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From: Grandma Hoerners <gourmetstore@grandmahoerners.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 10:58 AM
To: mcre13@gmail.com <mcre13@gmail.com>
Subject: Thank you!
We appreciate your business͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏![]()
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Eric M. Johnson is the current President and Director of Airports (top executive role) at the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA), which operates Topeka Regional Airport (FOE) and Philip Billard Municipal Airport. He remains in this position as of April 2026, with no public announcements of resignation, termination, or board action to remove him.
Johnson has held the President/Director role since at least June 2008 — approximately 18 years as of April 2026. He is the public face of MTAA in media interviews, FAA communications, board meetings, and project updates. His responsibilities include:
Public bios are limited — he appears to be a long-term Topeka-based airport professional with deep institutional knowledge of the dual-airport setup and its unique governance (independent authority with tax levy support from the district).
Local public commentary and records reference his total compensation in the range of approximately $187,000 base salary + ~$7,200 annual vehicle allowance. This is consistent with executive pay at similar mid-sized regional airports and is funded through MTAA's operating budget (mix of property taxes, grants, leases, and fees). Exact figures come from audited financials/budgets available on the MTAA site.
The $1.8 million judgment you referenced was served on the MTAA as an entity on December 12, 2025 (not personally on Johnson). It has been publicly raised in local meetings (e.g., by resident Carol Marple at a February 2026 Shawnee County Commission session) alongside questions about:
This has fueled calls for “housecleaning” or greater accountability at MTAA. No public records show the judgment naming Johnson individually or alleging personal misconduct. MTAA’s board and staff (including Johnson) have not issued detailed public statements on the specifics in mainstream coverage, though board packets continue routine operations.
Older records show minor historical involvement in a 2010 vendor dispute (he provided an affidavit), but nothing recent or ongoing that directly implicates him personally.
This is the core of your question — and it’s a fair point many Topeka residents have raised publicly. Here’s the factual governance reality:
In short: Public entities like MTAA operate under open-records laws and board governance. Without a board majority deciding there is cause for termination (or the contract expiring without renewal), the executive stays — even amid controversy or legal losses at the organizational level. Residents can influence this through public comment at board meetings, contacting appointees, or open records requests for contracts/performance reviews.
Johnson is a long-serving career airport executive whose role is insulated by MTAA’s structure and the board’s apparent continued support. The $1.8M judgment has spotlighted governance and spending questions for many in Topeka (your blog and local commentary have been part of that), but it has not resulted in any visible change to his position as of April 2026.
If you’d like me to pull specific board minutes, the latest audited financials, compare his tenure/performance to peer Kansas airports, or help draft a neutral blog-style summary for mcrekansas.blogspot.com that lays out these facts, just say the word. For official details, the best sources remain mtaa-topeka.org (staff/board pages and packets) or public records requests to MTAA/Shawnee County. Let me know how else to help!
Here's a consumer-focused regional comparison of water base charges (the fixed "readiness-to-serve" or monthly meter fee) for a typical single-family residential customer with a standard 1" meter inside city limits. Your Topeka bill uses $21.94 for the 1" water base charge in 2026.
This fee covers infrastructure costs (pipes, plants, maintenance) regardless of how much water you use — which is why your low 1,699-gallon usage makes the bill feel top-heavy.
Data drawn from city rate schedules, utility reports, and analyses for residential customers. Note: Many cities use 5/8" or 3/4" as the "standard" meter (cheaper base); 1" is common for some homes and slightly higher.
| Region / City | Base Charge (1" or Standard Meter) | Notes on Structure & "Hinkiness" for Low Users |
|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS (your bill) | $21.94 | High fixed portion (~68% of your $32 water subtotal). Feels expensive at low usage but moderate volume rate ($7.75/1,000 gal single-family). |
| Wichita, KS | ~$15–$25 (est. for standard) | Generally lower fixed than Topeka; 2026 increases focused more on volume. Low users may feel less "hinky." |
| Lawrence, KS | Similar to Topeka or slightly lower | Tiered volume rates higher; base comparable but overall bill driven more by usage. |
| Kansas City, MO | Higher fixed portion (~$30–$50 combined water+sewer base est.) | Wastewater and stormwater add significantly; base feels heavier due to infrastructure mandates. |
| Other Midwest (e.g., Columbia MO, Springfield MO, Indianapolis area) | $12–$25 typical | Often lower-to-moderate bases; some shifting toward more consumption-based to ease low-user burden. |
| Northeast US | $30–$60+ (often higher) | Highest regional bases due to old infrastructure repairs; low users pay a lot for "availability." |
| West US (e.g., CA, OR, WA) | $30–$60+ (drought-driven) | Very high fixed + tiered penalties for high use; conservation pushes bases up. |
| South US | $15–$35 typical | Generally more affordable bases; lower overall regional bills. |
| National Average | $20–$40 (standard meter) | Varies widely; combined water+sewer fixed often $40–$80+. Topeka sits in the middle. |
Key Takeaways from a Consumer Viewpoint:
Nationally, average household water bills (including base + usage) run ~$40–$80/month depending on region and usage, with combined water+sewer often $100–$150. Northeast and West lead in higher costs due to infrastructure needs; Midwest and South tend to be lower.
From your standpoint: Topeka isn't unusually aggressive on the base charge compared to peers, but the fixed-heavy model always stings during low-use months (winter, conservation, small household). If your usage stays consistently low, the base will dominate — that's the trade-off for reliable service without massive per-gallon spikes.
On Apr 3, 2026, at 11:09 AM, Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com> wrote:
John and Patrick
Please change the state law so we can elect the board @ MTAA
From: Council Assist <Councilassist@topeka.org>
Sent: Friday, April 3, 2026 8:46 AM
To: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>; Molly Howey <Molly.Howey@topekapartnership.com>; Spencer Duncan <sduncan@topeka.org>; Kevin Cook <kevin.cook@snco.us>; countyclerk@snco.us <countyclerk@snco.us>; City Clerk <cclerk@Topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.9999@blogger.com>; Governing Body <governingbody@topeka.org>; Karen A. Hiller <khiller@Topeka.org>
Subject: RE: MTAAGood morning Mr. McClure,
Thank you for your message. This message serves as confirmation that your email has been received by the council members.
Tonya L. Bailey
Sr. Executive Assistant to the City Council
City of Topeka
215 SE 7th St. Rm 211
785-368-3710
"The preceding email message (including any attachments) contains information that may be confidential, protected by the attorney/client or other applicable privileges or that may constitute non-public information. This message is intended to be conveyed only to the designated recipient(s). If you are not listed as a recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and then delete it from your system. Use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this message by unintended recipients is not authorized and may be unlawful."
From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 4:31 PM
To: Molly Howey <molly.howey@topekapartnership.com>; Spencer Duncan <sduncan@topeka.org>; Kevin Cook <kevin.cook@snco.us>; countyclerk@snco.us; City Clerk <cclerk@topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.9999@blogger.com>; Governing Body <governingbody@topeka.org>; Karen A. Hiller <khiller@topeka.org>
Subject: MTAA
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Molly as leading NGO
What are you thoughts on MTAA