The Rundown – City grants Standridge more time to develop property

Published on September 23, 2026

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Commission approved a proposal from Standridge Color Corporation to extend its deadline to expand in exchange for a one-time $5,000 payment.

Standridge, which makes color additives for the plastics industry, has operated a facility in the Newton Industrial Park since 2005. In 2017, the City sold Standridge about 6.8 acres adjacent to their site for construction of a 30,000-square-foot expansion. The sales agreement included a reversionary interest, or “claw-back,” that required Standridge to begin construction by 2021 or the City could reclaim the property at no cost.

The City granted extensions three times, most recently in 2025. Standridge expressed a good faith intention to develop the property but did not offer a timeline. The company proposed three options for the City to consider:

1. Standridge purchases the reversionary interest for $25,000. Standridge would own the land outright and could develop on their own schedule, not develop at all, or sell the land.
2. Standridge pays the City $5,000 to extend the deadline to Dec. 31, 2031.
3. Standridge pays the City $1,000 each November to extend an additional year.

Commissioners expressed reluctance to give up the City’s reversionary interest because if the parcel remains undeveloped, that’s one fewer lot in the industrial park that could be generating tax revenue and employment. They opted to extend the deadline to 2031 with a $5,000 payment, giving Standridge additional time while maintaining the City’s interest in strategic industrial growth.

Animal Trapping

The Commission reviewed proposed changes to the City’s animal control ordinance that would allow for the use of body-gripping or steel jaw leg-hold traps under certain conditions with the approval of the Animal Control Officer. The current City ordinance prohibits those styles of trap, although they are permitted under State law.

Licensed trapper Cody Abney advocated for the change for controlling beaver within the city limits. He said he has been hired several times in Newton to trap beaver, which can cause extensive damage to trees in a short period of time.

Commissioners requested that the ordinance include a requirement that trappers hold a Nuisance Wildlife Damage Control Permit from the State in addition to receiving approval from the Animal Control Officer before using the traps. They would remain prohibited for unlicensed users. City staff will bring back an ordinance for consideration at a future meeting.

Flock Cameras

City Manager Daniela Rivas announced that in response to citizen requests, City staff will present about the City’s use of Flock automatic license plate reader cameras at the Oct. 13 meeting. The presentation will include information about why the City pursued the system and how it’s being used, as well as addressing some community members’ concerns. If you have questions about the system, please feel free to submit them via email by Sept. 30.

In other action, the City Commission: 

1. Approved a request to close Main Street on Oct. 15 for the Taste of Newton.
2. Approved a request to close Main Street on Oct. 31 for the Halloween Walk.
3. Proclaimed the week of Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week.
4. Proclaimed the week of Oct. 4-10 as Fire Prevention Week.
5. Approved a new franchise agreement with Kansas Gas Service, maintaining a 5% fee for five years.
6. Adopted the proposed new guidelines for the Low Income Utility Assistance Program.

The full agenda packet and meeting video are available online.