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Newton adopts 2026 budget after residents urge property-tax relief
Summary
The Newton City Commission adopted its 2026 budget unanimously after a public hearing in which residents — including several seniors — urged the commission to lower the mill levy and to prioritize cost savings. Commissioners said valuation increases, not a levy raise, are driving higher bills and stressed long-term growth strategies.
The Newton City Commission on Tuesday adopted the city's 2026 budget after a public hearing that drew several residents who said rising property bills are squeezing seniors and small businesses.
City staff opened the hearing by explaining that the Harvey County Clerk provided a revenue-neutral rate based on this year's assessed valuations, and that Newton's assessed valuation rose from $170,904,698 to $179,374,523, an increase the presenter described as about 4.95 percent. Staff said keeping the revenue-neutral rate would have reduced the city's levy by about 3.403 mills, equivalent to roughly $610,413 in local revenue.
"I, Rich Stinnett, mayor of Newton, do hereby proclaim the month of September…
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