[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6560446,"mediaKeyId","3316021-aed32954c19983f51dd4269f85980b95","parentId",3316021,"title","Council hears long list of Kearney capital projects; Highway 30 reconstruction and Antelope/39th intersection cited as near-term costs","audioSeconds",3730,"startMs",676845,"endMs",4407025,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3316021-aed32954c19983f51dd4269f85980b95&start=676&end=4407","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3316021-aed32954c19983f51dd4269f85980b95/thumbnail_676845.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6560446/Kearney-City/Buffalo-County/Nebraska/Council-hears-long-list-of-Kearney-capital-projects-Highway-30-reconstruction-and-Antelope39th-intersection-cited-as-near-term-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560446-ee6e1ef9723bc52f308d61159fa62b90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172351&Signature=J9-mOi33iRx8so6vcMvR2borOZshUvcfpZlJ-zwQQLpQsH87H22Fl74sq6rdlL1gda9PoMJAC4bVZOhspHMietwZWzda~yucIB8VjKj1kpF-pbBEk3noachnvn-lG1ax0pjRXNxuJZ9K5ETUW69mkHipJ4m12TV9EfDaxs4X-5v-2uo7PUUVzglOSpJ3X9FN0oqEVmC5Ze979Bwyus4~COirYOgm11DTP0CFzsc9Vci64XHcNMSJfNV3gorbId6CgRJ3BNhs9BrL2W9E8Zzzdwe9gnk8a5ShFMTgJ0WbcyATdeCcmBMU6L7wP~5mODGfGJig3eXRFTYI0wXuWOuATg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kearney","date","2025-05-14T17:30:00Z","article","City Manager Brenda Jensen and public‑works staff presented a consolidated list of future capital projects and funding considerations, ranging from roadway and intersection upgrades to drainage, water and sanitary‑sewer expansions, a new vehicle maintenance facility and potential airport service subsidies.

Highway 30 and road projects

Jensen said the state will manage major work on West Highway 30 and that the city expects to pay a share. Staff projected the FY27 Highway 30 reconstruction as a roughly $20 million state project with an approximate city share near $4 million (about 20%). Jensen also described an East Highway 30 lighting replacement project that will cost the city about $293,000 next year.

Antelope/Thirty‑Ninth Street

Staff identified the Antelope/39th Street area as a priority because forthcoming annexation and nearby residential plats will increase traffic. Jensen outlined a proposed three‑lane section with a center turn lane and a roundabout; preliminary next‑year estimates for the city’s portion of work related to the Antelope/39th corridor were about $6.4 million (tapers to the roundabout included) but did not assume full Antelope improvements at this stage.

Drainage and bridges

Jensen described the downtown drainage vulnerability and a proposed project that would install twin 60‑inch pipes under the railroad to reduce downtown flooding; the city’s current estimate for that project is about $7 million and staff recommended a grant‑seeking strategy given the project’s historic‑flooding record and grant competitiveness.

Water, sewer and utilities

Staff flagged several utility projects intended to support growth and relieve existing constraints: an N‑Avenue water‑tower loop (~$1.1M), a Highway 30 water loop (~$410K), an M‑Avenue loop under the interstate (~$1.2M) and a Chase Avenue sanitary‑sewer trunk main tied to larger development needs (projects of several million dollars; portions eligible for EDA or similar grants were noted).

Other facilities and priorities

Vehicle maintenance: Staff said the current vehicle‑maintenance facility is undersized for modern fleet needs and recommended planning for a new maintenance building on city‑owned land; they said that the new building would likely require a new site rather than expansion of the existing facility.

West interchange and long‑range growth: Jensen outlined a possible west interchange scenario (Thirtieth Avenue) and itemized preliminary upstream costs — widening overpass lanes, paving Thirtieth Avenue and related connectors — that together could add many millions to a west‑interchange proposal. She noted federal participation or earmarked federal funds would federalize the project and add compliance costs.

