Kearney Prospers Despite Pandemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult adjustment for many towns and cities across the nation. Mayor Randy Pogue gave his State of the City address at the Kearney Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on June 2, and according to the Mayor, Kearney survived and even thrived in some areas thanks to careful planning and vigilant leadership teams.

Unlike some of our neighboring cities, we did not have to cut positions, we did not have to cut our employee’s pay, and we also did not have to cut any city services that our residents would notice - Mayor Randy Pogue

Unlike some of our neighboring cities, we did not have to cut positions, we did not have to cut our employee’s pay, and we also did not have to cut any city services that our residents would notice - Mayor Randy Pogue

“Even though the city’s revenue stream was affected with a loss of sales tax and other revenue, we ended our fiscal year with a budget surplus and some balances higher than the previous year,” said Pogue. “I credit this to highly effective leadership, and staff who worked extremely hard to make sure we were successful.”

Staff found ways to tighten the city’s “financial belt” by working with department heads to curb overtime and supplies where necessary. Thanks to these practices the city didn’t cut staff positions or salaries. Pogue worked on several budget models and prepared worst case scenarios in case the pandemic worsened or continued for an extended amount of time.

“Unlike some of our neighboring cities, we did not have to cut positions,” stated Pogue. “We did not have to cut our employee’s pay, and we also did not have to cut any city services that our residents would notice.”

Pogue acknowledged federal and county relief funding that helped many Kearney agencies and businesses. Through this funding the city was able to provide funding to the Kearney School District to purchase Chromebooks for students, provide assistance to the Kearney Fire Department to purchase PPP supplies, provided grants to Kearney businesses that were struggling to stay open, provided funding to assist the Kearney Enrichment Council in the purchase of a bus to transport residents, and provided funds to assist Liberty Hospital to dedicate a floor that assists COVID patients.

Mayor Pogue also highlighted some investments that were made in Kearney including 83 new home permits which brought in over $21 million, 50 commercial building permits that brought in over $7.5 million, and several new businesses that located in Kearney in 2020.

“I feel Kearney is truly the gem of the Northland and will continue to grow, and continue to hopefully be a great example,” Pogue concluded. “We have a strong foundation, Kearney is resilient and our future is bright.”

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story