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Topeka council votes to exceed revenue-neutral rate to preserve budget flexibility as 2026 hearings continue
Summary
After extended public comment opposing property tax increases, the Topeka City Council voted 7-2 on Aug. 26 to approve a resolution allowing the city to levy a 2026 property tax rate that exceeds the revenue-neutral rate, keeping options open as department budgets are finalized.
The Topeka City Council on Aug. 26 voted to approve a resolution allowing the city to levy a property tax rate for 2026 that exceeds the revenue-neutral rate of 35.183, giving staff and council additional budget flexibility as they complete deliberations ahead of final adoption in September.
Deputy Mayor Kell moved to approve the resolution to exceed the revenue-neutral rate; Councilman Kenneth Miller seconded. The motion passed in a roll call vote recorded in the transcript as seven yes, with Councilman David Banks and Councilman Chris Duncan voting no. The council clerk announced, "We have 7 yes with council members Banks and Duncan voting no. The motion carries."
City staff and department heads used the Aug. 26 session to brief the governing body on portions of the proposed 2026 operating budget. Josh MacInarney, budget and finance division director, gave an overview of mill-levy mechanics, noting the city’s current mill rate is 36.956 and the revenue-neutral rate is 35.183; he said one mill is…
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