Topeka leaders cast aside property tax petition

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Topeka City Council has cast aside an ordinance on property taxes.

A petition brought by Topeka resident Earl McIntosh sought to require a vote by citizens, to approve any property tax increase. McIntosh gathered thousands of signatures on the petition. This forced the City Council, by law, to consider his proposal.

The city had three choices; pass the proposal as it is, put it to a city-wide vote, or do nothing. City leaders chose to do nothing. The City attorney said the ordinance is not legally valid, giving the council the right to take no action on it.

McIntosh and his lawyer disagree. KSNT 27 News spoke to McIntosh who said it is time for city leaders to take action.

"It affects everybody. Like I mentioned earlier, you know who really pays the most? People who are on fixed income," McIntosh said. "These people work hard all their lives and then they get taxed out of their homes. That's not fair and that's not right."

McIntosh and his lawyer told 27 News they are not giving up on the petition and that they are reviewing their options. They said they may take legal action against the city.

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