Aldermen approve $5,000 contribution to Clay Platt joint marketing for World Cup visitor outreach

The Kearney Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Monday to approve bill 33-20-25, a contribution of $5,000 to a Clay Platt joint marketing and web development cooperative agreement aimed at increasing economic activity in the Northland during the 2026 World Cup.

Sheila Ernsen, the city administrator, told the board the cooperative effort is spearheaded by Clay County and includes several Northland cities — North Kansas City, Liberty, Smithville, Excelsior Springs, Gladstone and Kearney — with Clay County administering the contract. “This agreement has to do with marketing and increasing economic activity in the Northland during the World Cup next summer,” Ernsen said.

Board members expressed support for directing tourism spending to local businesses during the event. The ordinance was read on first and second reading by title and passed by roll call as a 3–0 vote: Aldermen Holt, Spencer and King voted aye.

The approved action is a budgeted contribution; the ordinance text authorizes Kearney’s share of the cooperative marketing effort but does not change local taxes or create new ongoing obligations beyond the specified contribution.