Newton meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Newton boards weigh 2027 budget, wetlands platform, legal services

Newton city officials met last week to consider the 2027 budget, a wetlands birdwatching platform, and legal services for the housing authority. Official minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

City Commission

The Newton City Commission held a regular meeting Aug. 11. The agenda included:

• Receiving the city manager’s recommendation for the 2027 budget, approving a not-to-exceed amount for publication, and setting a hearing date.
• Reviewing the fireworks ordinance.
• Approving a Memorandum of Agreement for the RMR Wetlands birdwatching platform, with a PEC contract of $14,050.
• Confirming the mayor’s appointment of Rich Stinnett to the Harvey County Economic Development board, with a term ending April 30, 2028.
• Closing Main Street on Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. for the High School Homecoming Parade.

Also on Aug. 11, the commission held a work session to review a study and options for the Safe Routes For All (SS4A) program. That item was for discussion only, with no formal decisions scheduled.

An earlier work session on Aug. 6 continued the 2027 budget discussion, also with no votes or public hearings.

Land Bank

The Newton Land Bank Board met Aug. 6. Its agenda included:

• Approving the proposed FY 2026–2027 budget, with projected revenue of $5,595 and expenses of $5,350.
• Setting a public hearing on the budget for Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026.
• Reviewing and approving the June 18, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Receiving a manager update on operations.

Housing Authority

The Newton Housing Authority held a special meeting Aug. 7 to consider accepting a Letter of Engagement from attorney Michelle Witte of Martin Pringle for employment-related legal services. That was the only substantive item on the agenda.

Coming up

The Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 17 board will meet Aug. 19 at City Hall in Newton. The agenda includes reviewing minutes from April 15, 2026, receiving the July financial report, hearing an audit report and presentation, and getting an update on well levels. The board also plans to set its next meeting for April 21, 2027.

Newton commission to take up 2027 budget, wetlands platform this week

Newton city officials are moving forward on the 2027 budget, with the City Commission scheduled to receive the city manager's recommendation and set a public hearing at its Aug. 11 regular meeting. The same meeting will consider a wetlands birdwatching platform agreement, a fireworks ordinance review, and a street closing for the homecoming parade. Recent meetings covered the airport hangar lease, the Land Bank budget, and housing authority legal services.

2027 budget discussions continue

The commission held work sessions on July 28 and Aug. 6 to discuss the 2027 city budget and library funding. No votes were scheduled at those sessions. At the Aug. 11 regular meeting, the commission will receive the city manager's budget recommendation, approve a not-to-exceed amount for publication, and set a hearing date.

The Newton Land Bank Board met Aug. 6 and considered approving its proposed FY 2026–2027 budget, with projected revenue of $5,595 and expenses of $5,350. The board also considered setting a public hearing for Aug. 27. Minutes from the June 18 meeting and a manager update were on the agenda.

Airport hangar and other July 28 items

The July 28 regular commission meeting included a key item: a construction and lease agreement with Shield AI for a new hangar at Newton City-County Airport. The agenda also included a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant request for Themian Park Phase 2 and 3, adoption of the 2026–2030 Airport Capital Improvement Plan, authorization of road improvements with a bid opening Aug. 25, and awarding a water tower painting contract. A one-day alcohol permit expansion for Moxie's and a public forum were also listed. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not available.

Housing Authority special meeting

The Newton Housing Authority held a special meeting Aug. 7 to consider accepting a Letter of Engagement from attorney Michelle Witte of Martin Pringle for employment-related legal services. That was the only substantive item on the agenda.

Upcoming: Aug. 11 work session on Safe Routes

The commission will hold a work session Aug. 11 to review a study and options for the Safe Routes For All (SS4A) program. No formal decisions are scheduled.

Coming up

• **Aug. 11 — Regular Commission:** 2027 budget recommendation, wetlands platform agreement (PEC contract of $14,050), fireworks ordinance review, appointment of Rich Stinnett to Harvey County Economic Development (term ending 4-30-2028), and closing Main Street on Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. for the High School Homecoming Parade.
• **Aug. 11 — Work Session:** Safe Routes For All (SS4A) study and options review.

