Board of Riley County Commissioners

Riley County Commission
May 9, 2011

All present

Johnette Shepek reported on comparisons of Law Enforcement costs to 5 other counties in northeast KS including each one's largest city, and said that Riley county's per capita expenditures were next to the lowest. Comparisons can be difficult, however, because of various factors including having more than one sizeable city within the county..
A request had been made concerning the city/county RCPD funding split. When comparing the present and proposed city/county cost division it was determined that with current tax values and comparing a 75/25 cost split vs the current 80/20 split, the result would be a difference of 49 cents per year to a Manhattan home with value of $150,000.
Rich Vargo told the commission that 1/3 of the way through the year the wages and overtime expenditures average 29.33% of the budgeted amounts. In overall expenditures Juvenile detention was 49.87 % and RCPD was 48.8% while some other depts were below the average..
Cheryl Collins announced that Matt McDonough, Riley County Historical Museum Assistant was the recipient of the KSU Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. McDonough told the commission a bit about his philosophy of teaching history (get the students to care) and his research - American 19th Century Expansionism.
The Commission was updated on the progress with the Maplewood mobile home park owned by Lawrence Prawl. They are behind in paying taxes, have filed bankruptcy and notice of abandonment has been filed. The County is asking that the delinquent taxes be paid in full. The property has been sold and the new owners are positive about the future of the park.