Remarks by Spencer Duncan
308 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 12 of 13
Okay. I do want that to be clear. You do know what lines you've replaced. We do have a chart and a list of actually probably the last decade that can be provided to us.
I didn't vote for the last water rate increase. I thought that it was not put together well. I thought there were some issues which we saw bleed through these conversations as we talked to things like base charge or readiness to serve or whatever you want to call it. I think what I appreciate about this process is we saw the initial drafts. We as a council pushed back and said that's not acceptable to our residential customers. Staff went back and did an analysis of what other markets are charging for industrial and commercial and we found we had some wiggle room there and by making those…
With that, we move on to action item B, city clerk.
Deputy city manager. That's what I have on here. I don't know why. Maybe it's city manager. I don't know.
All right. Josh, anything you want to say before we end this hearing?
Correct. And just as a reminder, everybody, our plan is to vote next week because it's our last meeting of the month. Our budgets are due to the county by October 1. So unless we need to or feel need to call a special meeting in between next week and October 1, We've got tonight and next week to have these discussions, and today we're hearing from the public. The public's also invited to come and speak next week. It just won't be part of the official public hearing, as we've been hearing from people through this process. So with that, I will now open this public hearing and ask for those who…
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
So it's an open hearing. So if you have comments, you can make those now or you can come back up and they can come now. But after I go through the list of people who are signed up, we then will open it up to everybody because this is an open hearing to anyone in the audience. That's a little clearer than seating time and making sure that we're not using more than four minutes.
Thank you. All right. Those are all the people signed up, but is there anyone else here who would like to speak during this public hearing about the 2027 budget? Yep, just come on to the podium.
Is there anyone else who would like to speak on the budget hearing?
Thank you. Is there anyone else here this evening who would like to speak on our 2027 budget? I'm going to ask one more time. Is there anyone else here who would like to speak on the City of Topeka's 2027 budget? All right. Last chance. If not, I'm going to officially close this hearing. And I'm now going to recognize governing body members. Councilmember Kell.
Well, this is our budget hearing, so we'll move on from this when we're done and then go on to the next actual budget talk. You know, I'm going to be honest. I struggle up here sometimes. People come up here and sometimes they say things that aren't the full story and I let it go because... It's not worth the conversation, right? It's OK. Other times, I hear things that I feel need to at least have some more context put to them. And to be honest, that's kind of where I am a little bit tonight. A couple of things. And these are in no particular order. First of all, 501 doesn't have campus…
All right, questions, comments from the governing body at this point? Josh, do you have anything to make sure?
I do want to clarify to the public, we did very specific personnel, not general, because we're not allowed to have discussions. I understand that. We didn't violate that.
Any other comments or questions at this time on the budget? Seeing none, just a reminder, we're going to vote on something next week. So either come prepared with amendments or changes or recommendations. Most of the meeting is just that, conversation. So hopefully there's not too much more added to the agenda. So we'll have some more time to have these conversations before we take any kind of vote. With that, we're going to take a 10-minute break. And then we'll come back for the last couple items on our agenda this evening. We'll see you back here at 9 o'clock. All right, we are back from…
We do have someone signed up for public comment on this issue. We'll go to that next. Danielle Twemlow.
Thank you. All right, back to the governing body. Any other comments or questions for staff? Last call. Seeing none. Oh, Council Member Ortiz.
Thank you. Council Member Valdivia-Alcala.
All right. Any other questions or comments on the liens? All right. Thank you very much. When I move on to non-action item C, City Clerk.
All right. Council Member Valdivia Alcala.
Council Member Bradbury. Thank you. I'm sorry. You don't have to say anything. I just realized I didn't give you opportunity.
Any other comments or questions? Council Member Hiller.
Other comments or questions? Council Member Ortiz.