Topeka City Council Summary
Week of July 15, 2026
Proposed 2027 budget freezes 29 public safety positions to offset deficit
City council notifies county of intent to exceed revenue neutral rate
Topeka Metro Transit Authority seeks mill levy increase
City finalizes $1 million sale of Hotel Topeka
Council passes 12-month moratorium on data centers
Council approves stacking of developer permit fee waivers in 7-3 vote
Council approves action plan to secure $2.4 million in federal housing funds
New annual report details government-assisted housing inspections
Proposed 2027 budget freezes 29 public safety positions to offset deficit
TOPEKA, Kan. — City Manager Robert Perez presented the proposed 2027 operating budget, which addresses a projected $11 million deficit largely by freezing 19 vacant police officer positions and 10 firefighter positions. The $417 million budget also relies on one-time transfers, including $3 million from the workers' compensation fund and $5.8 million from debt service, to balance the general fund. Several council members expressed serious concern over the long-term sustainability of freezing public safety jobs, warning the move could lead to increased mandatory overtime costs, employee burnout and reduced emergency response times.
City council notifies county of intent to exceed revenue neutral rate
TOPEKA, Kan. — The council unanimously approved a resolution notifying Shawnee County Clerk Lisa Schmitt of its intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate for the 2027 budget. The proposed maximum mill levy rate will remain flat at the current 37.126 mills, meaning the city will not request an overall property tax rate increase, though the total amount of taxes collected will rise due to increased property valuations. A public hearing on the budget and the revenue neutral rate is scheduled later this summer.
Topeka Metro Transit Authority seeks mill levy increase
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka Metro Transit Authority (TMTA) is seeking to raise its mill levy rate to 4.2 mills, up from its current rate of 3.999 mills. The council voted 9-1, with Councilmember Marcus Miller opposed, to notify Shawnee County of the TMTA's intent to exceed its revenue neutral rate. Proponents on the council noted the move restores a rate that was inadvertently cut during last year's budget process, with the 0.2-mill increase representing approximately $329,000 in additional revenue for the transit authority.
City finalizes $1 million sale of Hotel Topeka
TOPEKA, Kan. — At the conclusion of Tuesday's meeting, Assistant City Manager Braxton Copley announced the city has officially closed on the sale of Hotel Topeka. The divestment of the hotel is viewed as a significant step in the city's broader downtown economic development and revitalization efforts. Budget officials noted earlier in the meeting that the $1 million in sale proceeds will be placed into the debt service fund to help pay off previously issued bonds.
Council passes 12-month moratorium on data centers
TOPEKA, Kan. — Following more than an hour of passionate public comment, the Topeka City Council unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications for new data centers within the city. The ordinance, which was amended Tuesday to include large battery energy storage systems, allows the local government time to study the potential environmental and infrastructure impacts of the rapidly growing industry, particularly concerning water and energy usage. Dozens of residents living near a proposed development site strongly urged the council to pass the measure, citing fears of noise pollution, depleted resources and falling property values.
Council approves stacking of developer permit fee waivers in 7-3 vote
TOPEKA, Kan. — In a 7-3 vote, the council approved an ordinance allowing developers to receive city permit fee waivers even if they are pursuing other economic incentives from Shawnee County or the state. City officials argued the change is necessary to help local affordable housing projects score higher on the state's highly competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credit rubric, which docks points if local municipalities do not offer fee waivers. Dissenting council members, including Christina Valdivia-Alcala and Brett Kell, cited the city's current budget deficit, raising fiscal concerns about the potential impact of forfeiting future revenue streams.
Council approves action plan to secure $2.4 million in federal housing funds
TOPEKA, Kan. — The city council unanimously approved the 2026–2030 Consolidated Action Plan and the 2026 Annual Action Plan, which will now be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The submission secures more than $2.4 million in federal entitlement grants, including Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds. The money is primarily earmarked for residential rehabilitation and repair programs, alongside various social service activities and homeless prevention efforts.
New annual report details government-assisted housing inspections
TOPEKA, Kan. — The council reviewed a new annual report detailing the inspection data for approximately 5,000 government-assisted housing units in Topeka. Presented by Housing Services Division Director Carrie Higgins, the report aggregates pass and fail rates, scores and code compliance findings across U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, state and local voucher programs. Council members praised the new transparency measure, viewing it as a critical first step toward establishing a comprehensive and fair landlord-tenant registry.
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