Topeka city leaders vote to potentially exceed revenue neutral rate

TOPEKA (KSNT) - At Tuesday night's city council meeting, Topeka City Leaders voted to potentially exceed the city's revenue-neutral rate to fund next year's budget. This is only the first of several steps, but you could see your property taxes go up as a result.

The governing body almost voted to set the mill levy rate at 37.956, but instead they're going to keep it at the current rate of 36.956 mills. This still exceeds the revenue neutral rate, but the difference shouldn't be as big for taxpayers.

This is a procedural step before the city can actually set the new rate. Currently, the city of Topeka is projected at a 17 million dollar deficit for 2026. By doing this it will help the city pay for services needed to help the community out. Thus includes paying for personnel, supplies and equipment.

While councilmember Marcus Miller ultimately voted yes to send this proposal forward, he voted against bringing down the rate to what Topekans currently pay.

"Us to have the option that if we might want to do it, we have to go through this process first," Miller said. "Not that we may do it, and just like Councilwoman Hiller said, we've done it once in twenty something years. But I still want us to have the option as we look through our budget to figure out exactly what's the best thing to do for our city."

Miller tells 27 News, at this time, he doesn't know if going with a higher rate is the right answer, but that his vote was for the possibility to look at it. A public hearing for the new rate will take place on August 26.

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