City Budget

On September 13, City Council passed the 2011-2012 Budget which will go into effect October 1, 2011.  This budget represents the fifth consecutive year that the City of Kearney has maintained or increased services without increasing property taxes.  We are fortunate in Kearney that we have a robust local and regional economy that has supported increases in sales receipts – even through a recession. 

We have aggressively pursued efficiency and quality in providing services to the community, and I think it has paid off for our residents.  Kearney has one of the lowest municipal property tax rates in Nebraska, and I believe we have used the revenue taxpayers have entrusted us with to provide the highest standard of quality of life.  Click here to see the FY2012 budget, and if you have questions about your City government – please contact us.

2011-2012 Budget

Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax

On June 28, I spoke to City Council about several options for funding the large number of projects which citizens requested during the Special ½ cent Sales Tax listening sessions in January and February of this year.  When staff reviewed the input received from over 800 individuals who attended these sessions, it became clear that the community has a demand for capital improvements – particularly in areas that affect quality of life, such as parks, beautification, and recreation.  Further, the cost of the requested projects exceeds the funds available from the city’s special ½ cent sales tax as these funds will be used for major street improvements for the next several years.  Funding options were discussed with the Council, and they solicited input from the public during public hearings. 

On July 26 the City Council voted unanimously to submit the question on October 11^th to the voters as follows:

“Shall the Mayor and City Council of the City of Kearney, Nebraska, impose a restaurant and drinking place occupation tax commencing December 1, 2011 in the amount of two percent (2%) to fund Community Betterment Purposes as defined in Section 9-604 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes?”

On Tuesday, September 13, the City Council will discuss a plan for spending the revenues from a Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax, should it pass.  This plan will include general guidelines and target areas as well as specific projects for the first five years.

Please see the following Question and Answers regarding this topic:

Restaurant Tax Q & A