Airport air service

Staff said the city has explored reestablishing a second scheduled route (for example, service to Chicago) and provided a placeholder annual cost of roughly $1.5–$1.8 million per year for market‑support costs; staff emphasized that number is a planning placeholder and that airline negotiations and federal EAS/MRG program relationships would determine any final subsidy requirement.

Why it matters: Jensen urged the council to prioritize projects to balance maintaining existing assets and investing to support growth; she said some $1M‑to‑$2M capital projects can be funded from the city’s special‑sales‑tax capital allocation while larger undertakings will require bonding, regional/federal grants or intergovernmental strategies.

Ending

Staff proposed turning the long list into a prioritized plan with funding strategies for council consideration; they said they will follow up with traffic studies, grant searches and financing scenarios for the projects that the council identifies as top priorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kearney - Special City Council Meeting - May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a multi‑year capital project list that includes Highway 30 reconstruction (city share ~ $4M in FY27), an Antelope/39th corridor reconstruction (~$6.4M estimate for next‑year items) and major drainage projects estimated at several million dollars.","taxTitle","Kearney City, Buffalo County, Nebraska","taxId",56920,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560447,"SportsPlex operating costs and overflow parking flagged as ongoing budget items",2811,2523484,5334695,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3316021-aed32954c19983f51dd4269f85980b95&start=2523&end=5334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3316021-aed32954c19983f51dd4269f85980b95/thumbnail_2523484.jpg","/articles/6560447/Kearney-City/Buffalo-County/Nebraska/SportsPlex-operating-costs-and-overflow-parking-flagged-as-ongoing-budget-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560447-ead2a7ee1e2b1fb2c0c178fa8782d8ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172351&Signature=Rd-dLkIe~GoPg5nZ8mBp6URupwkklYeABDUlwVnezNzN8AfGiUorO7GMEP7jwhLKsL7ecOtPc55o3TcsX4E1ow3u21H~dR4NuGQcFY-A4Ex4qrGfd1fas1Yb5AUvGZRCzU2-DFM3Et~m0jFha90-QVFSvoGaUb65fOItu3fgdeEczLb08yrRtyGsQ49HcBGwg2hvS0EaTMXM-7dnWUSIZaJVNG3GisjP5o8xg6nYdTb3ZsYZVrO6oe6ESPFvCn0cEZotoPx6aCFbParf8UOPKdKUcowzaofPXu7gReHYVzFPJhZt6AE-xjh~dtGxHB-7cLBxDCVQjMfKqg1C8RxdCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Brenda Jensen and finance staff reviewed the SportsPlex’s operating performance and the need for additional parking as part of the FY26 budget discussion.

Jensen said the SportsPlex opened in April of the current year and the first incomplete fiscal year required a sizable operating subsidy; staff estimate the SportsPlex will need roughly $1.6 million in operating resources for a full fiscal year. Jensen said the facility required a subsidy of roughly $600,000 this year from Keno (keynote) revenue and that preliminary FY26 modeling shows an estimated subsidy of about $450,000 will still be required unless revenues from tournaments, concessions, sponsorships and visitor support grow more than current projections.

Parking: Jensen presented a plan for an overflow parking area on the south side of Eunice Drive that would add up to roughly 340 vehicle stalls plus bus stalls. The paved option is estimated at about $1.5 million; a lower-cost crushed‑concrete/gravel option was estimated at about $625,000 but staff warned that an unpaved solution would not meet winter‑season demand or maintenance expectations. Jensen said staff prefer a paved solution to ensure usable capacity year‑round.

Funding and revenues: Jensen said the SportsPlex’s operations are projected to earn tournament and user revenues but also rely on visitor‑related support: the visitors bureau has committed approximately $300,000 per year for a 20‑year term and the facility currently relies on other special revenues (Keno and sponsorships) to narrow the operating gap. Jensen said staff will continue to refine revenue expectations as the facility accumulates more operational history.

