Mayor Michelle De La Isla and city manager Brent Trout conducted their final joint monthly news conference of 2018 on Tuesday morning at City Hall, discussing accomplishments that have taken place over the past 12 months and challenges awaiting the city next year.
Early in her comments, De La Isla noted the city had balanced its budget this year. She said the city also has enjoyed a smooth working relationship with Shawnee County, something she said hasn’t always been the case.
She praised the Topeka Police Department for its role in “some really difficult conversations in our community,” particularly in the aftermath of the fatal police shooting of Dominique White in September 2017 on the city’s east side.
With Police Chief Bill Cochran in the audience, the mayor said, “It’s been amazing to see how the police have stepped up and to see how we have really dug into our community and really built better relationships.”
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)