 Commission approves revamped utility assistance program
At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Commission approved an expansion of the City’s program to help low-income residents with their utility bills.
Since 2021, the City’s utility assistance program has offered one-time credit up to $100 to seniors age 65 or older with a demonstrated financial need. To demonstrate need, customers could use proof of Medicaid enrollment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a child in the household that receives free/reduced price lunch, or other income documentation.
The revamped program will remove the age requirement and maintain the income requirement, opening the assistance up to low-income residents of all ages. It also increases the one-time assistance amount to $150, which is the amount of the average City utility bill.
The change was designed to make better use of the $15,000 the Commission has budgeted each year for the program. With the age requirement, only $1,100 total has been used in the past five years.
The Commission will vote on the updated resolution at their next meeting on Sept. 22.
Public safety study
The Commission approved an agreement with Matrix Consulting to conduct a Public Safety Operations and Facilities Study. The goal of the study is to analyze current and future needs for delivering Fire/EMS and Police services in Newton, including staffing, organizational structure, and facilities.
Matrix was selected from five firms that submitted proposals. The study will be completed by the end of this year for a not-to-exceed amount of $126,500.
PROCLAMATIONS
City Commissioners with Jace Schmidt of United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
The Commission proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Jace Schmidt, program manager of the housing and health initiatives of the United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties, presented the proclamation.
In other action, the City Commission:
- Awarded a contract for roadway rehabilitation to Pearson Construction for $1,290,143.06.
- Approved plans and specifications for water, sewer, and street improvements to serve the new APAC development in the Kansas Logistics Park, and set a bid date of 1:30 p.m. Oct. 2. The cost of the improvements will be paid by the property owner.
- Approved a temporary alcohol permit and City assistance for Blues, Brews and Barbecue on Sept. 26 in Athletic Park.
- Approved updates to the City’s water line, sewer line, stormwater, and roadway construction standards.
- Reviewed the annual notification letter that will soon go out to utility customers whose plumbing is made of lead, galvanized steel, or unknown material.
For more information, please contact Communications Director Erin McDaniel at 316-284-6055 or emcdaniel@newtonkansas.com.
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