Governing bodies to consider raising bus service mill levy, allowing conference center

Local governing bodies plan this coming week to consider raising the property tax mill levy assessed to finance Topeka’s bus service and allowing the establishment of a conference center at 7711 S.W. 61st to be the site of ministry functions and fundraising events. The city’s governing body, consisting of the nine council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla, plans to consider a charter ordinance that would raise the property tax mill levy assessed by the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority, which oversees the Topeka Metro mass transit service, by 1 mill, to 5.2 mills from 4.2, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

The increase would amount to an additional $11.50 each year in property taxes for the owner of a $100,000 home.

The proposal, which requires seven votes to pass, also would enable the city to exclude the TMTA’s revenues and expenses when calculating the city of Topeka’s property taxes under the lid imposed upon municipalities by Kansas lawmakers.

(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)