Residents press council on sidewalks, utility billing and calls for forensic audit

Multiple residents used the May 12 public‑comment period to urge the Topeka City Council to reconsider specific capital projects and to press for independent financial review of city departments.

Donna Lacey and Joseph Ledbetter opposed a proposed sidewalk on Macalester Street between 13th and Drury Lane, saying the marked easement appeared to take private yard space and raised safety concerns around an unprotected culvert. They asked staff to re‑examine the proposed alignment and provide clearer easement documentation.

Danielle Twimlow urged the council not to approve further utility rate increases until an independent forensic audit of the utility department’s billing practices, financial assumptions and readiness‑to‑serve charge is completed. Twimlow cited reporting that the readiness‑to‑serve charge had been expanded and that delinquent utility accounts increased substantially between 2020 and 2025, and called for a line‑item audit of how readiness‑to‑serve revenues were used.

Other commenters recommended exploring payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax (PILOT) approaches for nonprofits to raise funds for the Affordable Housing Trust and urged more transparency and community engagement on major projects. Council members acknowledged the concerns, listed upcoming utility public meetings, and the mayor invited residents to provide specific documentation so staff could investigate allegations.

No formal action was taken during the meeting on audits or the sidewalk proposals; council members and staff said items would be referred to appropriate committees for follow‑up.