For the first time in more than a generation, the city of Great Bend will have a new full time City Administrator. Kendal Francis was hired Monday to the position that has been vacant since the previous administrator Howard Partington resigned in the midst of the Cliff Couch controversy after leading the city for the previous 36 years.

The Beloit native was chosen from 24 applicants for the job that he plans to begin on July 30.

Wednesday during an appearance on “City Edition” on 1590 KVGB and 97.7 FM, Francis talked about what he found attractive about the job.

Kendal Francis Audio

George Kolb, who served as Interim City Administrator since last October, referred to city residents as “customers”, a term that Francis says will be the theme as he moves into his new role.

Kendal Francis Audio

Francis spent nearly 20 years in Beloit with the city’s water department before landing his first administrator’s job in Lakin. He then served as City Administrator in Coffeyville from August 2015 to March 2018 before being asked to resign over a dispute with certain city council members.