Topeka local news summary

Council votes to rename controversial 'Readiness to Serve' utility fee

City secures $11 million for lead water line replacement

Public Works clarifies 'six-inch rule' for snow removal

City adds medical marijuana support to state legislative agenda

Council seeks policy change to tax vacant, blighted structures

Council debates security fencing for Law Enforcement Center

Approval granted for new 84-lot subdivision outside city limits

Shawnee County Commission approves $495,000 for 911 upgrades

Emergency repairs authorized for corrections water line

Security upgraded at community corrections facility

Solid waste department overhauls fleet with $1.5 million investment

New tire truck purchased to mitigate safety liability

County saves taxpayer dollars by using user fees for equipment

Council votes to rename controversial 'Readiness to Serve' utility fee

TOPEKA, Kan. - Following confusion and constituent complaints regarding the city’s water billing structure, the city council voted unanimously to revert the name of the "Readiness to Serve" fee back to "Base Rate" starting in 2026. While the council considered options to adjust the rate structure to rely more on consumption, they ultimately chose to maintain the current billing amounts for both active and inactive meters at this time to avoid a projected revenue shortfall of over $1 million. For most ratepayers, the change is primarily nominal in the near term; customers will not see a decrease in their bills in 2026, and the fee will still apply to inactive meters under the current ordinance language, though staff indicated the name change aims to provide clarity to new customers.

City secures $11 million for lead water line replacement

TOPEKA, Kan. - The governing body authorized an $11 million loan agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to fund the replacement of lead and galvanized water service lines. According to city staff, 52 percent of the loan principal will be forgiven, significantly reducing the cost to local ratepayers. The project aims to bring the city into compliance with federal regulations by 2027, covering the replacement of city-owned infrastructure and potentially private service lines up to the home’s exterior, pending final cost estimates.

Public Works clarifies 'six-inch rule' for snow removal

TOPEKA, Kan. - During a winter operations presentation, Public Works officials clarified that residential streets are typically only plowed when snowfall exceeds six inches. Officials explained that plowing residential areas during smaller events often does more harm than good by blocking driveways with snow ridges and is inefficient given the city's narrow streets. Staff also introduced a new online tracking map that will allow residents to see which streets have been plowed in near real time during active snow events, though the map will not display pre-treatment activity.

City adds medical marijuana support to state legislative agenda

TOPEKA, Kan. - In a split 6-2 vote, the governing body approved an amendment to the city’s 2026 legislative agenda supporting the legalization of medical cannabis in Kansas. Councilman Spencer Duncan introduced the language, which outlines support for legalization subject to local taxation and the ability for cities to opt in to allowing dispensaries. Councilmembers Sylvia Ortiz and Neil Dobler voted against the amendment, with Ortiz citing a lack of time to review the specific language prior to the vote.

Council seeks policy change to tax vacant, blighted structures

TOPEKA, Kan. - The council unanimously approved an amendment to its legislative agenda urging the state to stop "zeroing out" the tax value of vacant structures that can be rehabilitated. Councilwoman Karen Hiller proposed the addition, arguing that current appraisal practices reduce the tax burden on owners of vacant, blighted properties, thereby removing the incentive to sell or rehabilitate the buildings. The amended agenda encourages the state legislature to re-examine statutes to ensure equitable valuation between occupied and vacant properties.

Council debates security fencing for Law Enforcement Center

TOPEKA, Kan. - During a discussion on facility improvements, staff presented a proposal to install fencing around the employee parking lot at the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) following reports of vandalism to officers' personal vehicles. The city manager noted incidents involving keyed cars, broken taillights and attempted wiring cuts. While there was general support for increased security, Councilwoman Karen Hiller expressed concern regarding the financing method, questioning the use of long-term bonds for maintenance items and smaller projects, such as fencing, during a budget crisis.

Approval granted for new 84-lot subdivision outside city limits

TOPEKA, Kan. - The council voted 8-0 to accept land dedications for the Timber Ridge Subdivision No. 3, a new development located east of Southwest Wanamaker Road and south of Southwest 53rd Street. The plat allows for the development of 84 residential lots within the city’s three-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction. As part of a compromise with Shawnee County, the developer will construct a sidewalk connecting the subdivision to Wanamaker Road in lieu of a previously required road connection.

Shawnee County Commission approves $495,000 for 911 upgrades

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - The Shawnee County Board of Commissioners approved a payment of $495,931 to a 911 systems vendor during Tuesday’s meeting to upgrade the 911 center consoles. The project is being funded through interest earned on the American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The payment was part of a larger voucher approval totaling nearly $2.3 million for the period, which passed with a 3-0 vote.

Emergency repairs authorized for corrections water line

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - Commissioners approved an emergency expenditure of $76,999 to repair a water line break at the Department of Corrections' 1998 facility. A representative of the Department of Corrections reported that crews caught the issue before a full rupture occurred, preventing an interruption in water service. This incident follows a similar water main break at the 1988 facility last November, prompting the county to hire a mechanical contractor for the immediate repairs using the fiscal year 2025 contingency fund.

Security upgraded at community corrections facility

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - The board voted to upgrade security at the Community Corrections office by converting six existing door locks to electronic access control systems. A representative from the Department of Corrections stated that the current key-and-lock system was insufficient for the department's security needs. The $16,340 project will be installed by a security contractor and funded through a combination of grant money and county funds.

Solid waste department overhauls fleet with $1.5 million investment

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - The board authorized the purchase of multiple new vehicles for the Solid Waste Department, including three front-load trash trucks, two rear-load trucks and two roll-off trucks. The total cost for the heavy-duty waste removal vehicles exceeds $1.3 million, awarded to various vendors including a refuse truck vendor and Elliott Equipment Company. Solid Waste Director Bill Boles noted that despite volatile bid pricing, the department’s overall vehicle acquisitions came in $20,500 under budget.

New tire truck purchased to mitigate safety liability

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - Citing safety concerns, the commission approved the $184,763 purchase of a Class 5 truck equipped with a specialized tire manipulator bed from Shawnee Mission Ford. Solid Waste Director Bill Boles told commissioners that the department's existing tire truck had aged significantly and become a liability to operate. The new vehicle will allow crews to safely service tires in the field.

County saves taxpayer dollars by using user fees for equipment

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - While approving more than $1.5 million in vehicle purchases, Solid Waste Director Bill Boles emphasized that the funding comes entirely from the Solid Waste Fund. Boles clarified that this fund is 100 percent supported by user fees rather than property tax dollars. The purchases, which include a new half-ton pickup and heavy machinery, will leave the enterprise fund with a remaining balance of approximately $20,000.

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