Kearney seeks 25-year tax to close pay gap with neighboring police forces

Kearney police leaders argue that a $55,000 starting salary is no longer enough to recruit officers in a competitive regional market. To close that gap, the city is asking voters to approve a new sales tax that would add roughly $900,000 annually to the department’s budget. The measure, known as Proposition P, represents a direct attempt to retain staff and reduce overtime costs.

Sgt. Phil LaManna of the Kearney Police Department stated that the tax is specifically designed for public safety and law enforcement needs within the city limits. He noted that surrounding departments offering salaries $10,000 to $20,000 higher are drawing from the same pool of applicants. LaManna said the city currently cannot compete with agencies that already have their own dedicated safety taxes.

If approved, the half-cent sales tax would take effect on April 1, 2027. LaManna indicated the tax would expire after 25 years. He clarified that the measure is a sales tax rather than a property tax, meaning it would not apply to prescription medication, gasoline, or utilities. The revenue would support officer retention, recruitment, and backup staffing for increased call volumes.

LaManna pointed to Kearney’s current status as the 10th safest city in Missouri as a baseline for the department’s performance. He said the community’s growth has increased the demands placed on existing officers. Spending decisions related to the new revenue would require approval from the Kearney Board of Aldermen. The department aims to maintain its current staffing quality while managing higher operational costs.

In Clay County, voters are also deciding on Proposition A, a package of amendments to the county constitution. The measure was recommended by the county’s Constitution Review Commission. Unlike Kearney’s single-issue tax, Proposition A presents multiple changes to the county charter as one yes-or-no question. This structure has drawn criticism from some residents who prefer to evaluate each change individually.

Early voting is currently underway at two locations. One site is at 100 W. Mississippi Street in Liberty. The other is at the Kearney Annunciation Center at 705 N. Jefferson Street in Kearney. Voters can cast their ballots at either location before the official election date.

Terry Powell, a Liberty voter, expressed discomfort with the combined nature of the county amendment. She stated that she disagrees with bundling the changes because she supports some provisions but not others. Powell said she would have preferred the measure to be broken into separate questions to allow for a clearer distinction between the different parts of the charter update.

Franklin Bridges, another early voter in Liberty, voiced concerns about specific provisions within the package. He said he is uncomfortable with the measure’s language regarding pay increases and expanded authority for county officials. Bridges noted that the combination of these elements makes it difficult to support the entire package without accepting parts he finds problematic.

The two measures address different levels of local government. Proposition P focuses on municipal revenue for a specific department, while Proposition A alters the foundational rules of the county itself. Both decisions will shape the fiscal and administrative structure of the region for the coming years.