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Kearney aldermen approve budget reappropriation, place half‑percent public‑safety sales tax on April ballot and OK water‑tank schedule change
Summary
On Jan. 21 the Kearney Board of Aldermen approved budget reappropriations to reconcile FY2025 expenses, voted to place a one‑half of one percent public‑safety sales tax on the April 8 municipal ballot, and approved a contract addendum delaying concrete work on a new 1 million‑gallon water tank.
The Kearney Board of Aldermen on Jan. 21 approved a package of financial and infrastructure measures, voting unanimously to adopt budget adjustments, authorize a sales tax measure for the April ballot and accept an addendum to the city’s water‑tower contract.
Finance Director Stephanie Harris presented Bill No. 02‑2025, a statutory reappropriation and revision of the city’s FY2025 adopted budget intended to ensure the city does not spend more than authorized. Harris told the Board the ordinance covers accrued sick‑ and vacation‑time payouts for employees who separated from the city, transfers to reconcile administrative charges, expenses previously authorized related to legal cases and contractor work, added costs tied to the new trash and recycling contract, the required local match for federal grants accepted by the Board, and contractually obligated tax‑increment financing (TIF) costs. The Board approved the ordinance on second reading by roll call vote (Aldermen Dan Holt, Kathy Barger, Ashton King and David Lehman) and it was assigned Ordinance No. 1605‑2025.
Police Chief Mark Thomas presented Bill No. 03‑2025, asking the Board to submit to voters a one‑half of one percent sales tax to improve public safety. The ordinance specifies submission of the question at the April 8, 2025 general municipal election and cites Section 94.903 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri for the ballot process. The Board approved the ordinance on second reading by the same 4‑0 roll call vote; the bill was numbered Ordinance No. 1606‑2025.
On a separate item the Board approved Resolution No. 05‑2025, an addendum to the contract with Caldwell Tanks, Inc. for a new elevated 1 million‑gallon storage tank. Public Works Director Shelie Daniel said the Notice to Proceed was issued July 1, 2024, but longer material lead times and quality considerations led staff and the contractor to delay most concrete work until spring 2025. The revised project schedule shifts the in‑service date to Dec. 1, 2025, with final completion targeted for April 29, 2026, and—according to Daniel—results in an overall cost savings. Alderwoman Kathy Barger moved the resolution, Alderman Dan Holt seconded, and the measure passed with all present voting in favor.
Earlier the Board approved a consent agenda that included minutes, a municipal court report and several routine resolutions and contract task orders; that motion (moved by Alderman David Lehman, seconded by Alderman Dan Holt) also passed unanimously.
The Board received a December financial report and scheduled a more detailed FY2026 budget session for the first meeting in February. The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
