Sales-tax program halfway mark: JADA finance committee reports budget growth and rising project costs

The JADA Finance Committee on May 14 presented its annual sales-tax project update, noting the 15-year sales-tax program is past the halfway point and that county distributions are approximately $8 million above earlier estimates — about a 16% gain — through Dec. 31, 2024. Committee chair Kurt Niehaus said the committee remains conservative, projecting 2.5% annual growth for the remaining seven years.

Niehaus warned that project costs have risen roughly 30–35% since initial estimates. He reviewed Shawnee County projects, including a roundabout and bridge work funded as part of a project on 40th Street at Green Hills Road and the Rochester Road project (from 205th Street to 50th) which is in design. Niehaus said Rochester Road could include a center turn lane, a multiuse path, a 5-foot sidewalk on the other side, and roundabouts at 305th Street and 50th near the high school (design subject to right-of-way availability).

Topeka Public Works Director Steve Groen summarized city projects funded in part by the sales-tax program and said costs have increased markedly since 2015: Topeka Boulevard (15th to 201st Street) originally estimated at $4.9 million now carries a $9.2 million budget; Huntoon Street (Gage to Harrison) rose from $11.74 million in 2015 to about $18.5 million in current budgets. Groen said Topeka Boulevard design and specifications were nearly complete and would be put out to bid within weeks.

Board members asked whether the city would reprioritize or delay projects given budget pressures. Groen said staff are reviewing capital-improvement plans and bonding timelines and expect to present refined recommendations to the governing body in the coming months; he said voter-approved commitments remain a priority.

No board votes were required for the update; staff said construction is under way on a county project and design work continues on others.