Topeka city manager Norton Bonaparte last week unveiled a fiscal 2010 budget of $244.5 million that would increase the property tax by 1.85 mills. Annual property taxes on a $100,000 home would go up by $21.28.
The proposed budget relies on attrition to eliminate $1 million in salaried positions. If the City Council approves the f budget as scheduled on Aug. 18, the property tax levy would go to 34.53 mills from the current 32.68 mills.
The budget summary by Bonaparte and budget director Jim Langford said the current tax rate would generate $800,000 less in fiscal 2010 due to lower property evaluations.
“A 0.78 mill increase will be necessary just to generate the same level of revenue,” the summary said. “The proposed budget requires a 1.85 mill increase, of which 1.07 mills generates new revenue.”
