Topeka ? Local legislators are skeptical that a proposal to close a state hospital in Topeka will save Kansas money.

Republican Reps. Lana Gordon and Joe Patton, of Topeka, and Rocky Fund, of Hoyt, made their comments Thursday after touring the Kansas Neurological Institute.

KNI and the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center are the state’s two facilities for the developmentally disabled.

Last month, a task force recommended closing KNI, transferring some residents to Parsons and others to community programs. Officials have estimated the state ultimately would save $5.7 million a year.

Patton told the Topeka Capital-Journal that he believes any savings would be wiped out by the costs of new community services.

Gov. Mark Parkinson hasn’t decided whether to endorse the commission’s recommendation.