The City Commission approved the city budget for 2026 at its meeting Monday night, opting to raise the property tax rate to fund new staff, capital improvement projects and prepare the city’s general fund for the future.
The budget will increase the mill levy rate by half a mill. That means a home valued at $250,000 will pay $1,137 in 2026 property taxes. A home valued at $425,000 will pay $1,932.
Despite the increase, the 2026 budget includes more expenses than revenue, but Interim City Manager Zack Daniel said the city’s general fund will stay within the ideal threshold amount.
He said the fund would remain at that amount even with a flat mill levy, but noted staff recommended the increase to ensure the city’s finances were prepared for possible future actions from the state that could cap the amount local governments could raise through property taxes.
Mayor Tim Reazin floated the idea of using the increased mill levy to capitalize on the World Cup next summer, with the possibility of reducing it back down for 2027. Daniel said that was an option, but with rising property valuations, property taxes could still increase each year.
Eudora residents will pay the most property taxes to the school district in 2026, mostly due to the bond issues that funded facility improvements. Property taxes paid to the city and county are nearly identical.
Daniel said the biggest cause for increases in property tax bills is rising valuations. He said the city has not recommended raising its mill levy rate since 2017.
Commissioners discussed different options to set the mill levy. Commissioner Jolene Cullen said she was opposed to raising the mill levy at all. Commissioner Alex Curnes said he was in favor of raising it to a full mill to prepare the community for some big purchases and possible state action to cap local property tax rates. The commission eventually decided 4-1 to raise the mill levy by half a mill, with Cullen opposed.
Jim Mills gave public comment questioning the budget and decrying increases in property taxes during his two decades in Eudora. He said his property taxes have increased much more than the city has grown.
“If I ran my business this way, I wouldn’t have a job,” he said.
The budget includes money for a full-time city planner. Reazin said the goal of bringing an in-house planner on board was to decrease the need to use outside consultants. The budget also includes funding for a part-time court clerk.
The budget’s capital improvement projects include a $1.2 million water treatment plant, improvements to Pilla Park and public safety equipment.
The commission also reviewed the budget’s utility rates. Electricity, water and wastewater rates increased. Stormwater and trash rates stayed the same, but Daniel said the city will likely see increases after its current provider’s contract expires in the coming years.
“We’ve got aging infrastructure, and we’re running up against capacity,” Daniel said.
The budget also includes funds to assist in development related to a proposed sports and entertainment STAR bond district.
During a public hearing on the budget, Mills raised questions about the STAR bond project, but discussion was curbed because Monday’s action was about the broader budget.
Dominick Wynn questioned the value of funding the Pilla Park improvements when other city infrastructure, like curb repairs, could use more money.
Curnes said Pilla Park functions as a gateway into the community, and improvements to the park are being funded in part by the state. To forgo the project would also mean forgoing those state funds.
After the vote to approve the budget, Mills questioned why public comment didn’t seem to influence the commission’s decision.
Vice Mayor Tim Bruce said the commission was happy to have the discussion with community members, but had spent months working on the budget. He thanked the commenters for coming out to the meeting.
In other business, the commission voted unanimously to approve a proclamation recognizing the victims and first responders of 9/11.
Daniel also said the city did not receive enough registrations to hold the Great Kaw Adventure Race. He said they were focused on bringing it back in 2026.
“That is unfortunate that we won’t be moving forward with that event this year,” Daniel said. “However, we did lay a lot of good groundwork between the staff interaction that we had with elected officials, as well as some of the other community groups that were involved in planning that, where we’ve got a good roadmap of how we can really dedicate resources and attention and time to make that project go.”
Police Chief Wes Lovett said the department will hold Cone with a Cop at the police department at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Main St. Scoops and Sweets will provide ice cream.
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
