After some last-minute calculations, the Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday approved its 2027 budget that would mean a 2.7% increase in property taxes for the average single-family homeowner.

Commissioner Larry Fox moved to reduce the proposed mill levy from 52.8 mills to 52.5, reducing the city’s projected use of general fund cash reserves by $236,000.

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The Manhattan City Commission unanimously approved a $1.5 million Kansas Department of Transportation grant Tuesday to reconstruct the on and off ramps at the Kansas highway 18 and Kansas highway 177 interchange.

The grant, awarded through KDOT’s city connecting link improvement program, will cover 80% of the project cost. Staff members said the city’s share will likely be about $300,000.

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The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved placing a 0.5% citywide sales tax for street maintenance on the Nov. 3 ballot.

If approved by voters, the 10-year sales tax would take effect April 1, 2027, following the expiration of the city’s existing 0.2% dedicated street sales tax. City officials estimate the new tax would generate about $8 million annually, with $6 million dedicated to repairing and rehabilitating local streets and $2 million for minor streets.

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Mayor Susan Adamchak announced several staffing changes at this week’s city commission meeting.

Adamchak said Chelsea Johnson recently became promoted to city clerk. Johnson had served as administrative assistant for 16 years. The city clerk’s office serves as custodian of public records and the clerk of the Manhattan City Commission. Its responsibilities include handling open records requests, updating the city code and managing city records.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Manhattan city commissioners reached a consensus on lowering the proposed 2027 mill levy and renewing a sales tax for street maintenance during Tuesday’s work session. The new budget proposal would increase the average homeowner’s property taxes by 3.5%.

A majority of the commission directed city administration to reduce the mill levy from 54.506 to 52.8, as well as add a 10-year, half-cent sales tax for street maintenance.

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A chain of collegiate-themed hotels has bought Bluemont Hotel and plans to convert it by next year.

The real estate brokerage firm involved announced the acquisition and conversion of the hotel into Graduate by Hilton Manhattan, aiming for its new look to be unveiled in early 2027. The hotel’s new owners are TCOR Hotel Partners. Bluemont Hotel had a listed price of $17 million.

The post Bluemont Hotel to convert to Graduate by Hilton appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

A chain of collegiate-themed hotels has bought Bluemont Hotel and plans to convert it by next year.

The real estate brokerage firm involved announced the acquisition and conversion of the hotel into Graduate by Hilton Manhattan, aiming for its new look to be unveiled in early 2027. The hotel’s new owners are TCOR Hotel Partners. Bluemont Hotel had a listed price of $17 million.

The post Bluemont Hotel to convert to Graduate by Hilton appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

The Manhattan City Commission expressed plans to increase sales taxes by 0.3 cents per dollar after two of its city sales taxes are set to expire.

The two set to expire are a one-fifth cent per dollar sales tax in 2026 and a one-fourth cent per dollar sales tax in 2027 (totaling 45 cents per dollar).

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City commissioners discussed approaches to the 2027 budget on Tuesday, including whether to maintain the proposed mill levy after the county’s assessed property valuation figures came in lower than expected. The current budget proposal would increase the average homeowner’s property taxes by 4.4%.

City manager Danielle Dulin maintained her recommendation to keep the city’s mill levy at 54.506, allowing the city to capture more revenue from property value growth and direct it toward the bond and interest fund.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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After a 3-2 split vote, the Manhattan City Commission set a ceiling for 2027 budget plans that it cannot exceed. This maximum would increase city property taxes by 6.7% for the average homeowner.

Tuesday’s action does not adopt the budget or set the final mill levy. Commissioners could lower the levy before adopting the budget, and most said they plan to. The vote expressed the commission’s plans to exceed the revenue-neutral rate and scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 15 to discuss the budget.

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