City Budget

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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)

2025 RNR and Budget Hearing Notice

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.

2024 Budget

2024 Budget Preparation Information

2024 Budget Book

After many years of stagnant valuation growth, the City of Newton saw some encouraging growth for the 2024 budget, a sign that the City Commission’s focus on community development is starting to pay off. An expanding tax base means a reduced property tax burden for Newton homeowners in the long term.

The 2024 budget includes a 1.5-mill increase to fund two positions in Fire/EMS and Police. The small increase will allow the City to fill the two public safety positions that have been held open as a cost-saving measure, and will leave the City with a 13% reserve balance, just shy of its 15% fund balance policy.

Budgeted expenditures for 2024 are $55,838,724, a decrease of almost $1.3 million from 2023, primarily because of eliminating the extra loan payment on the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade project.

Over the past few years, the City has worked diligently to cut expenses; delayed hiring, projects, and maintenance where possible; and extended the life of vehicles and equipment, while accommodating new growth and development and maintaining City services at a minimum standard. All departments continue to seek any cost-saving measures that are available to them.

The City Commission has prioritized community 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 10% increase in assessed valuation over 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.

2025 Budget

2025 Budget Preparation Information

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