Council Adopts 2026—2035 CIP After Multiple Amendments; Moves Some Projects Off the Bond Schedule

The Topeka City Council adopted a revised 2026—2035 capital improvement program on Oct. 21 following extended debate and multiple amendments that modified financing terms, project timing and program structure.

Staff presentation and context: Josh McInerney, budget and finance director, reminded the council that adoption of the CIP describes tentative project plans and does not in itself constitute a bond sale. The CIP and the three-year CIB (capital-improvement bond schedule) are planning tools that inform future budgets and potential debt sales.

Key actions and amendments the council adopted or considered:

- Fleet and fire equipment financing: Council set a 10-year maximum amortization for the fire truck replacement cycle and transportation operations fleet financing (motion passed; clerk announced 10 yes). Staff said state statute limits some equipment to 10 or 15-year useful-life caps and recommended amortization matched to useful life.

- "Dreams" neighborhood program restructuring: Council approved a reallocation moving to a more regular annual program (combined infrastructure allotment of $850,000 annually) and separating previously mixed bond/CDBG funding sources to increase predictability for neighborhoods. The council recorded the motion as carrying (clerk announced nine yes, one no on the record for the final package votes during the meeting).

- Pope-Quincy projects and bond schedule changes: After discussion about KDOT processes and federal/state mismatches, the council removed the Polk-Quincy Viaduct East project from the city's bond schedule and directed staff to pursue alternate funding and keep the project on a future-projects list for planning. The motion passed (clerk announced seven yes; Miller, Duncan and Mayor Padilla voted no). Council later added Polk-Quincy West (I-470 widening toward Yurish) to the CIP for 2030 with KDOT funding listed as the primary funding source (motion carried by voice vote).

- Sidewalks and RAISE grant linkage: Council debated a Hiller motion to reduce citywide infill sidewalk funding in expectation of RAISE grant funding; the motion failed. Staff advised the RAISE grant covers only identified census tracts and the city would still need funding for sidewalks outside eligible areas.

- Fire stations and heavy-fleet garage: A motion to remove the fire-station replacement items from the bond schedule but keep them in the CIP failed. Council approved removing the heavy-duty fleet garage from the bond schedule while leaving it in the CIP or as a placeholder; staff said the existing heavy-fleet facility is in poor condition and that the new light-duty garage is nearly complete.

- Final adoption: After amendments and piecemeal votes, the governing body adopted the CIP/CIB package as amended. Clerk announced the final motion carried (clerk recorded nine yes; Councilmembers Hiller and Miller voted no on final adoption).

Why it matters: The CIP sets capital priorities and indicates how projects might be funded. The council's amendments reduce long-term debt exposure in some categories, restructure neighborhood infrastructure funding, and direct staff to seek alternate funding sources for some major transportation projects.

What council directed or decided: The council adopted the CIP as amended; it gave staff direction to pursue alternate funding for large state/federal projects (e.g., PQV East) and to monitor, itemize, and bring forward future bond requests through the infrastructure committee. Several items remain subject to future decisions on bonding terms and final funding sources.

Ending: Staff will implement the changes in the adopted CIP, update project listings, and return to the public-works/infrastructure committee and the governing body as projects reach design or funding milestones.