By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Several mayoral, city council, and school board seats were determined in Tuesday's General Election. Fewer than 19 percent of registered voters in Barton County turned out to vote, but the electors in Great Bend have selected a new mayor. In a battle of current city council members, Alan Moeder collected 1,322 votes (68 percent), compared to 604 votes for Davis Jimenez. All results are unofficial until canvassed by a board of commissioners next week.
The mayoral race in Hoisington featured three candidates. Chris Kinman will keep his seat after garnering 293 votes (78 percent), compared to 58 votes for Scott Fleming and 22 votes for E.D. Bivens. Ellinwood Mayor Irlan Fullbright ran uncontested.
Most Great Bend City Council seats were contested in Tuesday's election. In Ward 1, Shelly Peacock collected 247 votes (65 percent) to defeat Deklyn Craven's 131 votes. In Ward 2, Jay Luerman earned 572 votes (71 percent) to defeat Charlie Dixon's 230 votes. In Ward 3, Shelly Arnberger garnered 345 votes (65 percent) compared to 182 votes for Cody Harris. Rickee Maddox ran uncontested in Ward 4.
The Barton Community College Board of Trustees race featured seven candidates with just three spots available. Carl Helm (1,571 votes), John Mosier (1,308 votes), and Kimberly Becker (1,266 votes) were each elected. Other finishers were: Billy Eldridge (1,121), Amber Smith (960), Kyle Zoellner (794), and Will Rains (694).
Cottonwood Extension's Board was one of the tightest races of the day. Jenice Williams collected 2,234 votes (52 percent) to narrowly defeat Alexa Straub by just 207 votes.
Four candidates were vying for three open spots on the USD 428 Board of Education. Jacquie Disque (1,335), Sarah Schenek (1,276), and Barbara Thoren (1,227) were elected to those spots. Incumbent Chad Burroughs finished just 15 votes behind Thoren.
In Hoisington, Neil Ochs (342 votes), Sara Tarlton (300), and Traci Schneider (287) will keep their seats on the USD 431 Board of Education. Derek David finished with 196 votes.
In Pawnee County, fewer than 22 percent of registered voters turned out for the election. Voters had the option of amending the current one percent sales tax for healthcare services to be utilized for healthcare and furnishing and equipping county-supported public safety operations deemed necessary by the board of county commissioners. Fifty-seven percent of voters approved that amendment, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
As the lone candidate, William Nusser will retain his mayoral seat in Larned with 97 percent of the vote. All three Larned City Council seats were uncontested. Four candidates were vying for three seats on the Burdett City Council. Maggie Burkhart led the way with 51 votes, followed by Joe Miller with 50, and Tracy Hands with 48. Rebecca Doyle pulled in 13 votes.