Topeka local news summary

Council approves rezoning for 29th and Gage convenience store despite neighborhood concerns

Topeka to annex 30 acres for 72-home subdivision in southwest

City approves land for new 23-home Habitat for Humanity development

City officials report progress on property maintenance initiative

Council debates 2026 state legislative priorities, including medical marijuana, crime penalties

Election results finalized; Bradberry confirmed for District 7 seat

County finances stable, but falling interest rates create revenue lag

Property tax bills mailed, payment due Dec. 22

Property tax remains county’s primary revenue source

Council approves rezoning for 29th and Gage convenience store despite neighborhood concerns

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Topeka City Council on Tuesday approved a rezoning ordinance for properties at 3825 and 3835 SW 29th St., clearing the way for a convenience store with gas pumps. The change rezones the land to a Planned Unit Development with C2 commercial uses. Planning Division Director Dan Warner noted the primary issue was aligning zoning for a driveway on Atwood Avenue with the main property. The plan, which includes new access points on 29th Street and Gage Boulevard, faced opposition at a neighborhood meeting where residents cited concerns about traffic, noise and crime. The Planning Commission had previously recommended approval on a split 5-2 vote.

Topeka to annex 30 acres for 72-home subdivision in southwest

TOPEKA, Kan. - The City of Topeka is expanding its boundaries after the council voted to annex approximately 30 acres of land located between SW Gage Boulevard and SW Burlingame Road. The annexation follows the council's separate approval of the final plat for the Misty Harbor Estate Subdivision #6, which will allow for the development of 72 new single-family residential lots on the property. According to the planning department, the land is within the city’s designated urban growth area and has full access to urban services like sewer and water, making it ready for annexation and development.

City approves land for new 23-home Habitat for Humanity development

TOPEKA, Kan. - A plan by Topeka Habitat for Humanity to build up to 23 new affordable, owner-occupied homes in North Topeka received unanimous approval from the City Council. The council amended the zoning for the Shory Estate Subdivision at the southeast corner of NW Tyler Street and NW Lyman Road to allow for single-family residential use. While a neighborhood meeting revealed some concerns about the size of the new lots, Planning Division Director Dan Warner confirmed the lots are consistent with the city’s R2 zoning standards. The Planning Commission had unanimously recommended the project for approval.

City officials report progress on property maintenance initiative

TOPEKA, Kan. - City officials presented a comprehensive progress report on the "Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance" initiative, which began in 2021. Councilwoman Karen Hiller, along with property maintenance staff, detailed efforts to improve housing quality, including creating a "renter safety net" with legal aid support and a "homeowner safety net" with resources for repairs. The report highlighted increased collaboration between the Property Maintenance and Fire departments to inspect all multifamily properties with eight or more units. The initiative has also produced numerous educational pamphlets and hosted "Coffee with Code" events to engage the community directly on code compliance.

Council debates 2026 state legislative priorities, including medical marijuana, crime penalties

TOPEKA, Kan. - The City Council held a lengthy discussion on its proposed 2026 state legislative agenda, with members suggesting several new priorities. While established goals like protecting home rule and reforming property valuation systems remain, council members introduced new topics for consideration. Deputy Mayor Brett Kell advocated for lobbying for harsher penalties for crimes against children. One council member urged the city to support the legalization of medical marijuana, citing potential tax revenue and therapeutic benefits for residents with chronic pain. Councilwoman Karen Hiller suggested addressing state laws on election signs and reforming the valuation of vacant properties to incentivize redevelopment. The final agenda will be voted on in December.

Election results finalized; Bradberry confirmed for District 7 seat

TOPEKA, Kan. - With the final election results certified this week, Deputy Mayor Brett Kell officially announced that Michelle Bradberry will be the new council member for District 7. Bradberry, who narrowly defeated opponent Earl McIntosh by 16 votes, will be sworn in along with other newly elected officials in January. In the mayoral race, Spencer Duncan was elected to lead the city, receiving 75% of the vote to succeed outgoing Mayor Mike Padilla. Incumbents Karen Hiller (District 1), Sylvia Ortiz (District 3), Brett Daniel Kell (District 5), and Michelle Hoferer (District 9) were all reelected to their seats. Kell took a moment to recognize Padilla and outgoing Councilman Neil Dobler for their years of service, noting their terms will conclude at the end of the year.

County finances stable, but falling interest rates create revenue lag

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Shawnee County’s finances are largely on track with its 2025 budget, though revenues from interest are coming in slower than last year, Audit-Finance Director Jennifer Sauer reported at the Board of County Commissioners meeting Thursday. Overall expenditures are slightly below historical averages, at 74.2 percent of the budget spent through the third quarter. However, the “other revenues” category, heavily influenced by interest income, has collected only 67 percent of its annual budget, compared to 85 percent at this time last year. Sauer attributed the lag to dropping interest rates and noted that while the county will likely end the year slightly under budget in that category, the shortfall is not expected to be drastic.

Property tax bills mailed, payment due Dec. 22

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Property tax statements for Shawnee County residents are being mailed next week, and payment is due by Monday, Dec. 22, County Treasurer Susan Duffy announced Thursday. The deadline is extended from the usual Dec. 20 date, which falls on a Saturday this year. Duffy encouraged residents to pay online at ikan.ks.gov to avoid extra fees charged by unauthorized third-party websites. Payments can also be made by mail or at the county’s dropbox. Duffy also reported that her office is still actively collecting delinquent taxes, noting a single payment of $2.2 million was recently received.

Property tax remains county’s primary revenue source

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. — Property taxes continue to be the dominant source of revenue for Shawnee County, now making up 80 percent of the county’s total budgeted income, according to a financial report presented Thursday. This marks an increase from previous years when higher interest rates boosted the “other revenues” category. Audit-Finance Director Jennifer Sauer explained that as interest rates decline, the county relies more heavily on property taxes unless other revenue streams grow. The county has collected 99 percent of its budgeted property tax revenue for the year.

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

citizen journal offers three flagship products: a daily national news summary, a daily Kansas news summary, and local news and school board summaries from 15 cities across Kansas. Each issue contains 5 paragraph-length stories that are made to be read in 5 minutes. Use the links in the header to navigate to national, kansas, and local coverage. Subscribe to each, some, or all to get an email when new issues are published for FREE!