Great Bend will have a new mayor and three new city council members in January. Alan Moeder was elected as the next Mayor of Great Bend in the Nov. 4 general election. The unofficial election night results showed Moeder received 1,322 votes and challenger Davis Jimenez received 604 votes. There were also 21 write-in votes for a total of 1,947. That equates to 68% of the votes going to Moeder.

Moeder pointed out that voter turnout was better than two years, when fewer than 1,400 votes were cast in the mayoral race.

“I’m glad people turned out and voted,” he said. 

With Mayor Cody Schmidt deciding not to seek another term, the office was open for a new mayor. Moeder has served on the Great Bend City Council for six years. Jimenez is also a councilman. 

“I’m all about trying to make Great Bend better,” Moeder said. Moeder said he will continue to strive to make Great Bend better.

The election night report shows 17,048 registered voters in Barton County. With 3,171 ballots cast (and one blank ballot), that equates to a turnout of 18.6%.

In Great Bend City Council races:

Ward 1 - Shelly Peacock received 247 votes and Deklyn Craven received 131.

Ward 2 - Jay Juerman received 572 votes and Charlie Dixon received 230.

Ward 3 - Shelly A. Arnberger received 345 votes and Cody Harris received 182.

Ward 4- The only incumbent running for city council was Rickee Maddox, who was unopposed and received 172 votes.