KORA

KORA 

I need to know when the water service was stopped at 502 SE 21st Street for non-payment. 

You can also verify that over the years the FOX family never had water service at that address. 

Tell me why after the years of NO service the City did not condemn the property on its own? 

MCRE, LLC

3625 SW 29^th Street

Topeka KS 66614

785.383.9994

Truth or more of it vs Ortiz -

 

Truth vs Ortiz

 

Grand Total Hard Running Costs (personnel + office/facility + overhead): ≈ $2,647,506

 Hard Costs Breakdown to Run the Organization

(Growth Organization of Topeka/Shawnee County, Inc. — Year Ended Dec 31, 2022)

1. Personnel Costs (Salaries + Benefits + Related)

Total Personnel Expenses: $1,943,208

Category	Economic Dev	Events	ETLC	Marketing	Gen & Admin	Total
Payroll/Benefits	$1,029,860	-	-	-	-	$1,029,860
Other Compensation	$6,073	-	-	-	-	$6,073
Professional Services	$180,944	$1,395	-	-	$25,986	$208,325
Other Employee Related	$67,727	$693	-	-	$530	$68,950
Total Personnel	$1,284,604	$2,088	-	-	$426,516	$1,943,208

• Core salaries & benefits (Payroll/Benefits) = $1,029,860 (the largest single hard cost line)
• Professional services and other employee costs add another ~$277k in personnel-related spending.

2. Office Expense

Total Office Expense: $35,465

Category	Economic Dev	Events	ETLC	Marketing	Gen & Admin	Total
Office Expense	$8,996	$1,193	$16,942	-	$8,334	$35,465

This is the pure “office expense” line (supplies, equipment, etc.).

3. Other Key Hard Operating Costs (Facility + Admin + Overhead)

These are the main recurring costs to keep the organization running:

Category	Total
Occupancy (Rent/Utilities)	$342,689
Office Expense	$35,465
Dues/Subscriptions	$74,497
Insurance/Taxes/Fees	$49,362
Depreciation	$114,415
Interest Expense	$83,024
Bad Debt Expense	$4,846
Total Hard Operating Costs (excl. personnel & programs)	~$704,298

Summary of Core “Hard Costs” to Run GoToPage

• Personnel (Salaries + Benefits + Related): $1,943,208
• Facility/Office (Occupancy + Office Expense): $378,154
• Other Overhead (Insurance, Depreciation, Interest, etc.): ~$326,144
• Grand Total Hard Running Costs (personnel + office/facility + overhead): ≈ $2,647,506

These figures represent the essential fixed and semi-fixed costs of operating the organization before program-specific spending, events, grants, business incentives, or marketing.

Total Expenses Summary (Year Ended December 31, 2022)

The organization reported $4,647,854 in total consolidated expenses for the year.

Breakdown by Functional Category:

• Economic Development: $3,413,943 (largest share — ~73% of total)
• Events: $47,943
• ETLC: $226,709
• Marketing: $389,947
• General and Administrative: $569,312

Key Highlights:

• Personnel expenses (payroll, benefits, etc.) were the biggest overall cost driver at $1,943,208.
• Business incentives totaled $1,233,953 (almost entirely under Economic Development).
• Program expenses came to $601,209.
• Operational expenses (occupancy, office, advertising, depreciation, etc.) totaled $869,484.

This statement shows a strong focus on economic development initiatives, which accounted for the majority of spending. All figures are taken directly from the consolidated statement of functional expenses.

Topeka's 8.5% is solid but not the highest in the state.

Kansas cities set their own Transient Guest Tax (TGT/hotel tax) rates via charter ordinances, often exceeding the statutory 2% base to fund tourism, conventions, and related projects. Rates as of early 2026 (per Kansas Department of Revenue data) range from 2–3% in smaller places up to 9–10% in larger or tourism-focused areas. Topeka's approved increase to 8.5% (effective Jan. 1, 2027) will position it competitively among mid-to-large Kansas cities.

Major/Regional City Comparison (Approximate Current Rates)

Here's a snapshot of notable cities (rates subject to updates; check KDOR for the latest):

• Kansas City (and related districts): 8–10% (some special districts at 10% as of 2026).
• Overland Park: 9%.
• Olathe: Recently raised from 6% to 9% (effective ~2026, ahead of events like FIFA World Cup).
• Mission: 9%.
• Shawnee: Recently raised to 9%.
• Topeka (current): 7% → 8.5% in 2027 (aligns with peers; prevents drop to ~6%).
• Lawrence: 8% (increased to this rate effective 2026).
• Manhattan: 7.5%.
• Wichita: 6%.
• Hays: 8.25%.
• Emporia: 8%.
• Andover, Abilene, Derby, El Dorado, Gardner, etc.: Often 8%.
• Smaller cities (examples): Ottawa 6%, many at 5–6% (e.g., Arkansas City, Chanute), or lower (3–5%).

Distribution: Most mid-sized and larger cities cluster in the 6–9% range. Over 100+ cities use home rule to exceed 2%. Lower rates (under 6%) are more common in very small towns or those with less tourism infrastructure.

Key Context

• Revenue Use: Funds typically support tourism promotion (e.g., Visit Topeka or equivalents), convention centers, events, sports facilities, theaters, and economic development. It's a "visitor-paid" tax that brings in outside dollars.
• Why Variations? Larger metro/suburban areas (Johnson County/KC area) trend higher to fund big amenities and compete for events. College towns like Manhattan and Lawrence use them for visitor infrastructure. Topeka's move aligns it closer to these peers rather than lower-rate peers like Wichita.
• Total Cost to Visitors: TGT adds to the state sales tax (~6.5% base + local) on lodging. A $150/night room at 8.5% TGT adds ~$12.75 in TGT alone (plus sales tax).

For the most accurate/current list, refer to the Kansas Department of Revenue's quarterly TGT Rates PDF (updated as of April 1, 2026). Rates can change via local ordinances, and some cities have special districts or overlays. Topeka's 8.5% is solid but not the highest in the state.