Councilman Marcus Miller: Topeka’s city‑manager system is working; committee urged to take outreach to neighborhoods

Councilman Marcus Miller told the Citizens Government Review Committee that he supports Topeka’s current mayor–council/city‑manager form of government and that the city’s operations are functioning well.

“I've been very happy with how it functions,” Councilman Marcus Miller said, adding that City Manager Dr. Perez “does a really good job” of coordinating staff and council work.

Why it matters: The committee is reviewing the city charter and the structure of municipal government. Miller’s comments provided the council perspective as the panel gauges whether to recommend structural or procedural changes, such as adjustments to council size, term length or redistricting rules.

Miller, who represents District 6 and said this is his first term, told committee members the city’s checks and balances are working and that communication between council and the city manager is “very, very good.” He opposed a return to at‑large seats, saying district representation helps ensure diverse pockets of the city are heard. “I don't like the at large idea,” he said.

On election timing and term length, Miller said he favors staggered four‑year terms, arguing shorter terms would keep council members in near‑constant campaign mode and could undermine decisionmaking. He also said he supports term limits: “I'm a big believer in term limits,” he told the committee, and said he does not plan to run beyond the 2027–2031 window.

Miller urged the committee to boost public engagement by taking meetings into neighborhoods and “meeting people where they're at.” He suggested much of the apparent lack of public participation reflects convenience and scheduling rather than indifference: many residents raise issues on social media or by email rather than attending daytime meetings.

On housing and budgeting, Miller said increasing the city’s affordable housing supply is a priority and cautioned against simplistic cost calculations. “You can't just simply divide these numbers that you see,” he said, urging clearer public explanation of how tax credits and other financing tools affect affordability. Asked about projected budget deficits and possible cuts in federal funding, Miller said city leaders are still working through budget scenarios and “I don't know how that plays out,” but emphasized focusing on what the city can control.

The Citizens Government Review Committee will continue to take testimony and public comment as it prepares preliminary drafts for an April work session.