Press Releases

El martes, el Departamento de Servicios Administrativos y Financieros de la Ciudad de Topeka publicó el presupuesto operativo propuesto para 2023.

El presupuesto municipal total para el año fiscal 2023 es $340.1 millones, un aumento de 0.33% con respecto al año fiscal 2022. De esto, el presupuesto del Fondo General de la ciudad es $104.1 millones. El Fondo General de la Ciudad es el fondo individual más grande y financia muchos de los servicios municipales de la Ciudad.

En general, el presupuesto del Fondo General aumentó un 6.2% con respecto al presupuesto del año fiscal 2022. Durante los últimos cinco años, el presupuesto del Fondo General no ha aumentado más del 2% con respecto al año anterior. El mayor aumento de este año es el resultado directo de los costos inflacionarios que llegan al 8.6%. La Ciudad reconoce el impacto que esto tiene sobre los contribuyentes y ha aumentado los costos con cuidado y con intención.

“Nos complace presentar el presupuesto operativo de 2023 para la Ciudad de Topeka. Confiamos en que el presupuesto permitirá que la Ciudad ofrezca servicios de alta calidad a un costo adecuado para los contribuyentes. Continuamos trabajando para alinear los recursos de la Ciudad con las necesidades y los valores de nuestra comunidad y este presupuesto nos coloca en un excelente lugar para hacerlo,” dijo Stephen Wade, Director del Departamento de Servicios Administrativos y Financieros.

Prioridades Presupuestarias

El presupuesto para 2023 respalda las siguientes prioridades presupuestarias establecidas por el Concejo Municipal: invertir en infraestructura, continuar con el compromiso con la seguridad pública, continuar con el compromiso de desarrollar vecindarios, inversiones estratégicas seleccionadas hacia calidad de vida y buen gobierno.

Al comienzo de este ciclo presupuestario, la Ciudad llevó a cabo seis talleres comunitarios centrados en las cinco prioridades establecidas por el Concejo Municipal. Durante estos talleres, la Ciudad recibió comentarios sobre cuáles son las metas y objetivos de la comunidad para cada una de las prioridades. Desde los talleres, el personal de la Ciudad ha trabajado para incorporar las ideas de la comunidad en el presupuesto junto con el desarrollo de indicadores clave para medir el progreso hacia cada una de las prioridades presupuestarias del Concejo Municipal.

Gastos Destacados

La porción más grande del Fondo General (77.8%) son costos de personal con $80.9 millones. Los costos de personal, incluyendo (incluido) salarios y beneficios, han experimentado un aumento del 5.7% en comparación con el presupuesto del año fiscal 2022.

Los productos básicos, incluyendo materiales para asfalto, roca, arena, sal, combustible, productos químicos y suministros de oficina, han experimentado el mayor aumento como resultado de la inflación, con aumento del 15.5% con respecto al presupuesto del año fiscal 2022. Los gastos contractuales han aumentado un 6.8%.

Al igual que otras entidades gubernamentales y empresas, la Ciudad enfrenta desafíos en la contratación de empleados. A la fecha de publicación de este presupuesto, la tasa de vacancia en la Ciudad es aproximadamente 12%. Este presupuesto incluye $100,000 que se agregaron al presupuesto de Recursos Humanos con el propósito de reclutar talento para la Ciudad.

Impuestos de Propiedad

Cada año, la Ciudad adopta una tasa de impuestos sobre la propiedad que determina la cantidad de impuestos sobre la propiedad que recibirá la Ciudad. Durante los diez años anteriores, la tasa del impuesto a la propiedad de la Ciudad se ha mantenido estable, sin aumentos ni reducciones. Después de un aumento del valor catastral del 8.5 %, el Consejo Municipal ordenó al personal que redujera la tasa del impuesto sobre la propiedad

Próximos Pasos

El Concejo Municipal y el personal de la Ciudad organizarán un taller de presupuesto el martes 26 de julio a las 6:00 pm en el edificio Holliday. Los miembros de la comunidad pueden asistir al taller en persona o verlo en la página de Facebook de la Ciudad, la transmisión en vivo de la Ciudad o en el canal local 4 de Cox.

