Kearney, Mo. – On Nov. 3, voters in Kearney will decide whether to approve Proposition P, a half‑cent sales tax that the city estimates will bring in roughly $900,000 annually. The revenue is earmarked for public‑safety needs, primarily to increase police officer salaries, improve recruitment and reduce reliance on overtime.
How the tax would work
Under the proposal, every $4 coffee purchased in Kearney would contribute two cents to the tax fund. A $200 grocery bill would add $1 to the pot. If approved, collections would begin in April 2027.
Community support
Local shoppers we spoke with expressed strong backing. “The police need all the support they can get,” said Kurt Oidtman, noting the town’s rapid growth. Residents Tery and Clifford Henderson echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of keeping children safe. “I think the half‑cent sales tax is well worth passing,” Tery Henderson added.
Charles Glascock, a longtime Kearney resident, said the tax would not be a financial burden. “A half cent is not going to put me in the poorhouse,” he said.
Belinda Nunn highlighted the department’s community role, stating, “They do so much for the community; we just need to have their backs all the time.”
Police department perspective
Sgt. Phil Lamanna explained that the additional funds would go directly to officer pay and recruitment. “It’s mainly for funding officer recruitment and retention within the city,” he said, adding that higher salaries are needed to compete with nearby agencies offering $65,000‑$70,000 salaries.
Kearney’s starting salary for a police officer is currently $55,735, below neighboring cities such as Smithville ($65,000), Gladstone ($66,738) and Liberty ($70,000). The department presently has 21 officers, budgeted for 23, and aims to staff four officers per shift rather than the current three.
Questions and city response
Some residents raised concerns about how the money would be spent. One asked whether the tax could fund Flock cameras. Sgt. Lamanna said that decision rests with the Board of Aldermen. The city confirmed that the revenue may be used for any public‑safety improvement, including cameras, but noted that an existing contract already covers that service and there are no plans to expand it.
City officials also clarified that many municipal revenue sources are legally restricted to specific purposes, such as water, sewer, transportation or capital projects. Police compensation, however, is an ongoing expense that must be supported year after year.
Opposition and fiscal caution
Opponents, who preferred to remain off camera, voiced typical tax‑relief concerns in a tight‑budget environment. They questioned whether the city’s overall budgeting practices were sound and suggested that any new tax should be scrutinized for efficiency.
Forest Myers, a resident, summed up the cautious stance: “The only thing I would ask is that it would be used efficiently.”
What’s at stake
Proposition P represents a local effort to ensure public‑safety staffing keeps pace with Kearney’s growth. If passed, the half‑cent sales tax will provide a dedicated funding stream for police salaries and recruitment, helping the city retain qualified officers and maintain adequate patrol coverage.
Voters will receive a sample ballot and voting instructions from the Clay County Election Authority in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 election. The outcome will directly affect Kearney’s ability to fund its police department without dipping into other municipal services.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
