Operating the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center through a public-private partnership was first recommended by an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) special inspection in the fall of 2009, and was again considered in 2012, 2016 and 2018. This issue was most recently discussed by the Governing Body during the regular meetings held on June 4, 2019, December 3, 2019 and March 3, 2020.  

In a public-private partnership (PPP), the City would maintain ownership of all assets, including land, buildings and animals.  The City would contract with a non-profit to operate the Zoo for an agreed upon annual management fee.  Most City employees would become employees of the non-profit in the short-term.  In the long-term, all personnel would become employees of the non-profit.  

The City currently contracts with Friends Of Topeka Zoo (FOTZ), a non-profit organization, to operate several Zoo functions for an agreed upon annual fee:  (1)  admission, rental concession and public area custodial (since 2013); (2)  hiring seasonal animal care staff (since 2015); and (3) hiring seasonal education staff (since 2019). 

Completing this transition with FOTZ through a PPP would (1) facilitate operational and infrastructure growth without pressure on the City's general fund budget; (2)  provide budgeting consistency for the City; (3)  eliminate confusion related to areas of operational responsibility; and (4) create a better process for operational fundraising.  Seventy- Five Percent (75%) of AZA zoos use a PPP model, as it is an industry best practice and allows for operational and infrastructure growth without passing the associated costs of such growth to the public.