The City of Kearney approved the first sidewalk proposal of the Use Tax “Pathways” section at the regular Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday, April 19. The proposal contains a plan to construct the eight foot wide concrete sidewalk extension from the Cottonwood sidewalk to the Dogwood sidewalk at a cost of $103,923.

The funding for this project comes from money received through the Use Tax which was approved by Kearney voters in November. This section of sidewalk is the first part of many in the “Pathways” part of the City’s Use Tax plan.

“We have a large list of similar improvements we will continue to make with the use tax funding,” Mayor Pogue posted on social media. “I’ll make sure we are good stewards of your tax dollars and keep our promises!”

City staff is keeping a watchful eye on the Use Tax fund to make sure Kearney is getting the most for taxpayer dollars. According to meeting agenda notes, “this bid is near the same number we received two years ago when building the Dogwood sidewalk and we’d like to proceed. We had budgeted $150,000, so we'll have $46,000 to go towards the next sidewalk/trail project (if revenue projections hold).”

The purpose of the “Pathways” section of the Use Tax plan is to connect or build sidewalks and walking trails so residents could safely walk to schools, parks and other areas of Kearney.

“Safe pathways for our kids and residents will continue to be a priority of mine, posted Mayor Pogue. “This is a great start.”

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story