The proposed amendments for the 2017 budget would increase the adopted budget from $21,776,719 to $26,534,523, a $4,758,224 increase for the following funds:

Citywide Half Cent Sales Tax (292): The 2017 adopted budget was $18,805,175, and is recommended to increase to $23,000,000.  The fund accounts for revenues received from citywide half cent sales tax and is utilized for maintenance of existing streets. While the entire $23m will not be spent in 2017, a budget amendment is required as encumbrances have been established to accommodate for a large amount of projects that will be completed in 2017 and 2018.

Transient Guest Tax Funds (271/272/273): The 2017 adopted budget was $2,781,121, and is recommended to increase to $3,285,000.  These funds account for revenues received from the 7% transient guest tax that is imposed on hotel and motel room rentals and is utilized for promotion of conventions and tourism in the City of Topeka.  5% is spent on general tourism with the majority going to Visit Topeka; 1% on Sunflower Soccer; and 1% on 4 projects (Downtown Plaza, Evel Knievel, Jayhawk Theatre and Constitution Hall). The primary reason for this amendment is due to the timing of the payments to the 4 projects. The distribution of 2016 funding was made in 2017 due to the timing of the development agreement approvals, making the 2017 expenditures higher than anticipated.

Tax Increment Financing Fund (220) The 2017 adopted budget was $190,000, and is recommended to increase to $250,000. These funds were established to monitor the amount of property taxes received for tax increment financing districts created for redevelopment of blighted areas. The City currently has one district: College Hill. Revenues from the fund  are transferred to the Debt Service fund to pay for capital projects within the College Hill district. Revenues have been higher than anticipated due to growth within the district.