Governing Body

El Dorado was the first city in Kansas to adopt the Commission-Manager form of government in 1917. The current governing body consists of Mayor Tom McKibban and Commissioners David Chapin, Linda Clark, Steve Pershall and Steve Reynolds. The Mayor is elected for a two-year term and each Commissioner serves a four-year term. The terms are staggered so that every two years, the Mayor and two Commissioners are up for re-election.

The City Commission meets twice each month, on the first and third Mondays, at 7:00 PM CST. The meetings are open to the public and held in the Commission Room of City Hall at 220 East First in El Dorado. For those who cannot attend, the meetings are shown LIVE on cable channel 7, as well as videotaped and rebroadcast at 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday following the meeting. In addition, City Commission meeting minutes are available in print form either at this link or at City Hall.

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Voter Registration

Voter registration applications are available at El Dorado City Hall, 220 East First, El Dorado. Voter registration is required if you:

    • Have never registered,
    • Have changed your name or address, or
    • Wish to change political party affiliation.

To register to vote you must:

    • Be a U.S. citizen
    • Be a resident of the State of Kansas
    • Have reached the age of eighteen (18) years before the next statewide general election
    • Have your civil rights restored if convicted of a felony
    • Have abandoned your former residence and/or name.

Applications must be completed at least two weeks before an election in order to be eligible to be registered in that election. If you decline to register to vote, that fact will remain confidential and will be used for voter registration purposes only. If you do register to vote, the office where you submit this application will be confidential and will be used for voter registration purposes only.

For further information, contact the Office of the Secretary of State or call 1-800-262-8683. Click here for a printable registration application (Adobe Acrobat required). Completed and signed forms should be mailed to the Butler County Courthouse, 205 West Central, El Dorado, KS 67042.

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Animal Licenses

All dogs and cats are required to be licensed and immunized with a rabies vaccination, which provides protection throughout the licensing period, upon reaching 4 months of age. The licensing period begins January 1 and runs for one year; however, application for license may be made 30 days before and not more than 60 days after the beginning of the licensing period. A penalty of $2.00 per month is charged for each month after March 1 for late licensing. The licensing fees are as follows:

    • Each Sterile Animal - $10.00
    • Each Non-Sterile Animal - $25.00
    • Replacement Tag - $5.00

Verification of sterilization by a licensed veterinarian is required. Cost for licensing animals brought into the City or upon reaching the minimum age on or after March 1 of the licensing year will be 50% of the set fee.

Kennel permits are required where an owner has more than 3 dogs or cats on the premises. Annual permit fees are as follows:

    • Class 1 Permit (authorized to any house with fewer than 8 dogs or cats or combination of either) $25.00
    • Class 2 Permit (authorized to any house with 8 or more dogs or cats or combination of either) $75.00

No Class 2 kennel will be permitted in a residential-zoned area. Livestock may be allowed in non-residential zones in the City by permit only. Application may be made through the Animal Control Division. There is no fee for this permit. Animal licenses and kennel permits are available at City Hall, the Animal Control Shelter or your veterinarian. Additional questions should be directed to the Animal Control Shelter, 222 East Locust, El Dorado, or by calling 316-322-8844.

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New Water Services

If you are new to El Dorado, or just changing your address in town, new water, sewer and refuse service sign-up is available at El Dorado City Hall. First-time service requires that you come to City Hall and provide driver’s license and social security numbers. In addition, a $15.00 connect fee is charged for all first-time customers and all existing customers changing their service address (name change and change of mailing address is done free of charge). The City offers same-day connection, and you will receive a 6-month supply of black refuse bags and clear recycle bags when you sign up for service. Change of service or mailing address, change of name, termination of services or questions about your bill may be handled over the phone by calling 316-321-9100.

For billing purposes, the City is divided into two cycles, north and south. The north cycle consists of all residences and businesses located north of Central Avenue, excluding Township Village, and the south cycle consists of all located south of Central, plus Township Village. North-side meters are read between the 20th and the 5th, and bills are mailed out on the 5th of each month (excluding weekends and holidays). North-side bills are due on the 20th of each month, after which a 5% penalty will be assessed. If payment still has not been received eight to ten days after the 20th (and other arrangements have not been made), your water service will be disconnected. If your water is disconnected, you will be charged a $15.00 reconnect fee to have your service reinstated. Similarly, south-side bills are read between the 5th and 20th, billed on the 20th and due by the 5th of the following month. For current water and sewer rate tables, click here; for refuse information and rates, click here. For additional billing information, call 316-321-9100, ext. 115, or email to carol@eldoks.com.

In addition to new water service, applications for the installation of new water meters (new construction, additional meter for a sprinkler system or upgrade of existing meter) can also be made at City Hall. Prices for new meters are as follows:

    • 1" meter - $450.00
    • Larger - Materials + Labor

For additional information on new water meters, such as location of meter or installation schedule, can be directed to Water Distribution Superintendent Zeke Reed at 316-321-9100, ext. 244, or email to zreed@eldoks.com.

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Trash Bag Sales

Black refuse bags and clear recycle bags are distributed twice a year, in March and September, enough bags for six months. In the event this is not enough bags to last until the next distribution, additional bags are available at El Dorado City Hall, 220 East First, El Dorado. Each residence is allowed two black bags and unlimited recycle bags each week for collection. If additional refuse is generated, it must be placed in orange volume bags for collection, available at El Dorado City Hall. Bag prices are as follows:

    • Black Refuse Bags - $4.00 for 50 Bags
    • Orange Volume Bags - $5.00 for 10 Bags
    • Clear Recycle Bags - FREE

For more information, call Refuse Superintendent Brad Meyer at 316-321-9100, ext. 175, email to bmeyer@eldoks.com or visit their web page.

