Topeka adopts 2026 operating budget after amendments including transit funding and housing trust investments

The governing body approved the City of Topeka’s 2026 operating budget on Sept. 16 after extensive public comment and a series of amendments that shifted one-time funds to transit, housing and other priorities.

Josh MacInarney, division director of budget and finance, told the governing body the budget must be submitted to the county clerk by 5 p.m. Oct. 1 and that the action before the council was to adopt and appropriate the operating budget for fiscal 2026.

Public comments preceding the council debate stressed two recurring themes: support for Topeka Metro’s request to avoid route cuts and community calls to fund the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and a new community-violence intervention effort. Candice Stiles, a member of the Topeka Metro board, said the agency faces a $300,000 shortfall after a revenue-neutral hearing and that a loss of $250,000 would force a route cut. Kalani Britt, speaking for the neighborhood coalition Topeka Jump, asked the council to earmark $2 million in the 2026 budget for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $2 million for the new community-violence intervention program; council members and staff said they were considering smaller, one-time bridging allocations while the city and partners develop sustainable revenue sources.

Amendments and outcomes

- Topeka…