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USD 501 board votes to publish FY26 budget notice, proposes mill levy above revenue-neutral rate
Summary
Board approved publishing notice of FY26 budget hearing and certification that the district will exceed the county's revenue-neutral rate; administrators said the total proposed mill levy is 46.241 versus a county-provided revenue-neutral rate of 42.194 and explained the drivers as declining state aid and increased capital and bond needs.
The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to publish the fiscal year 2026 budget hearing notice and the certification that the district's proposed mill levy exceeds the county's revenue-neutral rate.
Administrators told the board the county's revenue-neutral rate was "42.194." District finance director Mr. Busey said the district is proposing a total mill levy of "46.241." He told the board the change stems largely from reduced state aid and increased needs for capital outlay and bond-and-interest payments.
The district presented comparisons showing USD 501's proposed levy remains below rates in neighboring districts. Busey also said the district's earlier intent filing to the county set a higher maximum ("a little over 47 mills") and that the presentation brought that back down to just over 46 mills.
Board members asked how the increase would affect an average homeowner. Busey said the proposed levy would equate to an $83 annual increase on a $180,000 property, and he noted about 55% of that figure would be attributable to rising property values and 45% to the additional mills proposed.
Busey outlined process and timing: the district plans to publish the one-page budget notice (code 99) and the exceeding-revenue-neutral forms in the Topeka Metro News beginning Monday, Aug. 25; the publication must run at least 10 days before the district's scheduled revenue-neutral and budget hearing. The board will hold the revenue-neutral hearing on Sept. 4, after the published notice period, and the formal budget vote occurs at a subsequent regular meeting.
Board members and staff discussed why the levy is increasing after several years of reductions: Busey and other speakers cited a drop in the state's portion of bond-and-interest aid (from recent highs around 65% down to 61%), rising bond payments next year (projected to increase roughly $1 million), and large deferred capital-maintenance needs.
The motion to approve publishing the notice and the exceeding-revenue-neutral certification was moved by Doctor Beeson, seconded by Doctor Bonebrake and carried unanimously.
The board did not adopt a final FY26 budget at the meeting; the action approved publication of notice and set the hearing process required by statute and the county clerk's procedures.