Why it matters: The SportsPlex is a large, visible new city asset with annual operating costs that affect the general fund. How the council allocates ongoing subsidy (and whether it pursues additional visitor-tax or occupancy-tax strategies for operating support) will affect the general fund and other capital projects.

Ending

Staff said they will return with updated operating and revenue figures as more event and sponsorship data become available and asked the council to consider parking priorities and whether to fund a paved overflow lot in the short term.","City staff said the SportsPlex will need continued operating subsidies while revenues mature and that a paved 340‑stall overflow lot would cost roughly $1.5 million.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560456,"Kearney officials propose Fire Station No. 3 and ladder truck funded by municipal improvement bond",0,6558775,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3316021-aed32954c19983f51dd4269f85980b95&start=6558&end=6558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3316021-aed32954c19983f51dd4269f85980b95/thumbnail_6558775.jpg","/articles/6560456/Kearney-City/Buffalo-County/Nebraska/Kearney-officials-propose-Fire-Station-No-3-and-ladder-truck-funded-by-municipal-improvement-bond","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560456-7a3b846c2a8a1304be6b34692e1d14a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172351&Signature=Jkz3TuRtLucduQl-1Nm05gDAmDxPAvIlL0fVGQtXeURW1mLROyKDFWdejMM778IQEST6U4QIKXFY2A-mjS1b8IVDEsHbynNK1F5VNBKCsLoKb6ZoFTyf0DTTxPisGQqdoJGjjX9Q0qKXJQirwUNueIyk0K3-M2VCl-5IK1V3FrXqD~BnFDxOZPoiNt0ty2AoFYOTXnKf~KxGjHjrR3XVeu~eake-1bHW-W4Nq5up3zCi9T1jq5AbVJu-6i6ZnHtwC~jx4fhYjsiev5qCuQzVy3-MiIHyBbxHX8MQIWtTGWfU7IuzgdsQtLA-8M-LXuOm9LM4tNzOAXOTKZRlIch1~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Brenda Jensen presented the council with a funding plan to build Fire Station No. 3 and to acquire a ladder truck, proposed to be financed together with a municipal improvement bond.

The package Jensen described would total $14,815,000: approximately $12.3 million for the new station and $2.5 million for the ladder truck. The administration presented municipal improvement bonding as the preferred financing vehicle after ruling out further use of the city’s public-safety tax anticipation bond capacity.

Jensen said using a municipal improvement bond would spread payments across general-levy property tax and available special-sales-tax pledges and that the annual debt-service cost under the current estimate would be about $1.1 million per year — equivalent to roughly a 3¢ increase in the city levy. Using the presentation figures and the city’s median/average valuations, Jensen estimated the change would increase the typical Kearney homeowner’s annual city tax by about $70 (roughly $5.80 per month). She emphasized the levy increase would be tied to the bond and would drop off when the bond matures.

Why it matters: Jensen said the proposal addresses response-time and insurance-rating concerns. Council members and staff noted the city was close to losing an ISO rating tier without improvements in response coverage; several speakers said Northeast Kearney currently falls outside preferred engine/aerial coverage circles and that a new station would narrow unprotected areas and support the fire department’s ability to meet response-time targets.

Details and context

Scope and financing options: Jensen explained alternatives considered: a public-safety tax anticipation bond (which the city already has outstanding coverage against, and which would be largely exhausted if used) and the municipal improvement bond route. The municipal improvement bond would affect the general levy line on property‑tax statements (not a separate line item), Jensen said, and the administration would need to clarify reporting for the pink postcard and other public notices under the state’s new property-tax rules.

Estimated tax impact: Using the bond-payment estimate of about $1.1 million per year, Jensen calculated the levy impact at about 3¢. \"It would increase annually $70 or per month, just a little under $6,\" Jensen said, describing the effect on an average residential tax bill.

