Topeka Governing Body Meeting – October 21, 2026

No agenda or minutes were included in the source package; this summary is based on the raw transcript. The supplied meeting timestamp is 2026-10-21 03:32:36 UTC, although the transcript's opening line says October 20, 2026. The meeting included a financial report, approval of ballot items, public comment, and an executive session that led to the city manager's departure. Note: the opening roll call lists Councilmember Valdivia Aquala absent, but later recorded votes include her; the transcript does not explain the change.

Proclamation

• Mayor Duncan proclaimed October 24, 2026 as World Polio Day. Rotarians accepted the proclamation; Tanya Dorf Brenner of Topeka South Rotary noted her club's board chair and vice chair were on their way to India for polio vaccinations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the regular meeting of October 13, 2026, on a 9-0 vote.

Financial Update – FY2026 Nine-Plus-Three Report

• Staff reported the general fund is projected to use about $4 million of reserves instead of the budgeted $7 million to balance FY2026.
• Projected revenues are about $126 million; projected expenses are about $130.5 million; projected year-end fund balance is just under $29 million, or about 22.5%.
• Sales tax is projected about $700,000 below budget; sales tax is roughly one-third of general fund revenue. Staff cited a 1.25% growth assumption that is not being realized and recommended monitoring, with a flat sales tax projection suggested for FY2028.
• Expense savings were cited in utilities, contractual services (about $700,000 below budget), and some police department line items; motor fuel was higher than expected.
• Councilmembers questioned the effect of a possible federal fuel-tax suspension, sales-tax category detail, winter commodities, and reserve-fund impacts. Staff said the state provides only an overall sales-tax figure, although Councilmember McGee had obtained some state-level breakdown.

Action Item A – March 2027 Ballot Question: 0.1% Sales Tax for Affordable Housing and Homeless Services

• The city manager recommended placing on the March 2, 2027 special election ballot a 0.1% special citywide sales tax expected to generate about $4 million annually, with at least 50% for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the remainder for evidence-based homeless initiatives, including but not limited to operating and construction costs, outreach support, transportation services, rental assistance, and affordable housing.
• Staff said the special election estimate was revised to $155,000, from an earlier $118,000 estimate. The tax would take effect July 1, 2027, producing about $2 million in the first partial year.
• Public comment: Joseph Ledbetter opposed the special election because of cost, preferred August, proposed different percentage splits, and raised concerns about outstanding warrants among homeless individuals. Steve Henry, representing Topeka JUMP, urged the council to put the question on the March ballot. Henry McClure opposed, saying the city cannot afford the election and criticizing government involvement in real estate.
• Council debate included support from Councilmember Bradbury, who said prevention costs less than crisis response; Councilmember Bakes, who said voters should decide; Councilmember Kell, who changed his position and supported moving sooner; and Councilmembers Hiller and Miller, who made and seconded the motion. Councilmember Ortiz voted no because of the $155,000 cost and concerns about broad language. Deputy Mayor Hofer asked that administrative costs be recoverable from the tax. Councilmember Kell's suggestion to include cleanup was addressed by noting the phrase "including but not limited to" and "operating costs" already covers it.
• Vote: motion carried 8 yes, with Councilmember Ortiz voting no.

Action Item B – Charter Amendment for City Auditor

• The proposed charter amendment would amend Topeka Municipal Code Sections A224 and A225 to allow the city auditor to report directly to the governing body. Staff noted a position description is being drafted; $108,000 had been budgeted for the office, with a likely salary around $165,000.
• Public comment: Joseph Ledbetter said he had no position but argued the existing charter already requires financial reporting to the council. Daniel Twemlow supported the position and urged an equity-focused audit rubric. Henry McClure questioned why the auditor would report only to the council instead of to the public.
• Councilmembers described the auditor as a performance/internal auditor focused on operations, internal controls, contracts, efficiency, and taxpayer dollars. They discussed annual audit work plans and quarterly public updates. Deputy Mayor Hofer stressed the need for clear qualifications and a direct line of direction.
• Vote: the charter language was approved 9-0. This step did not yet place the question on the ballot.

Action Item C – Call for March 2, 2027 Election on City Auditor Charter Change

• Council voted 9-0 to call the election on the charter ordinance, pairing it with the sales-tax question on the March 2, 2027 ballot. Councilmember Ortiz asked whether it would cost extra; staff said it would be part of the same ballot.

General Public Comments & Testimony

• Joseph Ledbetter praised the new Poquincy Viaduct as ahead of schedule, called it a $250 million project, and praised Cody Foster's downtown and mall investments, saying the comments were his personal opinions.
• Daniel Twemlow urged strategic planning around IT/digital infrastructure, transit, green space, climate resilience, local business support, and participatory governance, and said no to hyperscale data centers.
• Sharon Gillette spoke against surveillance and hyperscale data centers, urging Topeka not to provide "another set of eyes."
• Amy Gillette raised concerns about the proposed Great Plains Defense Autonomy Hub near Forbes Field, including rare earth processing health risks and property tax/incentive exemptions, and thanked councilmembers for questioning the MTAA data center presentation.
• Henry McClure praised Cody Foster personally but criticized the 220 SE 6th Street/ATT building deal, sales-tax exemptions through IRBs, and called for exploring city-county consolidation and new approaches.

Announcements

• The November 3, 2026 governing body meeting is canceled pursuant to Resolution 9789 because it is general election day.
• Fire Prevention Month reminders included free smoke detectors through a Red Cross partnership, juvenile fire-safety education, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire-pit safety.
• Halloween safety reminders, Boo at the Zoo on October 24, Zoo Lights beginning November 20, and get-out-the-vote reminders were also announced.

Executive Session and City Manager Transition

• The council entered executive session for personnel matters involving non-elected personnel under KSA 75-4319(b)(1), extended it by 45 minutes, and then returned.
• The governing body voted 9-0 to suspend its rules to permit discussion and action regarding the duties of city manager and related business.
• Accepted the resignation of City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez effective immediately and approved a separation agreement, on a 9-0 vote.
• Appointed Deputy City Manager Braxton Copley as acting city manager effective immediately, on a 9-0 vote.
• Authorized the city attorney to negotiate and finalize an interim city manager employment agreement with Michael Webb, with service beginning Monday, October 26, 2026, or another mutually agreed date, and appointed Webb interim city manager effective on the agreement's commencement date, on a 9-0 vote.
• The transcript indicates the meeting adjourned at 9:31 p.m.

Key Outcomes

• The March 2, 2027 special election will include the 0.1% affordable housing and homelessness sales tax question, approved 8 yes to 1 no.
• The charter amendment language for a governing-body-reporting city auditor was approved 9-0, and the call for election on that charter amendment was approved 9-0.
• FY2026 financial projections show roughly a $4 million reserve draw and a year-end fund balance just under $29 million.
• City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez resigned effective immediately; Braxton Copley was named acting city manager; Michael Webb was selected as interim city manager starting October 26, 2026.
• The November 3, 2026 governing body meeting is canceled.