By Lucky Kidd
GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Great Bend City Council approved an agreement with the operators of Kansas Motocross Championship Series LLC for use of the Great Bend Motopark at the Airport Expo Area.
Under the contract, James Baldwin and LaRyssa Banker agreed to cover all upkeep of the Motopark and pay a percentage of gross revenues which starts at two percent for 2025, and increases to 3,5 percent in 2026 and five percent for 2027 and if the contract is renewed at the end of 2027 for each year thereafter. There will not be a payment for any events the rest of 2024.
The Council approved a revised ordinance to clean up city codes related to illegal dumping after it was found in the wake of a recent illegal dumping incident at the compost site there were two parts of the code covering this but with different penalties.
Revisions to the job descriptions for the city administrator and the currently vacant assistant city administrator position were approved. The current job descriptions were drafted at the request of the then administration to assign specific duties and personnel to match what the then new assistant administrator was already doing for the city. The revised ordinance more generally and broadly allows for duties to be assigned and reassigned to meet current needs.
The Council approved a garbage and refuse license for JAZ hauling and Dumpster of Great Bend, a beer license for F$E Collection Auto Auction, and a new amusement hall license for the Best Western Angus Inn reflecting a recent ownership change.
It also approved closure of Main Street the afternoon of Sept. 27 for Great Bend High School’s homecoming parade, serving of alcohol at Brit Spaugh Zoo for an event connected with a CPM conference Oct. 15 with a 2:30 public closure that day to allow setup for this event, and agreed to proceed with a fall cleanup October 19-27, with tires not included this time.
During the meeting a long-time employee of the city was recognized. Next week, Doug Burt will reach the 50-year mark in his employment. Burt began his employment with the city in September 1974, and for the first 20 years was employed at Brit Spaugh Zoo. He then moved to the Park Department, where he primarily works at the Expo Grounds. He also serves as the city’s arborist and oversees the nursery housed there. Burt was also instrumental in the construction of the city’s holiday lighting, having wired much of it.
