STAR bond project at Expo

Great Bend Economic Development is working with Great Bend on a STAR bond project. In April, Sara Arnberger, who was GBED director at the time, said, this multi-million dollar project would enhance the Expo Complex west of town, “as well as partner up with our hotel and restaurant development (on 10th St.).”

Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bonds were created by the Kansas Legislature in 1999 as a tool for cities and counties to develop major commercial, entertainment and tourism areas. Arnberger said Great Bend is in the final process of gaining State approval for the project. It began in 2022 when GBED started collaborating with designers and talking about what that project would look like.

At previous Great Bend City Council meetings, it was explained that the work would include improvements to the SRCA Dragstrip with increased seating, livestock arena, banquet hall with four multi-purpose courts for sporting events, amphitheater, improvements to the existing rodeo grounds and an additional hangar and or restaurant.

Arnberger announced her resignation from GBED in June to become marketing director for The Center. She is also working now with PETRA, a development company working on the STAR Bond Project at the Expo.

Meeting at a glance

Here’s a quick look at Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting.

• All votes were unanimous, 6-0. Councilmembers Kevyn Soupiset and Gary Parr were absent.

• The payroll register ending Aug. 2 was paid in the amount of $456,411.55. Other bills to date were also paid.

• The Royer Brothers Tree Service out of Hutchinson was granted a tree trimmer’s license. The responsible person is Ashley Kent.

• Following a budget hearing in which there were no public comments, the council approved the 2026 budget ordinance. The budget is funded at a mill levy of 41.357, which is the calculated revenue-neutral rate certified by the county clerk. The City is not seeking more tax money than it received last year. The amount of tax to be levied is just under $5.9 million.

• Great Bend Police Chief Steve Haulmark introduced a new police officer, Kasey Starnes, and praised the recent actions of School Resource Officer Paul Millard. While off-duty and shopping in Wichita’s Towne East Mall, Millard assisted Wichita law enforcement during a shooting incident. “It shows the type of character he has,” Haulmark said.

• Bob Whitmore with Great Plains Development addressed the council to describe some of the services they provide. Great Plains serves 28 counties in southwest Kansas, helping them secure Community Development Block Grants and more.

• The council approved Resolution 081825-A, determining the advisability of issuing industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) as part of the incentive package for Great Bend Lodging LLC. The city is authorized to issue IRBs to finance the acquisition, construction, furnishing and equipping of a hotel and two restaurants at 3017 10th St. The principal shall not exceed $23 million, City Administrator Logan Burns said. “It is important to note that the City of Great Bend will not be financially obligated on the bonds, and if the bonds are not issued, the City shall have no liability to the tenant.” 

• An abatement was approved for removing trash and refuse at 1415 Jefferson St., owned by Sandra R. Clanton. The property started with about 40 tires. “We’re down to about 10 or so now, but they would be the next step in the process to get this finally cleaned up,” Burns said. The tires on the west side of the property can now be removed by the City. All costs, minus any salvage received, will be assessed against the property.

• A zoning change was approved for 217 South U.S. 281, from light manufacturing/service commercial, to agriculture. Emily Johnson and Noah Brown requested the change because they have built a house there. Surrounding property owners did not object at a July 28 Planning Commission meeting. “This is pretty common along that 281 corridor with all the residential (property) around there,” Burns said.

• PETRA, the Wichita-based development company involved with the STAR Bond project development at the dragstrip, had three representatives at the meeting as the council was asked to approve two steps to further the project development. Step One has a fee of $28,515. Burns noted the fee is eligible for reimbursement from the STAR Bond proceeds once the project is funded. Step Two is for the full project development, and comes with a fee of 4.75%  of total project costs. Those representing the company were PETRA employees Tyler Ellis and Tylan Dyer, along with former Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger, who has contracted with PETRA. Dyer, president of advisory services, addressed the council. The agreement approved Monday is not binding; the council will be asked to approve any proposal.

• Utilities Supervisor Darren Doonan reported that the annual maintenance of UV system at the Wastewater Treatment Facility requires changing out UV lamps and sleeves in UV panels, and replacing wipers. “It’s the same work we do every year for compliance,” he said. This is usually done in stages but Doonan said he ordered everything at once this year to avoid increased costs caused by tariffs. He said tariffs did have an effect, however. The quote he received from Trojan Technologies was $52,321.74. The council approved payment.

• The council met in executive session for 15 minutes to review applicants for the new Utility Supervisor position. They were joined by Burns, Human Resource Director Randy Keesling and City Attorney Allen Glendenning.

When the open meeting resumed, the council voted to promote Darren Doonan to the new position.

The Public Works director position will remain open through the end of the month, Mayor Cody Schmidt said. “We’re still taking applications and we will continue to work through that process during this time. Just so everybody’s aware, Logan does oversee that department and is considered the supervisor for the Public Works director.”