Riley County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Riley County commissioners cut chip seal cost by $67,775.59, approve health department remodel 2-1

Riley County commissioners approved a $67,775.59 decrease to the 2026 chip seal project and, on a 2-1 vote, a remodel of the Riley County Health Department area funded by CIP, according to minutes of the board's Oct. 8 meeting. At an Oct. 5 meeting, the board agreed by consensus to halt all events at CiCo Park until policy is clarified.

Chip seal project reduced by $67,775.59

Commissioners voted 3-0 on Oct. 8 to approve Change Order No. 1 with Vance Brothers, LLC for a decrease of $67,775.59. The minutes describe the action as a decrease tied to the 2026 chip seal project. The same meeting included approval, also 3-0, of a Township Road Maintenance Agreement and an out-of-state travel request for Elizabeth Ward.

Health department remodel approved on split vote

The board voted 2-1 to approve a remodel of the Riley County Health Department area funded by CIP. The minutes summary provided did not include a dollar amount for the remodel. The same meeting produced a 3-0 vote approving the Riley County Administrator Recruitment and Selection Process and Timeline.

CiCo Park events halted pending policy review

On Oct. 5, commissioners agreed by consensus to stop all events at CiCo Park, including those involving alcohol, until policy is clarified. The action was recorded as a consensus rather than a numbered vote. Separately that day, the board voted 3-0 to approve two Plaza reservations for The Makers Guild, Inc., for Oct. 10 and Oct. 11.

Wastewater lagoon, permits and hiring

The Oct. 5 board approved Change Order No. 2 with Bayer Construction for the University Park Wastewater Lagoon on a 3-0 vote; no dollar amount was given in the minutes summary. Commissioners took no action on the sale of Tatarrax Lot 70.

On Oct. 8, commissioners voted 3-0 to approve Highway Use Permit 2026-010 for Daryl Parker to install a water line at 3965 S 20th St. They also approved Riley County Employee Action Forms for new hires and separations, and voted 3-0 to fill vacant Public Works Operator and Transfer Station Customer Service Representative positions.

Administrator recruitment materials

On Oct. 5, commissioners voted 3-0 to approve a marketing brochure for county administrator recruitment. The recruitment process and timeline followed on Oct. 8. The board also approved a National 4-H Week Proclamation for Oct. 4-10, 3-0, and approved the Oct. 1, 2026 meeting minutes.

Data center and battery storage moratorium on Oct. 15 agenda

The Oct. 15 agenda listed a Data Center and BESS Moratorium Extension, a Flint Hills Event Complex MOU, a KDOT Cost-Share Program Award for Spring 2026, Health Department Purchasing, and a request to fill an Administrative Assistant I position. Minutes for that meeting have not been published, so no outcomes are confirmed here.

Coming up

The Board of County Commissioners meets Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in a regular meeting. Agenda items include approval of a Keats Evergy invoice payment, advisory board appointments, an Emergency Services Staff Update and a Horticulture Update. The meeting also includes an administrative work session and an executive session regarding a performance matter involving non-elected personnel.

Riley County Commission approves $1.3M in payroll and warrants; lagoon, administrator search await decisions

Riley County commissioners approved more than $1.3 million in payroll and warrant vouchers at their Oct. 1 meeting — the only recent meeting for which official minutes have been published. Two later meetings, on Oct. 5 and Oct. 8, have agendas available but no published minutes, so the items listed there are proposals and discussion topics, not decisions.

Oct. 1: Payroll, warrants and agreements

All actions taken at the Oct. 1 Board of County Commissioners meeting passed 3-0, according to the minutes. The board:

• Approved payroll and warrant vouchers totaling $1,339,881.52.
• Approved a $46,866 budget certification for the Riley County Conservation District for 2027.
• Approved the 2027 Agreement for Services with Big Lakes Developmental Center, Inc.
• Approved a KDOT grant support letter for Big Lakes Developmental Center.
• Approved a Temporary Construction Easement with University Park Improvement District.
• Approved a 2027 Cereal Malt Beverages License for Britt's Farm.
• Authorized negotiations for Indigent Defense Legal Services contract extensions.
• Approved minutes from Sept. 28, 2026.

The payroll and warrant total is the largest single dollar figure in the published record for the past two weeks. The Conservation District certification sets a 2027 funding amount; the Big Lakes agreement covers services for 2027. Neither the minutes nor the agenda state the dollar value of the Big Lakes agreement.

Oct. 5 agenda: wastewater lagoon, Tatarrax Lot 70, alcohol at CiCo Park

The board was scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 5 in the Commission Chambers in Manhattan. The published agenda listed a Change Order 2 for the University Park Wastewater Lagoon; a Tatarrax Lot 70 item presented by County Counselor Jacob Hansen and Assistant County Counselor Michael Hawthorne; and an item on alcohol at CiCo Park presented by HR Director Elizabeth Ward.

The agenda also listed updates on the Riley County Police Department, downtown Manhattan, Fort Riley Safe Passage and rural economic development; two plaza reservation requests from The Makers Guild, Inc. for Oct. 10 and 11, 2026; a National 4-H Week proclamation; county administrator marketing approval; and an executive session for attorney-client consultation.

No minutes have been published for this meeting, so no outcome is established here.

Oct. 8 agenda: administrator recruitment, health department remodel

The Oct. 8 agenda listed a change order for the 2026 Chip Seal Project; Highway Use Permit 2026-010 for S 20th St; a Health Department Remodel; the selection and recruitment process for a County Administrator; and requests to fill Public Works Operator I-II and Transfer Station Customer Service Representative positions. No minutes have been published for this meeting either.

What is decided and what is not

Only the Oct. 1 items are recorded as decided, and each carries a 3-0 vote in the minutes. Everything listed for Oct. 5 and Oct. 8 remains at the agenda stage in the available record. The absence of published minutes does not establish that any item was approved, rejected, postponed or withdrawn.

Coming up

The provided data lists no upcoming meetings for the next 14 days. Residents who want to track the Oct. 5 and Oct. 8 items should watch for publication of those minutes, since the agenda items above have no recorded outcome yet.

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.