El 12 de julio, el Concejo Municipal votará si excede o no la tasa neutral de ingresos del año presupuestario anterior.

El presupuesto se presentará en las reuniones del Concejo Municipal del 19 de Julio, 9 de agosto y 16, en las que los ciudadanos podrán hacer comentarios públicos. El 6 de septiembre se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto donde los ciudadanos tendrán otra oportunidad de ofrecer sus comentarios sobre el presupuesto.

El presupuesto se puede ver en línea en: https://www.topeka.org/finance/budget/.

2023 Citizen’s Guide to City Budget – Spanish

 

At its June 25, 2024 meeting, the City of Topeka Land Bank Board of Trustees voted to approve the Land Bank budget and several lots for transfer to the Land Bank.

In 2023, the city’s Governing Body voted to set aside $500,000 for a 3-year land bank pilot program, with the goal of transforming vacant and blighted properties into affordable housing. With the approval by the Board of Trustees to take in lots to the land bank, the process is moving forward. The five approved lots are already city-owned, but needed to be formally added to the land bank to allow the city to place them for sale.

“We understand that this initiative alone will not solve our housing shortage, but it is a vital pillar that supports the other initiatives and efforts led by the City of Topeka and our economic development organizations,” said Manny Herron, land bank board member and founder of IPG Building Co. “Together, these efforts will drive comprehensive and sustainable growth in our housing market.”

Developers that are interested in purchasing property from the land bank can view available parcels on the city’s public map portal. After finding a property, they will need to submit the proper application materials to the Board of Trustees. After submission, the Board of Trustees will review the application and select applicants based on the applicant selection rubric.

Properties can also be donated to the land bank. Those interested in donating a property to the land bank will need to submit the proper application materials, and then undergo an inspection process on the property. After submission, the Board of Trustees will review the application and select applicants based on the property selection rubric.

“We eagerly anticipate the innovative responses from developers and their contributions to increasing access to quality housing. This initiative is more than just a project; it is a testament to our dedication to seeing Topeka thrive,” said Herron. “I look forward to witnessing the positive impact this program will have on our city and its future.”

To learn more about the City of Topeka Land Bank, please visit: https://www.topeka.org/government/boards-commissions/topeka-land-bank/

The City of Topeka is partnering with the Shawnee County Landlord’s Association and Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. to hold the first ever Topeka Landlord Expo. The Landlord Expo will take place on Saturday, October 27th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Downtown Ramada Hotel & Convention Center.
The first annual Topeka Landlord Expo will be the most informative Landlord Expo in the Midwest with over 80 exhibitors and several training sessions throughout the day. The expo will provide a platform for property investors to seek advice, guidance and tools necessary to succeed in the development and management of their commercial and residential rental properties.
“The City of Topeka wants to provide landlords with the advice, tools and knowledge that they need to be successful in our community,” said Neighborhood Relations Director Sasha Haehn. “The Expo is perfect for all landlords, whether you are a first time landlord, established landlord, agent, property investor or thinking about entering the private rental market.”
Workshops for residential landlords will include fair housing and best practices. Workshops for commercial landlords will include the neighborhood revitalization program, housing tax credits program, city economic development incentives and Topeka Police Department safety precautionary tips.
“The Shawnee County Landlords Association is very excited to see the City of Topeka taking the initiative to open the communications with the landlords in the community,” said Bette Allen, President of the Shawnee County Landlord Association. “We have found that it is easier to work together when everyone is on the same page. This event will open the door for a better understanding of the issues and concerns about rental properties throughout the city.”
The Landlord Expo will have free entry, free information, free parking and complementary tea or coffee.
For more information visit, http://bit.ly/TopekaLandlordExpo or call (785) 368-4470 or email mglaude@topeka.org

The City of Topeka has hired LeTiffany Obozele as the Chief of Prosecution. Obozele has eight years of experience practicing law in the State of Kansas as a public-service minded attorney, serving both as a prosecutor and civil litigator. Most recently Obozele worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson.

