Snow Day!
Utility Rates
In the upcoming billing cycle, utility customers will notice the new 2024 utility rates in effect.
Rates had remained flat for more than seven years, and operational costs had increased dramatically. Last spring, the City Commission adopted a new rate structure that gradually increases rates over the next few years to keep the utilities solvent. The new rates also eliminate the 38% Sewer Plant Upgrade Fee and stop attempting to pay off the plant loan early.
The total utility bill (water/sewer/trash) for a low user of 300 cubic feet of water was $96.21 in 2023. In 2024, their bill will be $96.62. For a 600 cubic feet user, the total bill was $151.32 in 2023. In 2024, their bill will be $151.97.
More information is available on our website.
Street & Sanitation
- This week, staff prepared for the winter weather event and then cleared snow from the snow route.
- Street staff had two after-hours call-backs to aid Police: to place barricades for a rollover accident on SW 24th Street near Sand Creek and to sweep up debris and fluids after an accident.
Bulky item tagging program
From Dec. 26-29: Our inspector tagged 13 locations. One was charged the $20 fee; one schedule a pickup and was charged the $10 fee; one was forwarded to the Environmental Control Officer; and 10 were taken care of by the resident.
Recycling program update
Recycling contractor Nisly Brothers reports there are 477 current customers in Newton. Approximately 52 tons of recyclables were collected October-December 2023, with no major problems reported.
Water/Wastewater
- We repaired a water main break today on West 11th Street between Main and Poplar.
- Staff responded to four after-hours calls this week.
- We have received 2,775 Lead & Copper Rule surveys to date.
- The contractor plans to begin filling the new First Street water tank for testing this weekend, weather permitting.
- We repaired a fire hydrant damaged by an unknown vehicle in the Main Street parking lot of the Old Mill building. It was hit and dragged 100 feet up into the parking lot.
- We repaired water leaks in the 700 block of North Main, the 700 block of East Broadway, and the 1900 block of Cypress.
Park & Cemetery
Our staff dug five graves this week and one last week at the cemetery. There is always an increase in services right after the holidays.
Park staff have begun moving into the new maintenance facility at 1010 E. 12th St.
Upcoming Events
See all of the upcoming events at our Community Events listing on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- 7 p.m. Jan. 9 – City Commission meeting
- Jan. 15 – City offices closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- 7:30 a.m. Jan. 18 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. Jan. 23 – City Commission meeting
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