photo by: Gould Evans Architects

A rendering depicts the exterior of a proposed new $4.7 million library in downtown Eudora.

An election asking voters in Eudora city and township whether they want a nearly $5 million new library is nearing its deadline.

Voters must drop off their ballots, which arrived via mail earlier this month, by noon Tuesday. By the end of that day, they should have unofficial results determining whether a 14,000-square-foot library will be built in downtown Eudora. A total of $4.71 million in bonds would pay for that new space, including furnishings and the required bond fees.

photo by: Gould Evans Architects

A rendering depicts a multipurpose room that would be housed at a new library building in Eudora, if it’s approved by voters. Proponents say the new space could be like a community resource hub.

If approved, there will also be an increase in the library tax that Eudora residents already pay, based on home value:

•For a $100,000 home, a $43-per-year or $3.58-per-month increase.

•For a $150,000 home, a $65-per-year or $5.42-per-month increase.

•For a $200,000 home, an $86-per-year or $7.17-per-month increase.

•For a $300,000 home, a $129-per-year or $10.75-per-month increase.

Don Grosdidier, co-chair of the campaign for the new library, said the mill levy increase on the 20-year bond is an estimated 3.8. Though Grosdidier said the response he has seen to the proposal has been positive overall, some people have voiced concerns about the tax increase.

“I think that’s usually the case with things like this,” Grosdidier said. “People are concerned about increased cost in their taxes. I think most people, when it’s explained to them what that tax impact is and what they’re getting out of that, tend to be more supportive than against it.”

Grosdidier said the tax dollars wouldn’t be paying just for a building with books but also something of a community center that would include a meeting space bigger than what Eudora now has, plus dedicated space for the Feeding Eudora community summer lunch program and the United Way of Douglas County’s community navigator program, which helps residents connect to various social services.

“We’re looking at it as a community resource hub, if you will,” Grosdidier said. “Kind of a one-stop shop for people to go and access those resources. I worked in the schools in Eudora for many, many years, and one of the things that we learned over time is there are lots of county resources that are available, but they’re typically housed (in) Lawrence. We have families and people in Eudora that oftentimes, when those resources are housed in Lawrence, they may not have the same access to them as people who live in Lawrence.”

photo by: Gould Evans Architects

A rendering depicts the lobby of the proposed new library.

It’ll also be a project that touches “every single generation” in Eudora, said Grosdidier, who encouraged residents to consider the library an investment in the community.

Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew said that as of Thursday his office had received about 1,200 ballots from Eudora voters. Shew said he anticipated unofficial results should be posted on the Douglas County website by late afternoon or early evening Tuesday.

For those who haven’t submitted a ballot, Shew said it’s too late for a ballot sent by mail to be counted. Those who still need to vote, he said, should instead make sure they’re submitting their ballot to an official county ballot box. Locally, there is one at Eudora City Hall, but voters can also turn in their ballots in Lawrence at the Douglas County Courthouse or the election office at 711 W. 23rd St., Suite 1.

Voters should submit their ballots in the envelope that was sent to their name, since the election office matches the barcode on the envelope to the signature on the ballot.