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Police chief asks board to put 0.5¢ public-safety sales tax on ballot
Summary
Police Chief Mark Thomas asked the Kearney Board of Aldermen to consider placing a dedicated 0.5¢ sales tax for public safety on the ballot to fund SROs, training, technology and staffing; the mayor asked staff to draft ordinance language for future consideration.
Police Chief Mark Thomas told the Board of Aldermen he wants the city to consider a dedicated 0.5¢ sales tax for public safety and asked the board to authorize drafting language for placement on an upcoming ballot.
"I'm requesting approval from the board of Alderman to consider a dedicated 0.5¢ sales tax for public safety to be placed on the upcoming ballot for a public vote," Chief Thomas said, arguing the revenue would support officer training, school resource officers and upgraded equipment. He framed the proposal as a way to help Kearney regain its prior placement among Missouri's top‑10 safest cities and to ensure adequate resources without relying solely on limited grants.
Board members voiced broad support for the chief's proposals during the discussion that followed. The mayor asked the chief to work with the city administrator to draft official ordinance language and return it for board consideration at a future meeting, signaling next procedural steps toward a potential ballot measure.
