Topeka – Week of July 20 2025

City Budget Proposal Reveals $7.5 Million Deficit, Potential for 41 Frozen Positions

County Considers $7.4 Million in Cuts to Keep Tax Rate Flat

Hotel Topeka Sale Announced; Council Defends Deal

Additional $605,000 Approved for Jail Mental-Health Unit

Major Investments Slated for Gage Park and Family Park

City Budget Proposal Reveals $7.5 Million Deficit, Potential for 41 Frozen Positions

TOPEKA - The Topeka City Council got its first look at the proposed 2026 operating budget, which projects a $7.5 million deficit that will be covered by reserves if no other changes are made. Budget and Finance Division Director Josh McKinney presented the overview. The budget presentation on July 15 revealed that even after identifying reductions, including the freezing or eliminating 41 full-time equivalent positions, expenses outpace revenues. The proposed budget assumes a flat mill levy of 36.956. To bridge the gap, the city plans to use its unassigned reserve fund and implement other strategies, such as shifting two mills from the debt-service fund to the general fund and increasing administrative fees charged to utility funds. While staff assured the council that the city has enough reserves to remain above its minimum policy requirements for 2026, they warned that 2027 will require structural changes to either raise revenues or lower expenses.

County Considers $7.4 Million in Cuts to Keep Tax Rate Flat

SHAWNEE COUNTY - Shawnee County Commissioners are grappling with a significant budget challenge for 2026, facing about $7.45 million in departmental request reductions to avoid raising the property-tax rate. During a lengthy budget discussion on July 14, the county’s financial administrator, Jennifer Sauer, revealed that fully funding all departmental and community-partner requests would result in a mill levy of 53.05, a substantial increase from the current 48.326. After a recess to calculate options, the commission directed staff to notify the public of its intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate, setting a maximum potential mill levy of 49.326—an increase of one mill. Commissioners expressed a desire to work toward a flat mill levy but wanted flexibility during upcoming budget workshops, acknowledging that achieving a flat rate will require “drastic cuts.”

Hotel Topeka Sale Announced; Council Defends Deal

TOPEKA - It was announced during the July 15 meeting that the city has entered into a letter of intent to sell the city-owned Hotel Topeka at City Center. Councilmember Spencer Duncan said the sale fulfills the governing body’s pledge to sell the property, avoid using taxpayer money for renovations, and make taxpayers whole. Duncan described the offer as the “best we got,” noting that other proposals would not have fully recouped the city’s investment and would have requested additional incentives, such as retaining the Community Improvement District (CID). The buyer is a “reputable hotelier” who intends to bring a name-brand flag to the hotel—something officials believe is essential for the adjacent Stormont Vail Events Center and the capital city’s economy.

Additional $605,000 Approved for Jail Mental-Health Unit

SHAWNEE COUNTY - The Shawnee County Commission unanimously approved a $605,000 increase to the guaranteed maximum price for constructing mental-health living units at the adult detention center. The amendment to the contract with KBS Constructors Inc. will allow for the purchase and installation of cells on the third floor of the Behavioral Health Unit, a move officials say will prevent having to tear the building open again later when the full third floor is funded. Tim Phelps, Director of the Department of Corrections, stated that while the change increases the project’s GMP, the costs will be covered by unexpected budget savings and interest earned on the project’s bond funds.

Major Investments Slated for Gage Park and Family Park

SHAWNEE COUNTY - The Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Department received approval for a slate of improvement projects funded largely by the Gage Park sales tax. The commission green-lit a $222,582 contract with Mammoth Sports Construction to build a new four-court sand-volleyball complex at Gage Park. Further enhancements to Gage Park’s Playland are also moving forward with three contracts for new playground equipment: $195,569 with AFCO, $83,950 with AB Creative, and $46,662 with Aspire to Play—about $326,000 in total. Additionally, the commission awarded a bid for the Family Park Trail Construction project, which will use a $141,663 state grant to add a concrete trail connecting 21st Street to the park’s existing loop.

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