In approving the City of Great Bend’s 2024 budget Tuesday night, members of the City Council noted the $31,867,000 spending plan would not exceed the revenue neutral rate. Passage of the plan followed public revenue neutral and budget hearings.

The city’s revenue neutral rate was certified by the Barton County Clerk's Office at 45.202 mills and the city’s proposed rate is also 45.202. 

Eventhough there were no plans to exceed the RNR rate, the RNR hearing was held to protect the amount of revenue levied in the budget.  This was done because the RNR is calculated on estimated valuations released in July and not final valuations released in November, said City Clerk/Finance Officer Shawna Schafer. 

This is a $1,510,000 increase from 2023. Inflation, wages and a 10% increase in health insurance costs contributed to jump.

Still, the budget remained revenue neutral. The budget ($27,031,000 from property taxes, with the balance from end-of-2023 cash transfers) is supported by the mill rate of 45.202.

One mill is one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value. For Great Bend in 2024, each mill is worth $128,753.

Still, this is lower than the 52.52 mill rate in 2023 and does not exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR). The RNR is the tax rate that would generate the same total property tax dollars for the city as the previous year using the current year’s assessed valuation.

The 2024 valuation is estimated at $128,753,482, up over $16 million from last year. But, this is based on the preliminary numbers.

The council on July 17 set the RNR hearing as a “just in case” measure, Schafer said. The city then notified the Barton County Clerk’s Office of its intention and publish the budget Aug. 26 in the Great Bend Tribune.

The plan also includes $225,006,797 in operating revenue. Of that, 28% comes from sales taxes and 23% from property taxes, with the rest from sewer and water fees, and other sources (other fees, permits, facility rentals, franchise fees, etc.).

Of the expenditures, capital improvements/equipment, Police Department and Fire Department account for around 30% of the budget. Water and sewer, parks and streets make up another roughly 27%, and the remainder goes to the Events Center, cemetery, administration, staff benefits and other agencies.

Key budget components include a cost-of-living raise for staff, an increase in insurance premiums, priority projects, vehicle purchases and how the city plans to fund outside agencies. 

Some budget highlights:

• With the new adjusted fee schedule, fee revenues have increased.

• Inspections and Code Enforcement: Moving these departments into what is the current Police Station after the police move to the new Justice Center was discussed.

• Staffing: There is the possibly a need to hire a full-time custodian for the new Justice Center at an estimated salary of $55,000. This position could be split between multiple city buildings.

• Water and sewer rates: These will see a 3-3.5% increase. An ordinance passed in 2020 has helped increase revenue, and the new automated meter reading system could increase it even more, so future increases may not be necessary.

• Health insurance: There will be a 10% increase.

• Wages: The budget accounts for adjusting the minimum starting salary for city staff to $15.50 per hour and a 50-cent raise for employees already above the minimum.

• The city’s fleet: Several departments indicated the need for new vehicles, ranging from pickups to skid loaders to bucket trucks.

Outside agencies

These are entities that are not officially a part of the city, but serve residents and have historically received financial support.

The following amounts were included in the budget:

• Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas/RSVP: $1,950 for the medical transportation program, 65% of the $3,000 requested since 65% of the rides given are for Great Bend residents.

• Barton County Fair: $5,000. This is the same as last year, although $10,000 was requested.

• Barton County Historical Society: $10,000. They had requested $20,000.

• Golden Belt Humane Society: Funding at $107,500, a 2.5% increase from last year, but less than the 5% requested. The city is under contract with the society.

• Commission on Aging: $225,795. This reflects the $10,000 to help the agency purchase a new bus, but is less than the over $250,000 sought.

• Great Bend Economic Development Inc.: $250,000, as requested and is an amount being matched by Barton County. There were questions over the total, but in the end, the council saw the need to keep the funding.

• Great Bend Public Library: $650,000, same as last year. They had requested a $1,000 increase.

The library will still see an $11,500 increase in tax revenue, qualifying it to apply for a state grant.