Commissioners defer action on affordable housing bonds due to procedural conflicts

Proposed policy change would limit housing bond locations and raise fees

Boswell Park to receive $278,000 playground upgrade after years of delays

Gage Park sales tax to fund new open-air shelter at Playland

Juvenile Detention Center to add substance use peer mentor program

Global oil market uncertainty drives up county road maintenance costs

Commissioners approve $3.3 million in vouchers, including jail mental health facility payment

County accepting applications to fill Mission Township Board vacancy

Treasurer reminds residents of upcoming May 11 property tax deadline

1. Commissioners defer action on affordable housing bonds due to procedural conflicts

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners opened and closed a public hearing Thursday for an industrial revenue bond issue to finance a 42-unit affordable housing facility near 37th Street and Gage Boulevard but deferred final action until Monday. The delay gives the commission time to officially waive an administrative home rule resolution that conflicts with the project's location. The procedural step was necessary to accommodate a member's absence and ensure the developer meets a May 15 state deadline to secure vital low-income housing tax credits.

2. Proposed policy change would limit housing bond locations and raise fees

TOPEKA, Kan. — Commissioners heard the first reading of a resolution that would significantly alter the county's industrial revenue bond policies, including raising application fees to $4,000 — the first fee increase since 1984. The resolution also includes a provision that would restrict multifamily housing projects seeking county bonds to locations strictly within the City of Topeka's designated neighborhood revitalization areas. Because it was a first reading, a final vote on the policy overhaul is expected at next Thursday's meeting.

3. Boswell Park to receive $278,000 playground upgrade after years of delays

TOPEKA, Kan. — Commissioners approved a $278,654 contract with a playground equipment vendor to install new playground equipment and safety surfacing at Boswell Park. Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Director Tim Laurent explained the renovation was originally scheduled five years ago but was delayed due to property ownership disputes. The project, funded through county capital improvement funds, will also include concrete curbing and extended sidewalks to ensure the newly renovated play area is fully accessible to the public.

4. Gage Park sales tax to fund new open-air shelter at Playland

TOPEKA, Kan. — Visitors to Gage Park's Playland will soon have a new shaded seating area after commissioners approved the $67,843 purchase of an open-air shelter from Poligon. The structure, funded entirely by Gage Park sales tax revenues, is part of ongoing renovations to the popular amusement area. Parks and recreation staff will install the concrete pad and assemble the shelter, which will eventually be available for public rental for birthday parties and other community events.

5. Juvenile Detention Center to add substance use peer mentor program

TOPEKA, Kan. — Contingent on state grant funding, the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center will introduce a new on-site peer mentor program to provide substance use disorder programming for youth. Commissioners approved a $75,280 contract with CKF Addiction Treatment Inc. to facilitate individual and group treatment services, consultations and assessments. The program will operate at no cost to local taxpayers, relying entirely on funds from the Kansas Department of Corrections if the county's grant application is approved late next month.

6. Global oil market uncertainty drives up county road maintenance costs

TOPEKA, Kan. — The county will spend up to $685,000 to purchase 250,000 gallons of road oil for 2026 chip seal projects after commissioners unanimously approved a bid from Vance Brothers LLC at $2.74 per gallon. Shawnee County Public Works Director Curt Niehaus noted the price is significantly higher this year due to ongoing instability in global oil markets. Although the county delayed the request for proposals by 30 days in hopes that prices would stabilize, Niehaus said the department must move forward with the purchase now to ensure summer road maintenance begins on time.

7. Commissioners approve $3.3 million in vouchers, including jail mental health facility payment

TOPEKA, Kan. — The board unanimously approved over $3.3 million in county voucher payments, highlighted by a $911,689 progress payment to KBS Constructors for the new mental health facility at the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center. Other notable expenditures included $139,915 to upgrade tee-time reservation and point-of-sale systems at the county's public golf courses, $84,830 for HVAC repairs at the Shawnee County Health Department and more than $616,000 to cover health insurance premiums for county employees.

8. County accepting applications to fill Mission Township Board vacancy

TOPEKA, Kan. — The commission formally acknowledged a resignation from the role of clerk of the Mission Township Board and initiated the process to find a replacement. Residents interested in filling the local governance vacancy have a 30-day window to submit their applications to the Shawnee County Clerk's Office. Applications are due no later than May 21, with the commission scheduled to take formal action on the appointment on May 28.

9. Treasurer reminds residents of upcoming May 11 property tax deadline

TOPEKA, Kan. — Shawnee County Treasurer Susan Duffy issued a public reminder to taxpayers that the second half of property taxes is due on Monday, May 11, giving residents an extra day to pay since the traditional May 10 deadline falls on a Sunday. The county is expecting to collect approximately $123 million in incoming tax revenue. Residents can submit payments online, mail them with a May 11 postmark or use the drop boxes located at the Shawnee County Motor Vehicle Office and between Topeka City Hall and the Shawnee County Courthouse.

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