Kearney Fire Adds Ballot Issues for New Station

The Kearney Fire and Rescue Protection District is placing two issues on the August 6 ballot for voters to approve. Approval of the questions will fund a second station and replace aging equipment. The district plans to build a new station on the west side of I-35.

Chief Kevin Pratt explains that a second station is needed to keep up with the growth of the city.

“The second station’s location is intended to keep up with the growth and demands to provide emergency medical and fire response to the west side of I-35 where much of the recent growth has occurred in our 82 square mile district,” said Pratt. “This will also allow us to replace and upgrade several older vehicles at the main station. All designed to continue to provide our community with the service and emergency response they expect and deserve.”

A second Kearney fire station would contain an ambulance, pumper and brush truck, along with three shifts of five fire personnel. The planned location of the new station is south of 92 Highway, near Plattsburg Road.

This measure would also allow the district to immediately replace a 2001 pumper at the current fire station, add a third ambulance, and replace the 105-foot aerial ladder fire truck.

To fund the second station and additional equipment, voters would need to approve two questions on the August ballot. The first item is a no tax rate increase bond to provide the funds to build a new station and replace or upgrade vehicles at the current station.

“There would be no increase in the property tax rate for the bond issue,” reads a Kearney Fire district press release. “The debt service rate will remain at the current rate of 13.55 cents.”

The second item that voters will decide on is a half-cent sales tax. This will provide funds for operating expenses, including new station personnel, protective equipment, and utilities. “The sales tax is to diversify the funding sources for the district and reduce the need for future property tax increases,” states the district’s release.

Both measures must be approved by voters before the district’s Board of Directors moves forward with the project. Voters will vote on these measures on August, 6, 2024.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story