Press Releases

The City of Topeka is giving away 375 laptop computers to qualifying Topeka residents who are between the ages of 18 and 59 years old.

The program is part of the city’s digital equity initiative, TSC – Get Digital, that aims to connect Topeka neighbors.

To qualify, Topeka residents must receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension Benefit Program, or have an annual household income that is less than 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

Those interested in receiving a laptop, should review the eligibility requirements before calling 785-368-3098 to apply.

The funding for the laptops was made possible thanks to a $250,000 grant the city received from the Kansas Health Foundation.

The city’s desktop computer program for those who are 60 years or older is still active. To learn more about that program, visit the city’s website.

The City of Topeka invites the public to a special ceremony on Monday, May 5 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cyrus K. Holliday parking lot, where members of the USS Topeka namesake committee will present the city with memorabilia from the recently decommissioned USS Topeka submarine. These
historic items will be displayed at City Hall.

The event will include a celebration featuring performances and recognitions:

• The Topeka West High School Band will perform Armed Forces on Parade.
• The Topeka West Color Guard will present the colors, accompanied by a performance from the
Drill Team.
• Mayor Mike Padilla will read a Proclamation recognizing Military Appreciation Month
acknowledging the multiple branches of Armed Forces.
• The mayor will also present certificates of appreciation to high school students who are planning
on entering the military. The Topeka West drill team will also be receiving a certificate of
achievement and a special recognition.

“These events are a powerful reminder of Topeka’s deep respect for those who serve and have served,” said Mayor Mike Padilla. “Whether through honoring the legacy of the USS Topeka or recognizing local students entering the military, our community continues to show its gratitude and commitment.”

Following the City Hall ceremony, community members are encouraged to attend a free concert by the U.S. Air Force Band at 7:30 p.m. at the Topeka Performing Arts Center (TPAC).

The City of Topeka and PC’s for People, an area technology refurbishing company, are partnering together to host a free digital e-cycle event.

The drive-thru event will take place on Saturday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the City Hall parking lot. City Hall is located in downtown Topeka at 215 SE 7^th St.

During the event, area residents will have the opportunity to dispose of unused computers, while making a difference in the community. Recycled computers are refurbished and distributed back into the community to support equal access to technology for low-income families. If items are not reusable, PC’s for People will recycle every component, keeping millions of pounds of e-waste out of landfills.

Devices that are being accepted include desktop computers, laptops, monitors, and tablets. The devices can be in working or non-working condition. After collection, PC’s for People will safely wipe all existing data from the donated computers. The computers will then be provided to individuals in Topeka who are in need of digital devices.

This event is a part of the City’s digital equity program, TSC – Get Digital. TSC – Get Digital is a coalition made up of community members and stakeholders who want to help close the digital divide in Topeka. The coalition hosted a similar collection event in April 2022, and to date, 497 computers have been donated back into the community.

Other electronic items can be disposed of at the Shawnee County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 131 NE 46^th St. There is no charge for disposal with the exception of CRT TVs and monitors. For additional information, please contact the County at 785-286-4381.

The City of Topeka is kicking off another “Fix Our Streets” construction season, which will run from the first of March through November.

There are 13 reconstruction projects, and an additional 14 street rehabilitation, repair, or mill and overlay projects slated for the 2022 construction season.

Through the City’s various programs, crews will repair, replace or build new infrastructure, to include new sidewalks that didn’t exist before.

