Commission plans to extend data center, battery storage moratorium

County administrator search progresses, salary expectations clarified

Household hazardous waste facility to halt business waste collection

Heavy rains and flooding prompt road closure

Health department undergoes physical and operational restructuring

Keats Sewer Project and lagoon improvements advance

Grant funds remain available for failing septic systems

Appraiser's office processing hundreds of agricultural land maps

Commission plans to extend data center, battery storage moratorium

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County commissioners agreed in principle to extend the county's moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage systems by about six months before it expires Nov. 12. Planning director Amanda Webb told commissioners the expiration was approaching and asked how they wanted to proceed; a commissioner suggested extending the pause through next spring's state legislative session to see whether lawmakers adopt statewide rules, and the others agreed. No formal vote was taken, and the extension must return to the commission for adoption. Webb said Evergy is scheduled to give commissioners a 30-minute presentation at the end of October, and she is lining up other presenters on water, noise and energy concerns. Commissioners said they have not heard of any company approaching the county with a proposal.

County administrator search progresses, salary expectations clarified

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — As Riley County moves forward with hiring its first-ever county administrator, commissioners heard from a Miami County commissioner about that county's ongoing administrator search, which drew about 60 applicants. After a resident asked during public comment about the position's listed pay scale of roughly $160,000 to $240,000, human resources director Elizabeth Ward said the county does not intend to hire at the top of that range. Instead, the county expects to bring the new administrator on board within the first three to five steps of the pay scale, leaving room for future merit increases. Ward said she hopes to present recruitment materials, including a maximum hiring salary, on Monday.

Household hazardous waste facility to halt business waste collection

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the Riley County Household Hazardous Waste facility will no longer accept hazardous waste from local businesses. Director Michael Boller told commissioners the change follows state regulations, which intend the facility for household waste, and will help contain rising diesel and transportation costs for waste shipped as far away as California. The county will send letters to businesses that have used the facility and provide information on alternative commercial disposal options. Boller said Shawnee County and Emporia have made the same change.

Heavy rains and flooding prompt road closure

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Heavy rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Polo caused localized flooding in Riley County. Emergency services director David Adams reported that the 7000 block of Blue River Hills Road was closed Wednesday evening because of moving water over the roadway and reopened during the night. The county's Emergency Operations Center was activated Wednesday evening during a tornado watch and shut down when the watch was canceled for Riley County. Adams said creeks are expected to rise again as rainfall drains south from the northern watershed, with more rain in the forecast, and urged drivers not to enter moving or standing water.

Health department undergoes physical and operational restructuring

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Health Department is restructuring to provide integrated, "wraparound" public health services. Human resources director Elizabeth Ward said the county has combined the maternal and child health and clinic nursing roles into a single public health nurse job description and has interviews scheduled to fill the position. The department also plans to move all clerks to a single check-in location, which will require a remodel. A timeline and cost are expected to come before the commission within about two weeks, and staff hope to complete the moves by the end of the year.

Keats Sewer Project and lagoon improvements advance

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Construction is continuing on the Keats Sewer Project, which planning director Amanda Webb said the county has worked toward for 12 years. Webb shared recent drone photos showing the scale of the project in relation to the surrounding community. Separately, the commission approved a temporary construction easement for the University Park Improvement District's lagoon facility.

Grant funds remain available for failing septic systems

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Low-to-moderate-income property owners in Riley County still have access to about $33,000 in grant funding to repair or replace failing wastewater systems. Planning director Amanda Webb reported that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has extended the county's Local Environmental Protection Program grant contract through next June. The grant can cover between 75 percent and 100 percent of repair or replacement costs for qualifying property owners, depending on income. Webb said the county has received few applications and is working with contractors to spread the word.

Appraiser's office processing hundreds of agricultural land maps

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Appraiser's Office is working through hundreds of agricultural land use maps to keep property records accurate. Appraiser Anna Burson reported that the county sent out just over 3,000 agricultural use maps and received more than 1,500 back. Of those returned, about 400 have significant changes that must be redrawn by the county's agricultural appraiser and geographic information systems team before appraisal records can be updated.

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