Riley County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Riley County approves $87,824 IT equipment, certifies primary election results

The Riley County Board of County Commissioners approved an $87,824.39 capital improvement project for IT/GIS audio-visual equipment at its Aug. 17 meeting, and certified the 2026 primary election results at its Aug. 13 meeting. The board also acted on a nuisance abatement, a grant application, and personnel changes across three recent meetings.

IT equipment and emergency management remodel

At the Aug. 17 meeting, the board voted 3-0 to approve the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Riley County Emergency Management Remodel Project. It also approved, 3-0, a CIP Project Activation Form for AV equipment replacement for the IT/GIS Department at $87,824.39. The board approved employee action forms, including a status change for Addison Birkes and four separations, and approved the minutes of the Aug. 13 meeting. No items were denied or tabled.

Election certification and other actions

On Aug. 13, the board certified the official results of the 2026 Primary Election, including valid and partial-count provisional ballots, by a 3-0 vote. It also approved tax roll corrections (3-0), employee action forms for two new hires (3-0), an EZ EMR contract extension for the Health Department (3-0), and an AV system purchase for the Public Works Conference Room (3-0). The board agreed by consensus to host the Northeast Kansas County Officials meeting. It denied a CIP amendment for CiCo Park Playground Equipment by a 2-1 vote. The board also approved an executive session for a department head evaluation (3-0), taking no binding action.

Nuisance abatement and grant application

At the Aug. 10 meeting, the board approved Resolution No. 081026-39 ordering the abatement of a public nuisance at 2820 Nelson's Landing. It also approved a request to apply for $27,500 in grant funds from the Memorial Hospital Association, the Riley County Purchasing Card Request Form, and the minutes of the Aug. 6 meeting. The board recessed as the Board of County Commissioners and convened as the Board of Health to consider the grant application. It also held an executive session for personnel matters and took action consistent with the consensus reached.

Aug. 20 meeting

The board held a regular meeting on Aug. 20 with discussion items including a year-to-date revenue report, a county administrator benefits package, a request to publish a hearing notice, an update from the Riley County Police Department, and 2005 personal property tax judgments. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

The board will hold its next regular meeting on Aug. 24. Agenda items include a plaza reservation request from The Makers Guild, Inc. for Oct. 12, 2026; a federal fund exchange presented by Public Works Director John Ellermann; a proposed amendment to the Riley County Land Development Regulations presented by Planner Bob Isaac; a retirement plaque presentation to Russel Stukey; and an executive session for attorney-client consultation.

Riley County commissioners approve Health Department reorganization, table sales tax renewal

The Riley County Board of Commissioners approved a reorganization and budget for the Health Department on July 23, 2026, including staffing reductions and the retention of a child care license specialist through June 30, 2027. The 3-0 vote was one of several actions taken at the meeting, which also included rezoning land in Manhattan Township and tabling a proposed sales tax renewal for the November ballot.

Health Department, zoning, and finances

Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the Health Department reorganization and budget. The board also approved Resolution No. 072326-32, rezoning land in Manhattan Township from AG to I-1, and Resolution No. 072326-31, establishing Riley County Solid Waste Facility fees. Both passed 3-0.

The board approved $1,895,265.06 in payroll and warrant vouchers (3-0) and approved Change Order No. 1 for the University Park Wastewater Lagoon, which decreased the project cost by $71,991.00 (3-0). Commissioners also approved Indemnification & Hold Harmless Agreements with A&H Farms and Manhattan Brewing Company (3-0).

Items tabled

Commissioners tabled two items with 3-0 votes: a CIP Project Amendment for playground equipment at CiCo Park, and the pursuit of a 0.2 cent sales tax renewal for the November 2026 ballot. Both were postponed for further consideration.

Earlier meeting — July 20

Minutes have not yet been published for the July 20 regular meeting. The agenda included review of July 16 meeting minutes, an EMS/Ambulance staff update, a brief public notice from Alvin Perez, a primary election update from Susan Boller, and discussion of a law enforcement agency meeting agenda packet.

