Riley County backs K‑State property sale, veterans tax relief and higher vehicle-title fees

Riley County commissioners on Feb. 3 voted to provide local support in writing for several bills pending in the Kansas Legislature.

County Counselor Bridal Parker and staff briefed the commission on the bills. Parker described House Bill 2,005 as proposed property-tax relief for permanently disabled veterans funded through state income-tax credits that would be revenue neutral to local property tax receipts because the state would provide compensation from surplus funds. Parker said the current draft focuses relief on veterans who are permanently and totally disabled as determined by federal criteria and would be paid as a state income-tax credit covering 75% of qualifying property taxes for the veteran’s principal residence.

The commission also approved sending a letter of support for House Bill 2,120, which would authorize Kansas State University to sell an off-campus property known as the Hunger Complex; commissioners discussed the potential for the sale to return the property to the tax rolls and for the purchaser to develop workforce housing.

Separately, commissioners approved written testimony supporting Senate Bill 119, a bill that would substantially increase vehicle title/registration fees remitted to counties. Shiloh (county motor-vehicle staff) and county financial staff told commissioners the bill would not close the county’s funding gap entirely but would substantially increase motor-vehicle revenues compared with long-unchanged fees.

All three actions were approved by motion and voice vote. Commissioners asked staff to prepare concise written testimony and formal letters for signature and to forward them to legislators and committees as appropriate.