Great Bend City Council
Week of May 10, 2026
Mayor rejects request for open council comments, citing need for prior notice
City tests restrictive ambulance transport policy amid equipment woes
Economic development leader requests $400,000 for upcoming fiscal year
Innovation center construction resumes, expanding childcare options
Council approves land donation to incentivize single-family housing
City prepares to bid out $2 million in 2026 street projects
Municipal pool set for mid-August closure ahead of renovations
Event center power grid receives free upgrade through easement deal
Drag strip tower nears completion ahead of summer racing season
Mayor rejects request for open council comments, citing need for prior notice
GREAT BEND, Kan. - Tensions flared after City Councilmember Davis Jimenez requested a permanent agenda item for open council comments to address citizen questions. Mayor Alan Moeder denied the request, stating that any discussion items must be submitted by the Tuesday before a meeting so information can be distributed and the council is not "blindsided." While Jimenez, who recently announced he will not seek reelection in November, and Councilmember Gary Parr argued citizens frequently ask questions that require public discussion, Moeder emphasized that officials can contact the city administrator directly for inquiries, adding that the council does not need to bring minor issues to public meetings without prior notice.
City tests restrictive ambulance transport policy amid equipment woes
GREAT BEND, Kan. - The city is running a two-month pilot program that restricts ambulance transports exclusively to the closest medical facility. Fire Chief Brent Smith explained the policy was triggered by severe maintenance issues — at one point leaving the city with only two functional ambulances — as well as staffing concerns. Under the new rules, patients in Great Bend will be transported to The University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus. Those requesting a transfer to another hospital will be told they must arrange their own transportation or refuse city service, as extra travel time keeps ambulances unavailable for local emergencies.
Economic development leader requests $400,000 for upcoming fiscal year
GREAT BEND, Kan. - Great Bend Economic Development Inc. Executive Director Jason Kuilan presented a quarterly financial update to the city council, announcing a funding request of $400,000 for the upcoming 2027 fiscal year. The request marks a $50,000 increase from the previous year's $350,000 allocation. Council members will review the funding document in a future work study session to evaluate the proposed budget, which supports ongoing downtown revitalization events like Fridays on Forest and the upcoming Big Bend Bash.
Innovation center construction resumes, expanding childcare options
GREAT BEND, Kan. - Construction on the city's Innovation Center has officially resumed, with crews pouring concrete and hanging sheetrock to meet a mid-September grant deadline. A major component of the center will be a new childcare facility designed to alleviate the massive waitlist at an existing childcare provider. Officials are currently exploring logistics for the center to offer non-traditional, after-hours and overnight care. Additionally, the city plans to apply for a private foundation grant to fund a commercial incubator kitchen to feed the children at both locations.
Council approves land donation to incentivize single-family housing
GREAT BEND, Kan. - In a 7-0 vote with one abstention, the city council approved an agreement to donate a city-owned residential lot to Brentwood Builders for the construction of a single-family home. Modeled after a previous agreement with Keller Real Estate, Brentwood Builders will place funds into an escrow account, which the city will return once a certificate of occupancy is issued. To keep the project moving, the builder must pull a permit within 90 days of closing and finish the home within one year.
City prepares to bid out $2 million in 2026 street projects
GREAT BEND, Kan. - The city will put approximately $2 million in 2026 street repair projects out for bid this week, with contract action likely taking place in July. City Administrator Logan Burns also announced the city has submitted multiple state grant applications to address deteriorating roads, including a Kansas Department of Transportation application for 10th Street repairs from McKinley to Harrison and a separate application for Main Street repairs spanning from 10th to 19th Street.
Municipal pool set for mid-August closure ahead of renovations
GREAT BEND, Kan. - The municipal swimming pool will close in mid-August to allow construction to begin on long-awaited renovations. City Administrator Logan Burns confirmed that 90 percent of the project review will be completed in June, with the project going out to bid in July. While the August closure coincides with the typical loss of college-aged lifeguards returning to school, officials noted they are eager to start the construction phase as soon as possible, with heavy work slated to begin by September.
Event center power grid receives free upgrade through easement deal
GREAT BEND, Kan. - The Great Bend Event Center, the new hotel and a nearby restaurant will soon benefit from a redundant power loop designed to quickly restore electricity during outages. The city council unanimously approved a zero-cost easement allowing Wheatland Electric to install an underground line along the canal behind the event center on city park land. City Attorney Allen Glendenning noted that Wheatland will cover all wiring and future maintenance responsibilities for the infrastructure.
Drag strip tower nears completion ahead of summer racing season
GREAT BEND, Kan. - The SRCA Drag Strip tower is nearing its final stages of completion following a punch list walk-through with architects and engineers this week. City Administrator Logan Burns noted that only the second-floor epoxy remains to be finished, which will be completed after the first summer race. The city will host a ribbon-cutting and open house in collaboration with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce on May 14 at 3 p.m. to unveil the new track and tower to the public.
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