To the editor:

I am writing in support of voting yes for the additional 0.75-cent sales tax proposal that will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 3 election.

The City Council has demonstrated a clear need to make required improvements to the wastewater treatment system for the safety of our current and future residents.

These infrastructure upgrades are essential to protecting public health and ensuring the long-term reliability of our community’s water system.

The proposed sales tax offers a fair and practical way to fund these improvements. It will distribute the cost among everyone who makes purchases in Great Bend, rather than placing the entire burden on property owners and individuals or businesses with utility accounts. The city has indicated that if the sales tax proposal is not approved, water bills would increase by approximately $300 per year. Spreading the cost through a modest sales tax is a more equitable solution for our community.

Equally important is the future economic growth of Great Bend. A portion of this sales tax proposal supports the STAR bond project that expands and develops the Expo area. Supporting this project is vital to attracting new investment, creating jobs, and strengthening our local economy for years to come.

I am voting yes for the sales tax proposal, and I encourage my fellow citizens to do the same. Please vote yes for the future of Great Bend.

Mark Mingenback

Great Bend