Luerman elected council president

Council clashes over new reporting restrictions

Major failure reported at wastewater treatment plant

Water and sewer rates to increase

Ordinance passes to penalize intentional meter damage

Facebook comments re-enabled for council streams

New operator secured for motocross track

The Lofts at Zarah project continues despite rumors

Commission moves to expand Barton County Fire District No. 2

Criminal case filings surpass 500 for first time since 2018

Attorney shortage causing court delays and reliance on outside counsel

County attorney reports rise in fentanyl and cocaine cases

Great Bend USD 428 to partner with Kiwanis for expanded drug education

Luerman elected council president

GREAT BEND, Kan. - In a split vote, the council elected Jay Luerman as the new president of the council. Luerman was nominated for the position against fellow council member Kevyn Soupiset. As council president, Luerman will be responsible for presiding over meetings and performing mayoral duties in the event of the mayor's temporary absence.

Council clashes over new reporting restrictions

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Tension arose during the meeting when Mayor Alan Moeder announced a procedural change restricting council member reports solely to updates on boards and commissions they officially serve on. The mayor stated that members would no longer be allowed to speak freely on non-agenda items during the report section to prevent others from being "blindsided." One council member pushed back, arguing that representatives should be able to speak freely on behalf of citizens, but the mayor maintained that topics must be added to the agenda by the Tuesday prior to the meeting.

Major failure reported at wastewater treatment plant

GREAT BEND, Kan. - City Administrator Logan Burns and Utilities Director Darren Doonan reported a critical failure at the wastewater treatment plant after the metal holding the top control arm of the secondary clarifier separated from the pivot point. The facility is now operating on a single clarifier, a situation Burns noted "won't be pretty" if the remaining unit fails. Doonan stated that while they hope to perform a temporary repair, the components are beyond their 20-to-25-year lifespan, and a permanent solution will be very costly.

Water and sewer rates to increase

GREAT BEND, Kan. - The council unanimously approved Resolution 011926, adopting the master fee schedule for the upcoming year. While most fees remained unchanged, the schedule includes a 3 percent increase for water rates and a 3.5 percent increase for sewer rates. City Clerk Shawna Schafer noted that the schedule also incorporates new charges for damages to water meters and interface units.

Ordinance passes to penalize intentional meter damage

GREAT BEND, Kan. - The council adopted Ordinance 4465, establishing financial responsibility for intentional damage to city-owned water meters, interface units and meter pits. Utilities Director Darren Doonan reported that staff is currently monitoring 10 accounts with suspected meter tampering or debris accumulation that interferes with operations. Violators will now face charges for the full cost of repairs, with a basic meter replacement costing at least $350 plus labor.

Facebook comments re-enabled for council streams

GREAT BEND, Kan. - City Administrator Logan Burns announced that the city has turned Facebook comments back on for live-streamed council meetings, reversing a decision by a previous administration. Burns cautioned that while the move is intended to improve transparency, the feature will be disabled again if the city encounters issues with harassment, spam or profanity.

New operator secured for motocross track

GREAT BEND, Kan. - The council approved an operating agreement with the M&P Project to manage motocross racing at the city's expo complex for the 2026 through 2028 seasons. The local group, led by Jon-Paul Powell and Ricky McMillan, replaces a previous out-of-town operator whose lease was terminated. Under the agreement, M&P Project will cover insurance and maintenance while paying the city a percentage of gross gate revenue, ranging from 2.5 percent to 5 percent over the course of the contract.

The Lofts at Zarah project continues despite rumors

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Addressing recent rumors, City Administrator Logan Burns reported that the contractor for The Lofts at Zarah project remains on the job and construction is active. Burns noted that roofers have been on-site, HVAC teams were present as recently as the day of the meeting, and the project is currently awaiting the delivery of front doors to enclose the structure. MyTown LP has also launched a website to provide updates on fundraising and construction progress.

Commission moves to expand Barton County Fire District No. 2

GREAT BEND, Kan. - The Barton County Commission unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-03, proposing the expansion of Barton County Fire District No. 2 to include Fairview, Grant and Wheatland townships, as well as the city of Galatia. County Administrator Matt Patzner explained that while the Hoisington Fire Department often responds to these areas, the expansion would formalize coverage and shift funding from individual township budget fees to a standardized taxing district. A public hearing regarding the expansion is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at the Barton County Courthouse.

Criminal case filings surpass 500 for first time since 2018

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Barton County Attorney Colin Reynolds reported to the commission that criminal case filings in the county reached 507 in 2025, a figure not seen since 2018. Reynolds described 2025 as a "rebuilding year" for his office following significant staff turnover and retirements, noting that the office is now fully staffed heading into 2026. He stated that the increase in filings demonstrates the office's commitment to utilizing resources effectively to address crime.

Attorney shortage causing court delays and reliance on outside counsel

GREAT BEND, Kan. - Criminal cases are taking longer than usual to resolve due to a statewide attorney shortage that is particularly acute in rural western Kansas, County Attorney Colin Reynolds informed commissioners. Reynolds noted that the roster of local court-appointed defense attorneys for high-level felonies is limited, necessitating coordination with the State Board of Indigents' Defense Services to secure counsel from Wichita and Kansas City. He warned that the lack of qualified legal professionals is an ongoing issue that will likely complicate the replacement of retiring staff in the future.

County attorney reports rise in fentanyl and cocaine cases

GREAT BEND, Kan. - While methamphetamine remains a significant issue in Barton County, County Attorney Colin Reynolds reported a concerning diversification in local drug crimes. Reynolds noted a resurgence in cocaine cases and an increasing prevalence of fentanyl usage, a trend that was less common in previous years. He emphasized that drug addiction continues to be the root cause of many property and violent crimes in the community.

Great Bend USD 428 to partner with Kiwanis for expanded drug education

GREAT BEND, Kan. - A new drug education initiative targeting fifth graders is moving forward following reported approval from Great Bend USD 428. The Kiwanis Club of Great Bend is organizing a "Say No to Meth" program that also addresses other substances. The school district has expressed interest in incorporating this curriculum into the existing Drug Abuse Resistance Education program to combat addiction at an early age.

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