City of Topeka Releases Proposed 2025 Budget

On Tuesday, the City of Topeka's Department of Administrative and Financial Services unveiled the proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2025.

The total city budget for fiscal year 2025 is $400.3 million, with a balanced General Fund budget of $128.4 million. The General Fund is the largest single fund, supporting many of the city's municipal services. In response to inflation, as well as an increase in employee wages, city departments have had to meticulously manage and propose their budgets to ensure continued service delivery to residents.

"We have developed a budget for fiscal year 2025 that will allow the city to provide essential services to the citizens of Topeka. The Finance team has done an outstanding job balancing current needs with long-term sustainability. We have aligned city resources with our taxpayers' highest priorities, and this budget will enable us to advance the City of Topeka," said Ben Hart, Acting Chief Financial Officer.

Expenditure Highlights

• Increased Costs: Personnel and contracting costs comprising of 75.83% of the General Fund budget, increased by approximately $9.43 million, or 10.72% for personnel and $4.2 million, or 20% for contractual services. These cost increases are a combination of union contracts, inflation, and other contractual obligations.
• Property Tax Rebate Program: Continuing the success from last year's budget, the city is keeping the Property Tax Rebate Program in place at $300,000. This program, modeled after the state's Homestead Act, provides additional relief to eligible individuals.

Next Steps

• August 13, August 20, August 27: The budget will be presented at Governing Body meetings, where community members can offer public comment.
• September 3: A public budget hearing will provide another opportunity for citizens to give feedback on the budget.
• September 10: The anticipated date for budget adoption.

The proposed budget can be viewed online at City of Topeka Budget.