It is not an increase, but a renewal question will be presented in the upcoming election for Great Bend residents on a quarter cent sales tax.
The Great Bend City Council discussed the idea of promoting the renewal at this week’s goals session to make sure the public was aware of the proposal. The quarter cent sales tax has been in effect for 10 years but will sunset on April 1, 2018 unless it is renewed in the November election.
Council member Wayne Henneke says this sales tax is considered the street tax with earnings going to street repairs.
Wayne Henneke Audio
The quarter cent sales tax earned $920,463 in 2016.
Altogether, the sales tax rate within the City of Great Bend is 8.25 percent. The Kansas Department of Revenue sets a statewide tax rate, and then each county and municipal government adds local rates to fund projects in those areas. The State of Kansas tax rate is 6.5 percent, the Barton County rate is one percent, and Great Bend’s is .75 percent (.25 percent for the street tax and .5 percent city sales tax (20% for economic development, 45% for infrastructure, 35% for property tax reduction)).