Topeka City Council Special Meeting Summary: August 26, 2025
Topeka City Council Special Meeting Summary: August 26, 2025
The Topeka City Council held a special meeting on August 26, 2025, addressing consent agenda items, two public hearings on property tax rates (for the Topeka Metro Transit Authority and the City of Topeka), and a review of the 2026 operating budget for multiple departments. The council also recognized retiring staff and the outgoing city attorney.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the regular meeting of August 19, 2025.
- No applications were noted.
Public Hearings & Testimony
Topeka Metro Transit Authority (TMTA) Revenue Neutral Rate
- The council held a public hearing on whether to exceed TMTA's revenue neutral rate of 3.999 mils and impose a proposed rate of 4.2 mils. Several residents spoke in opposition to property tax increases, citing fixed incomes, rising costs, and concerns about city spending (e.g., a hotel purchase). Speakers included Earl Mackintosh, Ims King, Melvin Adams, Lynnell Griffith, Greg Means, Tim Scott, and Sarah Canatzer. Some praised the city for staying within inflation but urged against further increases. The motion to approve the TMTA rate failed (5-4), with council members Hiller, Doubler, Duncan, Hofer, and Deputy Mayor Kell voting yes, and council members Ortiz, Banks, Miller, and Mayor Padilla voting no.
City of Topeka Revenue Neutral Rate
- A second public hearing considered exceeding the city's revenue neutral rate of 35.183 mils. Testimony repeated opposition to higher property taxes. Lynnell Griffith suggested redirecting funds from Go Topeka to offset increases. Council members discussed the complexity of the tax system, the city's 14-year mill levy freeze, and the need for flexibility. The motion to exceed the revenue neutral rate passed 7-2 (Banks and Duncan voting no). Councilwoman Hofer noted this vote only allows wiggle room for final budget decisions.
Discussion Items
2026 Operating Budget Overview
- City staff presented budget details for several departments:
- City Manager's Office, HR, Legal, IT, and Office of Inclusive Communities (OIC): Josh McInarney (Budget Director) outlined the city manager's office budget, including frozen positions and the elimination of a communications manager role. City Attorney Amanda presented the legal department's stable budget, highlighting in-house economic development work and a grant for domestic violence prosecution. HR Director Alicia reported progress on the Tyler ERP project, insurance RFP, and recruitment efforts. OIC Director Moni Glaude highlighted accomplishments like a Spanish language training pilot, community resource fair, and back-to-school supply drive. IT Director Randy discussed upgrades, including a new website, utility billing software, and the ERP system rollout.
- Council members asked questions and made comments, including Councilman Duncan's suggestion to centralize IT budgeting.
The council will continue budget discussions at upcoming meetings, with a public budget hearing scheduled for September 9, 2025, and adoption targeted for September 16.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Water Pollution Control Facility Building B renovation (Project Nos. 2911 2301 and 2911 4901) approved unanimously.
- TMTA property tax rate increase failed (5-4), meaning TMTA cannot exceed its revenue neutral rate.
- City of Topeka property tax rate increase approved (7-2), allowing the council to consider exceeding the revenue neutral rate in the final budget.
- Recognition: City Manager thanked retiring HR employee Sean Mayesberger (34 years) and outgoing City Attorney Amanda for her four years of service.
- Next meeting scheduled for September 2, 2025, with board appointments, Celtic Fox events, and continued budget discussions.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. And welcome to the special meeting of the governing body, August 26th. I'll call this meeting to order. If you will give your attention to Councilman Dobler, who will provide the invocation. Stand as you are able and then remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Mayor. I would like to welcome Father Anthony Olet. Currently the pastor of Christ the King Parish here in Topeka. He has held that position since the first of July. But we're actually welcome, welcoming him back to Topeka. He was here for about a year at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Father Anthony grew up in Princeton, just outside of Ottawa. He served six years in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician. Really served all over the world. 19 years as an ordained Roman Catholic priest. And he's been around Northeast Kansas, Windok County, Osage County, as I mentioned, one year at uh one year here in Topeka. Um he's glad to be back in in Topeka where his father served for four years as an electronics technician at Forbes Field. So help me welcome Father Anthony to the podium. Thank you, Father. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Good and gracious Father, we bless you and we praise you. We thank you for this day. Thank you for this opportunity to gather as brothers and sisters, as citizens of this city. Father, we ask the help of your Holy Spirit as we gather. We ask for wisdom and grace. We ask for peaceful hearts and understanding ears. We ask for the words to articulate our thoughts and our hopes. Bless this time together. May it be fruitful. May it glorify you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. And to the Republicans with liberty and justice for all. Okay, thank you. We'll move on now to the agenda. Madam Clerk, with a call to roll, please. Mayor Padilla. Here. Council members Hiller. Here. Baldivi Aquala. Orties. Here. Banks. Here. Kel? Here. Miller. Doubler.
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