City rejects $3.19 million increase in City Hall renovation funding

Topeka city manager Brent Trout won’t get the more than $3.19 million in additional funding he sought to carry out the first phase of a project to renovate City Hall.

But Trout did see Topeka’s governing body late Tuesday approve amended versions of his plans for capital improvements here.

That body, consisting of the mayor and city council, first voted 5-5 Tuesday evening — with six “yes” votes being needed for approval — to reject a proposal that would have added more than $3.19 million to the budget for a City Hall renovation project.

Council members Sylvia Ortiz, Tony Emerson, Aaron Mays, Jeff Coen and Mike Lesser voted against the increase.

Emerson said he felt most bothered by the size of the project’s proposed budget, given the city’s other needs. He said citizens have made it clear that their priorities for city spending are “streets, streets, streets.”