Kearney Aldermen, School Board, and Proposition A Results

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, April 8, to decide who would serve in elected positions and if the city residents would approve a new half-cent sales tax to help fund Kearney Police initiatives. Here are the unofficial results from the Clay County Board of Elections:

Board of Aldermen

Ward 1 Alderman candidate Gerri Spencer and incumbent Ward 2 Alderman Dan Holt ran unopposed and were automatically elected for those seats on the Board of Aldermen.

Kearney School Board

Four individuals ran for two open seats on the Kearney School District:

[X] Christina Lindsay – 27.03%

Michael Joe Hickey – 5.18%

Justin Cook – 19.21%

[X] Jason Klindt – 30.34%

Proposition A

Residents also voted on Proposition A, that would allow the Kearney Police Department to expand its capabilities, update critical equipment, and effectively address the rise in activity through a half-cent sales tax.

Proposition A was narrowly defeated. 51.64% of voters said no, while 48.12% were in favor of the measure.

“I'm disappointed in the outcome, but I appreciate the continued support we receive from the community,” Chief Mark Thomas told KPGZ News. “The Kearney Police Department will always provide the service and protection to our community that we have always been committed to in the past as well as in the future.”

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Election Candidates, Fire District Questions Decided

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, August 2, to choose who would run for open positions in the November General Election and if Kearney Fire District residents would fund a new fire station location, new equipment and personnel. Here are the unofficial results of how Clay County residents voted from the Clay County Board of Elections:

- Republican for U.S. Senate: Josh Hawley – 19,220 votes

- Democrat for U.S. Senate: Lucas Kunce – 11,792 votes

- Republican for Governor: Mike Kehoe – 8036 votes

- Democrat for Governor: Crystal Quade – 8245 votes

- Republican for Lieutenant Governor: Dave Wasinger – 6190 votes

- Democrat for Lieutenant Governor: Richard Brown – 9793 votes

- Republican for Secretary of State: Denny Hoskins – 4826 votes

- Democrat for Secretary of State: Barbara Phifer – 6032 votes

- Republican for State Treasurer: Vivek Malek – 9719 votes

- Democrat for State Treasurer: Mark Osmack – 15,364 votes

- Republican for Attorney General: Andrew Bailey – 12,422 votes

- Democrat for Attorney General: Elad Jonathan Gross – 15,388 votes

- Republican for U.S. Representative District 6: Sam Graves – 9462 votes

- Democrat for U.S. Representative District 6: Pam May – 4755 votes

- Republican for State Senate District 21: Doug Richey – 5406 votes

- Democrat for State Senate District 21: Jim Bates – 4464 votes

- Republican for State Representative District 8: Josh Hurlbert – 2854 votes

- Democrat for State Representative District 8: Sandy Van Wagner – 1254 votes

Artist rendering of new fire station

Kearney Fire District Question 1 and 2

Residents of the Kearney Fire District voted on Question 1 and Question 2 on the August ballot. Question 1 asked for an extension of the current bond that passed in 2010.

Funding from the no tax increase bond extension will provide funds for capital expenditures which include building a second station on the west side of I-35, immediate purchase of a new pumper for the new station, immediate replacement of a 2001 pumper, purchase a third ambulance in 2027, and replace the 2013 aerial in 2028.

Question 2 asks for a half-cent sales tax increase. Funding from the sales tax will be used for funding new staff positions at the second station, funding the increased operating costs of the second station including utilities, personal protective gear, and building maintenance, funding other equipment replacement projects including heart monitors, radios, self-contained breathing apparatus, and vehicle extraction tools, and reduce the need for future property tax increases.

Both questions needed to be approved to move the project forward.

Question 1

[X] Yes – 3316 votes

No – 1021 votes

Question 2

[X] Yes – 2875 votes

No – 1368 votes

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Aldermen, School Board and Pool Results

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, April 2, to decide who would serve in elected positions and if the city residents would fund a new pool and recreation center. Here are the unofficial results from the Clay County Board of Elections:

Ward 1 Alderman

Gerri Spencer – 44.30%

[X] Ashton King – 55.70%

Ward 2 Alderman

[X] David Lehman – 57.16%

Kurt Hamilton – 42.84%

Kearney School Board

[X] Matthew Baker – 19.63%

Richard Cawthon – 18.42%

[X] Darlene Bailey – 27.73%

Michael Joe Hickey – 6.61%

Ben Anderson – 10.73%

Chrystan Ferrell – 16.87%

Kearney Question 1

Residents also voted on Questions 1 and 2, to fund the construction of a pool and recreation center. Question 1 asks voters to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $28 million to build the center.

Question 2 asks to impose a half-cent sales tax for “providing funds to acquire, construct, improve, furnish, equip, operate and maintain local park facilities, including without limitation an aquatic and recreation center and the payment of debt service of financing obligations issued to provide funds for local park facilities.”

Both questions need to be approved to move the recreation facility forward.

Question 1

Yes – 30.31%

[X] No – 69.69%

Question 2

Yes – 30.93%

[X] No – 69.07%

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.