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City asks County to share more tax info
city tax pie chart 2025
This pie chart shows the 2025 anticipated ad valorem taxes to be levied in Barton County. The up or down arrows indicate whether entities requested more or less money than in 2024.

Here is a quick look at action taken by the Great Bend City Council on Dec. 15:

• After a presentation from Gallagher, the council approved the 2026 Property & Casualty Insurance renewal.

• The council approved forgiving the loan to SRCA (Sunflower Rod and Custom Association) for $124,195. During the budget work session in July, discussions were had with the council to forgive the loan given to SRCA during the construction of the previous dragstrip for the concrete crash walls. SRCA previously paid $16,000 of the loan at 0% interest.

• The council approved starting the notice and protest period for a pool general obligation bond.

• The council approved the JEO Consulting design contract for the pool for $705,000, with additional costs up to $150,000.

• Tax levy discussion was on the agenda at the request of Councilwoman Jolene Biggs, who presented a City of Great Bend pie chart showing the county's 2025 property taxes. The information was obtained from the Barton County Treasurer’s Office. This chart is aimed at Great Bend taxpayers, as opposed to a chart for the county as a whole that was sent out with tax statements. Biggs made a motion for the City to ask the County to provide a chart that shows Great Bend specifically. The motion passed 5-3, with councilmemebers Cory Urban, Gary Parr and Davis Jimenez voting against.

Weighing in from the audience were Barton County Treasurer Jim Jordan and County Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson.