Banks, Hiller elected to economic development board

Council appoints Miller and Bradberry to planning organization

Mayor sets boundaries for District 8 vacancy interviews

Special budget work session scheduled

Council approves contract for legal representation

Council urges safety measures ahead of cold front

County sets hearing for Reser's Fine Foods expansion tax exemption

Planning commission defers action on solar project; new hearing set

Gage Park carousel to close for major renovations through 2027

Commission approves contract with solid waste workers union

Treasurer reports fee increases for electric and hybrid vehicles

Banks, Hiller elected to economic development board

TOPEKA, Kan. — Council members David Banks and Karen Hiller were elected to one-year terms on the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) board Tuesday following a secret ballot vote. Banks received seven votes and Hiller received six to defeat Councilman Brett Kell for the two available seats on the board, which oversees the use of countywide half-cent sales tax funds and approves interlocal agreements for economic development in Topeka.

Council appoints Miller and Bradberry to planning organization

TOPEKA, Kan. — The City Council unanimously elected Council members Marcus D.L. Miller and Michelle Bradberry to the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization (MTPO) Policy Board. The two representatives will join the board tasked with guiding regional transportation planning and infrastructure investments.

Mayor sets boundaries for District 8 vacancy interviews

TOPEKA, Kan. — Mayor Spencer Duncan issued a final reminder that applications for the vacant District 8 city council seat are due in one week, stating he will not grant private meetings to prospective applicants to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. The council will conduct public interviews for the position during the first week of February, interviewing candidates in the order their applications were received.

Special budget work session scheduled

TOPEKA, Kan. — The city scheduled a special budget work session for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the city council chambers. The session will provide council members a dedicated forum to discuss financial priorities and expenditures.

Council approves contract for legal representation

TOPEKA, Kan. — The governing body approved a professional services contract exceeding $50,000 with Henson, Hutton, Mudrick, Gragson & Vogelsberg, LLP for continued representation of the city in an ongoing civil lawsuit. The firm, which frequently represents the city in civil litigation and employment defense matters, was authorized for the expenditure as part of the consent agenda.

Council urges safety measures ahead of cold front

TOPEKA, Kan. — City officials urged residents to check on elderly neighbors and bring pets indoors as temperatures are forecast to drop into the negatives. The council directed staff to compile and publicize a list of active warming centers, with Mayor Spencer Duncan noting that fewer facilities appear to be available this winter than in previous years and asking residents to report active stations to the city manager's office.

County sets hearing for Reser's Fine Foods expansion tax exemption

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Shawnee County Commission scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 12 to consider a request from Reser's Fine Foods Inc. for a 10-year, 100 percent tax exemption to support a proposed 90,000-square-foot expansion of its salad plant at 3728 S.E. Sixth St. The company plans to complete the facility upgrades this year and has committed to hiring at least 30 new employees within the first three years of the expansion, a project the Administrative Review Committee recommended for approval.

Planning commission defers action on solar project; new hearing set

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Shawnee County Planning Commission voted to defer action on a proposed solar farm following a Jan. 12 meeting that drew significant public turnout and feedback, according to Land Use and Development Director Joni Thadani. A follow-up public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Shawnee County North Annex, and county commissioners are not expected to review the application until March.

Gage Park carousel to close for major renovations through 2027

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Shawnee County Commission approved contracts with HTK Architects and KBS Constructors for a comprehensive renovation of the Gage Park Carousel facility that will necessitate closing the attraction from June 2026 until the spring of 2027. Funded by Gage Park sales tax revenue, the project will replace the Big Gage Shelter House and upgrade the facility to allow for year-round carousel operation, according to Parks and Recreation Director Tim Laurent.

Commission approves contract with solid waste workers union

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Shawnee County Commission ratified a three-year memorandum of understanding with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1294 that includes a 3 percent annual wage increase for solid waste employees from 2026 through 2028. The agreement also raises the annual shoe allowance to $250 and implements a new safety bonus program, offering employees up to $1,000 annually paid in increments for working without a reportable injury.

Treasurer reports fee increases for electric and hybrid vehicles

TOPEKA, Kan. — Shawnee County Treasurer Susan Duffy reported to the commission that registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles increased effective Jan. 1 under House Bill 2122, a state measure passed to offset road maintenance costs usually funded by gasoline taxes. The new legislation raised registration costs for all-electric passenger cars from $100 to $165, increased fees for plug-in hybrids to $100 and set the rate for standard hybrids at $70.

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us