Newton local news summary

Commissioners approve tax abatement for Avcon Industries

Full Vision granted 10-year tax exemption for expansion

City rezones land to attract heavy industry

Sand Creek Station housing expansion moves forward

Agreement approved for K-15 reconstruction design

Bonds authorized for city HVAC improvements

New designs selected for city water towers

Commission debates fee waiver for church roof project

County attorney reports conviction in child sex abuse case

Purchase of AI-powered evidence management system approved

Commission approves new medical provider for detention center

Opioid settlement funds allocated to jail mentorship program

Sheriff's office secures five-year Taser contract

Request for emergency senior meal funding fails to gain traction

Officials plan summit regarding county line sinkhole

Commissioners approve tax abatement for Avcon Industries

NEWTON, Kan. - The city commission approved a performance-based tax abatement for Avcon Industries following a public hearing. The agreement supports Avcon's purchase and improvement of the former Mennonite Press building at the Newton City-County Airport. Under the tiered agreement, the company will receive a 75 percent property tax abatement in the first year, 50 percent in the second and 25 percent in the third on the increased valuation of the property.

Full Vision granted 10-year tax exemption for expansion

NEWTON, Kan. - Full Vision was granted a 100 percent tax abatement for 10 years to support a $6.5 million expansion project. The company is adding a 30,000-square-foot facility and investing in new systems that are expected to create 15 new jobs. Company representatives stated the expansion allows them to differentiate from competitors and execute an aggressive five-year business plan.

City rezones land to attract heavy industry

NEWTON, Kan. - To make city-owned property more attractive to potential buyers, the commission voted to rezone a 15-acre parcel north of the GAF Materials facility. The property was changed from I-2 light industrial to I-3 heavy industrial. Staff reported that feedback from potential developers indicated the site would be more marketable with the heavier zoning designation, which aligns with the surrounding industrial uses.

Sand Creek Station housing expansion moves forward

NEWTON, Kan. - The commission approved a series of petitions and resolutions to install water, sewer and street improvements for the Sand Creek Station Fifth Addition. The development will include 71 new lots with homes expected to be priced between $380,000 and $400,000. All infrastructure costs for the project will be 100 percent funded by the benefit district through special assessments on the properties.

Agreement approved for K-15 reconstruction design

NEWTON, Kan. - Commissioners authorized a three-party agreement between the city, the Kansas Department of Transportation and GBA for the design of road reconstruction on K-15 from 11th to 13th streets. The project is funded through a KDOT grant that covers 90 percent of costs up to $1.2 million, with the city responsible for the remaining 10 percent and any costs exceeding the cap. The project will include mill and overlay work and full-depth patching.

Bonds authorized for city HVAC improvements

NEWTON, Kan. - The commission approved a resolution authorizing general obligation bonds to fund HVAC replacements at Fire Station 2, the Newton Recreation Center and City Hall. Staff presented a 20-year debt schedule showing an average annual payment of roughly $119,000.

New designs selected for city water towers

NEWTON, Kan. - The commission approved new paint designs for two city water towers. The First Street tower will feature the official "City of Newton" logo to be visible from the highway, while the 17th Street tower will feature the city flag design, including the wheat and rail imagery.

Commission debates fee waiver for church roof project

NEWTON, Kan. - Commissioners hesitated to grant a request from a local church to waive approximately $875 in building permit fees for a roofing project. While commissioners expressed strong support for the church's mission, several members voiced concern about setting a precedent for waiving fees for repairs rather than new economic development. Staff was directed to investigate if the permit fees could be lowered by calculating the project's value based on the actual cost to the church—which is utilizing donated materials and labor—rather than the standard market value.

County attorney reports conviction in child sex abuse case

NEWTON, Kan. - Harvey County Attorney Heather Figger reported a conviction in district court following a four-day jury trial earlier this month. James Everett, charged with nine counts of child sexual abuse, was convicted on eight counts after one was dismissed during the trial. Figger credited the victims for their bravery in testifying and noted the trial required a pool of nearly 100 potential jurors to seat the final panel. The defendant faces a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years in prison on each count, lifetime post-release supervision and lifetime registration as a sexual offender.

Purchase of AI-powered evidence management system approved

NEWTON, Kan. - Commissioners waived the purchasing policy to allow the Harvey County Attorney's Office to acquire a digital evidence management system for an initial annual fee of $10,423. Harvey County Attorney Heather Figger explained the office's current system is overwhelmed by the volume of digital evidence, such as body camera footage and phone downloads, which is expected to reach 7.5 terabytes by next summer. The new software utilizes artificial intelligence to transcribe audio and locate specific visual cues in video evidence, which Figger stated would save significant staff time. The purchase will be funded through 2025 salary savings.

Commission approves new medical provider for detention center

NEWTON, Kan. - The board voted to enter an agreement with a new medical services provider for inmates at the Harvey County Detention Center. County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber reported the new provider submitted a proposal approximately $100,000 lower than the current provider. The new agreement also includes four hours of contracted mental health services per week, a component the jail previously lacked. The commission approved the award pending final legal review of the contract to ensure coverage begins by mid-January.

Opioid settlement funds allocated to jail mentorship program

NEWTON, Kan. - The commission unanimously approved an $87,036 allocation from the county's opioid settlement funds to continue the jail mentorship program through 2026. Operated by a local crisis response team, the program provides peer mentorship and addiction recovery support within the detention center. During the meeting, a peer mentor testified about the program's impact, contrasting success stories with recent overdose deaths of individuals who had relapsed. The funding covers two peer mentors and a supervisor.

Sheriff's office secures five-year Taser contract

NEWTON, Kan. - The board approved a five-year contract with Axon for the replacement of Tasers for the Harvey County Sheriff's Office. The contract totals $168,853, to be paid in annual installments of roughly $33,770. Undersheriff Sean Chapman noted signing the contract before the end of the year would avoid a scheduled 5 percent price increase from the vendor. The purchase was previously identified in the county's Capital Improvement Plan.

Request for emergency senior meal funding fails to gain traction

NEWTON, Kan. - A request by the Harvey County Department on Aging for $20,000 to bridge a service gap in the senior nutrition program failed to receive a motion from the commission. The department director explained the current meal provider ends service Dec. 31, while the incoming provider will not be fully operational until late February. The director requested the county subsidize costs for centers in Newton, Sedgwick, Hesston and Halstead during the transition period. One commissioner expressed hesitation about using property tax dollars for unbudgeted social services, suggesting city governments, churches or nonprofits should handle the shortfall. No action was taken, leaving the program's immediate future uncertain.

Officials plan summit regarding county line sinkhole

NEWTON, Kan. - Commissioner Becky Reimer reported a meeting is being organized for January to address a sinkhole located on the Marion-Harvey County line. Reimer recently spoke with a Marion County commissioner who inspected the site. The upcoming meeting will include commissioners from both counties and representatives from Walton Township to determine a solution and encourage action on the infrastructure hazard.

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