Newton meeting roundup: Airport hangar lease, water tower painting, 2027 budget on recent agendas

What happened

Newton boards and commissions met four times between July 20 and July 28, but minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions. The agendas show what was scheduled for discussion and votes, but the city has not released the outcomes. Readers should treat the items below as planned actions, not confirmed decisions.

City Commission — July 28

The regular City Commission agenda listed several consequential items, including a proposed construction and lease agreement with Shield AI for a new hangar at the Newton City-County Airport. The commission was also set to consider the 2026–2030 Airport Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), authorize road improvements with a bid opening date of August 25, 2026, and review bids for a water tower painting project before awarding a contract.

Other scheduled items included a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant request for Themian Park Phase 2 & 3, a one-day alcohol permit expansion for Moxie's, and a public forum. A consent agenda included updated traffic and public offense codes and a financial report.

No vote tallies or dollar amounts are available because minutes have not been published.

Budget work session — July 28

The City Commission held a work session on the 2027 city budget, including a presentation on the 2027 Library budget. The agenda noted that no votes or decisions were expected; the session was for information and discussion only.

Newton Housing Authority — July 23

The Housing Authority board was scheduled to vote on Resolution 2026-12, which would amend Article III, Section 1 of the bylaws to change the time of regular meetings. The agenda also included a status report on the remaining corrective item for a HUD Substandard Designation and its expected resolution date, plus discussion of FY2025 audit finding 2025-001 and the status of correction actions.

Board members were set to discuss attendance at the July 28 City Commission meeting and the Authority's reporting relationship with the City Commission. Documents provided to the board included the Partridge Roofing contract, bids, and invoices; a Laura Donnelly invoice; salary change minutes; a VISA statement; HUD counsel communication; and HUD interest-bearing account guidance.

Aviation Commission — July 20

The Newton City/County Airport Advisory Board was scheduled to elect a new member, review financial reports from June 30, 2026, and continue discussions on the Joint Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days, according to the agendas provided. Residents should check the city's official calendar for any newly posted sessions.

Newton boards weighed Fischer Field upgrades, industrial plat, and downtown grants this week

Newton's advisory boards and commissions tackled a range of capital projects, land-use decisions, and downtown improvements in recent sessions, though official minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings. The following reflects what each body had scheduled for consideration; confirmed outcomes will be available once minutes are posted.

Public Building Commission — June 30

The Public Building Commission's agenda centered on Fischer Field and the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Commissioners were scheduled to consider approving the CIP, which includes $600,000 for Fischer Field turf replacement scheduled for 2030 and pool upgrades.

Also on the agenda: a $64,882.10 contract for Fischer Field locker room flooring — described as negotiated down from bids that exceeded $84,000 — and a $26,500 proposal for a press box study at Fischer Field.

Commissioners were also set to review an interlocal agreement updating maintenance funding contributions for Fischer Field and to approve minutes from the December 2, 2025 meeting.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items received final approval.

City Commission Special Meeting — June 30

The City Commission held a special meeting consisting solely of an executive session under attorney-client privilege. No public action or discussion items were scheduled. Minutes are not yet published.

Planning Commission — July 6

The Planning Commission was scheduled to consider a preliminary plat for Brigham Industrial Addition, a new industrial subdivision submitted by Newton Industrial LLC. The commission also planned to approve minutes from its June 1, 2026 meeting and to discuss updates to mural code language as old business.

Minutes are not yet published, so the plat's final disposition is not confirmed.

Coming up

Choose Newton Main Street Board — July 14. The board is scheduled to discuss a request for $36,000 to fund 12 façade improvement grants, to be presented at an upcoming City Commission meeting. Other agenda items include a mission-statement discussion, a recap of a Main Street America visit, and a promotion report. Project updates on the agenda note that downtown sound system equipment is on site with $40,000 in private donations being sought, and that a common-consumption proposal is to be presented to the City Commission.

Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the June 30 and July 6 meetings should watch for posted minutes from the Public Building Commission, City Commission, and Planning Commission.

Newton commissions weighed housing authority removal, Fischer Field upgrades; planning board set for industrial plat vote

Newton city bodies turned to housing oversight, recreation facility funding, and a closed legal session over the past two weeks, with minutes not yet published for any of the meetings. Because only agendas are available, outcomes of the votes listed below are not yet confirmed in the public record.

Newton Housing Authority commissioners faced removal hearing

The City Commission scheduled a June 23 public hearing to consider removing two Newton Housing Authority commissioners. The agenda cited a HUD substandard management designation as the basis. Also on the agenda were votes to establish three Reinvestment Housing Improvement Districts (RHIDs) intended to spur housing development at the following locations: SW 24th Street and west of Anderson Road; east of S. Blaine Street and northwest of SE 14th Connector; and east of Kansas Avenue and northwest of SE 14th Connector. Commissioners were also set to discuss Depot District next steps, hear a presentation on a biking to school survey, and act on a street closure for the Harvey County Free Fair Parade on August 8 with city assistance.

Fischer Field upgrades and 2026 capital plan before Public Building Commission

The Newton Public Building Commission on June 30 considered approving the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan, which includes $600,000 for Fischer Field turf replacement scheduled for 2030 and pool upgrades. The agenda listed a $64,882.10 contract for Fischer Field locker room flooring, negotiated down from bids of $84,000-plus, and a $26,500 proposal for a Fischer Field press box study. The commission was also set to review an interlocal agreement updating maintenance funding contributions for Fischer Field and to approve minutes from its December 2, 2025 meeting.

City Commission held closed special session

A special City Commission meeting on June 30 consisted solely of an executive session under attorney-client privilege, with no public action or discussion items listed.

Coming up

The Newton Planning Commission meets July 6 to consider a preliminary plat for Brigham Industrial Addition, a new industrial subdivision submitted by Newton Industrial LLC. The agenda also includes approval of June 1, 2026 meeting minutes and an update on mural code language under old business.

Newton commission weighs housing authority removals, reinvestment districts; building commission advances field upgrades

The Newton City Commission’s June 23 agenda featured a public hearing on removing two Newton Housing Authority commissioners and votes on three Reinvestment Housing Improvement Districts, while the Public Building Commission considered a capital plan funding Fischer Field turf replacement and pool upgrades. Meeting minutes were not available at press time.

City Commission considers housing authority action, housing districts

The commission on June 23 held a public hearing to consider removing two Newton Housing Authority commissioners. The action followed a substandard management designation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. No vote tallies or names were available from the agenda-only record.

Also on the agenda were three Reinvestment Housing Improvement Districts intended to spur housing development: one at SW 24th Street and west of Anderson Road, a second east of S. Blaine Street and northwest of SE 14th Connector, and a third east of Kansas Avenue and northwest of SE 14th Connector. The commission also discussed next steps for the Depot District and received a presentation on a biking-to-school survey. A street closure for the Harvey County Free Fair Parade on Aug. 8 was on the table.

Public Building Commission takes up Fischer Field projects, capital plan

The Newton Public Building Commission met June 30. The agenda included approval of the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan, which allocates $600,000 for Fischer Field turf replacement in 2030 and pool upgrades. The commission considered a $64,882.10 contract for Fischer Field locker room flooring, negotiated down from bids exceeding $84,000, and a $26,500 proposal for a press box study. An interlocal agreement to update maintenance-funding contributions for Fischer Field was also reviewed.

Special executive session

The City Commission held a special meeting on June 30 solely for an executive session under attorney-client privilege. The agenda listed no public action or discussion items.

Coming up

The Newton Planning Commission meets July 6 to consider a preliminary plat for Brigham Industrial Addition, a new industrial subdivision submitted by Newton Industrial LLC. Commissioners will also review June 1 meeting minutes and continue an update on mural code language.