By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The City of Great Bend is anticipating another large sum of funding to
come their way from the federal government as an additional disbursement of COVID-19
pandemic relief. Last year it was announced that Great Bend would be awarded
more than $2.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. An installment
of $1.1 million came their way last summer and Great Bend expects the final
disbursement of $1.1 million to arrive in July.
When discussing future city projects at this week’s Great Bend City Council
work session, councilmember Alan Moeder noted he wanted to make sure there is
money available to cover the new police station to be built.
"I know these projects are here, but I'm not in favor of doing anything until we figure out how we're going to fund the police station," said Moeder. "I don't want to commit to anything else until we figure out the police station."
Inflation expenses have pushed the projected price of the 20,100 square-foot
police station to over $9.1 million.
The city council discussed contributing portions of the ARPA funds towards a basketball
court at Brit Spaugh Park, automated meter reading for water meters, police surveillance
cameras and Heizer Park improvements.
Great Bend City Administrator Kendal
Francis reiterated to the governing body that a condition assessment and
drainage study of the city’s storm water system is a priority.
"You've seen what the streets are like when we get heavy rains," said Francis. "They're holding water and we get localized flooding. The water isn't getting away for some reason. That's either we're undersized, have damages or blockages or a combination of things. Until we truly know what the condition is, we can't put together a plan to fix it."
The city awarded $1 million of the ARPA funding to Great Bend Economic
Development to fuel an incentive program for downtown loft renovations.
The city council expressed interest in phasing in improvements, but to be
mindful of the final budget expected to come in a couple of months for the new police station.