TOPEKA — The Topeka City Council on Tuesday moved on several matters with citywide implications, including a recommendation from Police Chief Chris Vallejo to let school resource officer contracts expire, an amendment to a temporary moratorium affecting data-center development and a vote to permit municipal involvement in an ongoing legal dispute involving the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the Kansas Lottery.
Police recommend ending SRO contracts amid budget pressure
Chief Vallejo told council members the department is facing choices as the city grapples with its 2027 budget. He said officers are currently contracted to serve as school resource officers in middle schools through June 30, 2027, and that annual costs to place SROs in all middle schools are roughly $250,000.
Given staffing levels and planned changes within the department, Vallejo recommended the city allow the contract to expire next year rather than renew it. He framed the recommendation as a forward-looking personnel and fiscal decision.
"I have a responsibility to look ahead and give you that information to make the best decision that you paid me for, and plan for the future of TPD,"
The chief also said he believes Topeka Public Schools is prepared to operate without Topeka Police Department officers stationed in the schools, though the council did not take an immediate vote to terminate the contract. The recommendation leaves the district and city to discuss next steps as the contract end date approaches.
Data-center moratorium amended to clarify utility allowances
Councilmembers approved an amendment to a moratorium on accepting or processing applications for new data centers that the body adopted last month. The changes focus on utility allowances for projects located outside city limits, a clause that has drawn attention because of proposals such as the Compass Datacenters development being considered near SW 77th and Burlingame Road.
The council scheduled a special work session for Aug. 19 to speak with Compass Datacenters and further review how utility provisions could affect potential projects. City staff and developers are expected to discuss infrastructure, service territory and any conditions that may be necessary if projects seek utility capacity connected to the city.
Council votes to enable municipal intervention in tribal-lottery lawsuit
By an 8-2 vote, the council approved a measure allowing the City of Topeka to intervene in a lawsuit between the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the Kansas Lottery if the city determines the case could affect its jurisdiction. The legal dispute concerns lottery tickets sold at tribal shops on sovereign land and allegations there was an inadequate response when the tribe tried to address the matter.
Council members said the authorization is precautionary: it does not commit the city to join the suit now, but preserves the option to step in should the litigation’s outcome bear on municipal interests, regulatory authority or the local market for lottery sales.
- SRO contract: Current contract runs through June 30, 2027; annual cost for middle schools ~ $250,000.
- Data-center moratorium: Amendment clarifies utility allowances for projects outside city limits; Compass Datacenters discussion set for Aug. 19.
- Legal intervention: Council vote 8-2 to enable the city to intervene in the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation v. Kansas Lottery lawsuit, if needed.
| Issue | Action/Status |
|---|---|
| School resource officers | Chief recommends letting contract expire June 30, 2027; ~$250,000 per year for middle schools |
| Data-center moratorium | Amended to address utility allowances; special work session Aug. 19 |
| Tribal-lottery lawsuit | Council voted 8-2 to allow possible municipal intervention |
Council deliberations come as city leaders balance competing priorities ahead of the next budget cycle. The recommendation from the police chief highlights personnel and public-safety tradeoffs implicit in budget decisions, while the data-center moratorium amendment and the vote on legal intervention reflect the council’s effort to manage economic development and protect municipal prerogatives.
Any final decisions — including whether the city will formally exit the SRO arrangement or intervene in the pending litigation — will depend on follow-up discussions between city officials, school leaders and legal counsel in the coming months.
