The City of Eudora is asking residents to vote on a ballot measure that would replace an expiring 0.5% sales tax with a new public‑safety sales tax. The proposed tax would generate roughly $350,000 each year, enough to cover the salaries, health insurance and retirement costs of three additional full‑time firefighters.

How the tax would work

Unlike a traditional tax increase, the overall sales‑tax rate in Eudora would stay the same. A separate 0.5% levy that currently funds the repayment of debt tied to the community building and pool is set to expire at the end of the year. The new public‑safety tax would take its place, directing the revenue straight to the fire department.

City Manager Zack Daniel explained that the $327,000 annual cost of the three new positions would be fully covered by the expected $350,000 in tax revenue, leaving a modest surplus for equipment upgrades.

Why the expansion matters

Assistant Fire Chief Chris Hull, a volunteer with the department since 2009 and one of its two full‑time crew members, said the department’s call volume has been rising 5% to 10% each year. He estimates the department will respond to about 900 calls in 2026, a workload that volunteers alone are struggling to meet.

“Our call volume is ever increasing, and it’s difficult for them to keep up with those calls,” Hull said. “We’re seeing three‑story development in town, yet we only have one ground ladder that can reach a third‑story window. It weighs over 150 pounds and requires two to three people to lift.”

Adding full‑time firefighters would give Eudora 24/7 protection for the first time in the department’s 100‑year history, allowing faster response times and more reliable equipment deployment.

Future equipment plans

Daniel noted the city is also looking at purchasing a quint fire engine equipped with an aerial ladder, a move that would further enhance the department’s ability to serve a growing community.

Police Chief Wes Lovett echoed the sentiment, saying the tax would help build a full‑time fire department that matches Eudora’s rapid growth. He also indicated plans to request additional funding for police vehicle and weapon upgrades.

Timeline and voter decision

If approved, the public‑safety sales tax would take effect on April 1, 2027 and would have no set expiration date. Daniel emphasized that the staffing needs are long‑term, and the city does not want a funding model that expires before the department’s needs are met.

Residents will see the measure on the November ballot, and the city encourages voters to consider how the tax shift will support public safety while keeping the overall sales‑tax rate steady.

Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.