There will be three separate City of Great Bend sales tax initiatives on Nov. 2 general election ballot. These would help fund quality of life improvements, pay off the city’s debt incurred for a new police station and cover the cost of changes to the benefit package for the Police and Fire departments. This was the consensus of the City Council after over two hours of arduous soul-searching discussion during a work session following its regular meeting Monday night. The session was called to finalize the tax questions so they can be submitted to the County Clerk’s Office. A formal council vote will come at the Aug. 17 meeting. The city is looking at a .25% sales tax for quality of life improvements (like upgrades to Heizer Park and other recreational facilities), .15 for bond servicing (such as the bond to install automated water meters) and an additional sales tax to possibly fund a change in the retirement plans for police officers and firefighters. This involves moving the fire and police retirement plan.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
