 New City payment platform coming Oct. 21
Beginning Oct. 21, 2026, the City of Newton is moving to a new online payment platform designed to provide an improved customer experience and more options for managing and paying your City bills.
What You Need to Know
Your next steps depend on how you currently pay your utility bill:
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Pay online: You will need to create a new online account after Oct. 21 at www.newtonkansas.com/pay.
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Auto pay with a credit or debit card: You will need to set up your auto payment again through the new system at
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www.newtonkansas.com/pay.
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Auto pay by bank draft (ACH): No action is needed. Your automatic bank drafts will continue.
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Pay by cash or check: No changes are necessary. Continue paying your bill as you normally do.
New Payment Options & Features
The new platform will offer several new features, including:
- Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Payment reminders
- Immediate payment notifications
- The ability to pay multiple utility accounts in one transaction
- The option to add an additional email recipient for receipts
- Auto-authentication for returning users
Changes to Fees
The previous $1 online convenience fee is being eliminated. However, processing fees will apply to certain payment methods:
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Credit/debit card: 3.2% processing fee for payments, whether online or in the office
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Digital wallets: 3.2% processing fee for Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay
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eCheck: $0.95 fee for one-time payments
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Phone payments: $0.95 fee when paying through the secure phone system
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Auto pay: No fee for monthly auto pay by bank draft
For complete information and to access the new payment platform beginning Oct. 21, visit www.newtonkansas.com/pay.
Reminder: If you receive your utility bill by mail, allow extra time for delivery. Mail delivery times have been slower than normal, so please plan ahead when sending payments by mail.
Questions? Please contact Utility Billing at 316-284-6007.
 Newton's sunrises on full display this week
Looking for a reminder of just how beautiful Newton, Kansas can be? Our community delivered plenty of reasons this month!
We asked residents to share their best Newton sunrise photos, and the response was incredible. Thank you to everyone who took the time to capture and share a little piece of Newton’s morning beauty with us. Seeing so many people participate and share their views of our community was a wonderful reminder of the beauty that surrounds us every day.
Newton has never looked so pretty – although, if you live here, you know these showstopping sunrises are almost an everyday occurrence! To see all entries please visit Facebook, and be prepared to be amazed!
Engineering and Project Updates
Our Engineering Division continues to move several projects forward across Newton:
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Water Tower Painting: Contracts are in place, and construction is expected to begin Oct. 19.
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Sand Creek Bike Path Extension: Staff comments have been returned to the design team, with plans to be submitted to KDOT for review this week.
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Transportation Safety Action Plan: Round 2 of community engagement is complete. Staff will review the feedback in the coming weeks, with a draft plan anticipated by December.
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Sand Creek Station 5th Addition: Curb and gutter, street and sidewalk construction is scheduled to begin next week.
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Harvest Pointe Phase 2: Water line testing is complete and the system is operational. Building construction continues.
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S. Spencer Roadway Rehabilitation: Curb and gutter work is complete. Driveway construction will begin as weather allows.
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Rhoades Wetlands Park Viewing Platform: Design work is underway following the project kickoff meeting in August.
Help make it safer to get to and from school with your input
"The lack of sidewalks in my neighborhood makes it difficult to get to school."
"Why aren't there more stop signs near schools?"
"The school zones aren't easy to see. Can you do anything about that?"
These are just a few examples we have seen discussed on social media, and we'd love to see that input and feedback in the survey or on the interactive webpage. This will help collect official data that's needed to take the next steps!
Supporting survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize survivors, remember those affected by domestic violence and raise awareness about the resources available to people experiencing abuse.
Throughout the month, you may notice some Newton police officers wearing purple badges they purchased themselves. These badges are a small but meaningful way for officers to show their support for survivors and stand with our community in recognizing the impact of domestic violence.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, and what happens behind closed doors is often not visible to others. Learning the signs, checking in with someone you care about and speaking up when something doesn’t seem right can make a difference.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support is available. Safehope provides free, confidential support, including safety planning, advocacy, shelter assistance and help navigating legal and community resources.
Safehope 24-Hour Helpline: 316-283-0350 or 1-800-487-0510
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Parks staff take down aging trees and shrubs in front of City Hall this week.
City Hall landscaping to get a fresh start
If you’ve driven by City Hall this week and thought, “What happened to the trees?” you’re not alone!
Our Parks Department is giving the landscaping in front of City Hall a much-needed fresh start. The trees were aging and declining, with peeling bark, dying branches and other signs they were nearing the end of their expected lifespan. They were also creating ongoing maintenance and safety concerns, including bird droppings on sidewalks and large amounts of acorns creating a tripping hazard. The shrubs had also become overgrown and were reaching the end of their useful life.
