County Commissioners

Duties of the County Commissioners

The Riley County Commissioners meet twice a week to discuss and conduct county business. During these meetings, they are responsible for:

• Approving the budget

• Adopting personnel policies and payment plans for all county offices

• Providing for adequate county government facilities

• Setting tax levies

• Determining township boundaries

• Making citizen appointments to county boards

In addition to these responsibilities, they take on the roles of legislator, public manager, community leader, citizen liaison, inter-local diplomat, and federal and state lobbyist.

An important aspect of being a county commissioner is citizenship responsibilities. They are required to interpret county government decisions, communicate constituents’ needs and preferences to the commission, hear and resolve complaints about county services and communicate with citizen board appointees.


  1. District 1
  2. District 2
  3. District 3

John Ford

District 1

John Ford (R), Chair

Term of Office: Term expires January 2023

John Ford is currently serving his first term as Riley County Commissioner, after being elected in November 2018.

Born in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1977

A 32-year resident of Manhattan and Riley County

Lived in Ohio and Kentucky

1995 Graduate of Manhattan High School

2003 Graduate of Manhattan Area Technical School (Building Trades) and served as Student Body Vice President of the Student Government Association

Attended Kansas State University (Construction Science)

Served on the City of Manhattan’s Social Service Advisory Board (2012-2018) and was Vice Chair for 4 years

Served on the Riley County FEMA Board (2013-2018)

Worked on several local as well as Congressional and US Senate Campaigns

Avid fan of Kansas State University and University of Kentucky athletics

In his spare time enjoys sports (football, baseball and college basketball) as well as reading, music and of course politics