City commission revamps low-income utility assistance program

City to notify 965 residents under lead and copper water line rule

Roadway rehabilitation contract awarded for 2026 project

Bid date set for APAC-Kansas rock crushing facility infrastructure project

Temporary alcohol permit approved for Blues, Brews and Barbecue

1. City commission revamps low-income utility assistance program

NEWTON, Kan. — The Newton City Commission directed staff to finalize updates to the city's utility assistance program, proposing an increase in the one-time annual payout from $100 to $150 and removing the senior citizen age requirement. The $15,000 program, initially launched in 2021, has seen historically low participation, prompting officials to expand eligibility based on proxy qualifications like Medicaid or free and reduced-price school lunches to better target young families in need. The updated resolution is expected to be placed on the next meeting's consent agenda for final approval.

2. City to notify 965 residents under lead and copper water line rule

NEWTON, Kan. — Newton officials announced that 965 notices will be mailed to local residents by November as part of the 2026 lead and copper public notification rule. The federally mandated notices inform property owners if their water service lines contain lead, galvanized pipes requiring replacement or are made of an unknown material. The notices are informational and stem from a citywide inventory previously submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

3. Roadway rehabilitation contract awarded for 2026 project

NEWTON, Kan. — The commission unanimously awarded a contract for the 2026 roadway rehabilitation project. Coming in substantially under the engineer's estimate, the project will cover full-depth street patching, local curb and gutter reconstruction, asphalt mill and overlay and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramp installations across the city.

4. Bid date set for APAC-Kansas rock crushing facility infrastructure project

NEWTON, Kan. — The commission authorized staff to set an Oct. 2 bid date for water and sewer infrastructure additions supporting the new APAC-Kansas rock crushing facility. Following the recent submission of utility plans to the state for review, the scheduling move allows developers to potentially begin preliminary grading work while awaiting final state approval for the buried utility lines.

5. Temporary alcohol permit approved for Blues, Brews and Barbecue

NEWTON, Kan. — A temporary alcohol permit was unanimously approved for the upcoming Blues, Brews and Barbecue festival. The permit allows for the legal sale and consumption of alcohol in Athletic Park from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sept. 26.

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