The Eureka City Council approved a proposed 75-mil and the city’s 2027 budget Monday, Aug. 24, while also approving the purchase of a new mini excavator and trailer, moving forward with several property abatements and tabling further consideration of the city’s Pit Bull Ordinance.
The Aug. 24 meeting was held at the Eureka City Library. Mayor Stephen Coulter presided, with all council members present: Cinda Beals, Jason Brandt, Dan Campbell, Miranda Colangelo, Kevin Lawrence and Jeff Marks.
The most significant action of the evening came during the city’s 7 p.m. Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) and budget hearings. The city council ultimately approved exceeding the RNR, approving the proposed 75.0 mil tax levy (a decrease from last year’s 75.075 mils) through Resolution 26-19, and the 2027 budget as published in the Aug. 5 edition of The Eureka Herald. Both passed 4-2, with council members Colangelo and Marks voting no.
Discussion surrounding the budget included the city’s ongoing responsibility for dealing with dilapidated, unsafe and condemned structures.
Mayor Coulter said that once a building is condemned, the city has a responsibility to address it.
“Once we condemn a building, we have a responsibility to take it down,” Coulter said. He noted that some structures have already been condemned and others are nearing that point. He said the city would attempt to handle the work as economically as possible, expressly citing safety concerns as a primary factor moving forward.
The issue of demolition costs and dilapidated structures was a recurring topic for the council as it worked through the 2027 budget.
The budget and tax discussion came after several residents used the public- comment period of the RNR Hearing and Budget Hearing to raise concerns about property taxes, city spending, street conditions and downtown projects.
Linda Taggart, a resident of Eureka, questioned taxes collected through cell phone bills and asked for clarification of the city’s tax rates. City officials explained the applicable sales tax rates that do indeed come back to the city from the state.
She also questioned the city’s $200 Christmas bonus for each of its 22 employees, for a total of $4,400, expressing concern about whether the money could be better used elsewhere. Mayor Coulter explained that it’s important to reward employees when possible for the work they do.
L. Taggert questioned the city’s beautification projects and asked why the city was not focusing more on attracting businesses instead of beautification projects. She also raised questions about Eureka’s efforts to position itself for more business development.
Mayor Coulter explained that when a community has fewer residents, the cost of maintaining infrastructure and providing services must be spread among fewer taxpayers. He also explained that the city is open to new business ideas and ways to bring economic growth to the community.
Street conditions were another concern. L. Taggart questioned the condition of 4th Street despite repairs made earlier this year. Coulter and Marks explained that chip-andseal work is essentially a temporary “band-aid” solution to preserve what roads we do have, rather than a permanent street reconstruction, and generally will last 5-7 years. Councilmember Marks explained that patchwork is done as needed, and Mayor Coulter said that he will have city workers take a look at 4th Street as she mentioned.
Eureka business owner and resident Nick Schaffer questioned sharp increases in property valuations, citing his business property’s appraisal rising from $15,680 to $51,990 in one year and a residential property increasing from $25,000 to $91,810 after improvements.
“What incentive does a property owner have to improve a building when those improvements can result in a massive increase in assessed value and taxes?” Schaeffer asked. “I came back to my hometown and invested in properties. I have tried to improve them. But I’m starting to feel like I’m being financially punished for doing exactly what we tell people they should do — invest in and improve our community.”
Schaeffer said the increases make him concerned that investing in and improving properties could financially penalize small-business owners and asked local officials to examine how valuations are determined and whether current policies discourage new business investment in the community. The City Council acknowledged his concerns and explained that property valuation concerns are handled by the County Appraiser.
Resident Peggy Hawthorne echoed L. Taggart’s concerns regarding use of tax dollars, street repairs and condition of structures on Main Street. She also raised concerns about city-owned buildings used for gatherings and the city funds required to maintain them. She concluded by saying, “People in Eureka have to learn to work together.” Hawthorne emphasized the need for cooperation between city residents and council members, county commissioners and council members and council members with each other.
Tom Taggert, Eureka resident, shared data about tax rates and expressed concerns about increases in the mill levy and property taxes. He presented information regarding population and household incomes in Eureka and Greenwood County, including percentages of county residents who receive Social Security and disability benefits, and how they could be negatively impacted by increases.
Pit Bull Ordinance
The council tabled further review and possible revision of the city’s Pit Bull Ordinance until its Sept. 14 meeting.
Mayor Coulter said the council has several options available, including repealing the current ordinance through a resolution, putting the matter to a vote of Eureka citizens, or changing the ordinance through council action.
