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Newton council roundup: audit contract approved; food-truck alcohol change and traffic-pattern request discussed
Summary
At its May 5 meeting Newton City Council unanimously approved the city’s FY2026 audit contract and several routine consent items, discussed but took no action on a proposed food-truck alcohol exception and a traffic-pattern change tied to a private development, and heard public comments and manager updates.
The Newton City Council handled routine business and a mix of planning and policy discussions at its May 5 meeting.
Finance Director Kim Robinson presented the proposed FY2026 audit contract with Martin, Starnes & Associates, describing the scope (financial statements and single-audit coverage of major federal and state programs) and an estimated total cost of $79,500 (fixed audit fee $62,000; financial statement preparation $8,500; single-audit and additional major-program costs $9,000). By motion of Council Member Recil Wright, seconded by Council Member Bill Powell, the council unanimously approved the audit contract.
Council also discussed a proposed amendment to the food-truck ordinance (Section 66-17) to allow alcohol sales by food trucks during city- or DNDA-sponsored festivals on closed streets, subject to DNDA Executive Board approval. City Attorney John Cilley advised that an ordinance amendment would not require a public hearing but would need a two-thirds vote to pass; council deferred action at this meeting.
Under old business, Roger Young, CEO of David E. Looper Construction Company, asked the council to change portions of S. Bost Ave and B Street to one-way to accommodate added parking for a new apartment project and to enhance pedestrian safety. Council members discussed the request and asked staff to consider alternatives, including a full road closure; no action was taken.
During consent and procedural items the council unanimously approved the meeting agenda, minutes for prior meetings, and the consent agenda (including proclamations for Telecommunicators Week and Child Abuse Prevention Month, a resolution recognizing Lineworker Appreciation Day, and multiple event road-closure requests). The council also opened and closed a second CDBG public hearing soliciting citizen input for future grant applications and received a City Manager report listing upcoming events and community meetings and an update on the UDO project from Planning Director Randy Williams.
Public commenters raised local concerns ranging from downtown cleanup and property rehabilitation to parking enforcement, and several residents praised downtown revitalization efforts.
Votes at a glance: agenda approved (unanimous); minutes approved (unanimous); consent agenda approved (unanimous); FY2026 audit contract approved (unanimous); CDBG amendment request approved (unanimous).
