City administrator outlines FY26 priorities: infrastructure, housing, public safety and parks projects

City Administrator Sheila Ernsen presented an update Monday on the City of Kearney’s fiscal year 2026 priorities, telling the Board of Aldermen staff has made early progress on initiatives across basic services, infrastructure, housing, commercial development and quality-of-life projects.

Ernsen said one FY26 initiative — funding dedicated staff for communications and human resources — is complete, and other initiatives are in progress. “First, our the very first priority of the board is basic services,” Ernsen said, listing core services the city provides and noting investments in equipment and staffing for public safety, communications and workforce development.

On public safety, Ernsen said the budget includes equipment purchases such as dash and body cameras, patrol rifles, patrol vehicles, new handguns, an enclosed utility trailer and computer equipment; staff sought funding for an additional school resource officer but were not successful in April. The administration set aside $185,000 in the budget for professional development and training for employees.

On infrastructure, Ernsen summarized capital projects and planning efforts included in the FY26 budget: Matt Porter Park connector trail; the Nineteenth Street complete-street project; pathway gaps and crossings (including sidewalks connecting Nineteenth Street to Stone Lake Drive); Regency Highway 33 and Highway 92 sidewalks; and Clark Street waterline replacement (design currently under contract). She said the city used recommendations from its sewer and water master plans and a pavement condition index prepared by Stantec to shape the budgeted projects.

Ernsen also described water-system and growth projects: Nation Road waterline extension (planning complete), Kearney Westside CID waterline loop and capacity project, near-completion of a water tower, wastewater treatment plant expansion and the Nation Road complete-street project.

On housing, Ernsen said the city continues to pursue tools to encourage multifamily and attainable housing, citing recent ordinance actions and adoption of a future land use map. She referenced ordinance numbers approved by the board this fiscal cycle and redevelopment tools — including Chapter 100 and the K-353 redevelopment plan — used by recent projects such as Columns apartment project and Cottages at Cottonwood Creek.

On economic development, Ernsen noted the Les Schwab Tire Center project located in a TIF district and new tenants in the Innovation Business Park. For downtown activation, staff continue work on the Connected Kearney plan and scheduled an open house for the plan this week. For parks and recreation, budgeted items include completion of Hall Park, Jesse James Park playground improvements, new skate-park ramps, a new mower, soccer goals and net replacements, bathroom doors at McWhorter Park and dechlorination and ramp improvements at Lions Park; staff also plan expanded programming to generate revenue from amenities such as the amphitheater.

Mayor and aldermen praised staff’s work and noted successful community events in the first quarter, including the July 3 celebration. Ernsen reminded the board the next meeting will be a work session on Monday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Kearney School District administrative offices for priority setting; the next regular meeting is Monday, Aug. 4.

The presentation was informational; no ordinances or budget amendments were adopted during the update segment. Staff will return to the board with follow-up items, fee-schedule updates and implementation details as projects progress.