ERIN MCDANIEL
City of Newton
NEWTON, Kan. — At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Newton City Commission approved a not-to-exceed budget for publication that includes a 1-mill reduction in the tax rate.
Newton’s assessed valuation rose by 12.7% for next year, a large increase after many years of relatively stagnant growth. With the mill levy reduction, the City will take in revenue equivalent to an 11% increase in valuation.
The proposed $63.3 million budget includes:
Four new positions at least partially funded by property taxes: an engineer, an IT technician, a Street maintenance worker and a Park maintenance worker.
New swing sets installed at City parks and additional funding for playground replacement.
Lighting for flags at Greenwood Cemetery.
Increased software and IT security costs.
About $400,000 for an anticipated increase in employee wages following a classification and salary study to make sure the City remains competitive in the job market.
The proposed budget projects a General Fund balance of 14.4% for 2025; the City strives to maintain a balance of 15%.
The Commission will hold public hearings for the budget and the Revenue Neutral Rate at 7 p.m. Aug. 27.
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