Riley County officials are revising the county’s gift card policy to allow community corrections to provide $100 gift cards to protective homes caring for children removed from their families. Brittany Phillips, the county’s budget and finance officer, presented the proposed policy update Monday to Riley County commissioners. The initial proposal would have limited each gift card to $25, but corrections director Megan Lewis said that amount would not cover basic needs for children staying in protective homes. The homes receive $100 gift cards to purchase clothing, hygiene products, diapers, formula and bottles,” Lewis said. “Some children also need specific items,…
Author: Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez
Riley County will pay more for gravel and road salt next year, increasing costs for road maintenance and winter operations, public works director John Ellermann told county commissioners Monday. Gravel prices will increase about 10%, from $16.60 to $18.31 per ton. Road salt prices also have climbed, rising from 49 cents to 57 cents per unit delivered. The county purchased additional gravel last week to build stockpiles before the higher prices take effect. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County commissioners approved a letter of support in a 2-0 vote Monday for the Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency’s application for federal funding, reaffirming the county’s financial commitment to the public transportation agency. Commissioner John Ford was absent. Anne Smith, ATA bus director, requested the letter for the agency’s grant application, which supports rural transportation services. The letter states ATA has provided safe, reliable and affordable public transportation to Riley County residents since 1976. It also notes that the county allocated $126,375 for the agency in 2027, with payments distributed quarterly, and a separate $20,000 Americans with Disabilities Act…
A proposal to dissolve the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board and replace it with a new Manhattan planning board with expanded duties and Pottawatomie County representation prompted questions from Riley County commissioners Monday about the city’s annexations into Pott County and the potential impact on county residents and services. Riley County commission chairwoman Kathryn Focke on Monday questioned why county-appointed representatives should have a role in planning decisions involving another county. “I do have a problem with Pottawatomie County being included in the whole planning area,” she said. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County’s jail expenses could exceed last year’s $441,000 total as the inmate population continues to grow, county clerk Rich Vargo told commissioners Monday. Vargo presented the monthly financial update to commissioners, noting the average daily jail population had reached 162. He said the rising population could push expenses above last year’s level, which was already “extremely high.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County has about $33,000 available to help eligible property owners repair or replace failing wastewater systems, but officials are struggling to get residents to apply for the assistance. Amanda Webb, Riley County planning director, told county commissioners Thursday that the local environmental protection program has helped several property owners this funding cycle, including one who needed a system connection and another who needed a tank replacement. The purpose of the grant program is to assist low- to moderate-income Riley County residents with repair or replacement of their failed residential private wastewater systems or components. To view the full article…
Rob Voelker defeated incumbent John Ford in the Riley County Commission District 1 race, winning 3,936 votes to Ford’s 2,186, according to unofficial final election results. Voelker, a Democrat, said the victory followed 18 months of campaigning and an effort to give voters an alternative in the race. “I just feel pretty darn good,” Voelker said. “This has been an incredible effort, and we’ve had an incredible team. It’s not just me; it’s an entire cast of characters and group of people who were just very dedicated to this cause.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County commissioners are preparing to interview five candidates for the county administrator position, with in-person interviews scheduled for Dec. 2-4. Human resources director Elizabeth Ward told commissioners Monday the proposed in-person interviews and other candidate activities will take place over three days. Commissioners reserved Dec. 2 from 2 to 5 p.m., Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The hiring is a closed process. Commissioners and the county counselor also will have time to discuss next steps, including a possible employment offer and contract negotiations. To view the full…
Riley County officials are reviewing a new annexation request from the city of Manhattan and considering more frequent coordination between the county and city legal departments, county counselor Jacob Hansen told commissioners Monday. The county received the annexation request from Manhattan the previous week. “We get 30 days from the date in which it’s provided to us,” Hansen said. “Notice is provided to us to make a determination of whether or not it is hinder the growth or development of an area.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County commissioners delayed action on a grant application that would fund traffic enforcement activities by the Riley County Police Department after questions arose about which government entity should receive the award. Scott Hajek, the department’s patrol major division commander, asked commissioners to approve applying for and accepting funding through the 2027 federal highway safety grant program. The department intends to use the funding for the special traffic enforcement program, which supports targeted patrols focused on traffic safety. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.