Newton City Commission Summary
Week of August 12, 2026
Commission maintains current fireworks sales dates
City sets public hearing for 2027 budget
Proposed budget includes slight mill levy reduction
Broadway and Main traffic signal faces 22-week delay
Street resurfacing completed around local schools
East First Street reopens following concrete replacements
Main Street water main break repaired, reopening expected
City absorbs $10,000 cost for downtown water main break
Commission maintains current fireworks sales dates
NEWTON, Kan. — The Newton City Commission agreed to leave local fireworks sales dates unchanged for the upcoming year following positive feedback from the city's recent Rockets & Rails community celebration. City staff noted that next year's sales period will run from Sunday to Sunday, a schedule that naturally resolves vendor concerns over missed Friday sales without necessitating formal municipal policy changes.
City sets public hearing for 2027 budget
NEWTON, Kan. — Commissioners unanimously approved the publication of a notice of hearing for the city's 2027 budget, scheduling a joint revenue-neutral rate and budget hearing for 7 p.m. Aug. 25 at City Hall. The proposed budget will not exceed $66.8 million, and residents will have the opportunity to address the commission with questions or concerns before its final adoption.
Proposed budget includes slight mill levy reduction
NEWTON, Kan. — Following four budget workshops, the Newton City Commission plans to reduce the city's mill levy rate from 72.353 to 70.942 for the 2027 budget year. While this proposed rate still exceeds the 69-mill revenue-neutral rate due to increased property valuations, Assistant City Manager Rebecca Likiardopoulos said the collected difference will be applied toward the airport bond and interest special liability funds.
Broadway and Main traffic signal faces 22-week delay
NEWTON, Kan. — Downtown motorists will have to wait several months for a new traffic signal at the intersection of Broadway and Main streets due to extensive supply chain timelines. City staff reported that the required pole and mast arm will take approximately 22 weeks to manufacture because of the age of the system, with installation expected to take an additional two to three weeks once the specialized equipment arrives.
Street resurfacing completed around local schools
NEWTON, Kan. — City crews have officially completed slurry seal applications on streets surrounding Newton schools, ensuring roadwork will not impact traffic as students return to classes this week. The city's overall slurry seal program has about four weeks of work remaining for the season before wrapping up street maintenance for the year.
East First Street reopens following concrete replacements
NEWTON, Kan. — East First Street has fully reopened to traffic following the successful completion of concrete replacement projects. The targeted infrastructure improvements took place in front of Slate Creek Elementary School, with public works staff confirming that all placement and finishing work is completed.
Main Street water main break repaired, reopening expected
NEWTON, Kan. — An 8-inch water main break under the railroad tracks on Main Street required the emergency replacement of 5 feet of longitudinally cracked pipe and temporarily closed the downtown roadway. The leaked water caused the railroad tracks to heave, forcing BNSF Railway crews to remove and reset the tracks before repaving the asphalt approach to allow the street to safely reopen.
City absorbs $10,000 cost for downtown water main break
NEWTON, Kan. — The recent water main break on Main Street cost Newton approximately $10,000, a sum that will be managed in-house rather than filed against the city's self-insurance policy due to high deductibles. The total expenses included $4,000 in labor and equipment, $3,000 in repair materials and $3,000 worth of lost water after roughly 500,000 gallons leaked under the railroad crossing.
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