What is Roads 4 MHK?
Roads 4 MHK is a group of private residents and businesses in support of the street sales tax question on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot for registered voters living within the city limits of Manhattan, Kansas.
If passed, this 0.5% sales tax will generate approximately $8 million annually for the City of Manhattan through Dec. 31, 2036. Every penny will be used for roads, sidewalks or trails. It will replace the 0.2% sales tax for roads first passed in 2016.
Sales tax is a cost-effective way to generate road maintenance funds because visitors to our community add considerable wear and tear on our roads — so they might as well help pay for them! It is estimated that of the $8 million this tax will raise per year, approximately $2 million will be generated from people who live outside the city limits. This includes those who work in Manhattan but live outside the city limits, as well as fans in town for K-State games and other events.
No one likes paying more in taxes, but even more, we hate wasting money. Paying for upkeep today extends the life of our roads and prevents expensive road replacement costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we need a sales tax to maintain our roads?
Voters passed a 0.2% sales tax dedicated to road maintenance in 2016. When crafting that ballot question, City staff advised the City Commission that a 0.5% tax was needed to keep up with our deteriorating streets, but the commission chose to ask the voters for only a 0.2% tax.
The 2016 sales tax allowed the City of Manhattan to prioritize and complete major street projects, but it hasn’t been enough to keep up with less-trafficked neighborhood roads.
