Eudora renews wastewater operations agreement with PeopleService Inc.; commission votes 4-1

The City Commission on April 13 authorized the City Manager to execute a renewed Operation and Maintenance Agreement with PeopleService, Inc. to operate Eudora's wastewater utility. City Manager Zack Daniel described the contract as a continuation of services the City has used since 2021 and said the agreement includes an annual adjustment cap of 3% to assist with budgeting.

Commission discussion focused on long-term staffing plans and whether the City should transition operations to in-house staff. Commissioner Grant High said he preferred the City to directly employ operations staff and opposed the contract on that basis; the motion to authorize the agreement passed 4-1 (Grant High opposed). City Manager Daniel said there are termination options in the agreement should the City develop a sustainable staffing model and noted that the transition to internal staffing is the long-term goal, but "the transition is not yet available." Commissioner Roberta Lehmann argued the original decision to use a third party was made when staff could not meet KDHE standards and that the contracted service supports regulatory compliance.

The commission instructed staff to include options and conditions for future transition in contract documents and to continue reporting on operational performance. The motion was moved by Commissioner Roberta Lehmann and seconded by Vice Mayor Alex Curnes.