Topeka City Manager Skips Trip to Boise to Attend Workshop on $15 Million Budget Deficit

City Manager Dr. Robert Perez

TOPEKA (KSNT) – City Manager Dr. Robert Perez said he will not be joining city leaders on their trip to Boise, ID. Instead, he will remain in Topeka to discuss the city’s $15 million budget deficit.

City spokeswoman Taylor Bugg tells 27 News the $15 million shortfall is projected for the city’s general fund. She said the shortfall is the result of flat sales tax revenue, property taxes rising more slowly 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 by 2025 through the use of one-time city reserves. The city currently has $9.7 million in an unallocated reserve fund that can be used to reduce the deficit. Additionally, he said the city is considering eliminating vacancies.

“We have a balanced budget that includes some, not a large number, of cuts or reduced positions, but that is part of the fiscal year 2025 budget, but generally those are positions that have been open for some time,” Perez said.

Mayor Mike Padilla stressed that the city is not looking at layoffs, but instead at eliminating positions that have been vacant for a long time. The city recently held five public budget listening sessions to explain how the city handles budgeting and tax revenue.

“We wanted to get community input on priorities before we put together a budget because it’s a lot harder once you put together a budget,” Perez said.

A meeting is scheduled for July 30 to discuss the proposed FY 2025 budget. If you have ideas or priorities to share with the Governing Body, please email [email protected].

“We try to be very deliberate in preparing the proposed budget,” Padilla said.

To watch the conversation between the mayor and the city administrator, click here to view the video posted on Facebook.

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