July 27 and July 30 — agendas only

Minutes are not yet available for the July 27 meeting, which included a public hearing for Peterson Ranch, a 2027 budget work session, discussion of the Sutton Estates Addition, J&M Addition Unit 1, and University Park Unit 16, a City of Manhattan Opioid Settlement Funds Grant Agreement, and a Home in the Heartland Grant Application Round 2.

The July 30 agenda listed a contract with BHS Construction for a Riley County IT/GIS office building, the appointment of Michael Crimaldi to the Big Lakes Developmental Center Advisory Board, preservation of ballots and election records, a County Clerk pay grade reclassification, and a 2027 budget work session. No minutes have been published.

Coming up

The Board of County Commissioners meets August 3, 2026. The agenda includes a resolution for a .20% countywide retailers' sales tax to fund road and bridge improvements, a contract extension for trash services with Howie's Enterprises, Inc. dba Ecowaste Solutions, a resolution to reduce speed limits on Roever Road, Ady Drive, and Daniel Avenue, armed security changes at the Riley County District Courthouse, and a 2027 budget work session. A work session regarding data centers is also scheduled.

Riley County commissioners approve $5.15M budget transfer, transfer station rate increase to $72/ton

Riley County commissioners approved a $5.15 million transfer from the Capital Improvement Program to County General to fund the 2027 budget, splitting 2-1 at their July 13 meeting. The board also set revenue-neutral rate indications for several benefit districts and advanced a Peterson Ranch assessment hearing.

July 13: Budget transfer and revenue-neutral rates

Commissioners voted 2-1 to move $5.15 million from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to County General for the 2027 budget. The same meeting produced a 2-1 vote to indicate a Revenue Neutral Rate for Riley County Rural Fire District #1.

The board approved Revenue Neutral Rate indications for four additional districts by 3-0 votes: Valleywood Operations Benefit District, University Park Water & Sewer District, Terra Heights Benefit District, and Carson Sewer Benefit District.

Other July 13 actions:

• Approved a U.S. Department of Justice FY 2026 BIDEN grant application (3-0).
• Approved Resolution No. 071326-29 for a Peterson Ranch Benefit District assessment hearing (3-0).

July 9: Payroll, CiCo Park alcohol sales, and grants

Commissioners approved payroll and accounts payable totaling $5,720,684.34 by a 3-0 vote. The board also approved Riley County Employee Action Forms (3-0) and the July 6 meeting minutes (3-0).

The board approved Resolution No. 070926-28 regarding alcohol sales in CiCo Park (3-0). Staff were authorized to contract with Purple Wave, Inc. for an internet-only surplus auction (3-0).

Grant acceptances approved 3-0 included the Immunization Action Plan (IAP) Grant award and the MCH Grant award. By consensus, the board agreed to allow the Flint Hills Events Complex working group to gauge community interest at the county fair.

July 6: Transfer station rate increase and project change order

Commissioners raised the Transfer Station rate to $72.00 per ton (3-0). The same meeting approved Change Order #4 for the Transfer Station Tipping Floor project, a reduction of $4,000.00 (3-0).

Additional July 6 approvals, all 3-0:

• Highway Use Permit for J&K Contracting to install a sanitary sewer trench.
• Plaza Reservation Request for Downtown Manhattan, Inc.

The board also approved minutes from its July 1 special meeting (2-0) and July 2 regular meeting (3-0).

July 16: Agenda only, minutes not yet published

The July 16 meeting agenda listed a resolution to establish the Department of Emergency Services, a Keats Sewer Benefit District Notice to Proceed, Highway Use Permit 2026-009, a University Park Improvement District appointment, and a 2027 Budget Work Session. Official minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so no outcomes are reported here.

Coming up

The Board of County Commissioners meets July 20, 2026. The agenda includes review of July 16 meeting minutes, a staff update including EMS/Ambulance, a brief public notice from Alvin Perez (1-2 minutes), a primary election update from Susan Boller (2-3 minutes), and discussion of a law-enforcement agency meeting agenda packet.