Topeka City Council Summary
Week of July 8, 2026
City proposes exceeding revenue neutral rate for 2027 budget
Topeka Metro Transit Authority seeks property tax mill levy restoration
Affordable housing grant pulled from agenda over unpaid taxes
Mid-year financial report shows flat revenues, unplanned hotel costs
Council considers moratorium on data centers amid zoning concerns
Public input sessions underway for new fire station designs
Council members call for review of fireworks and noise ordinances
Topeka Legal Department honored for domestic violence prosecution efforts
Human Relations Commission highlights traffic stop guides, age-friendly goals
City proposes exceeding revenue neutral rate for 2027 budget
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka City Council reviewed plans to exceed the revenue neutral property tax rate for the 2027 budget, a move that would capture a 4 percent increase in assessed property values. The city's budget and finance deputy director, Josh McAnarney, said the proposal would raise the effective mill rate to 37.126, generating approximately $2.4 million in additional revenue. Property taxes account for 38 percent of the city's general fund revenue, heavily subsidizing the police and fire departments. A public hearing on the revenue neutral rate is scheduled for Aug. 25.
Topeka Metro Transit Authority seeks property tax mill levy restoration
TOPEKA, Kan. — Representatives from the Topeka Metro Transit Authority (TMTA) urged the city council to restore its property tax mill levy to 4.2 mills to maintain essential bus services and replace an aging fleet. The council reduced the TMTA's rate to 3.999 mills last year, which decreased its operating budget by $317,000. The transit authority's chief financial officer, Richard Appelhanz, said the agency faces a $4.2 million deficit driven largely by capital needs, including the replacement of 15 buses that have exceeded their 12-year useful life. The council will officially set a public hearing date for Sept. 1 to consider the transit authority's request.
Affordable housing grant pulled from agenda over unpaid taxes
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka City Council removed a $365,197 Affordable Housing Trust Fund development agreement from Tuesday's consent agenda. City Manager Dr. Robert Perez requested the item be pulled, stating the unnamed developer allegedly still has approximately $6,000 in outstanding property taxes. While the developer recently resolved an outstanding water bill and a code violation on a condemned property according to city leadership, officials stated the financial incentive will not be approved until the tax delinquency is fully resolved.
Mid-year financial report shows flat revenues, unplanned hotel costs
TOPEKA, Kan. — The city's general fund is projected to spend down $4 million in cash reserves by the end of 2026, driven by flat revenues and unbudgeted expenses. The city's budget and finance deputy director, Josh McAnarney, reported that sales tax and franchise fee collections are trending lower than last year. While personnel expenses remain under budget, the city had to absorb unplanned costs related to Hotel Topeka, which the city owns, and a $2.3 million payment for an unspecified city project. The general fund is expected to end the year with $28.8 million in reserves, maintaining 22 percent above its minimum fund balance policy.
Council considers moratorium on data centers amid zoning concerns
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka City Council debated the potential arrival of data centers in Shawnee County during its Tuesday meeting, with several council members calling for a development moratorium. The city's economic development director, Leigha Boling, presented a proposed zoning text amendment that would require a conditional use permit for data centers and energy storage systems within city limits. An unnamed data center developer is currently exploring a site adjacent to a distribution center in the county, and the city has fielded preliminary questions about providing water and sewer services. Citing concerns over water usage, utility grid strain and public health, multiple council members directed staff to return with legal options for enacting a moratorium to halt any applications while the city studies the impacts.
Public input sessions underway for new fire station designs
TOPEKA, Kan. — City officials announced a series of ongoing public planning sessions for the city's new fire stations. A well-attended initial meeting was held Monday night, where city staff and fire officials presented preliminary designs and answered questions from approximately 35 residents. Additional input sessions are scheduled throughout the week at the Oakland Community Center, the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and the Garfield Community Center to gather feedback on the station proposals before development moves forward.
Council members call for review of fireworks and noise ordinances
TOPEKA, Kan. — Following a noisy Fourth of July weekend, several city council members suggested revising the city's fireworks and noise ordinances. Council members Karen Hiller and Sylvia Ortiz both reported fielding numerous complaints from residents regarding loud fireworks, with Hiller also noting a proliferation of excessively loud vehicle mufflers. Ortiz suggested the council consider adding a weather contingency clause to the fireworks ordinance, noting that rain on the holiday prompted many residents to set off fireworks on July 5 instead.
Topeka Legal Department honored for domestic violence prosecution efforts
TOPEKA, Kan. — A local domestic violence intervention organization awarded the City of Topeka Legal Department its Community Impact Award for the prosecution division's proactive approach to domestic violence cases. The division was recognized for collaborating with the organization to refer hundreds of municipal offenders to a batterer intervention program focused on accountability and reducing recidivism. Since bringing domestic violence prosecutions in-house, the city has significantly improved outcomes, with 536 offenders and 401 victims connected with intervention services in the first half of 2026 alone.
Human Relations Commission highlights traffic stop guides, age-friendly goals
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka Human Relations Commission presented its annual report Tuesday, emphasizing community engagement and public safety transparency. The commission's vice chair, Zachary Surritt, announced a partnership with the Topeka Police Department to create a bilingual pamphlet advising residents on what to do during a traffic stop. The commission is also planning a series of community town halls into next year to ensure the city maintains its AARP age-friendly status and to gather feedback on local public safety concerns.
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