infrastructure icon

Infrastructure

1/2 of the proposed 3/4 cent sales tax


1/2 cent of the proposed tax would be allocated towards infrastructure needs, prioritizing critical improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant and payments on the STAR Bond project. After these projects are paid off, that revenue would go towards financing future infrastructure improvements and other deferred maintenance needs in public lands, utilities, public works, etc. 

wastewater iconWastewater Treatment Facility 

The wastewater treatment facility is one of the City's most critical assets, providing an essential service that every resident and business depends on. Built in 1954 and last substantially upgraded in 1997, the facility is operating well beyond its intended lifespan as components in a wastewater facility average 20-25 years with many of the current assets exceeding that timeframe. Although City staff have successfully extended the life of the system through careful maintenance and expertise, many components are nearing the end of their useful life and require
replacement to continue safe treatment practices to return recycled wastewater into the Arkansas River.

The estimated cost of the necessary wastewater treatment facility improvements is $26.3 million and will be completed regardless of the outcome of the sales tax proposal. Without the proposed sales tax, project costs would need to be funded primarily through utility rate increases beginning in 2027, resulting in an estimated annual increase of $240 to $300 per customer. Tours of the facility are available for those interested in seeing its current condition firsthand. Please call 620-793-4170 to schedule.

VOTE YES

On an estimated $10,000 annually spent on shopping in Great Bend, an additional total of $75 would be taxed on sales that goes towards:
  • Property Tax Relief
  • Infrastructure
    • Wastewater Treatment Facility
    • Expo Complex STAR Bond Project
    • Projects that have been put on hold

That all who shop in Great Bend help fund.

$75

For Wastewater Treatment Plant, STAR Bond Project, and Property Tax Relief

 

VOTE NO

  • Have the cost to make the necessary repairs to the WWTF falls solely on Great Bend residents
  • Pay an increase in utility rates that will cost $240-$300 annually and only funds improvements the WWTF
  • Eliminate the opportunity to expand the Expo Complex project and provide more tourism and attractions to Great Bend
  • Eliminate the opportunity for property tax relief and rather increase the future risk of raising property tax

$240-$300

Soley Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrades

SRCA Dragstrip Ribbon Cutting★ STAR Bond Project

The City has the approved up to $21.89 million from the state in STAR Bond financing to expand the Expo Complex with new attractions and upgrades through. The project would be implemented in two phases and cost a total of $56.1 million, with the city owing 16% ($8.9 million) of the total. This sales tax is needed to pay off the city's debt on the project. If the sales tax does not pass, this project will not see fruition and will halt Great Bend's current and future economic growth. 

The Expo Complex growth includes major expansion of the historic SRCA Drag Strip, including three new structures, grandstands, and a spectator crossover bridge. Development of a multi-purpose event center (42,000 square feet, 5,000 fixed seats), a 12,000 square foot banquet hall, and trampoline park are also included in the project. In future projected phases of the project, the creation of an outdoor amphitheater with capacity for 3,500 to 4,000 guests, a new airport hangar, and restaurant amenities would be added in addition to the construction of an indoor livestock arena with 2,527 permanent seats and an adjacent outdoor rodeo arena seating 2,500 to 2,700.


★ STAR Bond Concept Plan

FAQs

WWTF

Failure to pass the 3/4 cent sales tax proposal means funding for the $26.3 million critical wastewater treatment facility upgrades would come from higher utility bills, which could cost residents an additional $240-$300 annually
The WWTF is a secondary treatment facility that processes approximately 1.2 million gallons of water daily, allowing recycled wastewater to be cleaned and returned into the Arkansas River without harm to the aquatic life or environment before returning as drinking water.
The total cost is estimated at $26.3 million. The city was granted $1 million in loan forgiveness from for a State Revolving Fund (SRF) towards this project, lessening the total to $25.3 million. Additionally, the SRF program also provides below-market interest rates making it the most cost-effective financing option for these essential improvements. 
The facility was first built in 1954 and has undergone two major upgrades since. The first in 1981 and the latest in 1997 where improvements were designed to dissolve oxygen, improve system redundancy and comply with effluent limitations on BOD, ammonia, and fecal coliform. 
The average life span for components in a wastewater facility average 20-25 years with many of the current assets exceeding that timeframe. The 1954 wastewater treatment facility has surpassed that expectation by over 20 years and is currently being held together by the expertise of city staff, but this model is not sustainable for long-term operations. Repairs are critically needed and will cost $26.3 million.
The wastewater treatment facility is one of the city's most critical assets, providing essential services that every resident and business depend on. The aging infrastructure not only increases the risk of service disruptions and costly emergency repairs but also presents growing safety concerns for the employees who operate and maintain the facility each day.

