Election results
The unofficial final report of Manhattan’s 2015 city school elections have been published by the Riley County Clerk. Voter turnout in the 52 precincts of Riley County totaled 16.40 percent.
Linda Morse, Mike Dodson and Wynn Butler received the highest number of votes, earning seats on city commission. Unofficial totals are as follows:
Linda Morse: 2,643 votes (23.85 percent)
Mike Dodson: 2,306 votes (20.81 percent)
Wynn Butler: 2,088 votes (18.84 percent)
John Ball: 1,717 votes (15.49 percent)
Jerred McKee: 1,349 votes (12.17 percent)
Kaleb James: 917 votes (8.28 percent)
Write-In candidates: 61 votes (.55 percent)
Results of the USD 383 At-Large election showed David Colburn, Leah Fliter, Curt Herrman and Darell Edie receiving the largest amount of votes. Unofficial totals are as follows:
David Colburn: 3,402 votes (24.55 percent)
Leah Fliter: 3,278 votes (23.66 precent)
Curt Herrman: 2,849 votes (20.56 percent)
Darell Edie: 2,680 votes (19.34 percent)
Nicholas Dyer: 1,560 votes (11.26 percent)
Points of interest on the 2015 State Legislative Program
The City of Manhattan encourages Congress to pass legislation that would give state and local government the ability to collect sales tax on remote sales, which are transactions conducted anywhere that isn’t a storefront, such as sales made online or over the phone.
Manhattan is estimated to have missed out on more than $2 million from 2011-13 as a result of not having sales tax collected on remote sales. If these funds were collected, it would enable local governments to provide better services without extra cost to the state and could aid state budget shortfalls.
The City of Manhattan opposes any changes in state law that would limit the Home Rule authority of the city. Home Rule allows Manhattan and other cities to establish their local government.
City officials believe that constitutionally granted Home Rule authority is essential for having a responsible and effective local government, and that local officials are in the best position to make decisions for their communities.
The City of Manhattan supports funding of the Kansas Department of Transportation and its associated programs. T-WORKS, a program that ensures funding for highway preservation, expansion and modernization, has lost $1 billion in funding as of September 2014. City officials are concerned about Manhattan’s ability to receive T-WORKS grants if funding continues to be pulled.
