Kearney Reveals First Pool Survey Results

The City of Kearney hosted a public information meeting on Tuesday, July 25, to reveal the results of a public pool facility survey. The survey was open to residents and non-residents of Kearney.

The city received nearly 1,500 responses from people who were interested in the public pool project. 84% of the responses were made from residents who live inside city limits. 78% of those people responded that they support a public pool in Kearney.

People who responded to the survey indicated they were interested in either an aquatics center with indoor and outdoor spaces or a recreation center with an indoor pool. Either project plan is projected to cost about $30 million to complete.

The second survey the city has released included sections on how Kearney residents and visitors would be paying for the project. This would be done through increased sales tax and a property tax levy increase that voters would have to approve on the April 2024 ballot.

“Both Options discussed in this survey will require voter approval of $30 Million in General Obligation (GO) Bonds (repayment by a property tax levy) for the capital development and construction of the project, and voter approval of a 1/2-cent Park sales tax for annual operations,” states the survey.

This will require residents to pay $0.52 per $100 assessed valuation on properties. Visitors to the new facility will also have to pay a yearly membership or daily pass to enter and use it.

The next survey for the pool project is now open and the City of Kearney wants the input of residents. The results of this survey will be used to guide the city in the development plan that will be used for a public vote in April 2024 for funding. The survey is available online at Kearneymo.us and is open through August 8.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story