By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
As discussed in 2021, the Great Bend Recreation Commission made a plan to increase their tax rate to stay competitive with staff wages. The Rec Commission Board was able to follow through on the move Monday by approving $110,500 in wage increases for the GBRC staff. Board Member Dr. Jon Pike made the motion that was approved with a 4-0 vote.
"We made a motion to approve $110,500 to appropriate wage increases for administration, supervisory and seasonal staff effective July 1, 2024," said Pike.
The Great Bend Rec increased their mill levy by one mill in the 2022-2023 budget from 8.75 mills to 9.75. At that time, administration noted the increase was to invest in their employees.
RELATED STORY: Great Bend Rec approves $227,000 more in taxes for 2024
Before this year’s budget, the Great Bend Recreation Commission was given a Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) of 8.595 to collect the same amount of tax dollars as the year prior. The Rec Board approved a motion to exceed the RNR and distribute a 9.75 mill levy to taxpayers, thus collecting an additional $227,000 in tax dollars for the 2024 fiscal budget compared to the year before.