Riley County Considers Creating County Administrator Role

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Riley County commissioners are considering creating a new county administrator position to oversee the county's human resources and budget and finance departments. The commissioners hired an attorney to conduct an investigation into non-elected personnel, which revealed the potential benefits of establishing this new leadership role.

Why it matters

The creation of a county administrator position would represent a significant restructuring of Riley County's leadership and governance model. This change could impact how the county manages its personnel, finances, and overall operations going forward.

The details

The Riley County commissioners heard a presentation from attorney David Cooper of the Topeka-based law firm Fisher, Patterson, Sayler & Smith, LLP. Cooper was hired by the commissioners to conduct an investigation into non-elected personnel, and his findings suggested that establishing a county administrator role could benefit the county. While Cooper declined to comment on specifics of the investigation, he indicated it became apparent that a county administrator could oversee the HR and finance departments more effectively.

• The Riley County commissioners heard the presentation on Monday, February 24, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Riley County commissioners will continue to deliberate on whether to create the county administrator position based on the findings presented by David Cooper.