Public-safety justification: Fire department staff and council members described the city’s ISO evaluation process, which weights fire department, dispatch and water-system performance and also factors volunteer staffing equivalencies. Jensen said the city’s last ISO recalculation left Kearney within a narrow margin of dropping a tier; staff said improvements in coverage and a new station would reduce unprotected areas in Northeast Kearney and reduce the risk of a downgrade.

Next steps and council questions

Jensen asked the council to consider the funding approach and the tradeoffs with other capital projects; she said the bond would be discussed further as staff refines the budget and that the levy effects would be part of the formal levy-setting process in September. Council members discussed presentation framing for the public (whether to emphasize public-safety classification on tax notices) and alternative funding options such as a voted half-cent sales tax that would require a public vote and would last a limited term.

Ending

Jensen closed by asking council members to “noodle” on the funding strategy and said staff will return with more detailed figures and possible alternatives ahead of the budget and levy-setting schedule.","City staff presented a plan to build Fire Station No. 3 and purchase a ladder truck using a municipal improvement bond. The package would total about $14.815 million and would require an estimated 3¢ increase in the city general levy, raising the average Kearney homeowner’s city tax bill by roughly $70 per year.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560460,"Kearney City manager outlines budget timeline, state changes and rising costs",2612,18855,2631305,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3316021-aed32954c19983f51dd4269f85980b95&start=18&end=2631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3316021-aed32954c19983f51dd4269f85980b95/thumbnail_18855.jpg","/articles/6560460/Kearney-City/Buffalo-County/Nebraska/Kearney-City-manager-outlines-budget-timeline-state-changes-and-rising-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560460-1ff8c8092e81ec8fe028d3c2bef7f3c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172351&Signature=gBs-dJ-6J3OA6jt6AJ9XMX1bNBzRICCCPPnDPY62KqX8hSZAd19ARoMy9Zepel3aAaOax7gH9XVeOuIGuOF-u7fFn-agiHCHiRWSTOPp6U24m07ZOhxKCrP23CbGOhu1vvLw0tbM72vOwxzYeOEyZ-PiyH4adKNWOoUT6ytrME~imYIB878fLN3GF4bIx-qaniLQfVysBJ2nJwy84axahaa3DKPmscWOB4mqkcCKkMk1ug9dswq-xFmc4BCIaUz9D4x6O8n1mLjMdckqrv2~06m67WyOMUcN3VnMSsIrX~JRmOhnC-lhsm8vJ6sHcmMAiTAn3Lsg5WX-mR2p~abekg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brenda Jensen, Kearney City manager, told the City Council on the city budget process, the new state rules that limit property-tax growth and a series of one-time and recurring cost pressures that will affect fiscal-year 2026 budgeting.

Jensen said the new state property-tax formula passed in 2024 under LB647 (and related session bills) replaces an earlier “lid on restricted funds” and allows a local government “slice” increase of 5.17 percent this year plus growth. She also warned that the state auditor has not yet released final forms showing how the state will implement the statute, so the city will not have definitive reporting guidance until roughly June.

The state’s Nebraska Advantage economic development program will cut into local option sales-tax revenue next year, Jensen said; the city has received notice it should expect a roughly $230,000 reduction in local-option sales-tax revenue next year.

Jensen said the city’s general fund remains under pressure from personnel costs, pensions and property-and-casualty insurance increases. She cited two recent state-mandated retirement increases — a police pension match increase that will raise the city’s cost for law-enforcement retirement contributions and a continued phase-in of firefighter pension increases — and she estimated those two changes, combined with Nebraska Advantage reductions, add roughly $390,000 to next year’s costs.

Why it matters: these changes affect how much the city must plan to collect and where it can direct limited general-fund dollars. Jensen emphasized that taxes, sales taxes and a recurring NPPD lease payment are the largest pieces of Kearney’s general-fund revenue mix and that rising personnel and insurance costs consume the largest share of general-fund spending.

