Newton commission discusses temporary suspension of residential water shutoffs after SNAP disruption; no suspension enacted

At the Nov. 12 meeting the Newton City Commission discussed whether to temporarily suspend residential water-service disconnections and related fees after a recent suspension of federal SNAP benefits left some residents short on funds. Daniela (Speaker 8) presented the proposal as a short-term relief measure similar to steps taken by a small number of other municipalities and said the city would retain the right to disconnect commercial accounts and the discretion to lift any suspension.

Speaker 10, who identified themself as president of the Kansas Government Finance Officers Association, told commissioners that among finance officers at a recent conference Emporia was the only municipality that had suspended residential shutoffs, and that the Kansas Department of Children and Families had restored November SNAP benefits. "Emporia was the only 1 in the audience that had suspended those shutoffs," Speaker 10 said, and added that the change in SNAP distribution had eased immediate pressure.

Commissioners asked how the city would identify and measure residents most in need; staff said they currently track applicants to an economic-hardship program that primarily serves seniors and acknowledged the program’s application process can be difficult. Commissioners agreed not to move forward with a blanket suspension at this time but asked staff to continue efforts to reduce barriers to the hardship program, to track requests for assistance, and to explore voluntary measures such as a bill-roundup program to build a small assistance fund.

No formal motion to suspend shutoffs was made; the discussion concluded with direction to staff to refine assistance processes and return with options if circumstances change.