Is there a new proposal that could benefit Topeka in terms of property tax relief?

Spencer Duncan is sworn in as Topeka City Councilman for District 8.

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka City Council is set to discuss a proposal aimed at property taxes. The question is: Does it have teeth?

Topeka resident Earl McIntosh has been working hard to organize a petition and collect thousands of signatures in Topeka. The petition wants the city to put all property tax increases to a vote. McIntosh’s efforts forced leaders in the capital to discuss the petition at a city council meeting on July 9.

The city decided to ignore it.

In response to that decision, District 8 City Councilman Spencer Duncan drafted a resolution on July 18 urging “all taxing authorities to keep tax rates as low as possible.”

If the resolution is adopted, the city officials will formally acknowledge that the residents are in financial trouble. However, it is not necessary for a tax authority to actually do something about it.

Still, McIntosh said the resolution is a good thing for the capital’s residents.

“Since our meeting, this resolution has come forward,” McIntosh said, “and that is very exciting for us and the taxpayers of Topeka.” Though McIntosh said he is still “weighing his options” when it comes to moving forward with the tax petition.

During an impromptu press conference with McIntosh and his attorney immediately following the July 9 council meeting, the two said they were not giving up on the petition. McIntosh’s attorney said doing so could mean taking legal action against the city.

The city is expected to take action on Councilmember Duncan’s resolution on July 30.

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