City Holds Informational Meeting for 19th Street Improvements

The City of Kearney is holding an open house public informational meeting to inform residents about a safety and mobility improvement project planned for 19th Street.

The informational meeting will take place at the Kearney Senior Center, 600 N Jefferson St. in Kearney from 4 – 6 pm on Thursday, Feb 27.

The project includes operational and safety improvements from approximately Paddock Drive to Meadowlane Street for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Project highlights include right turn lanes and pedestrian crossings, railroad crossing enhancements for improved safety, and new bike lanes, sidewalks, and a shared use path for better mobility.

City leaders encourage residents to stop by the Senior Center anytime between 4 and 6 pm on Feb. 27. to ask questions and share their input. No formal presentation is planned but residents can meet with officials to discuss the project.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Proposed Water Rate Increase Sent to Aldermen

The City of Kearney is proposing a water and sewer rate increase to keep up with rising costs of providing clean water and sewer services to residents. The Board of Aldermen will consider the rate increase at the February 18 public meeting.

Kearney is proposing the water and sewer rate increase to meet new regulatory standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), address rising operating expenses, replace aging equipment, and enhance system maintenance.

“These efforts ensure a safe and reliable supply of drinking water for residents while protecting public health and water quality by effectively treating wastewater before it is returned to the environment,” reads a notice on the city’s website. “To sustain these vital services for years to come, it is essential to set rates at a level that adequately covers the costs of operating, maintaining, and upgrading the city’s water and wastewater systems.”

The city increased water and sewer rates at this time last year. City officials say the average Kearney household uses 3,000 gallons of water each month. If Aldermen approve the rate increase, the average water and sewer bill would increase $3.77 per month.

“Kearney stands out as one of the most affordable communities in the Kansas City area for water and sewer utility rates, reads the city notice. “Even with the proposed rate increase, Kearney’s rates will remain lower than those of many neighboring communities.”

City Administrator Sheila Ernzen told KPGZ News that a public hearing will be held on February 18 to receive public comments regarding the proposed rate increase: “The Board will consider an ordinance to adopt the proposed rate increase that same evening and if approved, the rates would go into effect after approval.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Launches New Tax Incentives for Property Improvements

The City of Kearney has introduced an exciting new program to encourage property improvements in the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. The K-353 Redevelopment Corporation is now accepting applications for its Chapter 353 tax abatement program, designed to help revitalize eligible residential and commercial properties.

The all-new K-353 Redevelopment Plan targets a 215-acre area generally known as Original Kearney,

The Board of Aldermen recently approved the program under Chapter 353 RSMO, a state statute that permits cities to abate real property taxes for specific improvements in a designated geographical area. The all-new K-353 Redevelopment Plan targets a 215-acre area (see attached boundary map) generally known as Original Kearney, encompassing 317 parcels of residential and commercial properties. The program aims to combat blight, enhance the city’s existing housing stock and attract new businesses and multi-family developments to a resurgent downtown.

“This area is the cornerstone of our city’s identity,” said Mayor Randy Pogue. “Many buildings here date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. This program provides a unique opportunity to preserve our community’s heritage by offering attractive tax incentives for property owners who choose to rehabilitate and enhance their properties. We are confident this initiative will inspire new investment, bringing renewed energy to the neighborhood and our city as a whole.”

The K-353 Redevelopment Plan offers eligible applicants 100% real property tax abatement on new improvements for up to 15 years, effectively freezing property taxes at their pre-improvement level. The program features four levels of tax abatement based on the scope of investment and the type of improvements made:

• Level A-1: Investments of $15,000–$24,999, requiring all improvements to be exterior.

• Level A-2: Investments of $25,000-$149,999, requiring 50% of improvements to be exterior.

• Level B: Investments of $150,000-$749,999, requiring 50% of improvements to be exterior.

• Level C: Investments of $750,000 or more, requiring 50% of improvements to be exterior.

Tax abatement is activated once the approved project is completed.

The program’s Policy and Guidelines are available at City Hall, 100 E. Washington St., and can also be downloaded from the city’s website at www.kearneymo.us. For more information, contact the Economic Development Department at 816-551-3008.

KPGZ News – City of Kearney contributed to this story.

Kearney Asks for Help with Transportation Comments

The City of Kearney is asking residents for assistance with three transportation grants through the Mid America Regional Council. Comments through MARC’s grant portal will help Kearney’s rankings for grant awards for infrastructure projects.

Kearney is competing with other cities the Kansas City metro area for federal grant dollars that will fund over 150 transportation projects. The city has applied for grants to fund three city projects: the 19th St. Complete Street Project, the Kearney Pathways Project, and the Nation Rd. Complete Street Project.

“Your comments will positively affect the rankings of Kearney’s applications, and we need your support,” reads the city’s social media post. “It only takes a few minutes to increase Kearney’s chances of being selected for grants for these projects.”

MARC is now seeking public comments on those applications. To read the project details and make comments on each project visit gis2.marc2.org/suballocated/publiccomment.html. Comments are accepted until October 4.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Appoints Thomas as Police Chief

The Kearney Board of Aldermen appointed Mark Thomas the new Police Chief at their August 5 meeting. The Aldermen approved Mayor Randy Pogue’s recommendation to make Thomas interim appointment permanent.

Kearney Police Chief Mark Thomas - submitted photo

Chief Thomas has been serving as the Interim Police Chief since March 6, 2024, and has demonstrated a commitment to community-focused leadership, professionalism and transparency within the department.

“I am solidly committed to the citizens of Kearney and look forward to working alongside our dedicated officers to ensure the safety and security of our community,” said Chief Thomas. “Together, we will build on the successes of the police department and address the challenges ahead with transparency, accountability and a commitment to excellence.”

Chief Thomas brings more than 42 years of law enforcement experience to the role, having previously served for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Clay and Plate County Sheriff's Offices and the State of Missouri Department of Labor Worker’s Compensation Fraud Detection Unit. In his short tenure as Interim Chief, he has already adopted a formal promotion process for officers in the department to ensure that the process is transparent and that promotions are based on experience and performance, and he has focused on improving training opportunities for Kearney officers.

Mayor Randy Pogue is excited at Thomas’ appointment.

“It gives me great pleasure that the Board has accepted my appointment of Mark Thomas as Police Chief,” said Mayor Pogue. “I am enthusiastic about the initiatives Chief Thomas is undertaking to improve the police department’s performance, productivity and connections with the community. Chief Thomas is a strong leader with an excellent track record of fighting crime. This is truly exciting for our community.”

Chief Thomas is a graduate of Park University, having earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration, graduating with distinction. He has lived and worked in the Kearney community for more than 34 years, raising his family here. His commitment to the Kearney community has been solidified over the years.

More than 30 years ago, the Kearney community helped fundraise enough money to afford a liver transplant for his daughter that saved her life.

“I owe a debt to the Kearney community due to its overwhelming support during that difficult time that I will never be able to repay,” states Chief Thomas. “The Kearney police chief position gives me an opportunity to pay forward some of the kindness the community offered my family.”