Riley County considers fee hikes and first county administrator search

The Riley County Board of Commissioners was scheduled to review recruitment materials Monday morning as the county launches its search for its first-ever administrator, a role with an expected starting salary between $151,225 and $180,463.

During the 8:30 a.m. meeting, Chairwoman Kathryn Focke, a Democrat, along with Republican Commissioners John Ford and Greg McKinley, were also set to consider doubling the county's motor vehicle transaction fee from $5 to $10. County Treasurer Shilo Heger proposed the hike, which was recently authorized by a new state law, to generate $832,000 annually. Heger noted the revenue would fully fund the motor vehicle department’s $817,000 projected 2027 operating costs, eliminating the need to subsidize the office with local property taxes.

Also on the agenda, commissioners prepared to order a forced cleanup of a nuisance property at 2820 Nelson’s Landing after the owner, William McNee, missed an August deadline to clear junk, inoperable vehicles, and a collapsed shed. The county plans to hire a private contractor for an estimated $4,500 to abate the violations, with the costs to be added to the property's tax bill if McNee fails to reimburse the county within 60 days.

Following the morning's regular business, a special Riley County Law Enforcement Agency meeting is scheduled to take place in the commission chambers at 2 p.m.

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