Topeka local news summary

Council Passes 2026 Budget on 8-2 Vote After Contentious Debate

Topeka Metro Receives $250,000 Lifeline to Prevent Service Cuts

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Gets $100,000 Boost

Hotel Topeka Tax Plan Approved to Recoup City Investment

Downtown Parking Decision Partially Reversed on 8th Avenue

Commissioners Delay Final Budget Vote Amidst Heated Debate

Deep Cuts to Sheriff and DA Budgets Fail to Gain Support

Commission Finds $1M in Additional Reserves; Debates How to Use It

Valeo Funding Approved with Opioid Settlement Dollars

Parks and Recreation Budget Cut by an Additional $250,000

$1.7M Kossover Tennis Center Expansion Gets Green Light

Looming $3 Million Election Equipment Purchase Looms Over Budget Talks

Council Passes 2026 Budget on 8-2 Vote After Contentious Debate

TOPEKA - The Topeka City Council approved the city’s 2026 operating budget Tuesday night following a lengthy session of debate and several last-minute amendments. The final budget passed on an 8-2 vote, with Councilmembers Karen Hiller and Michelle Hoferer dissenting. Hiller stated she voted no because the budget failed to make what she considered to be substantial cuts to address the city’s long-term financial challenges.

Topeka Metro Receives $250,000 Lifeline to Prevent Service Cuts

TOPEKA - In a unanimous vote, the council approved a $250,000 allocation to the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority to prevent the elimination of a bus route. The motion was made by Councilmember Neil Dobler; Metro leaders agreed to absorb $100,000 of the projected shortfall. This followed a prior RNR decision that created a roughly $300,000 gap.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Gets $100,000 Boost

TOPEKA - After an appeal from community organization Topeka JUMP, the council voted 8-2 to add $100,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The amendment, introduced by Councilmember Marcus Miller, reallocated the money from economic development funds.

Hotel Topeka Tax Plan Approved to Recoup City Investment

TOPEKA - A new tax structure for the city-owned Hotel Topeka was approved in a 9-1 vote, aimed at helping the city recover its $17.7 million investment in the property. The ordinance raises the transient guest tax at that specific location to 8% (citywide remains 7%). The goal, as presented, is to recover the city’s costs over roughly 35 years. The lone “no” vote was Councilmember Christina Valdivia-Alcalá.

Downtown Parking Decision Partially Reversed on 8th Avenue

TOPEKA - In a 7-2 vote with one abstention, the council moved to retain free two-hour parking along the metered spaces on 8th Avenue between Kansas Avenue and Jackson Street through December 31, 2026. The change is expected to reduce parking revenue by about $25,000 and was framed as support for businesses on that block during broader downtown discussions.

Commissioners Delay Final Budget Vote Amidst Heated Debate

SHAWNEE COUNTY — The Shawnee County Commission voted unanimously to postpone the final vote on the 2026 budget until its next meeting on September 22. The decision came after a lengthy and contentious session that saw multiple proposed cuts, debates over the use of reserve funds, and disagreements on funding priorities. Commissioners cited the need for more time to review the day’s changes and speak with department heads before making a final decision on the budget and the mill levy for the upcoming year.

Deep Cuts to Sheriff and DA Budgets Fail to Gain Support

SHAWNEE COUNTY — In an effort to lower the mill levy, Commissioner Kevin Cook proposed a series of significant budget cuts targeting key public safety departments. He made separate motions to cut $1 million from the Sheriff’s budget, $400,000 from the District Attorney’s budget, and an additional $150,000 from Community Corrections. Citing public feedback demanding lower taxes, Commissioner Cook argued the cuts were necessary. However, none of the three motions received a second from his fellow commissioners and subsequently failed.

Commission Finds $1M in Additional Reserves; Debates How to Use It

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Financial Administrator Jennifer Sauer informed the commission that finalized financials for 2024 revealed nearly $1 million more in the county’s reserve fund than previously estimated, bringing the total to over $4.8 million. The news sparked a lengthy debate on how to best allocate the surplus. Discussion centered on using the one-time funds for one-time expenditures, such as the looming $3 million purchase of new election equipment or addressing deferred maintenance projects, rather than using it to lower the mill levy, which could create a budget shortfall in future years.

Valeo Funding Approved with Opioid Settlement Dollars

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Commissioners unanimously approved a new funding model for Valeo Behavioral Health Care (county mental-health provider). The board reduced Valeo’s general fund request to $3 million but supplemented it with a $170,000 grant from the county’s opioid settlement fund. The motion, a compromise reached during the meeting, stipulates that the settlement funds must be used specifically for substance abuse treatment and will be subject to strict county oversight to ensure compliance with federal and state guidelines.

Parks and Recreation Budget Cut by an Additional $250,000

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Following the failure of other proposed cuts, a motion by Commissioner Cook to reduce the Parks and Recreation budget by an additional $250,000 found unanimous support. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Aaron Mays and passed 3-0. While no specific programs were targeted for elimination during the discussion, the cut was presented as a necessary step to address public concerns over the county’s spending and high property taxes.

$1.7M Kossover Tennis Center Expansion Gets Green Light

SHAWNEE COUNTY — The commission voted 3-0 to award a $1,722,168 contract to Multisports, LLC for a major expansion and renovation of the Kossover Tennis Center. The project, paid for with previously issued bonds, will add four new courts, upgrade lighting on all courts to energy-efficient LEDs, and completely repair and resurface all 18 existing courts. Representatives from the Topeka Tennis Association spoke in support, stating the upgrades will allow the facility to attract larger state and national tournaments, boosting local tourism.

Looming $3 Million Election Equipment Purchase Looms Over Budget Talks

SHAWNEE COUNTY — A major topic during the budget debate was the upcoming need to replace the county’s aging election equipment, at an estimated cost of over $3 million. Election officials confirmed the entire system must be purchased at once to ensure compatibility. The commission discussed using newly identified reserve funds to begin setting money aside for the purchase. The audit finance director advised against bonding the purchase, as the technology’s lifespan is significantly shorter than a typical 20-year bond period.

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