Manhattan officials confirm $3.4M funding and recap successful Irish Fest

The Village of Manhattan's Board Meeting on March 18, 2025, highlighted significant developments in financial management and community events, particularly the successful Irish Fest.

A key focus of the meeting was the ongoing challenges related to the village's financial software conversion. The finance director reported that the transition to the new BSNA system has revealed discrepancies in budget reporting, primarily due to decimal point errors affecting pension contributions. The board acknowledged the complexity of correcting these issues, which stem from a two-year project that involved previous administrators. The finance team is actively working to resolve these discrepancies to ensure accurate financial reporting moving forward.

In a positive turn, the board confirmed the receipt of $3.4 million in funding from Congressman Jonathan Jackson's office, providing a much-needed financial boost amid federal budget cuts. This funding is expected to support various village projects and initiatives.

The meeting also celebrated the success of the recent Irish Fest, which raised over $230,000 and attracted nearly 500 runners for the 5K event. Board members praised the efforts of local police, fire, and public works departments for their roles in ensuring the event ran smoothly. However, some concerns were raised regarding traffic flow and waste management during the festival. The chief of police acknowledged the need for better planning to facilitate resident access during large events and committed to reviewing the logistics for future festivals.

Overall, the meeting underscored the village's commitment to improving financial accuracy and enhancing community events, with plans for continued evaluation and adjustment to better serve residents.