The following reconstruction projects are slated for 2022:

• NW Tyler St. – NW Lyman Rd. to NW Beverly St.
• NW Tyler – Lyman to US 24
• SE California Ave. – SE 37th St. to SE 45th St.
• SW 17th St. – I-470 Bridge to SW Wanamaker Rd. and SW Westport Dr. – SW 17th St. to SW Wanamaker Rd.
• SW Gage Blvd. from SW Emland Dr. to SW 6th St.
• SW 12th St. – SW Gage Blvd. to S Kansas Ave.
• SE Quincy St. – SE 6^th St. to SE 8^th St.
• SW 30^th St./SW Hillcrest Rd./SW Twilight Dr./SW Eveningside Dr.
• N Kansas Ave. – NW Morse St. to NE Soldier St.
• SE 6^th St. – Shunga Creek Bridge Deck
• SE Carnahan Ave. – I‐70 to SE 21st St.
• Private Drive – SW Knollwood Dr. to SW 28th St., and west of SW Washburn Ave.
• SW Kent Pl. – street and cul-de-sac north of SW 10th Ave.

Funding for Fix Our Streets is primarily supported through the citywide half-cent sales tax.

For more information on projects scheduled for 2022, visit https://www.topeka.org/publicworks/.

Current forecasts indicate that the City will experience significant revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19, and we should expect to see the effects of COVID-19 on the economy for the rest of the year. The city’s most economically sensitive revenue sources are under extreme pressure. Sales tax make up, on average, 32% of the general fund’s revenue. The city receives approximately 57.5% of our sales tax from retail and another 11.4% from accommodation and food services. The expectation is that sales tax receipts will reflect the significant pressure these two industries are currently under. Good fiscal management from the Governing Body, staff and the buildup of reserves over the last six years allows the city to be in a better position to address the financial issue at hand.
This type of loss in one budget year is substantial and cannot be made up with minor changes in the budget. It will require major changes in expenses. A three pronged approach will be used to reduce expenses including the use of reserves, non-personnel and operational changes and personnel spending reductions. Non-personnel spending will be reduced or eliminated in areas such as education and dues, capital purchases in the general fund, demolition funding, office supplies, and other areas that are still being reviewed.
The current revenue forecast requires a response and a 3% salary reduction is being implemented for management and executive staff. The city is asking union employees to make the same 3% salary reduction. A hiring freeze has also been instituted unless there is a critical or citywide operational need for the position.
“The City of Topeka has engaged in sound financial management, which has given us the ability to manage decreases in revenue during this pandemic while still keeping essential services going,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “I appreciate the sacrifices made by staff and appreciate everyone’s understanding during this difficult time.”
The financial situation of the city during the COVID-19 process is fluid and will require constant monitoring of revenues and expenses to ensure that adjustments are made throughout the year. The City of Topeka is committed to providing essential services for our citizens every day, while at the same time remaining fiscally responsible during this crisis.

In recognition of Arbor Day, staff from the City of Topeka’s Forestry Division, will plant a tree at the statehouse grounds on Friday, April 25. Arbor Day is an annual holiday dedicated to the planting, care, and preservation of trees, observed on the last Friday of April each year.

“Planting this tree at the Statehouse not only honors the spirit of Arbor Day but also represents our continued commitment to growing a healthier, greener Topeka,” said Travis Tenbrink, Forester at the City of Topeka. “With each Arbor Day planting, we hope to inspire the next generation to care for our environment and beautifying our community.”

On Friday at around 10:00 a.m., staff from the city’s Forestry Department will plant a tree on the south side of the Capitol grounds, weather permitting. Following the tree planting, Governor Laura Kelly will sign a proclamation designating Friday, April 25, 2025, as Kansas Arbor Day. The Governor will be joined by City of Topeka staff, members of the Kansas Arborist Association board, representatives from the Kansas Forest Service, and the winner of the Kansas Arbor Day Poster Contest.

In addition to Arbor Day festivities, the City of Topeka is celebrating its 39th year as a proud member of Tree City USA. This membership underscores the city’s dedication to urban forestry and recognizes the significant role trees play in enhancing our community.

In recognition of Arbor Day, staff from the City of Topeka’s Forestry Division, will plant a tree at the statehouse grounds on Friday, April 26, 2024.

Arbor Day is an annual holiday dedicated to the planting, care, and preservation of trees, observed on the last Friday of April each year.

