The idea of the city offering some sort of benefit as an enticement to run for the Great Bend City Council arose again as the body met Tuesday night. Ward 1 City Councilwoman Lindsey Krom-Craven first made the suggestion at the June 21 meeting.
“I would like to follow up to the last meeting. It was mentioned possibly coming up with some kind of benefits that might be appealing going forward and getting people to run for council,” Krom-Craven said. “After several discussions between (Mayor Cody Schmidt), myself and (City Administrator Kendal Francis), really the only thing that was determined to be a fair value, because our council is blessed with being diverse and ages, genders so on and so forth, was just a meeting allowance.”
She suggested the council hold a study session to discuss implementing something and what that would cost.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Natalie Towns agreed, noting she also thought it was a good idea.
“I guess I would just caution us because there are eight members,” said Ward 2 Councilwoman Jolene Biggs. “You know, we cannot in any way compete with what the county is doing. And we have to be mindful of the budget.”
“Whatever happens, happens, but I will not take anything,” said Ward 1 Councilman Alan Moeder. I will just bail out of it.”
“I do think there’s an issue with people not wanting to run for office,” said Towns.
“I don’t think it has anything to with pay, though. Personally, I don’t think that we can get enough financial stipend that’s going to entice people to run,” Biggs said. “That’s my personal opinion.”
“If we do, are they just doing it for the money?” Moeder said. “That would be my concern.”
Perhaps, Towns said. ”But are the county commissioners only doing it for the money?”
Moeder said he couldn’t speak to their motivations.
City Clerk Shawna Schafer reminded the council that any allowance or fringe benefit is considered taxable. “So we would have to issue a W-2 and treat you as an employee.”
The council has a budget study session set for next Monday night and another session to address other issues after that, Francis said. So, the benefit question will be addressed, but it may be a while.
Krom-Craven said she was fine with that.
