Hiller for Topeka

11/06/2025

Good grief! So much has been happening by phone and text, I haven't posted!!

I WON!! Vote was 691 to 654.

Thank you all, SO MUCH, for your votes, your support, your volunteering, and most of all being people I am very proud to serve.

11/02/2025

Personal note from me.... I appreciate so much everyone's input and support through this campaign! The link below can get you to all you need for your own voting this time as well as to share with someone who is new at voting. THANK YOU ALL!! Karen

10/30/2025

Update from my October 8 post Good progress on the Capital Improvement budget on October 21! After due consideration and time to chat with constituents, the Council talked through my proposals line by line, and I was able to get five positive votes, the net of which should save City taxpayers over $60 Million dollars.

1) DREAMS program - Restructured from alternate year funding to annual so that all neighborhoods will be able to apply for grants every year. Other non-money improvements, also supported by the Citizen Advisory Council, are advancing as well.

2-4) Polk-Quincy Viaduct and other major projects - We talked at length about leaving four very large projects in the plan, but pulling them out of the bonding queue, particularly as a prompt to look at other sources for funding. Polk Quincy East (I-70) was pulled in that way, and Polk Quincy West was added in that way. A proposed eventual move of the Fleet Garage from the Riverfront to elsewhere was also moved out by Council vote. Staff is already working on Polk-Quincy.

5) 10-year bonding limit for vehicles - Our policy says that items should not be bonded for longer than their official lifespans. Council voted to direct 10-year financing (not 15-year as proposed) for Fire and Fleet vehicles. (My proposal included a longer-term plan to get these expenses all the way out of bonding and into a cash funded routine.)

While I'm proud of the changes that passed, and know they are major a step in the right direction, ultimately I did vote "No" on the final budget, as I did last year's and this year's final Operating Budgets. I voted NO not because progress wasn't made, but because there needs to be a clear message that, even with revisions, the current plans do not yet ensure a truly sustainable future for Topeka.

The package will continue to move forward into 2026. This work is a key reason why I am running. I will keep pushing for fiscal responsiblilty and smarter decisions. Someone who knows where to look and what can be done needs to stay and keep fighting for all of us!

Anyone who wants to help or has questions or suggestions, please let me know via [email protected]!

The entire debt reduction package can be seen with the agenda and/or the minutes of the October 21, 2025 City Council meeting.

The official website of the City of Topeka. Here, you can pay bills, view local laws, file police reports online, and more.

10/12/2025

10/08/2025

Capital Budget, Debt and Taxes - Last night at Council, after months of steady work, I presented a package proposal to amend what the City Manager and staff have steadily presented for GO Bond borrowing. Staff's version takes $3 million out of the Debt Service Fund next year to help out the operating budget, then within 5 years would require 3 additional mills of property tax over the remaining rate (about $4 million per year more) to support the debt service on the borrowing proposed. My proposal will save taxpayers over $25 million in bonding and interest expenses and that inevitable property tax increase to cover them.

My proposal includes recommendations for alternate financing for almost all of the big projects, a restructurement of our neighborhood grants program (much needed and neighborhood representatives voted to support) and a strategy to create a new Capital Improvement Cash Fund that would further relieve our bonding and related costs. There was good discussion, and the Council voted to give itself two weeks to consider the proposal.

It's complicated...but if you are interested, you can find the City Manager's Capital Budget proposal online on the City of Topeka's website as an attachment to the October 7, 2025 agenda. You can ask for copies of my proposal from [email protected] OR the City Clerk's office has a copy.

As ever, suggestions to me are welcome. E-mailing me directly at khiller@ topeka.org is best for that! Thank you all!!

10/08/2025

Friends and Supporters - I haven't posted much, as you may have noticed. As a rule, I'm busy and I count on folks to be able to follow news of my work and the Council's through public media. I will try to pick up on particular posts that frame me - for long-time friends as well as new people exploring - for this period leading up to the election.

09/08/2025

Thank you, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and WIBW TV for producing candidate interviews for us! Follow the link for District 1 and other Council races!

We are hearing from the people wanting to lead the City of Topeka.

08/06/2025

Topeka City Council Dist. 1 Drumroll...!!!

Karen Hiller 358 Will Naeger 195
Jolie Lippitt 116 Brendan Jensen 66
Tyler Stansfield Jaggers 50 Eli Bohannon 18

Total Votes Cast 803

THANK YOU to all - Voters and Volunteers! You matter!!

08/05/2025

Sharing...for everyone. Have you voted today? Voting locations citywide are open until 7 PM today!

All Topekans have a primary for Mayor. People in District 1 also have our Council District 1 position - me! After that, the General Election is November 4.

If you are not sure of your polling place, lookup is below!

Karen

I’ve been a Topeka District 1 resident for 39 years. I retired in 2007, and have been serving on the Topeka City Council since 2009.

08/04/2025

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback, support...and yard signs!... along this Primary journey. Advance voting is now closed. Polls are open tomorrow 7-7. Vote Karen!!! Thanks again!

08/01/2025

Hi, Everyone. It's voting time! Thank you for caring and for voting!!

Early voting is open today August 1 from 8 AM-7 PM and Monday August 4 from 8 AM-Noon at the Election Commissioner's office, 3420 SW Van Buren (Van Buren and Croix, just north of White Lakes Plaza).

Local polling places will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM on Tuesday, August 5, Election Day!

Advance mailed ballots must have arrived at the Election Commissioner's office or a Polling Place by 7 PM on August 5.

To find someone's polling place and some tips about how things go on voting day, for those who may not be certain, we've linked the "VOTE" page from HillerForTopeka.com below!

https://hillerfortopeka.com/vote/

I’ve been a Topeka District 1 resident for 39 years. I retired in 2007, and have been serving on the Topeka City Council since 2009.

07/29/2025

Thank you, Greater Topeka Chamber PAC, for your support! I value what you as a group, and each of your members, contribute to our community. I am honored to have your support, and appreciate the chance to talk about my experience and work with your members and the public.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18q5Yv8X2n/

The Greater Topeka Chamber PAC is proud to endorse Karen Hiller for City Council, District 1. Early voting is underway, and the primary election will be held on August 5th.