> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Riley County Commission Summary - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/riley-county-commission-summary-63/ - Published: 2026-10-06T15:38:47.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-06T15:38:47.000Z - Description: Week of October 6, 2026 - Author: Cronkite - Tags: Manhattan, #summary, dnn # Brittany Phillips tapped to finish retiring county clerk's term # County advances search for new administrator # Fort Riley Safe Passage program scales back hours after budget constraint # Local homelessness nonprofit announces program expansions # Downtown Manhattan preps for expanded holiday retail season # Local family recognized with Rural Appreciation Award # Commission pauses alcohol exemptions for Cico Park events # County sets agenda for upcoming legislative luncheon --- ### Brittany Phillips tapped to finish retiring county clerk's term RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County Budget and Finance Officer Brittany Phillips has been appointed to step into the role of county clerk. The Riley County Republican Central Committee announced the transition, selecting Phillips to finish the remaining term of current County Clerk Rich Vargo, who is set to retire. The county will soon need to begin the process of filling her vacated finance position. --- ### County advances search for new administrator RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission unanimously approved the marketing brochure for the recruitment of a new county administrator during its meeting Monday. Human Resources Director Elizabeth Ward presented the ninth version of the recruitment materials, incorporating final feedback on the job's description and core responsibilities. Ward noted she is working on an aggressive timeline with a tentative start date of Jan. 4 for the new executive. A comprehensive recruitment timeline and internal organizational plan will be presented later this week to prepare for the transition. --- ### Fort Riley Safe Passage program scales back hours after budget constraint RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — A ride-share voucher program designed to reduce impaired driving among Fort Riley soldiers is limiting its operating hours after high demand depleted its monthly budget. Jared Tremblay, director of the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization, reported that the Safe Passage program, which provides Lyft vouchers for soldiers ranked captain and below, saw an unexpected spike to 900 rides in September, exhausting funds. To ensure the program's sustainability through its fiscal cycle, the service will now operate exclusively on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. --- ### Local homelessness nonprofit announces program expansions MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan-based nonprofit Be Able is launching a new workforce readiness program and planning a women's housing facility following the success of its men's recovery housing. Operations Director Jarad Garan reported that the men's housing program is now nationally accredited and currently houses 23 men, with eight successful program graduates transitioning to traditional leases. To address employment retention, the organization is converting space in its community center into the "Be Able Works Academy" to teach essential soft skills and is actively seeking property to launch a parallel women's housing program by 2027. --- ### Downtown Manhattan preps for expanded holiday retail season MANHATTAN, Kan. — Downtown Manhattan is extending its traditional holiday kickoff events to accommodate growing retail participation and community turnout. Downtown Manhattan Inc. organizers announced that the annual Holiday Open House will expand to a two-day event on Nov. 7 and 8, featuring more than 30 retailers. Additionally, the popular "12 Drinks of Christmas" passport program will be extended to run from mid-November through Jan. 3 to give patrons more time to participate safely, joining other staple downtown events like the Nov. 27 Festival of Lights and the Dec. 4 Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade. --- ### Local family recognized with Rural Appreciation Award RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Rural Economic Development Advisory Board awarded its quarterly Rural Appreciation Award to the Sharp family for their revitalization of a historic commercial space in Leonardville. The Sharp family purchased the former Nelson's Landing in 2022 and has since renovated the building into a new retail space. Set to open Nov. 27, the space will function as an antique and vendor mall, providing a retail hub for small local businesses selling handcrafted items, vintage clothing and antiques in the rural county. --- ### Commission pauses alcohol exemptions for Cico Park events RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — All requests to allow alcohol at events held in Cico Park will be placed on hold until the county establishes clear, standardized criteria for exemptions. Assistant County Counselor Michael Hawthorne and Riley County Extension staff sought guidance on the current general prohibition of alcohol sales and consumption at the park, noting that a lack of formal policy has put staff in a difficult position when event organizers request exemptions. The commission agreed to halt any new alcohol exemptions until a formal policy is developed to ensure consistent and fair application for all community events. --- ### County sets agenda for upcoming legislative luncheon RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Property tax education and county sales tax authority will take center stage when local officials meet with the state legislative delegation on Nov. 9\. County Counselor Jacob Hansen outlined the primary talking points for the upcoming luncheon, which will also include discussions on the criminal nuisance abatement act and requested reforms to Rural Housing Incentive Districts and other tax incentive programs. The agenda aims to communicate the local government's financial and legal priorities to state lawmakers ahead of the upcoming legislative session in Topeka. --- [Click here for local obituaries](https://cjus.me/ksu-obit?ref=citizenjournal.us) --- --- Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? 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