By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
As the filing deadline passed June 1, there was far more
interest in 2022 to file for the Barton County Commission than the Great Bend
City Council.
There are nine candidates that filed for the three county commission positions
up for election this year. On the city council, there are four candidates for
four seats and all four of them are the incumbents.
Each Barton County Commissioner receives a salary and benefits package for
serving on the board. City councilmembers do not get paid.
City councilmember Lindsey Krom-Craven was asked if it was time to look into
low-cost incentives for residents to serve on the city council.
"I've mentioned previously things like a swim pass that their family can use," said Krom-Craven. "Things that the city already funds. Employees already have the family membership to Club 1 Fitness...I've talked about extending that to councilmembers."
Krom-Craven also suggested councilmembers getting electronic tablets to view
agendas and documents during meetings instead of paper documents.
Great Bend Mayor Cody Schmidt told Krom-Craven the topic could be discussed
with himself and City Administrator Kendal Francis.