3/4 Cent Sales Tax Proposal

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WHY THIS MATTERS

Passing the ¾ cent sales tax proposal ultimately protects citizens from significant utility rate increases while helping minimize the possibility of raising property taxes.

Sales tax is a shared funding source paid by everyone who shops, not just residents.

As a regional retail hub, Great Bend benefits from visitor spending, meaning non-residents will help fund essential city improvements.

Among the available options to address emergent city-needs, a ¾ cent sales tax is the most cost-effective solution for Great Bend residents. It provides funding for critical wastewater treatment facility improvements and other infrastructure projects, supports the expansion of the Expo Complex STAR Bond project, and reduces the risk of raising property taxes.

The City of Great Bend constantly looks for grant opportunities in a highly competitive market but cannot rely upon it as a guaranteed funding source when budgeting for major and costly projects.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL

A yes vote on the ¾ cent sales tax proposal funds critical improvements to the wastewater treatment facility, expands the Expo Complex into a tourism hub, helps minimize the possibility of a property tax increase, and finances future infrastructure improvements.

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FAQs

By voting yes, the City would be able to fund critically needed wastewater treatment facility upgrades without affecting user rates, expand on the Expo Complex through a STAR Bond opportunity, accomplish other future infrastructure projects, and minimize the chance of raising property taxes while still maintaining necessary operations. 

Property taxes are only paid by those who own property in Great Bend city limits. Sales tax is paid by anyone buying in Great Bend, including non-residents, tourists, and visitors.
No, there will be no sunset date for this tax. The goal is to generate enough additional revenue from this sales tax to minimize the chance of raising property taxes and accomplish other deferred maintenance needs in other departments.
Failure to pass the ¾ cent sales tax will result in significantly higher utility bills by nearly $240-$300 annually for wastewater treatment facility upgrades. The potential money from the state STAR Bonds program would go to another community and the project will not come to fruition and the chances of raising property tax are increased. 
The current sales tax rate it 8.7% and would increase to 9.45% if passed.
City officials constantly seek grant opportunities in a highly competitive market, but those opportunities are not guaranteed when planning out essential and costly town projects. A secure form of revenue from a sales tax guarantees the city can afford to conduct needed improvements without raising property taxes or utility bills. 
The City's finance department has been diligent in its stewardship of taxpayer funds and maintains strong financial practices.

Multi-million-dollar projects generally cannot be accommodated within a city's standard budget. These projects are instead planned with finance options thoroughly discussed beforehand. In order to provide the critical upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility and fund the city's portion of the STAR Bond while providing property relief to residents, the Great Bend City Council settled on a 3/4 cent sales tax proposal as the best financing option. 

At the June 1, 2026, City Council meeting, Sean Gordon of Gordon CPA presented the City’s 2025 audit report. The audit received the highest (clean) opinion available, reflecting well on the Finance Department’s management and internal controls.

Residents are encouraged to review the City’s 2025 audit report for detailed information on financial operations and oversight.

2025 Audit Report
This ¾ cent sales tax will generate an estimated $3.6 million annually with the potential to gross more to help fund critical improvements to the wastewater treatment facility, expand the Expo Complex through the STAR Bond project, accomplish other deferred maintenance needs, and provide property tax relief.
Collections would begin on April 1, 2027.
Out of the 3/4 cent sales tax, 1/2 would be allocated towards infrastructure and initially fund critically need wastewater treatment facility upgrades and the city's debt on the potential STAR Bond Project to expand the Expo Complex. 

Once those projects are paid off, the additional revenue would help fund other deferred maintenance needs in public lands, utilities, public works, etc. 

The remaining 1/4 would goes towards property tax relief aiming to minimize any increases to the mill levy.
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1/2 cent for Infrastructure
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property tax icon1/4 cent for Property Relief
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Informational Items