Library Board members will be elected for the first time in 2027 under a new agreement the city approved Monday.
City commissioners voted to approve a new joint resolution triggered by the passage of a state law supported by city and library officials that requires elections for the Library Board.
City staff and commissioners thanked County Commissioner Gene Dorsey and Library Board member Eric Magette for their work ushering the law through the Legislature.
Previously, the board has been made up of appointments from the city and township. The resolution is a joint agreement between the city and township. City staff will present the resolution to township leaders during a May 5 meeting.
The new resolution would keep the board at five members, but all five will now be elected. Terms for two board members will expire in 2027, and terms for the other three will expire in 2029. From then on, elections will be held every two years, with terms staggered so each member serves for four years before being up for election again.
Board spots left vacant before a term is completed will be filled by appointment. Library Board members are not paid.
In other business, the commission approved permits to allow the sale of alcohol at three upcoming events.
The CPA Picnic, Main Street Market on July 3 and Kaw River Fest, which could include some elements of the defunct EudoraFest, will feature alcohol.
The commission voted 3-1 for the permit. Musick abstained from voting due to his role with the CVB. Curnes voted against the permit, citing a standing opposition to the sale of alcohol on city property. He said he supports the CVB and the events.
You can read more about the CPA’s upcoming events, plus the need for more community volunteers, in this story.
Also on Monday, commissioners approved the purchase of a vac trailer for the Public Works Department. The 2026 budget includes $133,410 for such a purchase and the meeting agenda says the expense will be below the budget line, pending price increases due to tariffs.
City Manager Zack Daniel said economic pressures, including from federal tariffs and the war with Iran, have started to create an environment of uncertainty with some vendors, which could cause price increases for city purchases. He said this will be a factor for the city to keep in mind during its 2027 budget planning, which will begin next month.
After the storms this weekend, Mayor Tim Bruce highlighted the city’s brush dump would be open this weekend for those needing to discard fallen branches or other storm debris.
According to the city’s website, the brush dump is open on the first Saturday of each month, March through October, from 8 a.m. to noon. The brush dump is located at 515 W. Seventh St., behind the wastewater treatment facility. The brush dump is only open to Eudora residents. A form of ID is required at the gate to allow entry.
Also on Monday, the commission approved rights of way and easements for the Cedar Ridge development on the 700 blocks of Cherry, Walnut, and Spruce Streets.
The plans include constructing seven new duplex lots and one tract on the north and west sides of the lots. The tract will likely be dedicated and transferred to the city to add a buffer zone between the residential area and the nearby water treatment plant.
The planning commission previously approved the plan.
The commission also voted to pay for a replacement of the Public Works Compound security gate, which has not been fully operational for months. The city received a lowest bid of $15,640 to repair the gate. Half of the cost will come out of the general fund budgeted for Public Works. The other half will be split between water, sewer and electric utility funds.
Public Works Director Branden Boyd said staff has been working on the gate for months. He said the city is required by federal law to protect the water treatment plant and the repair is the best way to do that.
Commissioners will declare May 3 through 9 as Public Service Recognition Week. The week aims to celebrate city employees. There will be multiple events throughout the week, including the annual office olympics.
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
