Hammer Park Splashground and Fountain Hills Park

The new splash pad at Nina Hammer Park opened to the public so September 5.  The splash pad features eight water spray elements including:  dumping buckets, umbrella spray, spray arch, and five surface sprays. Located on the south side of the park, the splash pad is connected to the restrooms and playground. Each year the splash pad will be open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-September. 

Fountain Hills Park is nearing completion! The new seven acre neighborhood park in north central Kearney, located on the corner of 48th Street and 11th Avenue, offers ample green space, a treehouse-themed accessible playground, a half mile walking trail, and beautiful views of a wetland area. Park Staff will be planting trees and completing irrigation and sod work in the upcoming weeks. This park fills a void of much needed green space for this growing neighborhood.  

Eighth Consecutive Year No Increase in Property Tax Levy

The proposed City of Kearney 2014-15 budget includes a .14886 property tax levy. This means that for every $100 of valuation that the Buffalo County assesses your property you will pay .14886 cents in property taxes to the City of Kearney.  Therefore, if your home is valued at $150,000, you would pay $223 in property taxes to the City of Kearney.  This will be the eighth year that the property tax levy has been .14886.  This property tax levy represents approximately 7% of the total consolidated property tax levy within the City of Kearney.

The proposed City of Kearney 2014-15 budget also includes funding for one Police Officer and two Community Service Officers.  Safety for all Kearney residents and visitors throughout the City is of the utmost importance to Administration and City Council; therefore, the addition of these three positions will continue to keep Kearney a safe community for residents and visitors.

City Encourages Best Practices for Storm Water Management

Water pollution degrades surface waters, making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. Soil erosion control and storm water management are essential to minimizing water pollution.  As part of the Clean Water Act, the City of Kearney, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality continue to work together to ensure that storm water runoff from construction site and development areas is controlled and filtered using Best Management Practices prior to reaching local water bodies. 

Private citizens can report potential pollutant sources, such as mud or debris running off of a construction site or illegal dumping into the storm water inlets in the streets, by calling 308-233-3234 or by utilizing Access Kearney. Visit the City website at www.cityofkearney.org and click on Access Kearney in the upper right hand corner. Concerns may be anonymous.

Capital Improvement Project Suggestions

The City Council is accepting input from citizens for capital improvement projects and encourages citizens with suggestions to attend the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  A public hearing will be held to receive public input. 

The City Council and City staff encourages you to participate at the public hearing with your suggestions for City projects.  Your suggestions might inspire new projects or influence existing ones.  Either way, you’re making a valuable contribution to your community!