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Topeka council approves facility‑improvements list but members urge alternatives to bonding small maintenance projects
Summary
Council approved the 2026 facility improvements, repair and maintenance (FIRM) program but Councilwoman Hiller and Councilman Duncan warned against using 100% bonding for many small maintenance projects and asked staff to propose pay‑as‑you‑go alternatives and more detailed justification for exceptions to policy.
City interim Public Works director Jason Troy presented a revised FIRM program list for 2026 and requested council approval of project changes and new projects. The resolution authorizing the updated list passed but drew sustained caution from council members over financing choices.
Councilwoman Hiller said many projects on the list are routine maintenance or small emergency repairs that city policy does not typically fund with long‑term bonds. "Our policies require that something that's bonded generally shouldn't be at a cost of less than a $125,000," Hiller said, and she urged staff to return with alternatives such as pay‑as‑you‑go funding and options to remove small projects from the bonded list. Hiller also suggested a possible dedicated sales‑tax approach to fund station repairs without bonding.
Councilman Duncan echoed the concern that projects under $30,000 should not be bonded and asked for a worksheet explaining departures from policy when staff recommends bonding. Despite the objections, the governing body approved the program by a recorded vote (motion carried with two no votes: Hiller and Duncan). The clerk announced the motion carried "We have 7 yes with council members Hiller and Duncan voting no." Staff said it will work with the city manager and finance team to present alternative funding scenarios as requested.
Next steps: staff to work on funding options and report back to the governing body in early 2026.