Rather than taking action Monday, Coulter said the council would wait until the city attorney can attend and provide legal input and potentially invite a veterinarian to provide an expert opinion regarding the issue.
Coulter also invited members of the public who wish to speak about the ordinance to contact the city to be placed on the Sept. 14 agenda. Those wishing to address the council on the topic should get on the agenda by Sept. 10.
Copies of the current Pit Bull Ordinance are available at the city’s water office.
The ordinance has been the subject of previous council discussion and public input, including a presentation earlier this year from a Eureka resident who provided information concerning pit bull breeds and dog attacks.
City Approved New Mini Excavator;Trailer
The council approved the purchase of a Bobcat E60 R2-Series compact excavator following a presentation by Public Works Director Chris Mitchell. Mitchell presented two equipment quotes: $128,000 from Foley Equipment Company for a Caterpillar 30607CRC and $108,656.73 for the Bobcat, including attachments, warranty and a scheduled maintenance contract. Mitchell recommended the Bobcat because of its features, warranty, versatility and ease of operation. He said the attachments would allow the city to use the equipment for a wide range of infrastructure and public works projects.
The Bobcat has an estimated 60-day lead time, although Mitchell said it could arrive sooner. Bobcat will not finance the purchase directly, meaning the city will need to work with a bank to finance the equipment. Mitchell indicated the savings on the Bobcat could potentially be used toward a down payment. The council approved the Bobcat purchase.
Mitchell also presented quotes for a trailer to transport and work with the new excavator. After reviewing options from Hoyt’s Trailer Center, Sancrest Trailer Sales-Diamond, and 360 Trailer Sales & Service LLC, Mitchell recommended a Diamond C tilt-bed trailer from Hoyt’s Trailer Center in Topeka for $23,500. The council approved the trailer purchase.
Five Property Abatements Approved
The council approved five code enforcement resolutions involving vehicles, debris and environmental concerns.
The city approved Resolution 26-14 involving a yellow box truck belonging to property owner Livin Shayo, at 413 S. Washington. The owner was given 10 days to move the vehicle from the sidewalk, correct the violation or request a hearing. The violation was not corrected and no hearing was requested. The council approved the resolution authorizing abatement.
The council approved Resolution 26-15, an abatement of several vehicles associated with property owner Jerrad Dunn, at 514 and 520 W. 2nd St. The vehicles include a rust-colored/primer Chevrolet without a tag, a white Chevrolet pickup without a tag, a blue, red and primer Ford Mustang convertible without a tag, and a non-operational white Ford Mustang with registration expiring in August 2026 that was parked in the city right-of-way. The council was informed the vehicles had previously been rotated between the two properties after the owner had been asked to remove them.
Resolution 26-16, an environmental abatement involving wood, junk, metal and other refuse on the property, was approved for 1014 E. 5th St. The previous owner, Brent Wygle, had been asked to clean up the property but did not do so. Wygle has since died.
The council approved a second environmental abatement involving the same former owner through Resolution 26-17. The property, at 1020 E. 5th St., contains wood, junk, metal and other refuse, as well as trees requiring removal or cleanup. The council also approved Resolution 2618 involving a motorcycle on the same property. The motorcycle is to be taken to an impound yard.
All five resolutions were approved by the council and can be found on page 9 of this week’s edition of
The Eureka Herald.
Other Business Items
The council approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for a cost-share grant involving Jefferson Street.
Karen Simon, City Administrator Assistant, presented information on two potential grant opportunities: a Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grant and a SEED grant. Simon requested permission and input from the Quality of Life Committee and the full council to move forward with the application processes. Council members expressed support, allowing the city to proceed with the grant applications.
The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, including: the Aug. 10 regular meeting minutes; scheduled claims totaling $80,225.73 for expenses due through Aug. 24; and the following purchase orders: APAC Kansas Inc. for $195,972.13; Garver for $39,384; SKEDD for $27,924; and SCKEDD for $77,960.
The council also approved audit and budget agreements for 2026 with Jarred, Gilmore and Phillips, P.A.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Steve Brown requested permission to hold a Movie in the Park on Sept. 19, at Eureka City Park, also known as Riverside Park, with Memorial Hall being designated as a backup location in case the event cannot be held at the city park due to inclement weather. The council approved the request and expressed appreciation to Steve and Arlene Brown for all they do for the community.
The council has a variety of standing committees, including Transportation, Quality of Life, Utilities, Safety, Finance/Personnel, and Development/Housing. As a reminder, meeting times for various committees are posted at City Hall. The Eureka City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m., at the Eureka Public Library. Residents wishing to address the council should contact the city and request to be placed on the agenda by the Thursday before the meeting.
