[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6483583,"mediaKeyId","5669802-ceae81e64cd0c6dcf222420677b0f034","parentId",5669802,"title","County counselor details staffing, litigation deadlines and easement signings","audioSeconds",322,"startMs",1847945,"endMs",2170319,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669802-ceae81e64cd0c6dcf222420677b0f034&start=1847&end=2170","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669802-ceae81e64cd0c6dcf222420677b0f034/thumbnail_1847945.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6483583/Kansas/County-counselor-details-staffing-litigation-deadlines-and-easement-signings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483583-1b9454b577e48270d75925a59aeab834/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590948&Signature=TkHDxo7xtxesRsP~ru0yEgm5mfGk0Rrrg6y8lQRWtPwfSO81KV24X7VyCpAlY5Y1t8oKh3C6NCcPHdTGmn1AKVZc8vLRyo7XLHj~WKId7EZNkb3aAzYkZLX0BxFdmAZS7b8IL48mY3gdyMlPTBcLrwKCj4eF1HO3Y859QMjd7sKi8VUDWXEJB15-AaiyIMBUT8hq2xZkJL41xhmZXwRUCoqmPVt4AHyI3Hf05vIgbBSyR7seIOzajPD76SrAz8o1~HALwhmyjftE8Z-oaZib-ksfgEMa2vhPNHyhGTZFnxwPaS0MrmNqDJ4fj7LlnqQubEnpJIUp2z4kOre~AFHU-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Riley County","date","2025-08-25T15:01:48.123Z","article","Jacob Vance, Riley County Counselor, briefed commissioners Aug. 25 on staffing, litigation, and property-easement logistics.

Vance said county staff is continuing recruitment for a vacant legal position; three applications have been received, though he said one applicant lacked required law-school credentials. “So far, there has been a total of 3. However, I wouldn't consider 1, an applicant because they didn't even go to law school,” Vance said. He described only one full week of advertising so far and said staff expects more applicants as outreach continues.

On litigation, Vance outlined several upcoming deadlines. He said the county has a conditional cross-petition due to the Kansas Supreme Court and motions tied to a criminal case scheduled for trial in December involving property owned by Gary Kilner. “One of them is a conditional cross petition for the Kansas Supreme Court. The other is, some motions regarding our criminal case that I have set for trial in December,” Vance said.

Vance also described preparations for a planned easement-signing event. He said most signings will involve temporary construction easements and will not require notary services, which he expects will make the process quicker. To confirm signers’ ownership, the county will request abstract or ownership reports from outside counsel (Charleston and Wilson) before finalizing easement documents. “One of the things we have to do legally is make sure that the people who are signing these easement documents are the people that actually own the land,” Vance said.

Vance reported that staff are moving forward on an “insurance audit” document and are referencing a 1975 American Bar Association guidance in balancing confidentiality concerns. He also said county contracts remain active and that staff work continues to process them.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the timing of easement activities and litigation; Vance said he and other staff will be present to facilitate signings and to bring most, though not all, documents for signatures. No formal board action or vote was recorded on the matters Vance described during the update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","8/25/2025 Riley County Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Riley County Counselor Jacob Vance updated commissioners on staffing for a legal vacancy, active litigation timelines including a conditional cross-petition to the Kansas Supreme Court and a December trial, and upcoming easement-signing logistics requiring title verification.","taxTitle","Riley, Kansas","taxId",4218,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6483587,"Resident urges county to weigh RCPD cost as officials draft 2027 budget",196,67810,263960,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5669802-ceae81e64cd0c6dcf222420677b0f034&start=67&end=263","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5669802-ceae81e64cd0c6dcf222420677b0f034/thumbnail_67810.jpg","/articles/6483587/Kansas/Resident-urges-county-to-weigh-RCPD-cost-as-officials-draft-2027-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483587-76575092473a6ba468d6e22b1f7e15ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590948&Signature=DqGt8eUXQbzfWnuvepkc-rybb3N1L4jn9822PLtanocl9JXsbhTIwSE2pgRl7HwdCuv5RCk3uSmKWX~DlGsViEhVNsJctN~loHAQu3Zlxujy~EA2yAWT8wYZI-T-iGkiwxK5E4duDTZIgl5j76P9nWbGWiiVligDt2UrStV7~Ed~E8tl~woSTMtw1V4PPZVoJ1t1zggBqw5~eEY3pResnKtW16~NT3ElT~BkRYZOQMI0XqSW8mPwPfwyyL3eyycKxPDRvM~rw8qSIZYlD70o3wwtrdKJ9EHv6lQ~e32BUryXRxbLBlX8mBC0N07RkeNUhCzHXJiQgpYnKdbbkX1jww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Oles, a Manhattan homeowner, told the Riley County Commission on Aug. 25 that the county’s current law-enforcement assessment is a growing burden for property owners and urged commissioners to consider it while preparing the 2027 budget.

“From a per capita standpoint, RCPD is quite affordable. For a guy who owns a $270,000 home, RCPD is not affordable,” Oles said during the public-comment portion of the meeting. He said he and his wife pay about $800 each and asked commissioners to keep law-enforcement costs “in the front of your mind” as they consider next year’s budget.

Oles said he was referencing a county hearing scheduled for Sept. 4 on “r and r” and that he could not attend the law board meeting where the item will be discussed. He estimated that Riley County contributes roughly 20% toward the law-enforcement costs he cited and expressed concern that property-tax bills are dominated by public safety and debt service.

“Where can I get protected for less than $800 a year?” Oles asked. He also suggested expanding local sales-tax authority as one possible way to diversify revenue for agencies such as the RCPD.

Commissioners did not take formal action during the public-comment period. The speaker’s remarks were recorded for the transcript and will be considered alongside other public input as county staff and elected officials prepare budget proposals.

The comment came early in a meeting that included multiple administrative and program updates. Oles asked commissioners to consider whether current funding arrangements remain sustainable as cities and counties face increasing demand for public safety services.

No follow-up motion or directive was recorded during the meeting’s public-comment item.","A Manhattan resident urged Riley County commissioners to consider rising local law-enforcement costs during development of the 2027 budget, saying current assessments are unaffordable for homeowners.","actionData","errors"]

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County counselor details staffing, litigation deadlines and easement signings

Resident urges county to weigh RCPD cost as officials draft 2027 budget