By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
A half-cent sales tax in Great Bend has been in effect since 2000. Today voters will decide on whether or not to renew the tax, a source of revenue that is disbursed to three areas for the city.
Great Bend City Administrator Logan Burns said revenue from the tax is distributed to public safety upgrades at 45%, property tax relief receives 35% and 20% goes to economic development.
"If it doesn't pass, there'd be property taxes that would have to go up, or there will be serious Fire and EMS cuts to make budget," said Burns.
A “yes” vote will renew the half-cent sales tax and keep Great Bend’s overall sales tax at 8.7%. Based off of 2023 numbers, the half-cent sales tax generated approximately $2.4 million.