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Community leaders have positioned Kearney for a vibrant economic future with services to operate the city efficiently.

Kearney, Nebraska is an attractive, historic community in the Platte River Valley that enjoys a vibrant economy and strong community spirit. With such diverse businesses as major manufacturers, agriculture, education, medicine and tourism, Kearney and Buffalo County are poised to move into the future with confidence.

The city of Kearney is governed by a city Council/City Manager form of government and operates its own water and sanitation systems. Five council members are elected at large and select one member to serve as Mayor. There are 13 boards and commissions who work with the City Council and City staff for the betterment of the community.

The City Council hires a City Manager, who oversees daily operations, prepares a budget and implements policies of the council. The City of Kearney employs 216 full-time employees and 28 part-time employees. The eight city departments are Airport, Administration, Fire, Library, Parks & Recreation, Police, Public Works and Utilities, services and facilities include 12 parks, two swimming pools, an 18-hole municipal golf course and a cemetery.

Citizens and businesses benefit from the communications facilities available in Kearney. The city government is on-line, allowing access to government meeting agendas, regulations and other documents. Enhanced 911 services provide the safety and protection benefits that Buffalo County residents need, while improved communications keep law enforcement and other public officials in touch with each other and the community.

Operations shared with Buffalo County are the Library Bookmobile, Solid Waste Agency Landfill, Emergency Management, Cottonmill Park and the law Enforcement Center, with no duplication of services in the police department and sheriff’s department in the Law Enforcement Center.

Kearney is the seat of Buffalo County, adding county administration to the bustling atmosphere of the community. The county employs 220 individuals, 185 of those full-time. Seven members of the Board of Supervisors, elected from seven districts, oversee the activities of Buffalo County. Departments include Highway, County Clerk, District Court, Assessor, Elections, Registrar of Deeds, Superintendent of Schools, Veteran’s Service Officer, Attorney, Treasurer, Surveyor and Weed Department. The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department includes 22
officers and jail employees and a communications office.

Since 1883 Kearney has been served by its volunteer fire department and is the second largest volunteer fire department in the state of Nebraska. The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department is proudly served by 80 volunteer firefighters, which enables Kearney to respond to emergency situations with a great number of well-trained men and women at any time of day or night. Fifteen of these members are basically responsible for the Riverdale area, which is a branch in the northwest section of a 272 square mile jurisdiction. The area outside the city limits is named the Suburban Fire Protection District #1 of Buffalo and Kearney Counties.

The main fire station located in downtown Kearney was remodeled and became operational in 1972 and is designed to serve the administrative, maintenance and training needs of the department. It contains a communications center, fitness and storage facilities, hose tower, offices, meeting rooms and an eleven bay truck room. Station 2 has a communications room and three trucks bays and is located in the northwest region of the city. It became operational in June 1998.

In comparison to other first class cities of similar size, we are proud to say we maintain the lowest budget. The full-time staff includes eight Firefighter/ Operators, a Fire Administrator and a Fire Administrative Assistant which are employed by the

City of Kearney. Two city stations are manned full-time by two drivers at all times working 12-hour shifts from 7 AM Sunday through 7 AM Saturday. Part-time drivers man the stations on 24-hour shifts covering Saturdays. These part-time employees, who are also volunteer members, must be qualified as driver/operators.

Another important governmental function is handled on a daily basis by Kearney
Area Solid Waste Agency, which operates and maintains a landfill that meets local, state and federal guidelines for the proper disposal of waste material. The landfill operation started in 1994, the first Subtitle D landfill in the State of Nebraska.

The landfill accepts all types of waste, including municipal, industrial,
construction demolition and special waste including asbestos, under the watchful eye of the Kearney Area Solid Waste Agency Board. City Council members, county officials and administrative staff make up the governing board.

Kearney Area Landfill serves approximately 37,000 people in Buffalo County and the surrounding area, with expected operation to last about 35 years at the current rate of 37,000 tons annually. Funding is provided by “tipping” fees currently at $32.50 per ton.

The Kearney Police Department is a dynamic and modern law enforcement agency. The department services a community of approximately 30,000 people, which includes the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The community has a modest crime rate and the department maintains a crime-clearance rate well above the national average. The department is allotted 40 sworn positions and 12 non-sworn positions and is divided into two divisions, Operations and Services.

The department is located at 2025 Avenue A in downtown Kearney. The facility houses both the Kearney Police and Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department. This co-located facility was opened in June of 1993 and is a model for inter-governmental cooperation throughout Nebraska and the Central States. The City of Kearney owns the facility and services are offset by each agency to avoid duplication and additional expense to the taxpayer.

Emergency management is a function of the department as well. This is a co-managed function of both the City of Kearney and Buffalo County. The Emergency Manager is a city employee who answers to a joint committee made up of the Police Chief, Buffalo County Sheriff, a member of the County Board, the City Manager and a member at large from Buffalo County. The Emergency manager is responsible for preparedness and training for first responders throughout Kearney and Buffalo County.

The Victim/Witness Unit provides direct services to the citizens of Kearney and Buffalo County. The Unit also provides services indirectly by mail and telephone to eight surrounding counties. This group provides direction and information to victims or witnesses of crimes and provides a variety of services as needed.