Resident urges ‘housecleaning’ at MTAA, cites $1.8M judgment and other spending concerns

A member of the public told the Shawnee County Commission on Feb. 5 that the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA) has been opaque about recent financial decisions and urged commissioners to press for accountability or replace board members.

Carol Marple said the MTAA was served with a $1,800,000 judgment on Dec. 12, 2025, and asked who would pay that obligation. She alleged the airport manager has worked at the MTAA since 2008 and is paid "approximately a $187,000" salary plus a $7,200 vehicle allowance and said the MTAA had approved a $1,000,000 line of credit and begun steps toward issuing $10,000,000 in revenue bonds to fund airport improvements. "The taxpayers are continuing to stay. Where is it?" she asked.

Marple also raised concerns about an almost $1,000 MTAA holiday party that she said included alcoholic drinks and about a $10,000,000 hangar grant announced to the MTAA, asking which airlines would use the facility.

These statements were made during public comment. Board members thanked the speaker; there was no formal response from the MTAA at the meeting and no motion or investigation announced. The claims represent allegations from a citizen speaker and were not adjudicated or confirmed in the Feb. 5 meeting record.

The board did not take immediate action in response to the statements at this meeting. Staff or county counsel were not recorded here as committing to follow-up; any inquiry or verification would require separate direction or a request for records.