The Joint City/County/County Meetings are an opportunity for the City, Riley County, and Pottawatomie County Commissioners to discuss issues of mutual interest. The agendas for the meetings are mutually set between the City and the Counties as issues arise. There is typically not a provision for public comments as the intent for the joint meeting is for the Commissioners to have a group discussion amongst themselves and may hear presentations from staff on particular projects or subjects. Agenda items are established at the concurrence of the elected officials through their staff and the host of the meeting which alternates between the City (odd months) and Riley County (even months). These meetings are generally the third Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m., alternating location between the City and Riley County.

The Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board was created in March 1976, through an interlocal agreement between the Manhattan City Commission and the Riley County Commission, to provide for coordinated planning within a jurisdictional area called the Manhattan Urban Area, which includes the Manhattan city limits and the surrounding urbanizing area