City to administer JADO in 2025; council reminded of interlocal funding structure and upcoming appointments

City attorney staff and the city manager’s office briefed the Topeka Governing Body on Jan. 14 about the Joint Economic Development Organization (JADO), its governance and funding mechanisms as the city assumes administrative responsibility for 2025.

Staff summarized JADO’s origin in a 2001 interlocal agreement between Shawnee County and the city of Topeka, its 13-member board and the fact that only designated voting members — three county commissioners, the mayor, the deputy mayor and the two council appointees selected as JADO voting members — may vote on JADO business. The city will chair meetings and administer JADO in 2025, per the rotating administrative arrangement.

JADO funds come from a half-cent countywide retailer sales tax; under the interlocal, $5 million is allocated annually for economic development priorities administered through Go Topeka and the remainder is split for infrastructure projects (historically 52% to the county, 48% to the city, unless JADO modifies the distribution). Staff noted that the JADO–Go Topeka contract is approved by JADO and runs on a cycle, and council members asked staff to check contract renewal dates and to prepare discussion points in advance of any renegotiation.

Staff told the governing body that city councilmembers who will serve on JADO are selected at the third governing body meeting of January and that the mayor will chair JADO meetings in odd years. The city attorney clarified that only certain members vote at JADO meetings and that alternates are permitted to preserve voting splits when a designated member is absent.

Council members asked that staff provide contract and interlocal timelines and signaled interest in a council-level review of the JADO–Go Topeka contract and administrative expectations before the city’s upcoming term of administration and any imminent renewal negotiations.