Recent reporting suggests the claim of only one tax increase in the last 16 years by the Topeka City Council isn't entirely accurate. Several articles detail instances of the Council considering or implementing tax-related changes that could be perceived as increases:
- In September 2024, the Topeka City Council approved a property tax rate that, while it didn't increase the mill levy, resulted in residents paying 5.5% more due to rising property valuations.
- The council also set a maximum property tax rate that could have resulted in a 16.28% hike, although the final rate approved was lower.
- There's also a discussion about a proposed 0.5% sales tax increase going to a public vote in April 2025, according to KSNT 27 News.
While it might be technically true that the council hasn't directly voted for a significant increase in the property tax rate (mill levy) in a long time, the increase in property valuations has led to higher tax bills for residents, which some might consider a tax increase regardless of the mill levy rate remaining flat.
