TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka City Council is moving forward with its 2026 Operating Budget after voting on several amendments.
The city council approved the operating budget and voted to appropriate the funds with the vote passing 8-2. Councilwomen Hiller and Hoferer both voted against the appropriation ordinance.
Over the past year, the city has seen revenue collections stabilize and personnel costs grow due to contractual obligations. The 2026 Operating Budget will use one-time reserves to help balance the budget, as well as adopt a mill levy rate of 36.956.
In the meeting on Sept. 16, 2025, the city council voted to:
City council approves transient guest tax for Hotel Topeka
- $250,000 Allocation to Topeka Metro Transit Authority (TMTA)
- Add a $250,000 line item to the miscellaneous non-departmental fund (101 general fund) to prevent TMTA service cuts. Funds to be transferred to TMTA after January 1, 2026. The transfer addresses a $350,000 shortfall from a previous revenue-neutral rate decision. The TMTA will absorb the remaining $100,000.
- Motion made by Councilmember Neil Dobler and approved 10-0.
- $100,000 Allocation to Affordable Housing Trust Fund
- Transfer $100,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support the program.
- Reallocated from economic development funds originally intended for a construction project at the intersection Paramore and Tyler.
- 10-0
- Retention of 2-Hour Metered Parking on 8th Avenue -Duncan
- Retain 2-hour parking limits for meters along 8th Avenue between Kansas Avenue and Jackson until December 31, 2026.
- Results in a $25,000 reduction in parking department revenue.
- Motion made by Councilmember Spencer Duncan and approved 7-3 with Councilmembers Brett Kell and Michelle Hoferer. Councilwoman Karen Hiller abstained from the vote.
- $130,000 Allocation for Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Position
- To fund a CFO position (previously authorized but funding frozen).
- Reallocated from the e-citation enhancement budget.
- Motion made by Councilman Duncan and approved 10-0.
- Transfer of Internal Investigator Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Position
- Move the existing internal investigator position from the city attorney’s office to the city manager’s office to create an “Office of Municipal Integrity. No new funding or salary changes.
- No additional costs, administrative FTE (full-time equivalent) transfer only.
- Motion made by City Manager Robert Perez and approved 10-0.
$5,000 treasure still hidden in the Flint Hills
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