Assessed property valuations increase 4.25 percent as city plans 2027 budget

City considers passing credit card fees to utility customers

Newton establishes first-ever rail utility fund

City prepares for downtown Depot District redevelopment

Security upgrades implemented at City Hall

Public safety facility study added to Capital Improvement Plan

Police department to install Flock license plate cameras

Newton seeks additional county funding to stabilize emergency medical services system

1. Assessed property valuations increase 4.25 percent as city plans 2027 budget

NEWTON, Kan. — Assessed property valuations in Newton have increased by 4.25 percent, prompting concern during a recent budget work session over the growing tax burden on residents. City of Newton staff presented a "stabilization" approach for the 2026-2027 budget, which features a roughly $62.5 million expenditure plan that intentionally draws down on existing cash reserves to fund operations and capital projects without heavily relying on property tax increases. Officials noted that holding department operating budgets flat effectively acts as a budget cut due to inflation, making the strategic use of cash balances necessary to maintain municipal services.

2. City considers passing credit card fees to utility customers

NEWTON, Kan. — Newton utility customers who pay their bills with a credit card may soon be responsible for covering the transaction fees. City of Newton staff revealed that absorbing these processing fees currently costs the local government between $150,000 and $200,000 annually. To recoup these costs, the city is weighing the implementation of a pass-through percentage fee for credit card users, while simultaneously rolling out new, fee-free payment options such as Automated Clearing House and additional electronic payment methods. A final decision on the fee structure is expected before the adoption of the upcoming budget.

3. Newton establishes first-ever rail utility fund

NEWTON, Kan. — As part of its 2027 budget preparations, the City of Newton has created a new fund marking the establishment of a brand-new municipal rail utility. Expected to go online next year, the rail utility will support ongoing expansion and economic development within the city's industrial parks. While Newton has a long history as a railroad town, this is the first time the local government will operate its own rail utility, which will be funded initially through a combination of grant money and municipal bonds.

4. City prepares for downtown Depot District redevelopment

NEWTON, Kan. — Plans to revitalize Newton's downtown core are advancing, with City of Newton officials preparing to issue a request for proposals for redevelopment in the Depot District. Located at 320 N. Main St., the city-owned former Dillons property is being positioned for a public-private partnership aimed at bridging the north and south sides of the downtown area near the railroad tracks. City of Newton staff indicated that structural analyses of the depot have been completed, and city officials will soon discuss what elements to include in the redevelopment pitch to attract potential investors and create a new central commercial destination.

5. Security upgrades implemented at City Hall

NEWTON, Kan. — Following a site audit by public safety officials, Newton City Hall is undergoing security upgrades to better protect staff and visitors. Public Works Director Ed Bonham noted that the building's split-level design makes it difficult to secure, prompting the installation of new access-controlled doors, particularly on the second floor near the Human Resources and Finance departments to control foot traffic. Additional measures include repairing exterior parking lot lighting to ensure the safety of employees leaving the facility after hours, especially on busy Municipal Court days.

6. Public safety facility study added to Capital Improvement Plan

NEWTON, Kan. — Anticipating future growth and space limitations, the City of Newton is preparing to launch a Public Safety Facility Study to evaluate the building needs of the Newton Police Department and Newton Fire/EMS. The Capital Improvement Plan currently features an $8.5 million placeholder for potential future facility construction or reorganization, though staff emphasized that the city does not currently have those funds set aside. The upcoming study will help officials determine whether a completely new complex is required or if existing structures can be modified to accommodate the rising demands on emergency responders.

7. Police department to install Flock license plate cameras

NEWTON, Kan. — The Newton Police Department is adding Flock license plate reader cameras to the city's streets to assist in identifying vehicles associated with criminal investigations. Police Chief Craig Dunlavy clarified that the pole-mounted cameras only capture still images of vehicles and license plates, not the occupants, and are meant to tie Newton into a broader camera network already utilized by Wichita and surrounding counties. While privacy advocates often raise civil liberty concerns over the data retention and general surveillance scope of automated license plate readers, Dunlavy addressed such worries by likening the system to residential security cameras, emphasizing that the technology simply tracks who is coming and going from the community to enhance public safety.

8. Newton seeks additional county funding to stabilize emergency medical services system

NEWTON, Kan. — Newton Fire/EMS Chief Steve Roberson has formally requested additional funding from Harvey County to help support what officials described as a "fragile" countywide emergency medical system. According to City of Newton staff, occasional coverage gaps at volunteer agencies across Harvey County have created a precarious situation where a single agency's inability to deploy an ambulance forces others, like Newton, to take on the ethical burden of covering their territory. Newton previously deferred its share of a 2023 county funding increase to help stabilize smaller agencies, but rising costs and an expanded pool of providers have prompted the city to return to Harvey County with a new request for financial support.

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