On Friday at around 10 a.m., city staff will plant a Black Cherry tree in the northeast corner of the Kansas State Capitol Building grounds.

“We’re proud to continue the tradition of Arbor Day by planting a tree on the capitol grounds and a proclamation signing,” said Travis Tenbrink, Forester at the City of Topeka. “Our hope is that by celebrating Arbor Day, we’ll inspire others to join us in planting trees for the benefit of our community.”

Following the tree planting, Governor Laura Kelly will sign a proclamation designating Friday, April 26 as Kansas Arbor Day. The Governor will be joined by city staff, members of the Kansas Arborist Association board, representatives from the Kansas Forest Service, and the winner of the Kansas Arbor Day Poster Contest.

In addition to Arbor Day festivities, the City of Topeka is celebrating its 38th year as a proud member of Tree City USA. This membership underscores the city’s dedication to urban forestry, and recognizes the significant role trees play in enhancing our community.

The City of Topeka will postpone a 3% pay reduction for all City of Topeka Staff and reconsider a potential pay reduction in June when actual sales tax receipts for March and April will be available. After a review of the sales tax receipts along with other revenue collections to date, in consultation with the Governing Body, a determination will be made as to whether salary reductions, or other decisions that may impact personnel, will need to be implemented in order to balance the budget by the end of the year. The earliest implementation of salary reductions would be reflected in the July 3rd paycheck. The Governing Body and City Manager will be taking a 6% salary reduction starting with the pay period that begins on May 2nd.
Governing Body members have expressed interest in City Manager Trout exploring the use of additional general fund cash reserves to cover expected savings that would have been achieved from the salary reductions being implemented sooner. Using general fund cash reserves for the next two months will provide the City with the time needed to review actual receipts related to sales tax revenue to guide the estimates of projected losses prior to adjusting personnel cost. Once the sales tax revenue information is reviewed, the city will determine the budgetary impact from the first four months of the year.
The City Manager will continue to explore potential savings in personnel costs through discussions with union leadership, City administration and the Governing Body. No across the board wage reductions will be effective in the next sixty days.
“I am looking at all possible options to reduce spending and offset revenue losses,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “I am continuing to work with the Governing Body and staff to find the best way to balance the budget while keeping the impact to services and staff at a minimum.”
It is still expected that the City of Topeka will experience a loss in revenue from the recent stay at home orders and appropriate steps are being taken to prepare for that loss. City staff has identified approximately $3.2 million of operational changes in the General Fund operating budget that will be implemented for 2020. In addition, it is anticipated that a minimum of $2 million in reserves will be used to offset the anticipated reduction in revenues. Similar changes will also be evaluated and implemented to utility and enterprise funds.

The City of Topeka has partnered with several downtown restaurants to provide curbside pickup of to-go orders for patrons practicing social distancing and restaurateurs seeking sales while complying with a restriction on gatherings of more than 50 people due to COVID-19 concerns.

“I’m pleased that the City of Topeka can help our downtown businesses to stay open and provide food services while promoting social distancing and creating a safe environment for our citizens,” said City Manager Brent Trout.

The City of Topeka has pledged to reserve two parking stalls in front of each participating downtown eating establishment, including restaurants, coffee shops, sandwich shops and bars that serve food. Parking stalls will be designated by orange cones and a red and white sign that says “15 min food pickup only”.

“A big ‘Thank You’ to whoever came up with this idea. At this juncture, we should do anything we can to help our employees,” said Doug Thomas owner of The Classic Bean.

List of participating restaurants:

Iron Rail Brewing, 705 S Kansas Ave                            Juli’s Coffee and Bistro, 110 SE 8^th Ave

Jersey Mike’s, 718 S Kansas Ave                                  The Celtic Fox, 118 SW 8^th St.

Classic Bean, 722 S Kansas Ave                                    Subway, 935 S Kansas Ave

Brew Bank Topeka, 822 S Kansas Ave                        The Pennant, 915 S Kansas Ave