Kearney Volunteer Fire Department firefighter, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — A new member of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department was approved by the Kearney city council during their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Fire Chief Aaron Jameson asked the council to confirm the appointment Blake Wilbur to serve as a firefighter on the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD).
Wilbur joined the department on Aug. 7.
The membership approval was part of the consent agenda and was approved with 12 other items during the meeting.
“The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department is a rather unique organization in the fact that it is comprised of three different separate entities that operate together for the benefit of the citizens in our fire district,” per their website.
The City of Kearney employees 12 full-time and 12 part-time Fire Engineers, a Fire Administrator, an Office Manager, a part-time Secretary.
The Suburban Fire Protection District 1 provides fire protection for Buffalo and Kearney County, excluding the city of Kearney.
KVFD is its own private corporation consisting of the membership and Reserve Company, members retired from firefighting but still assist.
During the report section of the meeting, council member Alex Straatmann thanked those on the city staff who attended the Joint Public Hearing, known as the “pink postcard” meeting.
LB 644, the legislative bill passed in 2021, mandates a joint public hearing for participating local political subdivisions to discuss property tax request increases exceeding an allowable growth percentage.
Straatmann noted that property taxes continue to be the focus of many community members.
It was discussed that the timing of the hearings can cause some confusion for citizens, as the state mandated meeting comes late in the budget process when they are on the cusp of being fully approved.
City Manager Brenda Jensen said that there is possible legislation coming that would highlight when the budget hearing dates are, so residents can weigh in earlier in the process.
The city council then held an executive session to discuss contract negotiations and took no action following the end of the session.
