By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Following an appointment to office in February 2020, Junior Welsch ended his term on the Great Bend City Council Monday night. When no one filed for the Ward 4 spot in the General Election, an interview committee accepted applications from interested individuals before recommending Welsch.
Welsch, the
Garfield, KS native and Great Bend resident for nearly 30 years, was
recognized at the meeting for his service.
"It's been a pleasure working with all of you," said Welsch. "I've learned a lot. I hope to continue to help in the future if anyone needs anything."
Asked if he had any final comments before exiting, Welsch felt choosing a new
retirement plan for fire and police employees should be left to the voters.
This past election saw a .20% sales tax increase pass to bolster the pension
plans for first responders. The city is now determining if they should keep
their current retirement provider Mission Square or switch to Kansas Police
& Fire (KP&F).
"Instead of voting on it too soon, put it back to November's election," said Welsch. "We have a year. Let everyone see the different breakdowns of what it's going to cost the city and the taxpayers. Let that come back to them because they are the ones that voted to do it."
No one filed for the Ward 4 seat again this past November, but Natalie Towns won the spot after receiving eight write-in votes.
Towns was sworn into office Monday along with re-elected councilmembers Alan Moeder, Cory Urban and Jolene Biggs. Mayor Cody Schmidt took the oath of office prior to the meeting as he begins his second term.
Biggs was voted as the president of the council to serve in the temporary absence of the mayor if needed.