Riley County to add $2.50 facility fee for in-office vehicle transactions starting Jan. 1

Shiloh Hager, Riley County treasurer, told the commission on Dec. 29 that counties may charge a $2.50 facility fee on in-office motor-vehicle renewals, titles and registration transactions starting Jan. 1 and that Riley County plans to implement the fee.

Hager said the county performs about 39,040 renewals a year and that the County General Fund "subsidized the motor vehicle department by just over $400,000" in 2025 based on her staffing and time estimates. "There'll be an additional $2.50 facility fee added to each transaction," she said, estimating the change would generate about $75,000 in annual revenue for the county.

Hager described the fee as one statutory option available to counties after efforts to secure other funding from the legislature. She told the commission that motor-vehicle fees are set in statute and that counties receive only limited additional revenue authority from the state. "If we could work with the state and get with the legislature...that's $400,000 that could be cut from the general fund and covered by the revenues that we generate with customers using our service," she said.

Hager noted alternatives for residents who prefer not to pay the in-office fee, including mail, a Dropbox, or online renewals. She also said a bill is drafted for the next legislative session that could change funding for motor-vehicle services; she will provide more details when it is introduced.

The commission did not take a separate vote on the treasurer's presentation. No implementation ordinance or local administrative order was presented during the meeting; staff said they would provide additional information to commissioners and the public as the change takes effect.