"look at this" we need change = David Banks for Mayor

The Revolving Door at City Hall: A Timeline of Topeka’s City Managers Since 2005

Topeka, Kansas, made a significant shift in 2005 when voters approved the council-manager form of government. This change professionalized city leadership by placing day-to-day operations under a hired city manager, while the mayor and council focus on policy.

Since then, the position has experienced considerable turnover — both with permanent hires and interim leaders who step in during transitions and national searches.

Here’s a consolidated chronological timeline of Topeka’s city management since the change:

• April 2005 – April 2006: Neil Dobler (Interim) Former Public Works Director who helped guide the city through the transition to the new government structure. Served approximately one year.
• March 2006 – July 2011: Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. (Permanent #1) Topeka’s first permanent city manager. Served roughly 5 years and 4 months before being terminated by the council.
• July 2011 – June 2012: Dan Stanley (Interim) Former councilman and state official. Served about one year.
• June 2012 – August 2012: Pam Simecka (Interim) Interim Finance Director who filled a short two-month gap.
• August 2012 – October 2016: Jim Colson (Permanent #2) Served approximately 4 years and 1 month before resigning to return to family in Arizona.
• October 2016 – August 2017: Doug Gerber (Interim) Then-Deputy City Manager. Served nearly 10 months.
• October 2017 – December 2021: Brent Trout (Permanent #3) Served about 4 years before resigning to take a county manager position in North Carolina.
• Early 2022 – September 2022: Short interim period (Details vary by source, with limited public prominence.)
• September 2022 – July 2023: Stephen Wade (Permanent #4) Served only about 10 months before being fired amid controversy.
• July 2023 – June 2024: Richard (Dick) Nienstedt (Interim) Veteran Kansas city manager who provided nearly a full year of steady leadership.
• June 2024 – Present: Dr. Robert M. Perez (Permanent #5) Currently serving. Perez holds a Ph.D. in Education with a focus on organizational leadership.

Patterns and Reflections

In roughly 21 years, Topeka has had five permanent city managers, with an average tenure of about 3.5–4 years. Interim managers frequently bridge gaps lasting from a few months to a full year.

Common reasons for departure include firings, resignations for personal or career reasons, and the natural conclusion of interim contracts. While some turnover is normal in municipal government, this pace is relatively high.

Topeka remains a non-growing city facing stagnation. Population trends show little to no growth, and many residents feel the city lacks a bold, unified long-term vision for the future. Like a flower struggling on a vine, Topeka has real potential — rooted in its role as the state capital and its central location — but consistent, stable leadership will be essential if the city is to build momentum on infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life.

Strong leadership continuity could be the key to breaking this cycle.

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