620 SE Madison Ave
For Immediate Release
Contact for further information: Gretchen Spiker, Director of Communications, gspiker@topeka.org
March 3, 2022
Topeka City Council seeks input on determining social services eligibility for ARPA funding
TOPEKA, Kan. – The Topeka City Council’s Policy and Finance Committee will host a public input session on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the City’s Holliday Building located at 620 SE Madison St.
The purpose of the session is to solicit feedback from the community regarding what criteria and qualifications should be met, in order to be eligible to apply for the $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding the Council voted to allocate for social services.
“This will be a deliberative process with decisions made based on input we receive from Topekans,” said Topeka’s Deputy Mayor Spencer Duncan, and the Chair of the Policy and Finance Committee. “This is just one step in a layered process, and we look forward to hearing directly from citizens regarding their expectations of us during this process.”
The Policy and Finance Committee is currently working with City staff on the application and process for social services.
To sign up for public comment, visit https://www.topeka.org/cityclerk/sign-up-to-speak-at-a-governing-body-meeting/. The deadline to sign up for public comment is 5:00 p.m. the date of the meeting. Public comment can be made in person or by Zoom. Public comment is limited to four minutes per person. Time extensions will not be granted.
On February 12, the Council voted to approve setting aside $35,676,831 to be allocated for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), and $10 million to be allocated for social services. The City received $45,676,831 in ARPA funds.