Great Bend local news summary

Council approves design contract for $9.1 million pool project

Protest period initiated for pool general obligation bonds

Council Member Parr Demands Answers on Innovation Center Project

Insurance premiums rise nearly 10 percent amid high property claims

City forgives $124,000 loan to SRCA Dragstrip

NHRA official announces major events for 2026 track reopening

Tourism report shows $53 million economic impact

Holiday festival and parade draw crowds despite cold

Appraiser warns of tax shift due to personal property exemptions

Data highlight local housing affordability

Coalition succeeds in removing lesser prairie chicken from endangered list

Water conservation and sediment issues debated

Council approves design contract for $9.1 million pool project

GREAT BEND, Kan. — The city council unanimously voted to approve a design contract with JEO Consulting Group for a new municipal swimming pool, a project estimated to cost approximately $9.15 million. The council authorized $705,000 for the design phase, along with a $150,000 allowance for project representation. The concept design features a 215-foot lazy river, a "fly time" slide, a 31-foot tall open body slide, diving boards and eight competition lanes, with construction slated to begin in September 2026 for a May 2027 opening. While supporting the measure, one council member noted public concerns regarding spending millions on a pool rather than street infrastructure, though City Administrator Logan Burns clarified that the project is funded by the specific Quality of Life sales tax, which cannot be diverted to road repairs.

Protest period initiated for pool general obligation bonds

GREAT BEND, Kan. — To fund the upcoming pool renovation, the council unanimously approved a resolution initiating a statutory notice and protest period. This legal step allows the city to issue general obligation bonds, expected to result in an annual payment of approximately $566,000 over 20 years, paid for by the existing 0.15 percent Quality of Life sales tax. If 5 percent of the electors who voted in the last general election file a protest petition within 30 days, the bond issue would be forced to a public vote; otherwise, the funding mechanism will proceed as planned.

Council Member Parr Demands Answers on Innovation Center Project

GREAT BEND, Kan. — Tensions flared at the Great Bend City Council meeting this week as Council member Gary Parr issued a stern rebuke regarding the stalled Innovation Center project, following a public apology and clarification session concerning the city's relationship with Great Bend Economic Development (GBED). Parr directed pointed questions at the GBED board, highlighting a reported $4 million funding shortfall that has left the Innovation Center building unfinished. "We’ve got a building out there, half-finished, with the roof blowing in the wind," Parr stated, calling for immediate transparency. He demanded that the GBED board explain to taxpayers why the project is significantly over budget and how the allocated funds have been managed thus far.

The council member's comments followed a "clarification session" intended to resolve confusion about the City's oversight role. During this session, Mayor Cody Schmidt issued a public apology to Great Bend Tribune reporter Andrew Murphy for previously blocking questions regarding the city's ties to the Economic Development board. While GBED Director Jason Kuilan has previously described the project as a "calculated risk" reliant on grant funding timelines, Parr insists that the current state of the project—and the financial gap—requires a more direct explanation from the board's long-standing members.

Insurance premiums rise nearly 10 percent amid high property claims

GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Great Bend City Council has approved the 2026 property and casualty insurance renewal with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., accepting a 9.84 percent increase in premiums. Mike Minton, a representative for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., explained that while the wider municipal market is showing signs of stabilizing, Great Bend’s premiums are being driven by a difficult property market and the city's specific loss history. Minton noted that over the last five years, the city has experienced a 300 percent loss ratio. This means that for every $1 the insurance carriers collected in premiums from the city, they paid out $3 in claims. Despite the cost increase, the renewal includes a significant boost in protection, raising the city's cyber liability coverage from $1 million to $2 million.

City forgives $124,000 loan to SRCA Dragstrip

GREAT BEND, Kan. — The council voted 8-0 to forgive the remaining balance of a loan previously issued to the SRCA Dragstrip for the construction of concrete crash walls. The original loan totaled roughly $156,000, with SRCA making annual interest-free payments; however, with the major reconstruction of the track currently underway, the city moved to wipe the remaining $124,195 debt. This administrative step clears the financial slate as the facility prepares for a major relaunch following significant bond-funded improvements.

NHRA official announces major events for 2026 track reopening

GREAT BEND, Kan. — Nick Duty, West Central region director for the National Hot Rod Association, addressed the council to express gratitude for the city's support of the SRCA Dragstrip renovations. Duty announced that following the track's reconstruction, SRCA will host a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event in 2026—one of only 30 tracks nationwide to do so—as well as a Nostalgia Heritage Series race on July 4 weekend. Duty highlighted the historical significance of the venue, noting that SRCA hosted the very first NHRA national event in 1955.

Tourism report shows $53 million economic impact

GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Convention and Visitors Bureau presented its annual report, revealing that visitor spending in Barton County reached $53 million in 2024. The data indicated that tourism supported 677 jobs in the area and generated $5.5 million in state and local taxes. Bureau staff also noted they are working on updated promotional materials, including a refresh of the "Great People, Great Places, Great Bend" cinema advertising campaign.

Holiday festival and parade draw crowds despite cold

GREAT BEND, Kan. — Public Relations Director Addison Crites reported on the 20th annual Home for the Holidays Festival, noting that despite strong winds and cold temperatures, the event was a success. The "Holiday Movie Madness" parade featured 38 entries, with Barton Community College taking "Best in Parade" and Encounter Church winning "Best Theme." The Trail of Lights has already seen over 1,000 cars pass through, and the downtown ice skating rink drew hundreds of residents.

Appraiser warns of tax shift due to personal property exemptions

BARTON COUNTY, Kan. - County Appraiser Wendy Prosser reported that House Bill 2231, exempting certain personal property from taxation starting in 2026, will have a significant impact on the county's assessed value. Prosser calculated that Barton County would need 35 new homes valued at $250,000 each to be built in 2026 solely to offset the revenue lost from exemptions on items such as watercraft, boat trailers and golf carts. She cautioned that while the changes are billed as tax relief, they effectively shift the tax burden onto real estate owners to maintain current budget levels.

Data highlight local housing affordability

BARTON COUNTY, Kan. - During discussion regarding the 50th Annual Kansas Association of Counties conference, commissioners highlighted data suggesting Barton County maintains a high standard of living relative to housing costs. Statistics presented indicated that on an average salary, a Barton County resident can afford the equivalent of 1.4 houses, whereas residents in other parts of Kansas can afford only 0.75 of a home. Officials cited these figures as evidence of the local economy's strength despite ongoing concerns regarding property taxes.

Coalition succeeds in removing lesser prairie chicken from endangered list

BARTON COUNTY, Kan. - Commissioners received an update on the Kansas Natural Resource Coalition (KNRC), which recently succeeded in litigation to remove the lesser prairie chicken from the endangered species list. The KNRC, which represents roughly 32 rural Kansas counties, also reported success in lobbying against proposed EPA Meat and Poultry Products Effluent Guidelines that would have negatively impacted small packing plants and poultry producers. The commission noted that the coalition is growing, with 15 additional counties expressing interest in joining.

Water conservation and sediment issues debated

BARTON COUNTY, Kan. - Following the 50th Annual Kansas Association of Counties conference, commissioners discussed the stark differences in water challenges facing western versus eastern Kansas. While eastern Kansas is struggling with reservoirs filling with sediment—specifically Tuttle Creek Reservoir, which is now 47 percent full of sediment—Barton County faces the depletion of the Great Bend Prairie aquifer. Commissioners emphasized that unlike surface water, the Great Bend Prairie aquifer relies on rainfall for recharge, making conservation essential for the region's agricultural viability.

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