City Council Meeting October 13, 2026

The October 13, 2026, Topeka City Council meeting included a presentation on the FY2027–2030 strategic plan, which the city has contracted with the University of Kansas Public Management Center to develop for council consideration by March 2027. The council also discussed a potential data center at Forbes Field. The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority described a nonbinding letter of intent with an unnamed developer for a possible lease of 30–40 acres; the conceptual first phase would include two buildings using an estimated 70–80 megawatts, with possible later expansion. No lease or development was approved, and the project remains at an early stage. The authority said the developer would pay for a service road and required utility extensions, and that no incentive funding was contemplated. Council members and residents raised concerns about disclosure, power and water demand, noise, environmental and airport impacts, and community engagement.

The council approved the consent agenda by a 10–0 vote, including a three-year labor contract with AFSCME Council 61 Local 1294 for the Water Division and $865,924 in 2027 special alcohol and drug funding recommendations. The city manager outlined possible sales tax measures—including a proposed half-cent tax estimated to generate about $20 million annually and a one-tenth-cent tax estimated at about $4 million annually—and draft ballot language for public safety, fire stations, affordable housing, and homelessness services. Council members discussed refining the language and election timing, but took no action on the proposals. Other strategic-goal topics included a five-year infrastructure management program, a fire station relocation plan, and digital ticketing; no new procurement award was identified for these items.