Kearney presents proposed fiscal 2026 budget; officials plan major street, sidewalk and water projects

Kearney City Administrator Sheila presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget to the Board of Aldermen during its regular meeting, outlining projected revenues, major capital projects and proposed utility rate increases.

Sheila said the city expects $31,900,000 in revenues that are not interfund transfers or debt proceeds and listed total proposed current‑year revenues of $43,500,000, which include federal grants and other inflows. "The city is expecting to get $31,900,000, of revenues that are not transfers and not debt, if that makes sense," Sheila said during the presentation.

The budget proposal directs $30,600,000 to capital projects in the coming year, with the single largest capital investment — $19.5 million — aimed at streets, sidewalks and trails. Sheila said $8,400,000 of the year's revenues are federal grants, most of which she tied to the Nineteenth Street complete‑street project (Watson Drive to Meadow Lane) and related intersection work at Nineteenth and Route 33. She also named the pathways/sidewalk program, including Regency Drive, as a large grant‑funded focus.

On operating costs, the proposal budgets $15,000,000 for regular operating expenditures and $4,500,000 for principal and interest on existing debt. Sheila described the general fund operating revenues at about $8.9 million versus operating expenditures of $8.6 million, leaving $284,949 in operating excess but with $980,000 of planned capital outlay paid…