At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Commission approved final plans for the new Newton Public Library and moved ahead toward construction.
The new library will be 25,000 square feet on the east end of Military Park, with a new parking lot on the northwest side of the new building. After construction of the new building, the library contents will be moved into the new building and the old building will be demolished. A large green space will be created west of the building in the park. The 1880 train engine will remain in its current location.
The new library will have a drive-up book drop-off, glass-walled study rooms, large meeting rooms, young adult space with gaming area, separate space for children’s book collections and programs, technology areas, family restrooms, outdoor seating space and more.
The project cost estimate including design and construction is $10.7 million. The City has committed to fund $4.5 million toward the project, and the Library Board has pledged provide $1.2 million in cash if needed to cover budget shortfalls once final bids are received. This is in addition to the board’s original commitment of $1.3 million spread out over the life of the 20-year bonds.
A volunteer fundraising committee so far has raised $3,267,454.40 in private funds for the project. Over $1.4 million came from foundations, businesses or organizations, and $100,000 was donated by the City of North Newton. About $1.8 million was from individual donors. There are still additional donation requests on the table, and the committee continues to raise more funds. The committee is led by co-chairs Angela Becker and Ann Adrian and Library Director Cari Cusick in partnership with fundraising consultant Swanson House.
The Commission set a bid date of 11 a.m. Dec. 21. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year.
The City Commission approved a development agreement with Full Vision for a planned $7 million expansion of its manufacturing facility near U.S. 50 and Cow Palace Road. The Newton-based metal fabrication company is planning to add 30,000 square feet to its main manufacturing facility, with 15 new jobs created over the next five years.
Under the agreement, the City will pay for up to 20% of the cost to extend sewer service to the facility (about $139,000) and declared a good faith intention to grant a 10-year tax abatement for the expansion. The tax abatement would exempt property taxes for 10 years on any new increase in valuation created by the expansion.
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The Commission continued their discussion of possible water and sewer rate adjustments for 2023. It has been more than six years since rates have increased, and operational costs have increased dramatically. In recent years, City staff have cut costs wherever possible, postponed purchases, increased efficiencies, and drawn down reserve funds to meet the budget.
Commissioners are discussing a number of options, including increasing rates, reducing transfers intended for property tax relief, stopping extra payments to pay off the Wastewater Treatment Plant loan early, budget cuts, or a combination of actions.
The Commission will continue the discussion at the Dec. 13 meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall. More information can be found on the City’s website.
- Approved a request from The Gathering to use the public parking lot behind 518/522 N. Main on Dec. 18 for A Christmas Spectacular.
- Amended the 2022 budget to allow for increased fuel sales at Newton City/County Airport and increased business at Sand Creek Station Golf Course.
- Amended Articles 6 and 7 of the Zoning Code to remove registration requirements for mobile homes and tiny homes.
- Extended GAF’s option to purchase land in the Kansas Logistics Park to March 3, 2023. It had previously been scheduled to expire at the end of this year.
For more information, please contact Director of Communications Erin McDaniel at 316-284-6055 or emcdaniel@newtonkansas.com.
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