awaited Keats sanitary sewer project

Commission rejects reallocating CiCo Park reserve funds

Fort Riley prepares for troop deployments, lowest population of the year

Commissioners certify primary election results

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Board of County Commissioners, acting as the Board of County Canvassers, certified the results of the August primary election during Tuesday's meeting. The county processed 235 provisional ballots, accepting 109 as valid and 42 as partially valid, while rejecting 84 due to issues such as being unregistered or registered outside the county. In total, 12,513 ballots were cast. The county clerk's office praised the election staff and temporary workers for their dedication, noting that several employees stepped up during unexpected personal emergencies to ensure a secure and efficient election process.

Vehicle sales boost sales tax revenue

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The county continues to see strong motor vehicle sales, which helped drive a 5.68% year-to-date increase in general fund sales tax revenue compared to budget projections. The county treasurer's office reported that auto sales currently account for 25% of the county's retail trade sales tax.

County to host Northeast Kansas officials meeting in September

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County will host the Northeast County Officials Meeting on Friday, Sept. 25, at the Blue Hills Room, expecting between 100 and 125 attendees from surrounding counties. The county treasurer's office outlined the event's planning, which will feature a $25 registration fee designed to cover costs alongside local community donations. The event will include networking, speakers from the Kansas Association of Counties and exclusive tours of the county's newly renovated emergency services facilities.

Emergency funding approved for Public Works conference room AV system

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission unanimously approved an $87,824 request from Information Technology and Geographic Information Systems Director Cory Meyer to replace a failing, 20-year-old audiovisual system in the Public Works basement conference room. The room, which is heavily used by various county departments, the Riley County Police Department and for the annual tax sale, experienced equipment failures during its last two meetings. The modernized, five-screen system will feature dual cameras and overhead microphones, improving the space for both internal training and public events.

Groundbreaking set for long-awaited Keats sanitary sewer project

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Decades in the making, the Keats sanitary sewer project officially broke ground Tuesday evening with a ceremony at Keats Park. County officials and community members gathered for a brief ceremonial dirt-turning before moving indoors to escape the heat and review project details with the construction and engineering teams. The project, funded in part by federal pandemic relief money, will provide critical wastewater infrastructure to the unincorporated community of Keats, addressing long-standing environmental and public health concerns.

Commission rejects reallocating CiCo Park reserve funds

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Following a brief debate, the commission denied a Capital Improvement Program amendment that would have released over $500,000 in reserve funds originally earmarked for CiCo Park back into the county's general CIP fund. While the amendment proposed keeping $35,000 to replace broken playground equipment, the board expressed reluctance to abandon the long-term savings built up over several years for the park. Despite some concerns about prioritizing more immediate budgetary needs, the board ultimately voted to maintain the reserve while they evaluate the future of the CiCo Park property.

Fort Riley prepares for troop deployments, lowest population of the year

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Fort Riley is preparing for significant troop movements, with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division projected to deploy within the next 60 to 90 days, according to a community update from Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Military Relations Manager Christian Bishop. During this upcoming deployment window, the military installation will reach its lowest population of the year, though parts of the sustainment brigade are expected to return by the end of the year. Bishop also highlighted the success of the recent 19th annual Military Family Appreciation Night at the Kaw Valley Rodeo and noted that the new garrison commander, Col. Joey Orr, will formally introduce himself to the community on Sept. 2.

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