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Eudora City Commission discusses renewing half‑cent sales tax to fund public safety
Summary
At a March 9 work session, Eudora City officials discussed renewing and repurposing the existing half‑cent sales tax to fund Fire and Police needs and allow flexibility for CIP purchases; no vote was taken.
EUDORA, Kan. — The Eudora City Commission convened a special work session on March 9 to discuss renewing the city’s half‑cent sales tax and directing proceeds toward public safety needs.
City Manager Daniel gave an overview of the tax’s history and the staff proposal, saying the measure "would not be an additional tax but would repurpose the existing tax" and that it would be a sales tax, which "would lighten the burden from property tax revenues." Staff recommended including ballot language that would permit use of the revenue for capital improvement program purchases if the city needs additional funding.
Mayor Tim Bruce asked staff to consider infrastructure beyond road surfaces when evaluating the pavement management program and related uses of the tax. Commissioners Roberta Lehmann, Tim Bruce and Vice Mayor Alex Curnes voiced interest in keeping the tax in place for as long as possible, "if not for perpetuity," to maintain steady funding for Fire and Police vehicle and equipment needs.
Commissioner Grant High raised concerns about the proposal’s political and economic feasibility, saying he "sees so many people struggling right now, and he thinks the sales tax is a hard sell." City Manager Daniel responded that the proposal would repurpose the existing sales tax rather than add a new levy.
No formal motion or vote was taken on the sales‑tax proposal during the work session. The minutes state "No action was taken." A procedural motion to adjourn was moved by Commissioner Roberta Lehmann and seconded by Vice Mayor Alex Curnes; the motion carried 5–0. The minutes record the work session closing at 6:49 p.m. and the meeting adjournment at 6:48 p.m.; the record contains that timing inconsistency.
The discussion will likely inform staff drafting of ballot language and any future agenda item, but the commission took no formal action at this meeting.
