Volunteer Boards
Dozens of Newton citizens serve on City advisory boards. These boards advise our elected officials and City staff and act as resources to the community. The various boards need people with skills in the arts, building crafts, planning and economics, and human social interaction. Participatory membership of these boards is what helps our system of government work.
Apply to Serve
Aviation Commission
This seven-member board is composed of the Mayor or designated City Commissioner, a County Commissioner, City Manager, County Administrator, one member appointed by the City Commission, one member appointed by the County Commission and one at-large selected by the Aviation Commission for three-year terms. The board meets in January, April, July and October on the 3rd Monday of those months at noon in the Airport Administration Building at Newton City/County Airport. If that day lands on a holiday, they move it to the 4th Monday of that month instead.
Duties include entering into leases, including amendments and renewals; establishing, assessing and collecting user fees; and establishing and maintaining Airport Policies and Procedures Manual. Director of Aviation Brian Palmer is the staff person.
Building Code Board of Examiners and Appeals
A five-member board appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms. Two at-large members (suggested one architect and one engineer) and three contractors (1 Class A, 1 Class A, B or C, 1 Class C or D). Meets on the first Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Duties include:
- Reviewing building codes.
- Recommending amendments adoption.
- Considering appeals and variance requests.
- Defining problem areas, i.e. service entrances, conductors for electricity.
- Providing a forum for communication between inspector and building trades.
The City's Building Inspector is the staff person.
Community Corrections Advisory Board
This is a combined committee coordinated by Harvey County. The City of Newton has two appointments.
Community Development Commission
The Community Development Commission is made up of various stakeholders with expertise in the field of commercial and retail development. The board advises the City Commission and City administration about programs to promote existing retail and commercial businesses and help them expand, and the recruitment of new retail and commercial businesses to the City.
The five-member board is appointed to three-year terms. Membership includes a representative from the Harvey County Economic Development Council; a representative from the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; the owner of a business located in the Downtown Business District; and two at-large members with expertise in the area of retail or commercial development.
Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board
Ten members representing various community interests are appointed by the Mayor for two-year terms. Meetings are quarterly. The board administers the revenue received from the local hotel guest tax to be used for promotion of tourism and convention services in Newton. The Convention & Visitors Bureau/Main Street Coordinator is the staff person.
Fire Appeals Board
This Board is to serve in matters of questioning the interpretation of Fire Code. The five-member board is appointed by the City Commission for three-year terms as set forth from the International Fire Code. Meets on an ad hoc basis.
Harvey County Economic Development Council
The City of Newton appoints three members to the board, Harvey County appoints three members, and the Cities of Halstead, Hesston, Burrton and North Newton and the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce each appoint two members.
The chief administrator of each City serves on the board as a non-voting ex-officio member. The immediate past president of the EDC will remain as a board member for the year following his or her term. Beth Shelton is the Executive Director.
Land Bank Board
The board’s purpose is to buy, accept and sell properties for the Land Bank. The seven-member board is appointed by the Mayor for a one-year term. The board meets quarterly at 11 a.m. on the 3rd Thursday following the end of the calendar year quarter at City Hall.
While the City Commission shall have the discretion to appoint any person, the Commission attempts to appoint:
- A representative from the Harvey County Economic Development Council;
- A representative from the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors;
- The owner of a business located in the Downtown Business District;
- Two at-large members with expertise in the area of real estate, and experience with Habitat for Humanity.
The Community Development Director is the staff person.
Law Enforcement Advisory Panel
LEAP advises in policy development, education, community outreach, and communications related to bias-based policing by law enforcement officers and agencies of the City. They also receive, review, and provide feedback to the Chief of Police on complaints related to bias-based law enforcement actions. The five-member board is appointed by the Mayor for 3-year terms. The composition of the panel shall include representation from the faith-based community, a racial justice organization, a mental health professional, and two at-large members that represent Newton’s diversity. Meets on an ad hoc basis.
Main Street Board
This board furthers the goals of the Main Street Program as an economic development tool in downtowns with historic districts. An independent board overlaps with the Chamber, Development partners and the Community Foundation. The five-member board is appointed for 3-year terms.
Meetings are held quarterly on the 3rd Thursday following the end of the calendar year quarter at 11 a.m. at City Hall, following the Newton Land Bank and Community Development Commission meetings. The CVB/Main Street Coordinator serves as the staff person.
Newton Area Planning Commission
The Newton Area Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Commission on issues relating to zoning, subdivision plats, sign regulations and various other matters affecting the development of Newton. The commission also serves as the Board of Zoning Appeals to hear and rule on applications for variances and exceptions as required under the zoning regulations, and to hear and rule on appeals from determinations of the zoning administrator.
The Commission also guides the community in the preservation of historic structures and preservation incentives. Newton is a Certified Local Government designated by the State Historic Preservation Office, which allows the Commission to perform design review on projects affecting listed historic properties.
The Planning Commission is a seven-member body appointed by the Newton City Commission in April of each year. Members serve staggered three-year terms.
The Planning Commission meets on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chambers on the third floor of Newton City Hall.
Newton Housing Authority
A five-member board appointed by the Mayor for four-year terms. Meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:15 p.m. at Midtown Towers. The board provides the policy-making for management of the city's units of public housing, plus Section 8 federally subsidized, privately owned housing.
Newton Housing Authority
115 W. 9th St.
Newton, KS 67114-1970
316-283-8500
Fax: 316-283-8547
Newton Public Library Board
The Board is established by State statute and oversees the operation of the Library facility and its programs. The seven-member board is appointed by the Mayor for four-year terms. The board meets on the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. at the
Newton Public Library. The Library Director is the staff person.
Newton Recreation Commission
A five-member board with two members appointed by the City Commission, two members appointed by the USD 373 Board of Education and one member-at-large appointed by the four Recreation Commissioners for four-year terms. Meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Rec Center, 415 N. Poplar. Oversees the recreation program and operation of the Rec Center.
Public Building Commission
The Public Building Commission is a partnership of the City, USD 373, and Newton Recreation Commission for the purpose of funding construction and maintenance of public recreation facilities. Each partner contributes 1 mill worth of property tax revenue per year to the PBC. The eight-member board is appointed by the member agencies and PBC itself. It meets on an Ad Hoc basis. The City Engineer is the staff person.
Public Wholesale Water Supply District #17 Board
Public Wholesale Water Supply District #17 is a partnership to ensure long-term potable water supply for customers in the cities of Newton, Sedgwick, Halstead, and North Newton. The five-member board is appointed by each member city. Each city appoints one representative except for Newton, which has two. The board meets twice per year. The board appoints a General Manager as staff person, currently the City of Newton's Public Works Director.
Substance Abuse Board
A seven-member board appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms to administer the liquor tax revenue received from the State. This board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the Law Enforcement Center Conference Room. The money is used to fund education, prevention and treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse.
Tree Board
Five to seven members are appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms. The board meets regularly and administers the tree removal and tree planting programs as well as The Planting Our Parks program. Horticulturist Jackie Krehbiel is the staff person.
Warkentin House Board
<div clearfix"="" id="sitebody">