Kearney proposes sales tax for police pay as Clay County bundles constitutional changes

Elections in Clay County, Missouri, are determining the future of local law enforcement funding and county governance structure today. Residents cast ballots on two distinct measures: a public safety tax in the city of Kearney and a package of constitutional amendments for the wider county.

Early voting has already occurred at two locations: 100 W. Mississippi Street in Liberty and the Kearney Annunciation Center at 705 N. Jefferson Street in Kearney. The final count will determine whether these structural changes take effect.

The push for a new revenue stream in Kearney stems from a compensation disparity. Sgt. Phil LaManna of the Kearney Police Department stated that starting salaries for officers in the city are set at $55,000. He noted that neighboring departments with existing public safety taxes offer salaries ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 higher. LaManna described this gap as a barrier to recruiting and retaining qualified personnel from the shared regional applicant pool.

Proposition P seeks to approve a half-cent sales tax dedicated strictly to public safety and law enforcement needs within Kearney city limits. LaManna said the revenue would primarily target officer retention, recruitment, and a reduction in overtime costs. He added that the funds would help ensure adequate staffing for backup officers given increased call volumes as the community grows.

If voters approve the measure, the tax would generate approximately $900,000 annually in addition to the police department's current budget. The tax would take effect on April 1, 2027, and would expire after 25 years. LaManna clarified that this is a sales tax, not a property tax, and it would not apply to prescription medication, gasoline, or utilities. He noted that Kearney currently ranks as the 10th safest city in Missouri and wants to maintain that status.

Spending decisions for the new funds would be subject to approval by the Kearney Board of Aldermen. LaManna said the city aims to use the resources to continue growing the police department to meet community demands.

Simultaneously, Clay County voters are deciding Proposition A, which presents a package of amendments to the county constitution recommended by the Constitution Review Commission. The ballot question asks voters to accept or reject the entire package in a single yes-or-no vote rather than deciding on each amendment individually.

Some early voters expressed hesitation about this combined format. Terry Powell, a Liberty voter, said she was uncomfortable with the approach. "I don't like them doing that," Powell said. "I think that's wrong for them to combine everything because there's some things I like and some things I don't." She stated she would prefer the measure be broken into separate questions to allow for more granular control over the changes.

Franklin Bridges, another Liberty voter, raised concerns about specific provisions within the package. He cited discomfort with clauses tied to compensation and authority levels. "I'm uncomfortable when you talk about everybody getting a pay increase," Bridges said. "And having a lot more authority."