Manhattan City Commissioner Pushes for Early RCPD Budget Discussions

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Jim Morrison, a new member of the Riley County law enforcement agency board, has made the police department's budget his top priority, adding discussion of the 2027 budget to this month's meeting agenda despite it not being scheduled. Morrison expressed concerns about recurring over- and under-spending on various budget line items as well as a lack of clarity in some areas.

Why it matters

As a new member of the board, Morrison's focus on the police department's budget signals his intention to closely scrutinize spending and potentially implement changes. This could impact funding allocations and priorities for the Riley County Police Department in the coming years.

The details

During the board meeting, Morrison was the primary speaker on the 2027 budget, even though it was not originally scheduled for discussion. He said he was concerned by the number of budget items that seem to be repeatedly over- or underspent, and he also took issue with some budget line items that he felt were too broad or unclear.

• The board meeting took place on February 19, 2026.
• The 2027 police department budget was not originally on the agenda for this month's meeting.

What’s next

It is unclear if the board will take any immediate action based on Morrison's concerns, but his focus on the police department's budget is likely to continue in future meetings.