Property valuations rise ahead of 2026 appeal window

County disburses $3.2 million in vouchers, funds real-time crime center

Commission approves $339,000 for Valencia Road bridge replacement

Emergency management urges participation in statewide tornado drill

Stormont Vail Events Center unveils five-year strategic plan

Topeka Scarecrows seek early contract extension

Major wrestling tournament coming to Topeka

Property valuations rise ahead of 2026 appeal window

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Shawnee County real estate value notices will be mailed Friday, revealing a median residential increase of 5.6% and a commercial increase of 2.6%. Shawnee County Appraiser Steve Bauman told the Board of County Commissioners at its Thursday meeting that notices are only mailed to the roughly 66,000 parcels experiencing a change in assessed value. Property owners have until March 30 to appeal the new valuations, which Bauman noted are an estimate of market value and distinct from actual tax rates that will be set later through the budgeting process.

County disburses $3.2 million in vouchers, funds real-time crime center

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — The commission unanimously approved over $3.2 million in routine voucher payments, including a $148,634 payment to Axon Enterprise Inc. for software supporting the county's real-time crime center initiative. The software purchase is funded through a combination of federal grants and county project funds. Other significant payouts included an $850,000 sales tax-funded debt payment to the Kansas Department of Transportation and $220,553 to Motorola for 911 service agreements.

Commission approves $339,000 for Valencia Road bridge replacement

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved $339,000 in matching funds for a bridge replacement project on Northwest Valencia Road over the Silver Lake drainage ditch. The county's portion of the construction and inspection costs will be funded through the bridge allocation of the 2017-2031 countywide sales tax program. The Kansas Department of Transportation will award the primary construction contract to the low-bid contractor.

Emergency management urges participation in statewide tornado drill

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Shawnee County Emergency Management Director Dusty Nichols announced the schedule for Severe Weather Preparedness Week, running Monday through Friday, which will feature a statewide tornado drill Wednesday at 10 a.m. The department encouraged local organizations and residents to use the drill to verify shelter plans and update emergency supply kits with food, water and essential medications. The county will also host a storm spotters training class at Washburn University on Tuesday.

Stormont Vail Events Center unveils five-year strategic plan

TOPEKA, Kan. — Oak View Group, a venue management company, presented a five-year strategic plan for the Stormont Vail Events Center, aimed at closing the facility's subsidy gap and capitalizing on recent physical renovations. Kellen Seitz, general manager of the Stormont Vail Events Center for Oak View Group, outlined key goals including a $100,000 increase in premium seating revenue, expanding food and beverage grab-and-go stations and securing three to four large employer banquets annually. Seitz also noted that upcoming renovations to the adjacent Hotel Topeka and the Maner Conference Center will enhance the county's ability to attract multi-day convention business from out of state.

Topeka Scarecrows seek early contract extension

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka Scarecrows hockey team is negotiating an early contract extension to remain the anchor tenant at the Stormont Vail Events Center. The team has seen attendance range between 2,000 and 2,400 attendees per game during its season, providing a significant boost to the facility's concession and sponsorship revenues by playing a 28-game home schedule. Facility management expects to hold a press conference soon to announce the terms of the renewed agreement.

Major wrestling tournament coming to Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. — The USA Wrestling Kansas John Akin Freestyle & Greco State tournament will bring an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 guests to the Stormont Vail Events Center during the first weekend of May. The newly contracted event will host up to 1,900 athletes, building upon the success of the USA Wrestling Kansas Kids Folkstyle State Tournament, which typically draws up to 25,000 attendees and more than 2,000 athletes to the capital city. Facility managers credited recent county investments in modular sports flooring for helping secure additional indoor youth sports tournaments.

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