A RESOLUTION introduced by City Manager Brent Trout, to submit to the qualified electors of the City of Topeka, Kansas, the proposition of levying an additional special purpose retailers’ sales tax of five-tenths of one percent (0.5%) in the City of Topeka, for the purpose of paying for certain improvements in the City, pursuant to K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., as amended.
Voting Requirement: Majority vote of the Governing Body (6). |
The current Citywide ½ Cent Sales Tax was approved by voters on April 7, 2009. The approval authorized an additional half-cent sales tax that commenced on October 1, 2009 and will expire on October 1, 2019.
The ballot language stated that the sales tax was to be used exclusively for the cost of maintaining and improving existing City streets, curbs, sidewalks, alleys, and street lights.
This sales tax was initiated to provide additional funding for street maintenance due to the poor condition of city streets and associated infrastructure.
Previously, staff presented information on the current half-cent sales tax program and funding levels needed to improve the condition of city streets.
The following is a list of meeting dates and topic discussions related to the sales tax this year:
- June 12, 2018- Governing Body Meeting - Discussion of levying special purpose sales tax of 0.75%
- May 22, 2018 - Public Town Hall Meeting - Sales Tax Extension Discussion
- April 10, 2018 - Governing Body Meeting - Discussion on increasing special purposed sales tax from 0.5% to 0.75%
- February 23, 2018 - Governing Body Meeting - Update on Citywide Sales Tax Program, pavement management and reauthorization of sales tax.
Based on feedback from these meetings, staff has revised the recommendation from the June 12, 2018, Governing Body Meeting. The revised recommendation reflects continuation of the existing special purpose sales tax at its current rate of 0.5% along with the existing ballot language.
The attached resolution includes:
- Amount of Sales Tax: The ballot request a sales tax rate of a half cent (0.5%)
- Ballot Language: The proposed ballot language reflects the same language as the ballot approved in 2009. Work would be limited to maintaining and improving existing City streets, curbs, sidewalks, alleys and street lights.
- Election Cycle: The current half-cent tax expires on September 30, 2019. Should the Governing Body approve the attached resolution to put the issue of renewal before the electorate, the election would be held with the general election in November 2018.
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