Details and context

Timeline and process: Jensen reviewed the administration’s schedule: internal work begins each January, council members first see special-sales-tax details in March, the city holds a joint city–county budget meeting in July and the formal public hearings and levy-setting happen in September before an October 1 fiscal-year start.

Revenue mix: Jensen said the general fund is driven primarily by tax receipts: about $5 million in property tax, about $11.9 million from the 1% general sales-tax allocation to operations, and roughly $6.6 million net from an NPPD lease payment after rebates. She noted some occupation taxes and other pass-through taxes are rebated to debt service or other entities and therefore not available for general operations.

State law and implementation risk: Jensen named LB647 (the post‑session enactment implementing the property-tax cap) and noted the city will be able to capture the state “slice” (5.17%) plus measured growth. She cautioned: “The state auditor has not come out with the form of how they’re actually going to implement the state statute. So we won't get it until about June.” That uncertainty affects how detailed the city can be in budget projections.

Mandated or recurring cost increases: Jensen listed several recurring pressures:
- Nebraska Advantage program reimbursements (city-received notice for roughly $230,000 in local-option sales-tax reductions next year).
- Highway 30 maintenance/reconstruction obligations: the city is responsible for a share of state highway work inside city limits (she cited 50% for maintenance, 20% for reconstruction and about 10% for safety projects in the state’s characterization) and said an upcoming East Highway 30 lighting project will cost the city about $293,000 next year; a larger FY27 reconstruction was presented by the state as a $20 million project with a city share in the neighborhood of $4 million (about 20%).
- Retirement/pension increases: Jensen said the state recently raised the mandated match for law-enforcement retirement and has phased firefighter pension increases; she estimated combined incremental pension costs on the order of tens of thousands of dollars and cited roughly $24,000 for law enforcement and about $35,000 for firefighters in additional annual cost (aggregated with other changes to about $390,000 in added costs for next year).
- Property-and-casualty insurance: the city’s property-and-casualty premium cost has risen markedly over five years; Jensen reported a roughly 135% increase in that coverage line and projected another $200,000–$250,000 increase next year as insurers revalue assets and add facilities.

Operating and capital: Jensen noted that while the city’s combined budget exceeds $100 million when enterprise and capital funds are included, the most politically and operationally visible constraints are in the general fund. She said enterprise funds (utilities, airport, landfill) primarily use user fees and that capital-project funds include the large special‑sales‑tax–funded projects such as the SportsPlex.

On new city services and budget impacts: Jensen described several services and facilities added over the past five years (indoor tennis center, Yanney Gardens, SportsPlex) and said these additions increase operating demands and staffing needs. She said the SportsPlex operating budget for a full year is estimated at about $1.6 million; this specific facility and similar new services factor into near-term general-fund pressure because operating subsidies have been required while revenues ramp up.

What the council asked and next steps

Council members and staff discussed timing for levy-setting (September), the influence of state forms and the need for staff to return with more refined numbers once the state auditor publishes implementation guidance and valuation updates. Jensen asked council members to raise questions as staff refines the draft budget and to prepare for more detailed discussions at the budget retreat in May and the July joint meeting.

Ending

Jensen asked the council to treat the presentation as an initial overview and said staff will return with project-level costs, updated revenue estimates after state guidance arrives and specific funding proposals for large capital items. “We won't get [the state auditor form] until about June,” she said, underscoring the need for iterative budget work as state guidance and local valuation data arrive.","City Manager Brenda Jensen reviewed the Kearney City budget process, described recent state law changes that affect property-tax growth limits, and flagged several cost pressures including Nebraska Advantage reimbursements, Highway 30 project costs and rising insurance and pension expenses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears long list of Kearney capital projects; Highway 30 reconstruction and Antelope/39th intersection cited as near-term costs

SportsPlex operating costs and overflow parking flagged as ongoing budget items

Kearney officials propose Fire Station No. 3 and ladder truck funded by municipal improvement bond

Kearney City manager outlines budget timeline, state changes and rising costs