Keats wastewater project awaits federal guidance for earmarked grant

County awaits proposals for former First Christian Church property

County tracks sweeping property tax protest legislation

County testifies on motor vehicle fees, monitors appraisal bills

Appraiser job opening draws record 237 applicants

Noxious weed director honored with state public relations award

EMS reports 23 Fake Patty's Day calls, cooperative crowds

EMS and fire departments consolidate into unified emergency services

EMS educates community on emergency planning for caregivers

1. Keats wastewater project awaits federal guidance for earmarked grant

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County officials are waiting on guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency to secure grant funding for the Keats wastewater program. County commissioners recently met with State Rep. Lewis "Bill" Bloom to discuss the project's financing, noting that a grant has already been earmarked by Sen. Jerry Moran's office. The funds have been appropriated, but the county cannot begin the formal grant-writing process until the EPA issues its final procedural guidelines.

2. County awaits proposals for former First Christian Church property

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The window for submitting requests for proposals regarding the former First Christian Church property officially closed Monday. Riley County Counselor Jacob Hansen informed commissioners that staff will now collect and review the submitted bids. The county will use the proposals to evaluate potential plans and determine the best path forward for the property's future use.

3. County tracks sweeping property tax protest legislation

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County is closely monitoring House Bill 2396, which would significantly alter how local property tax protest petitions are handled. According to the county counselor, the revised legislation would establish a strict 3 percent cap on property tax increases. If a governing body exceeds that cap and a successful protest petition is lodged, the budget would automatically revert to the previous year's taxable amount.

4. County testifies on motor vehicle fees, monitors appraisal bills

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County officials provided testimony in Topeka this week regarding Senate Bill 404. Meanwhile, the county counselor advised commissioners to keep an eye on two appraisal-related bills. One would mandate property tax rebates for homes sold below 97 percent of their appraised value, while another would require single-property appraisal reports for tax appeals rather than the mass appraisal reports currently utilized by the county.

5. Appraiser job opening draws record 237 applicants

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — A recent job posting for an Appraiser I position in Riley County yielded an unusually high turnout, drawing 237 applicants. Human resources staff highlighted the statistic during the approval of employee action forms, noting the staggering interest in the entry-level county role. The county ultimately hired two individuals from the applicant pool, filling the open positions in an average of 32 days.

6. Noxious weed director honored with state public relations award

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County Noxious Weed and Household Hazardous Waste Director Michael Boller received a public relations award at the 88th annual Kansas Weed Conference. Boller was recognized for his excellence in public education and outreach, an essential component of enforcing voluntary noxious weed treatment compliance. His award-winning efforts included a widely viewed video interview detailing county services that is now utilized in training sessions across the state.

7. EMS reports 23 Fake Patty's Day calls, cooperative crowds

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County Emergency Medical Services responded to 30 calls for service during the annual Fake Patty's Day celebrations, with 23 directly attributed to the event. EMS Director David Adams reported to the commission that the crowd was largely cooperative, resulting in no major issues or unusual incidents. Adams noted that the call volume was on par with a typical home football game weekend and arrived in predictable waves throughout the day and night.

8. EMS and fire departments consolidate into unified emergency services

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County Emergency Medical Services and the county fire department are consolidating into a single, unified department named Riley County Emergency Services. EMS Director David Adams will take over as head of the new consolidated department following the retirement of current Emergency Services Director and Fire Chief Russel Stukey in the fall of 2026. The ongoing transition includes combining the departments' dispatch and reporting software to improve interdepartmental efficiency.

9. EMS educates community on emergency planning for caregivers

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County Emergency Medical Services is spearheading a community outreach initiative to help families navigate medical emergencies when primary in-home caregivers fall ill. Paramedics recently hosted multiple educational sessions at local churches, advising citizens on emergency protocols for dependents with conditions like Parkinson's or dementia. The department clarified that, when possible, dependents can be transported to the hospital alongside the stricken caregiver until family members or hospital staff can intervene.

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