City manager announces procurement change, election polling locations and court hearing on data‑center petition

City Manager Dave updated the commission on several administrative and calendar items. He said that, going forward, all nonroutine purchases in excess of $50,000 will be placed on the consent agenda for commission review, a change made to increase transparency; previously the city manager could approve purchases up to $200,000. He clarified that emergency purchases will still be made when necessary but will be subject to post‑approval by the commission.

Manager Dave also reminded residents that tomorrow is the primary election, listed polling locations (Hope Covenant Church, Trinity United Methodist Church, and the Civic Center), and said polling times are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. He promoted a lunch‑and‑learn on the proposed 2027 budget at the El Dorado Senior Center on Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. and a commission work session on Aug. 12 to discuss the proposed budget prior to the revenue‑neutral hearings scheduled for Sept. 7. He additionally noted Judge Satterfield scheduled an in‑person hearing on Aug. 14 at the Butler County Judicial Center for the city's declaratory‑judgment request concerning a citizen‑initiated petition about the ordinance prohibiting data centers and battery energy storage systems.

Separately, staff read a response from Evergy about transmission‑line upgrades made in 2023: poles were raised roughly 30 feet in one corridor, the line was rebuilt at 69 kV to meet national electric safety codes, and Evergy stated it has no current plans to increase the voltage; any future voltage increase would require additional easements and community engagement. The city will distribute Evergy's written response to commissioners and post updates as requested.