By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
According to the profit/loss report the Golden Belt Humane Society submitted to the City of Great Bend, the animal shelter showed a loss of more than $62,000 in 2023. The Humane Society relies on funding from the city, Barton County, donations and grants.
While the City of Great Bend contributes more than three times the funding to the Humane Society compared to the county, Golden Belt offers animal control and other services to the entire county. Great Bend City Council member Alan Moeder voiced concern for Great Bend residents.
"When the city pays for something and the county pays for something, the city people are paying for it twice," said Moeder. "That really bothers me. We're paying our county taxes and paying our city taxes. We're helping you out twice. Somehow, someway, we have to figure this out that the county throws more money in."
In 2024, the City of Great Bend contributed $107,500 to the Humane Society as an outside agency request. Barton County contributed $31,500 this year. The majority of calls handled by Golden Belt in 2023 came from within Great Bend city limits, 1,175 from Great Bend compared to 198 around the county.
Humane Society Board of Directors member Jim Welch said the cost of basic animal care has increased over the years.
"The city first started funding the Humane Society in 2009," said Welch. "Before that, the Humane Society had no help from the city or county. It was all on a donation basis or the Board of Directors put money out of their pocket to keep it running."
Golden Belt requested an increase in their 2025 budget, asking for $115,500 from Great Bend and $40,000 from Barton County.
"If it's county-wide, then the county should take care of it," said Moeder. "If it's city-wide, then only the city should take care of it. That's how I feel about it."
"We appreciate everything the city does and everything the county does," replied Welch. "I see your point, but trying to get the county to move on this situation might be a little difficult."