Kearney seeks $900,000 annual sales tax for police retention

Kearney residents face a decision on a new half-cent sales tax designed to fund public safety and law enforcement operations in the city. The measure, identified as Proposition P, would generate approximately $900,000 annually for the local police department if approved by voters.

Sgt. Phil LaManna of the Kearney Police Department stated the revenue will primarily support officer recruitment and retention. He noted that Kearney’s starting salary for police officers is $55,000, a figure he described as lower than salaries in surrounding departments that already have public safety sales taxes. LaManna said nearby agencies offer salaries $10,000 to $20,000 higher, making it difficult for Kearney to compete for qualified applicants.

According to LaManna, the tax would take effect on April 1, 2027, and would expire after 25 years. He clarified that the measure is a sales tax, not a property tax, and would not apply to prescription medication, gasoline, or utilities. LaManna said the city is currently ranked as the 10th safest in Missouri, but growing community demands for services require additional staffing and backup officers to reduce reliance on overtime.

If the measure passes, the Kearney Board of Aldermen will approve spending decisions tied to the new revenue. LaManna said the department aims to use the funds to maintain current staffing quality and grow the force to meet increasing call volumes.

Clay County voters are also deciding on Proposition A, a single yes-or-no question covering a package of amendments to the county’s constitution. The changes were recommended by the county’s Constitution Review Commission. Early voting is currently underway at 100 W. Mississippi Street in Liberty and at the Kearney Annunciation Center at 705 N. Jefferson Street in Kearney.

Some early voters in Liberty expressed concern that the constitutional amendments are bundled into one ballot question. Terry Powell, a Liberty voter, said she prefers separate questions for each proposed change. "I don’t like them doing that," Powell said. "I think that’s wrong for them to combine everything because there’s some things I like and some things I don’t."

Franklin Bridges, another Liberty voter, voiced concerns regarding provisions in the measure related to pay increases and expanded authority. "I’m uncomfortable when you talk about everybody getting a pay increase," Bridges said. "And having a lot more authority."