Rather than continuing to spend time and money maintaining declining landscaping, the area will be replanted with healthier, more manageable plants better suited to the space and built to last.
We know the change is noticeable, but the goal is simple: replace aging landscaping with something healthier, safer and more sustainable for the future!
Parks supervisor Tyler Schmidt utilizes special equipment to grind down the tree stumps.
 Sparky getting charged up for Fire Prevention Week
Sparky the Fire Pup is getting ready for a busy week next week! With Fire Prevention Week coming up Oct. 4-10, Sparky has been getting geared up and putting in some extra workouts to keep his stamina up as well as practicing his high-fives.
He’ll need it when our fire crews visit six local schools, bringing a special fire prevention skit and interactive fire safety talk to hundreds of students. This year’s message will focus on safe charging and other important ways kids and families can help prevent fires and stay safe.
With the boots on and the energy up, Sparky and our firefighters are ready to bring some fire safety fun to schools across Newton next week!
Tee up for First Responder Holiday Helpers
Sand Creek Station Golf Course is hosting a golf tournament on Oct. 18, with proceeds benefiting the Harvey County First Responder Holiday Helpers initiative.
Holiday Helpers brings together local first responders and community partners to help make the holiday season a little brighter for local families who may be facing financial challenges. Through community donations and support, the program helps provide holiday assistance to families in need.
Join us for a morning on the course while supporting this local effort!
Tournament information:
- Oct. 18 at Sand Creek Station Golf Course
- Registration: 7:30 a.m.
- Shotgun start: 8:30 a.m.
- $500 per team of 4
Gather your team, enjoy a round of golf and help make a difference for local families this holiday season. Get signed up today!
Community pets enjoying one another's company at the Centennial Dog Park.
Walk, wag, and explore Newton this fall via trails & parks
It’s Walk Your Dog Week, Newton! Cool fall weather and wagging tails make this a great time to get outside with your four-legged friend.
Newton has plenty of ways to help your pup stay active:
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Explore the trails: Take a stroll along the Sand Creek Bike Path or one of Newton’s other scenic paths.
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Visit the dog park: Let your pup run, play and socialize at Centennial Dog Park.
Please be courteous to other walkers and our parks. If your dog does its business, scoop it! Pet waste stations are available throughout our parks and along the bike path if you need a bag.
Not sure where to start? Check out Newton’s Trails & Parks Map to find your next walking adventure!
 Roll into the next big project with a roll-off dumpster rental
Planning a home renovation, roofing project, landscaping cleanup or other major project? The City of Newton offers 10-cubic-yard roll-off dumpsters for residential use within Newton city limits.
Rentals are available for up to 7 days, with a 10,000-pound weight limit. Please note that dumpsters cannot be used for household trash, recyclables or hazardous materials, and materials must remain below the top rail. Contractor-generated waste must be handled by the contractor.
Cost: $50 delivery fee, plus $75 per dump and applicable landfill fees.
To rent a roll-off dumpster, you must be an active City utility customer with the account in your name. Additional rules and restrictions apply.
For availability or questions, contact the Sanitation Division at 316-284-6070 or visit the City’s website for complete rental information.
 October City Hall community display showcasing Safehope
This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Safehope and the work being done throughout the year, most particularly this month, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Safehope supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking by providing advocacy, resources, safety planning and a place to turn when someone needs help.
Their October display at City Hall is also giving our community a chance to do something simple but meaningful: stop by and write a letter of support and encouragement for a survivor. Whether it’s a few words of hope, a reminder that they aren’t alone or simply letting someone know they are believed and supported, your message could mean more than you know.
Stop by City Hall this month, learn more about Safehope and leave a little encouragement behind.
Upcoming Events
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Mystery in the Stacks, 7-9 p.m. Oct. 3, at Newton Public Library. A fundraiser & dinner with entertainment all evening!
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Newton Fiesta, 1-8 p.m. Oct. 11, Athletic Park band shell. Free event for all ages including arts and crafts, food and craft vendors, musical performances, and community organizations.
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Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra Fall Classics Concert "Rising", 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Bethel College Memorial Hall. Carlos Simon Tales: A Folk Symphony with selections from Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite featuring the Newton High School Orchestra.
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Taste of Newton, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 15, downtown Newton. Enjoy the many flavors that our community has to offer!
See all of the upcoming events on our Community Events calendar on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- 6 p.m. Oct. 5 – Planning Commission meeting
- 7:30 a.m. Oct. 8 – City Commission agenda review
- Oct. 12 – City offices closed for in-house training
- 7 p.m. Oct. 13 – City Commission meeting
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