County staff used the Nov. 10 meeting to recap Employee Day and to update commissioners on several ongoing projects and administrative items.

Steve Shirley and Tammy Lehi, co-chairs of the Employee Day committee, presented survey results and a recap of the Oct. 13 event held at AMC Theaters with the theme "growing into the future." They reported an official headcount of 231 employees (including K‑State research and extension) and said 136 employees participated in the survey, 128 completing it fully. Shirley highlighted keynote speaker Emily Linning’s message and breakout sessions on leadership and AI, and said survey comments called out sound quality and session scheduling as top areas to improve.

"The official headcount was, 231 employees," the committee reported during the presentation. Shirley summarized the keynote and sessions, and Emily Linning’s closing questions — "Who is making you better, and who are you making better?" — were quoted by committee members as framing takeaways.

In his staff update, Jacob Hanson told the commission the First Christian Church RFP will be issued within the week and that the county is preparing to use legislative authority in Senate Bill 384 to pursue revocation of diversion agreements in nuisance cases; he said that process will include obtaining a conviction before assessing cleanup costs to properties. Hanson also reported that executed copies of the consolidation agreement between the City of Riley Fire Department and the Riley County Rural Fire District will be provided to interested parties, and that outreach on easements for the Keith Sewer project is progressing.

Public Works Director John Ellerman reviewed project timelines for bridge and culvert work, elevator and Carnegie building final punchlist items, and described a proposed traffic-count study for the Marlatt intersection. Ellerman said consultant Benish offered to perform turning-movement counts and signal-warrant analysis for $10,000 and that cost-sharing with the city would be discussed.

Next steps: Employee Day planners will consider survey feedback (sound and scheduling) for 2026; the First Christian Church RFP will be released; nuisance-case procedures and the Keith Sewer easement process will proceed under county staff direction; and public works will work with the city on the Benish traffic study if approved.