City Budget
The City budget is a continuously ongoing process throughout all 12 months of the year. Each department makes a diligent effort to control expenses and decrease expenses when necessary without diminishing services provided to the citizens in our community.
Expenditures are authorized by a budget approved by the City Commission as required by Kansas Statutes. Kansas Statute Annotated 79-2929 requires a 10-day official notice be published and a public hearing be held before the City Commission prior to adopting the budget. Once the budget is adopted, the ad valorem tax to be levied is then certified to the Harvey County Clerk on or before August 25. (K.S.A. 79-1801)
Budgetary Control
The Kansas Cash Basis and Budget Laws require cash to be on-hand before expenditure is authorized, that all expenditures are budgeted, and that the budget not exceed anticipated revenues including carry-forward balances.
Key Budget Considerations
- Federal and State-mandated improvement costs and programs.
- Debt obligations of the City for streets, water and sewer utility systems, bridges, drainage and facility improvements.
- Current services provided to citizens and associated costs.
- Reduction of State Revenue Sources in upcoming budgets.
- Benefits/Costs of prior City Commissioners' commitments in projects.
2025 Budget
After many years of stagnant valuation growth, the City of Newton has seen some encouraging growth in the past two years, a sign that the City Commission’s focus on economic development is starting to pay off. An expanding tax base means a reduced property tax burden for Newton homeowners in the long term.
The 2025 budget includes a 1-mill reduction in the property tax rate. Newton’s assessed valuation rose by 12.7% for next year, a large increase after many years of relatively stagnant growth. With the mill levy reduction, the City will take in revenue equivalent to an 11% increase in valuation.
The $63.3 million budget includes:
- Four new positions at least partially funded by property taxes: an engineer, an IT technician, a Street maintenance worker and a Park maintenance worker.
- New swing sets installed at City parks and additional funding for playground replacement.
- Lighting for flags at Greenwood Cemetery.
- New software and increased IT security.
- About $400,000 for an anticipated increase in employee wages following a classification and salary study to make sure the City remains competitive in the job market.
The City Commission has prioritized economic development in recent years to help grow the tax base in the long term, which has resulted in an uptick in development projects and needed services.
Newton is now starting to see the resulting revenue growth, with a 12.7% increase in assessed valuation this year and 10% increase last year, after many years of relatively stagnant growth. If this trend can continue, it will mean a broader tax base and reduced burden on current property owners.
2026 Budget