While college enrollment trended down slightly this fall across Kansas, most state universities — including K-State — saw modest jumps in headcount. Between its Manhattan, Salina and Olathe campuses, Kansas State University boasts 21,283 students, according to preliminary reports released Wednesday by the Kansas Board of Regents. That’s a growth of 70 students over last year’s numbers, and the highest fall headcount since 2019. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Author: Cole Bertelsen
A fire at the Geary Estates apartment complex near Fort Riley displaced a number of residents over the weekend, including service members and their families. Fort Riley, Geary County, the American Red Cross and community organizations have responded by providing temporary housing, food, clothing and other necessities, according to the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. Manhattan Mayor Susan Adamchak said on Tuesday that there are two donation drop-off points in town. One is at the Al Langton insurance office at 1014 Poyntz Ave. B. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
The Fort Riley Safe Passage program provided about 2,400 rides from May through August, according to Jared Tremblay, director of the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization. Tremblay presented an update on the rideshare program Tuesday to the Manhattan City Commission. The program provides eligible soldiers with vouchers for Lyft rides in effort to address impaired driving. “The mission of this program — it is a rideshare program — is to address impaired driving by soldiers,” Tremblay said. “The goal was to make this rideshare basically make the safe choice an easy choice.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
After some last-minute calculations, the Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday approved its 2027 budget that would mean a 2.7% increase in property taxes for the average single-family homeowner. Commissioner Larry Fox moved to reduce the proposed mill levy from 52.8 mills to 52.5, reducing the city’s projected use of general fund cash reserves by $236,000. A mill represents $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed, taxable property value. The initial budget’s 52.8-mill levy was 0.59 above the revenue-neutral rate. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
The Manhattan City Commission unanimously approved a $1.5 million Kansas Department of Transportation grant Tuesday to reconstruct the on and off ramps at the Kansas highway 18 and Kansas highway 177 interchange. The grant, awarded through KDOT’s city connecting link improvement program, will cover 80% of the project cost. Staff members said the city’s share will likely be about $300,000. The commission accepted the grant and authorized the mayor to sign the project’s programming request. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved placing a 0.5% citywide sales tax for street maintenance on the Nov. 3 ballot. If approved by voters, the 10-year sales tax would take effect April 1, 2027, following the expiration of the city’s existing 0.2% dedicated street sales tax. City officials estimate the new tax would generate about $8 million annually, with $6 million dedicated to repairing and rehabilitating local streets and $2 million for minor streets. City manager Danielle Dulin said the funding would supplement existing street funding and is intended to help raise Manhattan’s pavement condition index from its…
Mayor Susan Adamchak announced several staffing changes at this week’s city commission meeting. Adamchak said Chelsea Johnson recently became promoted to city clerk. Johnson had served as administrative assistant for 16 years. The city clerk’s office serves as custodian of public records and the clerk of the Manhattan City Commission. Its responsibilities include handling open records requests, updating the city code and managing city records. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Manhattan city commissioners reached a consensus on lowering the proposed 2027 mill levy and renewing a sales tax for street maintenance during Tuesday’s work session. The new budget proposal would increase the average homeowner’s property taxes by 3.5%. A majority of the commission directed city administration to reduce the mill levy from 54.506 to 52.8, as well as add a 10-year, half-cent sales tax for street maintenance. A mill represents $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed, taxable property value. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
A chain of collegiate-themed hotels has bought Bluemont Hotel and plans to convert it by next year. The real estate brokerage firm involved announced the acquisition and conversion of the hotel into Graduate by Hilton Manhattan, aiming for its new look to be unveiled in early 2027. The hotel’s new owners are TCOR Hotel Partners. Bluemont Hotel had a listed price of $17 million. Graduate Hotels are known for themed interiors, specialized public spaces and food-and-beverage concepts modeled after local flavors. According to the firm’s announcement, the reimagined hotel will feature refreshed guest rooms, enhanced gathering spaces and design elements…
The Manhattan City Commission expressed plans to increase sales taxes by 0.3 cents per dollar after two of its city sales taxes are set to expire. The two set to expire are a one-fifth cent per dollar sales tax in 2026 and a one-fourth cent per dollar sales tax in 2027 (totaling 0.45 cents per dollar). City staff members presented three options that would renew the city’s sales taxes at one-half cent, three-quarters of a cent or 1 cent. Each option would dedicate about $3 million annually to debt payments and provide varying funding for streets, deferred maintenance, parks and…