By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
When Kendal Francis arrived to Great Bend in July 2018 to take over as city administrator, he came at a time when the city was somewhat divided and still getting over a sour confrontation between a former police chief and city administrator. Francis has been able to hold the reigns along the city’s path past the rockiness the past four years, but his time as manager will close Jan. 6, 2023 with his resignation.
Francis announced his
decision at Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting, and Mayor Cody Schmidt
acknowledged Francis’ resignation has not been easy on anyone and the city has
quite the process in front of them.
"We will do everything in our power to make sure the city continues to move in the right direction," said Schmidt. "In the next 35 days I will be in every meeting possible. We will do what is right for this city to replace Kendal."
In September, the city council gathered in four separate executive sessions, totaling
95 minutes, to discuss Francis’ contract. While the governing body determined
to give Francis a two-percent raise at that time, there was no extension to his
contract, meaning his contract was set to end Aug. 5, 2023.
Francis was able to find a city administrator role in Hutchinson, thus resigning before his contract ended.
"I just want to personally thank you, Kendal, for the time I've had with you," said Schmidt. "We've worked really well together. I wish you nothing but the best in your next journey forward."
While an update on the search for Francis’ replacement will happen at the
Dec. 19 meeting, the city did approve the hiring of Logan
Burns as assistant city administrator in November. The assistant administrator
position was vacant for several years prior to Burns accepting the job after
serving as the city’s building official the last three-plus years.