Finance and Budget Officer Brittany Philips presented Monday to the Riley County Commission the bids for the temporary note approved to pay for sewer projects. The funds are for the University Park Sewer District and the Lake Park Sewer District. They are intended to pay a portion of preliminary costs of engineering, design, and construction of a non-discharging lagoon. Philips said: Commissioners made a motion that would refer the bids back to staff for recommendation, as recommended by Philips. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs presented regarding funding from the CDC. This money is to enhance public health infrastructure. Based on…
Author: Bernie Fancella
Riley County Public Information Officer Vivienne Leyva presented commissioners Thursday with results of a July public survey, regarding a potential switch to a 4 day, 40 hour work week. Leyva spoke about the first question on the survey. Close to 2,000 respondents took the survey, with greater than half saying the new schedule would make Riley County offices more accessible for them. Question 2 asked preference for extended hours to conduct business. About 22 percent of digital respondents to the survey said visiting early morning or late evening would be better, with a small amount preferring evenings. Paper polls were…
The Riley County Fair was held last week, and KMAN had the opportunity to visit and interview some of the participants. Kate Kennedy, Bernie Fancella, and AJ Shaw report. The Riley County Fair wraps up Monday with the 4 H Livestock Auction at 7 p.m. The Pottawatomie County Fair begins Thursday in Onaga and runs through Sunday, as fair season continues! This is the list of those interviewed: Delany McDonald Elliot Dunston Maverick Winter Eva Dunston Weston Anderson Jameson McDonald Mandalyn Otto Dawn Messerla Avery Feldkanmp Kendall Feldkanmp Matthew Stallbaumer Colby Inman Teagan Reasoner Pierce…
EMS/Ambulance Director David Adams requested the necessary funding for two new full time employees. One is to replace an employee who had resigned their position, the other is to bring the currently in construction EMS station to full staff. Adams explained why they need another EMT. Adams gave a brief timeline as to when the EMTs will be moved into their new full time positions. The new EMT/Ambulance facility is located in Leonardville in northern Riley County. The Commission approved the request. Riley County Commissioners heard a resolution to to sell temporary notes to cover the initial costs of the…
The Riley County Commissioners heard the amendment to increase the budget for the Keats lagoon, necessary due to the deteriorating septic tanks in the area. Planning Director Amanda Webb updated the new costs. The total project cost is now $16,000. Planning Director Amanda Webb explained that some of this money could be recouped. A representative from BG Consultants, Brian Foster, gave an update on the potential lagoon site. The amendment was unanimously approved. The new costs will be added to the existing contract for BG Consultants to continue the project to survey the location for the non-discharging lagoon.
Friday marks the start of the 15th Annual Wildcats for No Stone Unturned Gold and Gala Weekend. The weekend of Golf Tournaments, a live auction, a silent auction, and raffle starts the day after No Stone Unturned broke ground on their new facility on Tuttle Creek. The Therapeutic Learning Center is a state of the art learning facility to serve children and families throughout the region. Bill Snyder kicked off the groundbreaking. Executive Director of the No Stone Unturned Foundation Kelly Keogh explained their mission statement. No Stone Unturned Founder Melinda…
A motions hearing was held Tuesday morning for a Fort Riley soldier at the center of the February 2022 murder of Joshua Wardi outside an Aggieville bar. District Judge John Bosch heard pre-trial motions Tuesday from Tremelle Montgomery, who is charged with a single count of 1st degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault, Montgomery was shot in the leg by an officer Feb. 5, 2022, while attempting to flee the area, following the alleged homicide. Tuesday’s motions were related to statements Montgomery made to an RCPD officer while in the hospital, as well as an interview conducted by…
The Riley County Commission voted Monday to exceed the revenue neutral rate when setting the property tax level for the 2024 budget. The county’s 2024 mill levy will be 42.128, down from last year’s rate of 42.221. Commissioner John Ford spoke Monday about the increased budget, and what should happen next. The commission moved to approve both increases, and unanimously voted to accept the measures, exceeding the proposed RNR mill levy for the county (41.213) and the proposed RNR mill levy for the rural fire district (8.194). EMS/Ambulance Director David Adams also gave an update Monday, including the monthly statistics…
Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo presented the newest version of the proposed 2024 budget at Thursday’s meeting. Included were new dollar amounts for the adjusted cost of living adjustment for employees. The new payroll amount adjusted by the approved 5% COLA is $1.22 million. The total amount in COLA was increased due to new positions that were approved by commissioners earlier this week. Commissioner John Ford remarked that the COLA adjustment is not a complete solution. Human Resources Director Elizabeth Ward explained why a rise in COLA is necessary. The overall budget authority is approximately $50.5 million, a decrease of…
Under overcast skies, nearly 150 participants launched their boats to start a day long excursion on the Kansas River from Manhattan to Saint George. Park Ranger Angelia Lentz explained the event. Many of the participants were new this year to the Little Apple Paddle. Visit Manhattan Executive Director Marcia Rozell gave a rundown of what to expect on the river. The Little Apple Paddle started at the Highway 24 boat dock.