The Great Bend Fire Department will promote Michael Reifschneider to Deputy Chief when Jim Schmeidler retires and steps down from that role at the end of the year, City Administrator Logan Burns announced Monday. “Congratulations to Michael and to Jim as well in his retirement. We’re thankful for his 31 years that he’s served the City of Great Bend and the Great Bend Fire Department.”
The announcement was made at the City Council meeting as Burns presented an update on what is happening within the City organization. Other items shared:
• Public Works staff will continue to spray for mosquitoes this week, on Monday and Thursday. With colder weather, spraying may soon be done, but the City will monitor the situation.
• The runway project at the airport was finished as of Oct. 17. The project entailed crack-filled, diamond grind and a slurry seal, followed by new paint marking. “It looks very good.”
• McKinley Street will be closed from Forest Ave. and Broadway Ave. this Friday, Oct. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. MyLawn! Turf and Tree will conduct a large tree removal at the practice of Dr. Donald Beahm at 3923 Broadway. “We will detour northbound traffic from Forest to Roosevelt, and then southbound traffic will go Taft to Lakin. We’ll also have the intersection lights flashing.”
• At the dragstrip, they are finishing some fine grading and cleanup in preparation for pavers. The next step will start Monday and then contractors plan to start paving the second week of November. Meanwhile, the City is taking bids on the dragstrip tower.
• The Citywide Cleanup continues through Sunday, Oct. 26. Accepted items can be dropped off at the Sunflower Diversified Services Recycing Center at 5605 10th St.
• Burns congratulated the GBHS Panther volleyball team for winning the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship this past weekend.
• The Kiwanis Halloween Parade will be Saturday at Jack Kilby Square, where Lakin Ave. will be shut down for Trunk or Treat.
• The Golden Belt Humane Society will have their annual garage sale Friday and Saturday at the Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St.
Parr suggests more money for first responders
Great Bend City Councilman Gary Parr said the City might want to take the money it has saved by not filling the Assistant Administrator position and put it to other uses. He shared his thoughts Monday.
The City has been without an assistant administrator since Logan Burns was promoted from that position to administrator. Parr said Burns and City Clerk Shawna Schafer have been handling things.
“In talking to a lot of different people, I think we should re-purpose that money to our police department, our fire department and the emergency services,” he said. “The money is sitting there. It hasn’t been used.” He said improving the pay or benefits of first responders might be a good recruitment tool and entice more people to stay.
“I would like to see us take that money and re-purpose it for that, or at least consider that. Let’s have a discussion about it,” he said.
Mayor Cody Schmidt said Parr has a valid point. Schmidt did note that Assistant Engineer Hitha Kadiyala left on Oct. 10, which could lead to added expenses. JEO contracts with the city for some engineering services.
“We’re going to have to figure out additional engineering service, so that’s going to come with a pretty good price tag.” In discussion with City Administrator Burns, Schmidt said, some of the money Parr was talking about could help offset those costs.
“So if Council chooses to have a work session and look into that stuff, I’m all for it.” Schmidt said there are “quite a few employees” in the group Parr mentioned, so they should to look at the numbers. He noted that after the November election there will be a new mayor and some new council members.
“I look at this as a change of hands in January, and you guys can decide what your next step is. Maybe you do want an assistant, so that’s an option too. I wouldn’t jump the gun if it was me, (but) if the Council chooses to do that, I’m all for it.”
