> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Topeka Mayor & City Manager Monthly Press Conference Summary - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/topeka-mayor-city-manager-monthly-press-conference-summary-7/ - Published: 2026-08-28T11:21:49.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-28T11:21:49.000Z - Description: Week of August 28, 2026 - Author: Cronkite - Tags: tcj, #summary, dnn # City proposes balanced 2027 budget ahead of state deadline # Financial forecast predicts multi-million-dollar deficits in 2028 and 2029 # City Manager Robert Perez proposes half-cent sales tax to fund public safety # Officials consider renewing 2018 infrastructure sales tax # New sales tax floated to fund affordable and market-rate housing # City explores 'tiny homes' program for transitional housing # Mayor Spencer Duncan clarifies jurisdiction on proposed data center project --- ### City proposes balanced 2027 budget ahead of state deadline TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka has achieved a proposed balanced budget for 2027 after identifying $15 million in savings. City officials announced Thursday that staff and council members evaluated reductions, job freezes and program efficiencies to close a sizable initial deficit. The Topeka City Council will work to finalize the budget over its next three meetings to meet a statutory state deadline, and officials are urging residents to provide constructive feedback on potential service adjustments during upcoming public discussions. --- ### Financial forecast predicts multi-million-dollar deficits in 2028 and 2029 TOPEKA, Kan. — Despite balancing the 2027 budget, Topeka is facing significant financial shortfalls in the coming years, according to City Manager Robert Perez's five-year forecast. The city projects a $13.3 million deficit in 2028 and a $17.4 million deficit in 2029\. To help mitigate the immediate financial strain and slow the depletion of cash reserves, the proposed 2027 budget includes freezing or eliminating 49 city positions, which includes 20 police officers and 10 firefighters. --- ### City Manager Robert Perez proposes half-cent sales tax to fund public safety TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka officials are considering a new half-cent sales tax to support general government services and offset looming budget deficits. City Manager Robert Perez indicated the tax would generate approximately $20 million annually, funding core services like police, fire and public works. Because public safety makes up 70 percent of the city budget, officials noted that without new revenue, balancing future budgets would require cutting all other city departments by 25 percent just to save $10 million. The proposal will be discussed at the Topeka Policy and Finance Committee meeting on Sept. 3, with the city council expected to consider the measure by late October. --- ### Officials consider renewing 2018 infrastructure sales tax TOPEKA, Kan. — Alongside new tax proposals, Topeka is strongly considering the early renewal of its existing half-cent citywide infrastructure sales tax. The current tax, originally renewed in 2018, is set to expire in 2029\. City Manager Robert Perez stated that discussions regarding the renewal will be part of the broader financial strategy sessions occurring over the next few months to ensure long-term, stable funding for capital improvement projects and facility maintenance. --- ### New sales tax floated to fund affordable and market-rate housing TOPEKA, Kan. — A proposed tenth-of-a-cent sales tax is being floated to create a recurring revenue source for housing development in Topeka. If ultimately approved by voters, the tax would generate roughly $4 million annually. According to City Manager Robert Perez, half of the revenue would be allocated to the city's affordable housing trust fund, while the remaining $2 million would support an economic development fund to incentivize market-rate housing projects and developers throughout the city. --- ### City explores 'tiny homes' program for transitional housing TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka officials are actively exploring the development of a tiny home community to provide transitional housing for the city's unsheltered population. City leaders and housing services staff recently toured Eden Village of Kansas City, a tiny-home community, to study the logistics and community impact of such developments. While a specific location in Topeka has not yet been selected, officials expressed optimism about utilizing vacant land and indicated that public input will play a key role in the site selection process. --- ### Mayor Spencer Duncan clarifies jurisdiction on proposed data center project TOPEKA, Kan. — As public debate continues over a proposed data center project, Mayor Spencer Duncan reminded residents that Shawnee County holds sole zoning authority for the unincorporated land where the facility would be built. While Topeka does not have zoning control over the county site, the Topeka Sustainability Advisory Board is currently drafting policies to guide future decisions on water, energy and environmental impacts should the city eventually be asked to provide utility support or establish formal policies. --- [Click here for local obituaries](https://cjus.me/tcj-obit?ref=citizenjournal.us) [Click here for local jail logs](https://cjus.me/tcj-jail?ref=citizenjournal.us) --- --- Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below: [Contact Us](https://www.citizenjournal.us/contact/) --- [![Job Board](https://rosebud-ads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/JOB.png)](https://gregl72.github.io/job/?ref=citizenjournal.us)