By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend City Council officially approved the Quality of Life
Capital Improvement Plan this week, and now the city can get started on
projects, some as early as this year.
The .15% sales tax increase approved last November began receiving collections
this past summer. Great Bend projected to receive $330,500 in 2022 from the tax
revenue. With three months of tax collections to go in 2022, the city is
approximately $94,000 shy of its goal.
City Administrator Kendal Francis said sales tax collections are going better
than expected this year.
"Any excess funds would be accounted for," said Francis. "We would put a line in for our budget or accounting that shows the excess. The projects are best estimates, but they could easily go over in some aspects. The lighting on the walking trail at Vet's Park, depending on if we do the entire path, we could exceed that amount."
In 2022, Great Bend has funds allocated for several projects including park
bathroom improvements, lighting at Veterans Memorial Park walking trail,
sidewalk cost share program, fish habitat at local lakes, Christmas lights
improvements, paintball course and a Brit Spaugh Park project.
After a full year of tax collections in 2023, the city expects to receive
$567,000.
Other projects listed on the 10-year master plan include dog park improvements, splash pad, shooting range, extend the walk/bike path, Brit Spaugh Zoo improvements, turf replacement, skate park repairs and bathrooms at Langrehr Field.