Topeka city manager skips Boise trip to workshop $15m budget deficit

TOPEKA (KSNT) - City Manager Dr. Robert Perez said he didn't join city leaders on their trip to Boise, ID. Instead, he stayed in Topeka to workshop the city's $15 million budget deficit.

City spokeswoman Taylor Bugg tells 27 News the $15 million deficit is projected for the city’s general fund. She said the deficit is a result of flat sales tax collections, property taxes appreciating slower than in the past and a 5% decrease in franchise fees in 2024 compared to 2023.

On Tuesday, July 23, Perez said the city will be balanced for 2025 due to using one-time city reserves. The city currently has $9.7 million in an unassigned reserve fund that can be used to reduce the deficit. Additionally, he said the city is considering cutting job vacancies.

"We do have a balanced budget that does include a number, not a great number, of reductions or reduced positions but that is part of the FY 2025 budget but typically they're vacancies that have been sitting for a while," Perez said.

Mayor Mike Padilla emphasized the city isn't looking at layoffs, but instead is looking at removing vacant job listings that have been open for an extended period of time. Recently, the city held five public budget listening sessions to explain how it handles budgeting and tax revenue.

"We wanted to seek the input on the priorities from the community before we crafted a budget because it's a little more challenging once you have a budget put together," Perez said.

A meeting is scheduled for July 30 to discuss the proposed FY 2025 budget. If you'd like to share ideas or priorities with the Governing Body you can email budget@topeka.org.

"We're trying to be very mindful as we craft the proposed budget," Padilla said.

To watch the mayor and city manager's discussion, check out the video posted to Facebook by clicking here.

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