Drop in Topeka sales tax revenue could lead to tax hike proposal

Topeka’s sales tax revenues are decreasing, and city officials consequently might consider raising property taxes.

After five straight years in which Topeka’s city manager proposed an annual budget that would keep the city’s property tax levy the same, city manager Brent Trout said Friday he might suggest an increase next month in his proposed budget for 2020.

“The budget numbers are not complete enough to determine if a mill levy increase will be requested,” Trout said. “It is still a possibility the proposed budget could include a mill levy increase at this stage in the process.”

The mayor and council learned a tax hike might be proposed during a May 7 presentation from Jessica Lamendola, the city’s administrative and financial services director.

Lamendola said city sales tax revenues over this year’s first four months were down 4.3 percent from the same time period last year.