photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Douglas County commissioners meet on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026.

Douglas County commissioners voiced support for a proposal that would use future tax revenue to help finance a commercial and industrial development in Eudora.

The City of Eudora is proposing a new Tax Increment Financing district for a 132.5-acre property near K-10 Highway and East 2300 Road. The district would use new property tax revenue generated by development to fund public infrastructure. The property was recently annexed by the city, and Main Street Development Group LLC submitted the economic development incentive application.

The developers would finance the infrastructure improvements and then be reimbursed over time using new tax revenues generated from the development. The application requests that 100% of the property and sales tax increment generated by the project be used as reimbursement.

The vote to support the district was 3-1, with Commissioner Erica Anderson opposed because the financial terms for the district haven’t been finalized yet.

Commissioner Gene Dorsey did not participate in the vote to support the district due to a conflict of interest.

Dorsey said last year, he sat down with the project applicants as they were exploring potential acreage for commercial and industrial developments. In addition, the applicants donated to his political campaign.

Even if the county commissioners didn’t signal support on Wednesday for the TIF district, the proposal would still move forward, county staff said.

Commissioner Shannon Reid said any increase in tax revenue, however incremental it is over time, is a benefit.

The proposed development that’s expected to occupy the TIF district is planned to be split into two phases, and the estimated construction cost totals $153.6 million, as the Journal-World reported.

The first phase includes seven commercial lots. That portion is anticipated to occupy a convenience store/truck stop, a hotel, a couple of restaurants and other commercial developments. This phase is projected to cost $43.6 million. The second phase of work is anticipated to create two additional industrial opportunities along the K-10 Highway. It is also the more expensive phase, anticipated to cost $110 million.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, COMMISSIONERS:

* Approved an amendment to the city-county comprehensive plan, Plan 2040, changing most of the designated areas just west of the K-10 Highway from industrial, high density residential and open space to commercial center. The changes also include relocating some of the higher density residential uses closer to the highways in the northeast area of the plan. The amendment was submitted by engineering firm Landplan Engineering, associated with the proposed Beacon Landing development, as the Journal-World reported.

* Approved a public hearing date for Douglas and Jefferson County’s Solid Waste Management Plan. The plan – which is required to be updated every five years – guides the management of solid waste in the two-county region as population trends, service expectations and market conditions continue to change. The plan is scheduled to be adopted on Sept. 9 following a public hearing.

* Approved a conditional use permit for a wireless facility at 867 U.S. Highway 40. The wireless facility will be on 38.2 acres located on the southwest corner of property owned by the First United Methodist Church of Lawrence.