Alex Straatmann, (Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Alex Straatmann is one of the candidates who is running for Kearney City Council
A Kearney native, Straatmann attended Kearney High School and the University of Nebraska at Kearney and later attended law school at Texas Tech University before returning to the community in 2003.
He worked for 16 years for Congressman Adrian Smith in his Grand Island office while living in Kearney. Two years ago, Straatman took a position with UNK as their chief compliance officer.
Straatman would also serve two terms, 2015-2023, on the Kearney Public School board of education and has also spent 15 years in the Army Reserve as a lawyer.
He is currently running for Kearney city council, saying that it seemed like the natural progression in serving Kearney.
When asked about the experience that would prepare him to sit on the city council, Straatmann cited his experience on the school board and dealing with large budgets, levies, taxes and how it impacts the community.
Questioned on why he is seeking the position, Straatmann said he is a lifelong resident of the community and said he wants to see it thrive through careful planning.
He noted bringing in more business and expanding housing, but noted the council always needs to be cognizant of the tax burden on the community. Straatmann said the city can focus on what it can control, such as zoning regulations and annexations.
When asked about what he feels are the most pressing issues that Kearney is facing, Straatmann said there are several things he sees.
The first of which is revenue streams, he said the council should always be aware of where the money is coming from and what it is costing residents.
Straatmann also cited housing costs, but said the council never wants to be in the position of trying to dictate the cost of housing. He did not they have tools like zoning regulations that can be used to help spur development.
When further questioned about the lack of housing, Straatmann said that this is likely not an issue people want local government to try to jump in and solve.
Looking at the affordable housing issue, Straatmann said the city council can have an impact through property taxes, have favorable zoning regulations, and controlling things they can control.
When questioned about proposed budget caps some are seeking to control spending and property taxes, Straatmann said he has an issue when people in Lincoln try to tell locals what they can and cannot do.
Straatmann said Kearney does not have the budget issues that other municipalities do but noted he wants to focus on lowering property taxes over lowering the levy.
When asked what would influence his decisions on the council, Straatmann said he lives in the community and goes to the same grocery stores, uses the same services, etc. as the community does.
He said if you want to serve on a public board at the local level, you have to be accountable to your constituents. Straatmann said people might not always agree with his decisions, but it is his goal to be transparent in how he reached that decision.
“You have to respect and understand, when someone brings you and issue, that is likely the most important issue to them,” Straatmann said.
When asked how he would stay connected with his constituents, Straatman said he maintains a Facebook page dedicated to his candidacy, which he used in the past during his time on the school board, under a different name.
“I just really appreciate the opportunity to be here,” Straatmann said in conclusion, “I feel very privileged and honored to live in Kearney.”
Editor’s Note: Alex Straatmann appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using the interview. Listen to the full interview here.
