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Riley County approves CIP items, approves use of CARES funds for EMS and park projects
Summary
After a CIP work session, commissioners approved a slate of capital projects and agreed to use roughly $600,000 of CARES funds (and ARPA reserves) for near‑term needs including EMS equipment, a generator and playground funding; commissioners moved to approve the projects as presented.
Britney Phillips, Riley County budget and finance officer, presented updated CIP requests and a breakdown of ARPA/CARES reserves during the March 30 work session and told commissioners the county will likely need to use a little over $600,000 of CARES funds to cover near‑term obligations, including about $40,000 in final EMS headquarters bills.
Phillips said the total CIP requests were in the county packet and that she would present a department operational budget draft for any reorganization on May 11. During the discussion commissioners reviewed individual line items: replacement chairs in the treasurer’s office, a new mower and public‑works vehicles, shelter and playground work for the dog park and public playgrounds, a generator for the Law Enforcement Center, jail camera upgrades, and EMS equipment including cardiac monitors and an ambulance remount option.
On playground funding, the commission debated whether to allocate the full $75,000 request immediately or to start with a smaller $25,000 allocation; after discussion a motion was made to put $75,000 into the playground line item and the motion carried. Commissioners also agreed to move forward with specified vehicle and equipment purchases and to add $20,000 toward a jail camera upgrade.
The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the CIP projects discussed; the motion was seconded and approved on a voice vote.
Why it matters: the approved allocations will draw from CARES/ARPA reserves and affect the county’s capital spending plan for the coming year. Phillips emphasized the need to hold some funds in reserves while using CARES funds to cover identified obligations.
What’s next: Phillips and county staff will incorporate the commission’s direction into the budget presentation and return with formal budget documents in the May budget cycle.