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Vendor Stand & Door-to-Door Peddler Permits

All salespersons wishing to sell products either door-to-door or at a temporary stand are required to come to El Dorado City Hall, fill out a permit and pay a fee. A Kansas Sales Tax number is required for all peddler permits. Fees are as follows:

    • Vendor Stand - $50.00/day
    • Door-to-Door - $50.00/day

For additional information, contact City Clerk Kendra Porter at 316-321-9100, ext. 105, or email to kendra@eldoks.com.

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Cereal Malt Beverage & Liquor Licenses

It is unlawful for any person or business to sell any cereal malt beverage (CMB) or alcoholic liquor at retail, for consumption either on or off premise, without a license for each place of business. All applications for new and renewed licenses are directed to the City Clerk (subject to approval by the governing body) and require proof of appropriate Kansas State licensing. All licenses are good for a one-year period, except temporary CMB licenses, which are valid for an 18-hour period. License fees are as follows:

    • CMB General Retailer - $200.00
    • CMB Case Retailer - $100.00
    • Temporary CMB - $25.00
    • Alcoholic Liquor Distributor - $900.00
    • Beer Distributor - $100.00
    • Alcoholic Liquor Retailers - $300.00
    • Class A & B Clubs - $250.00
    • Drinking Establishments - $250.00
    • Caterer - $250.00

For more information, contact City Clerk Kendra Porter at 316-321-9100, ext. 105, or email to kendra@eldoks.com.

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Custodianship of Public Records

It is the policy of the City of El Dorado that all public records that are made, maintained or kept by or are in the possession of the City, its officers and employees, shall be open for public inspection as provided by, and subject to the restrictions imposed by, the Kansas Open Records Act. Any person, upon written request, shall have access to such open public records for the purpose of inspecting, abstracting or copying such records while they are in the possession, custody and control of the City Clerk or her designated representative. Standard copies are available for $0.50 each; substandard reproductions are available for the actual cost of reproducing. Click here to access the El Dorado Municipal Code on-line. For additional information, contact City Clerk Kendra Porter at 316-321-9100, ext. 105, or email to kendra@eldoks.com.

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Depot Reservations

The City of El Dorado Depot, 430 N. Main, El Dorado, is available for rent to the general public for special events. Rental requests are available at El Dorado City Hall, and usage of the facility is subject to the following provisions:

    1. The use of the facility must be confined to that stated in the written request.
    2. The person(s) signing the agreement for the use of the facility will be responsible for all persons entering the facility which they are using, regardless of whether or not all those entering are members of the group which has been permitted to use the facility.
    3. Only the specific sections of the facility mentioned in the agreement are to be used by the group, including the community room, kitchen and restrooms.
    4. Use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, illegal drugs or disorderly conduct is strictly prohibited.
    5. All groups must observe all regulations in the rental of the facility. A deposit fee of $50.00 is required at the time the facility is reserved. When the building key is returned and the building and its contents are found to be in acceptable condition based on the provided checklist, the deposit will be returned.
    6. A rental fee of $25.00 per event must be paid in advance to the City. Failure to pay the rental fee amount will be grounds to deny the use of the facility by the group or organization. Not-for-profit organizations will be exempt from paying the rental fee unless that organization is holding a moneymaking event.
    7. Organizations using the facility must be supervised by an adequate number of adult sponsors to assure proper care and use of the facility. The City reserves the right to refuse use of the facility to groups that consist largely of youth if they feel it is in the best interest of the City to do so.
    8. The person(s) or group(s) making application for facility use shall agree to reimburse the City for any property damage or cleanup required to the facility or for any theft that occurs.
    9. Nothing is to be attached to the walls without prior permission of the City. No nails, screws or tape may be placed on painted surfaces. Open-flamed candles are prohibited unless given special permission and a permit issued by the El Dorado Fire Department.
    10. There may be additional written or stated guidelines issued to regulate facility usage, depending on the event.
    11. The City of El Dorado may refuse to open or grant access for any and all purposes.

For more information and Depot availability, contact Donna Gragg at 316-321-9100, or email to donna@eldoks.com.

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Dump Truck Reservations

The El Dorado Public Works Department offers dump trucks to its residential customers year-round. Program guidelines are as follows:

    • There will be a $15.00 charge to defray landfill costs.
    • Property must be located within the El Dorado City limits.
    • The truck will be dropped off at 4:30 PM and picked up at 8:00 AM (customers are not allowed to move the truck during this time).
    • Trucks may be reserved Monday through Thursday nights only.
    • Customers should plan to have a full load before requesting the truck – consider combining with neighbors.
    • Depending upon availability, there may be a required two-week waiting period for persons wanting the truck more than once.
    • Trucks are available to property owners for cleanup of waste and disposal of debris – they are not available to contractors, roofers, etc., for remodeling or construction wastes.
    • Tires and appliances are strictly prohibited.

For more information or truck availability, call Darcia Beavers at 316-321-9100, ext. 181, or email to darcia@eldoks.com.

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Miscellaneous

Additional functions and services are provided:

For additional information on any of the above items, contact City Clerk Kendra Porter at 316-321-9100, ext. 105, or email to kendra@eldoks.com.

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