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Newton Council approves financing, major equipment purchases and multiple budget amendments
Summary
Council awarded financing to Truist Bank, authorized procurement of an aerial fire truck, approved land purchase for a replacement fire station, and adopted several budget amendments for water meters, wet-well cleaning, subdivision utility materials and other capital items; most measures passed unanimously while the solar stop-sign purchase passed 4–2.
At its March 5 meeting the Newton City Council approved a package of financing, equipment purchases and budget ordinance amendments covering multiple city departments.
Finance Director Kim Robinson reported Truist Bank was the lone bidder and the council approved awarding a vehicle and equipment loan not to exceed $1,972,950 at a stated interest rate of 4.73% amortized over 10 years; the city declined to finance a separate $1,851,150 infrastructure loan. The council adopted the financing terms and resolutions to facilitate the borrowing.
Public Utilities Director Dusty Wentz told council that rapid residential growth requires ordering AMI-compatible water meters with 419 meters needed for projects already under construction (cost estimated at $140,214.16) and up to 1,158 additional meters anticipated for projects nearing approval; council approved the $140,214.16 purchase appropriation. Wentz also requested a $250,000 appropriation to buy materials for The Falls subdivision underground electric distribution; council adopted that amendment.
Wentz further presented a WindRiver quote of $73,405 plus a 10% contingency for wet-well cleaning at the wastewater plant to address debris that may be contributing to flow restrictions; the council approved an $80,500 amendment to complete the cleaning.
Fire Chief Kevin Yoder asked council to award a bid through the HGAC cooperative to Atlantic Coast Fire Trucks and Smeal Corporation for construction of an aerial fire truck at $1,585,723, with roughly 600 days to construct and expected delivery in November 2025; council approved the bid award and authorized the City Manager to execute the contract and an intent to reimburse. Chief Yoder also asked council to authorize purchase of 4.51 acres for a Startown replacement fire station for $450,000; Council approved the land contract and related budget amendment.
Public Works Director Dennis Falder presented a single quote for a replacement commercial vehicle pressure washer at $12,795 and the council approved a transfer to purchase it. Falder also proposed buying nine 12" solar-powered, motion-activated flashing stop lights at a total cost of $28,200; a motion to postpone that item failed on a 2–5 vote, and a subsequent motion to adopt the budget amendment passed with a 4–2 vote (Jon McClure and Beverly Danner voting against). Council approved an audit contract with Martin Starnes & Associates for FY2024 at an estimated total cost of $55,510.
Most of the budget and procurement items passed unanimously; the solar stop-sign appropriation was approved 4–2. Several items note procurement lead times: water meters typically have a 24–26 week delivery window, and the aerial apparatus has an extended build schedule of about 600 days.