“The City of Topeka is excited to welcome LeTIffany to be the Chief of Prosecution. Her knowledge and experience working in Kansas as a prosecutor and in the Kansas Attorney Generals Office will give the City a strong foundation in the Prosecution Department,” said City Manager Brent Trout.

Obozele has eight years of experience practicing law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and sociology from Emory University in May 2007. She earned her juris doctor from Washburn University School of Law in May 2012.

“I am excited and grateful for the City of Topeka for selecting me to serve as the next Chief of Prosecution. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue in public service and hit the ground running with the City of Topeka, Legal Department and Prosecution with my wonderful staff and all those that come into contact with our Department and the Court. I am enjoying learning all that this Department does for and with the City,” said Obozele.

Obozele has previously worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Sedgwick County and Douglas County. She also worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Kansas Attorney General as a post-commitment focused civil litigator. Obozele has been an Adjunct Professor and Trial Team Coach at Washburn Law School since December 2015.

Obozele began work on September 8^th and is earning a salary of $90,000.

 

NE Kansas has received excessive amounts of rain throughout the week. Topeka had an unusually large rain event on July 29^th and saw localized flooding in certain areas of town. During these extreme rain events the stormwater system can get overwhelmed, causing areas to temporarily flood while the system processes the massive amounts of water.

The Utilities Department has crews that go out daily to inspect, clean and clear stormwater inlets, sewers, and ditches to ensure functionality. The infrastructure in the areas that had localized flooding are currently being inspected to ensure that there are not any obstructions. With that said, the stormwater system performed as it was designed to.

With grounds already saturated and more rain in the forecast, it is possible that we could see more temporary, localized flooding. We want to encourage all of our customers to exercise caution and report any potential issues or obstructions that they see regarding stormwater infrastructure. They can do this by calling (785)368-3111 or by utilizing the See Click Fix app.

Beginning Thursday, February 10, masks will no longer required to be worn in City of Topeka buildings by employees or visitors, with the exception of Municipal Court. Municipal Court will continue to require masks until further notice.

The City encourages employees and visitors to practice social distancing and mask-wearing when possible.

 

Governor Laura Kelly[1] announced on June 29^th that she will sign an Executive Order on Thursday, July 2^nd mandating masks in public places effective Friday, July 3^rd.  In expectation of that order, all visitors to the Topeka Municipal Court are being notified that masks or cloth face coverings will be required while in the building once Governor Kelly’s order takes effect. The court has a very limited supply of disposable masks, but all visitors will be expected to bring their own. Persons who do not have a cloth face covering or mask will not be allowed to enter the courthouse beginning the effective date of the executive order.

The Court will continue to observe the following:

• Only those with court business/probation appointments will be permitted in the building. Defendants should not bring family/friends/observers to their court hearings and should make all attempts for alternate childcare arrangements.
• To maintain appropriate social distancing and the maximum number of persons allowed in the courtrooms, defendants may be required to wait in the lobby or other areas during larger dockets.
• Defendants who report or are displaying symptoms of illness, are caring for someone ill, or are in a high risk category, should contact their attorney to request a continuance. Defendants without an attorney may file a motion for continuance. Defendants should expect to attend their court hearing until the continuance has been granted by a judge.
• Anyone entering the courthouse or probation office will be denied access as follows:
  • If the person has been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with, or is suspected to have had, COVID-19 within the last 14 days;
  • If the person is experiencing two or more of the COVID-19 symptoms[2] identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; or
  • If the person has traveled within the previous 14 days to an area subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment[3]

Anyone denied access to the courthouse for the above reasons, or who needs to request a continuance, may contact the Court Clerk’s Office at 785-368-3776 for instructions on rescheduling or otherwise completing their court business.

Please plan ahead when reporting to the courthouse to ensure you are able to complete your court business while keeping everyone safe.

^[1]   See Governor Laura Kelly’s official post on June 29th

^[1]   See CDC’s list of COVID-19 symptoms

^[1]   See KDHE’s Travel Exposure Related Isolation/Quarantine list

Mayor Michelle De La Isla announced the “Mayor’s Task Force against Domestic Violence” for Topeka and Shawnee County on Monday, March 19th at 10 am at the YWCA Northeast Kansas (225 SW 12th Street).