Belt Thickener-3

July 7, 2026 – The WWTF current Gravity Belt Thickener is one of the major rehabilitation projects. It is responsible for reducing the water content of sludge before it moves to dewatering or disposal stages

July 7, 2026 – Extended Aeration Basin
July 7, 2026 – Extended Aeration Basin

Empty basin at the WWTF taken April 6, 2026

April 6, 2026 – Empty basin

April 6, 2026 – Pipe at the Great Bend Wastewater Treatment Facility held together with duct tape  

April 6, 2026 – Pipe at the Great Bend Wastewater Treatment Facility held together with duct tape

April 6, 2026 – One of the two fermentation basin gearboxes that will be rehabilitated

April 6, 2026 – One of the two fermentation basin gearboxes that will be rehabilitated

power positive change - Copy
FAQs

STAR Bond

The city looks to expand the existing Expo Complex through STAR Bonds. If the sales tax proposal passes, the city will make enhancements to the district in two phases. 

Phase 1 is designed to provide flexibility, allowing the City Council to make fiscally responsible decisions as the project progresses. The anticipated sequence would begin with enhancements to the SRCA Dragstrip, followed by development of the multi-use athletic facility as funding and STAR Bond performance allow. While the Council could choose to advance both projects simultaneously, doing so would increase the City's financial risk if STAR Bond proceeds are lower than projected.

Planned Phase 1 improvements include:

  • SRCA Dragstrip enhancements, including grandstand seating, concessions, spectator crossover bridge, museum, improved lighting, and locker rooms.
  • Development of a multi-use athletic facility and banquet hall featuring four multi-purpose courts, with the ability to expand to eight courts and add a trampoline park as funding allows.
  • Construction of a new Hampton Inn hotel and two new restaurants adjacent to the Events Center.

Phase 2 would build upon the success of the initial investments and may include:

  • An outdoor amphitheater.
  • A new airport hangar.
  • Additional restaurant amenities.
  • A trampoline park, if not completed during Phase 1.
  • An indoor livestock facility with permanent seating and an adjacent outdoor rodeo arena.

The STAR Bond project is financed through two funding sources: STAR Bonds and City General Obligation (GO) bonds. STAR Bonds are repaid from the incremental sales tax generated within the STAR Bond district and are expected to finance a significant portion of the eligible project costs. Any eligible costs not covered by STAR Bond proceeds would be financed through City GO bonds.

The proposed sales tax is intended to provide a dedicated revenue source to repay the City's estimated GO bond obligation. While the City could legally issue temporary notes or GO bonds without the sales tax, doing so would significantly increase the City's financial risk because repayment would have to come from existing revenues or future property taxes. The sales tax serves as the City's financial safety net by providing a predictable repayment source for the GO bonds, reducing reliance on property taxes and allowing the project to move forward in a fiscally responsible manner.

Without approval of the sales tax, the City Council would need to carefully evaluate whether to proceed with the project, as the City's GO bond obligation would no longer have a dedicated repayment source and could place significant pressure on future budgets and the property tax levy.

The estimated cost for the total project is $56.1 million. The State of Kansas approved up to $21.89 million in STAR Bond financing.
While the revamped SRCA Dragstrip recently underwent upgrades to the racing surface and a new timing tower, the lack of seating prevents the drag strip from being a nationally recognized track. The STAR Bond project includes grandstands at the drag strip. Once completed, an estimated 380,000 - 470,000 annual visitors are expected to come to Great Bend for the larger racing events. This means more revenue, more projects, and more expansion. 
Once fully completed and operational, the STAR Bond project for the drag strip, sports complex, event center, banquet hall, hotel, and restaurant is expected to support 400 permanent jobs and attracted between 380,000 - 470,000 annual visitors according to a State of Kansas feasibility study.
In 2012, the Great Bend Sports Complex opened with five baseball and softball field and has since brought over 126,000 players, coaches and spectators to Great Bend, a figure that does not including high school games. The Expo Complex events center complex would feature multiple courts for basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, and pickleball tournaments. The 42,000 square foot space with include seating for 5,000 and a 12,000 square foot banquet hall. Multi-sport facilities are a point of emphasis by the State of Kansas when attracting out of state visitors.
The STAR Bond Project would be funded through a combination of STAR Bond financing, the sales tax proposal, private investments, and the city’s general obligation bond. The city would issue temporary notes approximately $30 million in temporary notes to fund the project and make interest-only payments for four years before the project begins generating revenue. The city’s required general obligation bond is estimated at $16.9 million. Based on estimated project revenues, the city’s general obligation payment is expected to be reduced to $1.3 million which would be funded through ¼ cent of the ¾ cent sales tax proposal. Once that obligation is paid off, the city can dedicate that quarter-cent sales tax revenue to addressing deferred maintenance needs in other departments. 
STAR Bonds are repaid through incremental revenues above the baseline sales generated within the STAR Bond District which includes state sales and city tax generated within the district, and county sales tax generated within the district subject to county participation, along with CID revenues and transient guest tax. STAR Bonds are not repaid with property taxes and the City of Great Bend has no obligation to cover any short falls or defaults associated with the STAR Bond repayment.