Development News for Newton, Kansas

Newton Awards Contract for NRC Racquetball Court Remodel to Votes

The Newton City Council approved awarding a bid to Votes for the remodel of the NRC racquetball courts into a multipurpose room. The project, initially approved in November 2025 by the Newton Recreation Commission (NRC) for remodeling, aims to create a more versatile space for various activities. Bids were opened on May 12th, and Votes submitted the lowest bid. The NRC board approved the project to the low bidder on May 15th. Although the NRC will fully fund the project, the city, as the building owner, must commission and award the project. The approved bid amount is $220,000, which is $130,000 under the engineer's estimate. Gary Holler from Schaefer Architectures was present to answer questions.

Newton Airport CIP Update Proposes Over $1.1 Million in Projects, Includes Expansion Discussion

The City of Newton is reviewing the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the airport, which was initially approved in April 2021 with a 50-50 cost-sharing arrangement between the city and county, funded through bonding. The current CIP covers up to 2026, and staff have presented a proposed update for 2027-2030, including estimated project costs of $687,000 for city/county-funded projects and $503,000 for grant-funded projects, totaling an estimated $1.189 million over five years. The plan includes maintenance projects for airport buildings, which are owned by the city and leased to private entities, with the oldest building dating back to 1943. In addition to scheduled maintenance, the CIP includes a 'capital projects' section (marked in red) recommending discussions on a sewer upgrade on the east side of the airport (seeking grant funding), paving Oliver Street from NE 12th to 24th Street, and a potential airport expansion that could involve purchasing approximately 300 acres for an estimated $6 million. The proposed plan will be presented to the Aviation Commission and then to the City and County Commissions for approval and funding decisions. Projects are typically funded through bonding and a mill levy.

Newton Proclaims June as Pride Month Amidst Public Debate

The Newton City Council considered a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month. The proclamation aims to recognize the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community and promote principles of equality and liberty. Molly Mills Weiss, a Newton resident, spoke in favor of the proclamation, sharing her personal experiences growing up in Newton and her involvement in organizing Newton's first Pride event, 'Popsicles in the Park.' She highlighted the community's desire for connection and belonging. Following this, a resident named Matt expressed strong opposition to the proclamation, drawing an analogy between LGBTQ+ individuals and vermin and arguing against what he perceived as the expansion of rights beyond marriage equality, citing concerns about transgenderism, drag queens, and 'minor attracted persons.' He asserted that the city has a duty to promote a specific biblical sexual ethic. Another resident, an educator, countered Matt's remarks, condemning the comparison of LGBTQ+ people to rodents and emphasizing the importance of respecting diverse religions and the constitutional principle of freedom of religion while advocating for inclusion. A priest from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church also spoke in support of the proclamation, affirming the church's commitment to love, inclusion, and breaking down barriers for all people, including the LGBTQ+ community. The council ultimately approved the proclamation.

Newton Reviews Underutilized Utility Assistance Program, Considers Broader Eligibility

The City of Newton is reviewing its Utility Assistance Program, which began in 2010 with the Salvation Army administering aid for city water and sewer bills, typically up to $100 per household annually. In 2020, the city brought the program in-house due to administrative and reconciliation concerns with the Salvation Army. In 2021, the program was revised to exclusively serve senior citizens over 65 who meet income qualifications, providing a one-time annual $100 utility credit. Utilization of the revised program has been very low, with only 11 applications approved in four years, costing the city approximately $1,100. The city budgeted $15,000 for the program annually, with close to that amount remaining. Staff presented this information to initiate a policy conversation about the program's purpose, future direction, and potential expansion to a broader low-income population, possibly with more robust documentation requirements, rather than focusing solely on seniors. Concerns were raised about the program's low impact and the potential need for better marketing or a more comprehensive approach to low-income assistance.