“The Mayor’s Task Force against Domestic Violence is a project that is very close to my heart. The YWCA helped me get out of an abusive relationship and I believe that this task force will help many other women get out of harmful situations,” Mayor De La Isla said. “I believe that stopping domestic violence and abuse is key to improving people’s lives and improving the City of Topeka. Together with our partners we can all help to end domestic violence in this community.”

The task force is made up of representatives across the criminal justice system as well as community service agencies including Topeka Police Department, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office, Shawnee County Court Services, local Batterer’s Intervention Programs, Washburn University, Department of Children and Families, Valeo Behavioral Health, and Stormont Vail Hospital. These agencies join together with the purpose of increasing victim safety, offender accountability, and community awareness. These agencies are committed to eradicating the problem of domestic violence and are willing to hold themselves and each other accountable.

“We know our communities are safer when we work together. The YWCA Northeast Kansas is proud to be a part of this large collaborative effort to ensure women, children and families are guaranteed access to justice and services that keep them safe,” said Kathleen Marker.

Mayor De La Isla has announced that she has accepted the Vice-Chair position for the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Youth Involvement Task Force.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Youth Involvement Task Force is dedicated to helping our nation’s Mayors provide and expand programming that helps young people (middle school through college) engage in civics, leadership development, internship programs, voter registration, community outreach, and more.

“I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside Committee Chair Mayor Shane Bemis from (Gresham OR), under the leadership of President of the US Conference of Mayors- Mayor Bryan Barnett (Rochester Hills, MI) as we engage our young citizens. The exciting thing of this Youth Task force is that it aims at listening to our youth and harnessing their energy and experiences to shape policy, increase youth voter engagement and increase the number of youth councils across the nation”, said Mayor De La Isla.

“Mayor De La Isla has been a national leader on empowering the youth of our nation. She has been a passionate and outspoken advocate for including the youth voice and perspective in every critical conversation in our communities. I’m pleased to appoint her to this national leadership role and look forward to her contribution”, said by Mayor Bryan Barnett of Rochester Hills, Michigan.

“Mayor De La Isla’s intellect, ingenuity, and inclusivity make her uniquely qualified to take on the role as the first-ever Vice-Chair of the US Conference of Mayors Youth Involvement Task Force. Her passion for America’s youth, coupled with her fierce tenacity to solve the issues facing our country make her the perfect fit for this committee in these times. I am honored to serve with her, and as a conference, we have been enriched by her critical insight and inimitable perspective”, said by Mayor Shane Bemis of Gresham, Oregon.

Last week the Topeka Human Relations Commission (THRC) published a document on its webpage titled the “Human Relations Commission Policing Recommendations,” which proposed various changes to the Topeka Police Department’s current policing practices. The City of Topeka wholly supports the mission of the THRC to promote justice and cultural understanding, and to improve relationships among all citizens of Topeka. However, these recommendations were not presented to nor approved by the Mayor or City Council prior to publication, and do not represent the opinions or beliefs of members of the governing body. To avoid confusion and misrepresentation of the City’s police practices, the City has removed this document from the Topeka Human Relations Commission webpage.

“The City remains dedicated to supporting all members of its police department while ensuring that the act of law enforcement is carried out with fairness and justice to all residents of Topeka,” said Mayor Michelle De La Isla. “I call on all Topekans to come together at this time and address these issues with the kindness and civility that Topekans are known for.”

The role of the Topeka Human Relations Commission is to conduct outreach and educational activities that promote justice and cultural understanding, and improve relationships among all citizens of the City of Topeka. Each board and commission is an advisory group that provides input and advises on current polices and issues within various departments in the City of Topeka. All boards and commissions for the City of Topeka are made up of volunteers who apply for open seats. More information on boards and commissions can be found here: https://www.topeka.org/government/boards-commissions/

The City of Topeka is holding a special City Council Meeting to discuss police and community relations on Tuesday, August 25^th at 6:00 p.m. Any individual who would like to provide public comment in person or via Zoom can contact the City Clerk’s office at cclerk@topeka.org or (785) 368-3940.