Randy Buschkoetter
NE · Kearney City Council Member
Randy Buschkoetter has served on the Kearney City Council since 1998 and teaches at West Kearney High School. His priorities include keeping the city's property tax levy low and supporting the police and volunteer fire departments.
Where Randy Buschkoetter stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (3 records), Housing Affordability (3 records), Social Programs and Welfare (1 record),
Opposes
Environment and Public Health (1 record), Government Spending Reduction (3 records)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 1 oppose
Voted against a council resolution backing the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act (LB 395), a statewide indoor smoking ban. It passed 3-1.
March 13, 2007Opposes Environment and Public Health
Source: cityofkearney.org
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 3 oppose
Seconded approval of the 2025-26 property tax request: $6.47 million for city operations and $619,543 for debt. He also voted for the 2025-26 budget. Both passed 5-0.
September 9, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cityofkearney.org
Introduced the ordinance to borrow up to $34 million in city bonds to build a sports complex. It passed 5-0.
March 22, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cityofkearney.org
Moved to ask voters to approve up to $7.5 million in bonds for a youth baseball and softball complex. A 1% restaurant and bar tax paid for it. It passed 5-0.
August 26, 2014Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cityofkearney.org
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 3 support
Voted against repealing the city policy that let it post no-weapons signs on city buildings. The repeal passed 3-2.
November 28, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted to deny fireworks sales for New Year's after the police chief warned of more calls. The motion passed 4-1.
October 26, 2010Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted against repealing Kearney's city ban on carrying concealed weapons, after a state attorney general opinion. The repeal passed 4-1.
January 27, 2009Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofkearney.org
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 3 support
Seconded a tax break, known as tax-increment financing, for a 24-unit apartment complex by Talmadge Jam, LLC. It covers up to 15 years. It passed 5-0.
August 11, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted to approve plans for an apartment building at 5110 Parklane Drive, despite parking concerns. It passed 3-1.
May 26, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted against denying a request to allow duplexes on four lots zoned for single-family homes south of 11th Street. The denial passed 4-1.
August 13, 2013Supports Housing Affordability
Source: cityofkearney.org
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 1 support
Moved to rezone 1210 East 11th Street so Crossroads Rescue Mission could build a 66-bed homeless shelter. It failed 2-2.
April 12, 2011Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: cityofkearney.org
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 2 support
Introduced the ordinance to borrow up to $34 million in city bonds to build a sports complex. It passed 5-0.
March 22, 2022Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cityofkearney.org
Moved to ask voters to approve up to $7.5 million in bonds for a youth baseball and softball complex. A 1% restaurant and bar tax paid for it. It passed 5-0.
August 26, 2014Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cityofkearney.org
Track record — General
General · 12 records
Urged voters at a council meeting to vote yes on the Good Life District on May 12, 2026.
April 28, 2026
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted to put the Good Life District on the May 2026 ballot. The plan returns some sales tax to help build shops near the SportsPlex. It passed 5-0.
February 24, 2026
Source: cityofkearney.org
Moved to adopt new short-term rental rules, including occupancy limits and a three-strikes complaint policy. It passed 3-1.
January 27, 2026
Source: cityofkearney.org
Was chosen vice-president of the Kearney City Council by a 4-0 vote. The vice-president runs meetings when the mayor is absent.
December 10, 2024
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted against asking the state to cancel San Pedro Mexican Restaurant's liquor license after sales to minors. The council passed it 4-1.
February 24, 2015
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted to allow alcohol sales on Sundays starting at 11 a.m. instead of noon, for bars and stores alike. It passed 4-1.
October 14, 2014
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted to let stores sell beer, wine and liquor to go on Sundays from noon to midnight. It passed 4-1.
June 23, 2009
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted against denying a permit for the I Believe in Me Ranch to open a school for youth on farm land. He said it would not harm nearby homes. The denial passed 3-2.
January 8, 2008
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted against letting Bill's Liquor West expand the area covered by its liquor license. The expansion passed 4-1.
February 13, 2007
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted against letting Bill's Liquor renew its liquor license automatically. The council approved the renewal 3-2.
August 23, 2005
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted against creating a paving district to rebuild part of 11th Street, after a resident objected to losing trees and green space. It passed 4-1.
February 22, 2005
Source: cityofkearney.org
Voted against blocking a six-week trial of Sunday morning beer and wine sales in bars. He said it was a chance to test the idea. The denial passed 4-1.
January 27, 2004
Source: cityofkearney.org
Past race Randy Buschkoetter ran in:
- City Council Member At-Large · November 3, 2026 · Kearney city, Nebraska · incumbent