The start of the new year brings new leadership to the Great Bend City Council as it welcomed a new mayor for the first time in six years, along with three new council members at its inaugural 2026 meeting on Monday, Jan. 5.
"Welcome new mayor and city council members," said City Administrator Logan Burns. "Thank you for your call to public service. I'm excited for 2026 and what we're going to be able to do this year."
Alan Moeder was sworn in as the 38th Mayor of Great Bend and will serve a two-year term following Cody Schmidt’s six-year tenure. Moeder represented Ward One as a councilmember for the last six years before winning the mayoral election in November. A lifelong resident of Great Bend, Moeder is a self-made businessman, owning Moeder Plumbing, Heating, and Air for 43 years.
Also taking their oaths were council members Shelly Peacock, Jay Luerman, Shelly Arnberger and Rickee Maddox.
Peacock, another Great Bend native, will represent Ward One. Peacock has been on the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as well as a small business owner in town. Most recently, she opened a romance centric bookstore, “The Velvet Bookmark,” with Chamber President Megan Barfield on Main Street.
Representing Ward Two is Jay Luerman who has lived in Great Bend since 2016. He is the Vice-President, Regional Manager and Commercial and Ag Loan Officer at the Bank of the Plains. An active member of the community, Luerman has been a part of eight local organizations and groups boards.
Shelly Arnberger, another long-term Great Bend resident, will take her seat in the third ward. Arnberger has worked as a tax-preparer for 25 years and has owned her own office for the last eight. Along with her husband, she has also owned a construction company for 21 years. Arnberger has been involved in various organizations and is the current chair for the Smoky Hills Television Board.
Incumbent Ward Four representative Rickee Maddox retook her oath as she secured another term in November’s election.
Remaining council members include Gary Parr (Ward One), Kevyn Soupiset (Ward Two), Davis Jiminez (Ward Three) and Tina Mingenback (Ward Four).
Outgoing Mayor Schmidt and council members Jolene Biggs and Cory Urban were also recognized for their years of service at Monday’s meeting.
"With the recognition of outgoing council members I want to extend a sincere thank you to Cory Urban, Cody Schmidt and Jolene Biggs for your years of public service," said Burns. "It's been a pleasure to serve with you, with you three for sure. I'm very grateful for everything you've done for me and the city."
City Council meetings are held the first and third Monday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall (1209 Williams) and are open to the public.