March 28, 2024

Organizations ask for city funding

The Newton City Council will meet for their annual meeting to approve funding for multiple organizations 6 p.m. tonight.

The organizations are the following:

Organization Promoting Everlasting Neighbors: OPEN will be celebrating its 22nd anniversary in Newton. The organization has hosted 37 students since their student program began in 1993. They are requesting $2,000 from the council.

Convention and Visitors Bureau: Executive Director Linda Bacon is asking the council to keep their funding percentage the same — 50 percent of the hotel/motel tax revenue. Last year, the CVB reported that 239,964 people attended events in Newton making an economic impact of $59,659,849.68.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program: RSVP Director Denice Fischer will be asking the council for $11,000. According to council documents, she is projecting a 20 percent reduction for the next fiscal year. If approved, the investment would ensure that RSVP maintain their federal funding remains in place since a non-federal match of 30 percent is required to keep their $23,752 in federal grants intact. They have 61 active volunteers that have 3,636 hours of community service.

Newton Development Corporation: NDC Executive Director Frank Liebl is asking the council for $60,000, which is the same amount they received last year. NDC has helped the city attract buyers for vacant buildings such as the former Maytag Corporate Headquarters.

Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency: HIRTA Executive Director Julia Castillo has asked the council for $20,000. HIRTA lowered their rates from $5.75 to $2.00 and increased ridership by over 3,000 rides.

The Young Men Christian Association: YMCA Executive Director Tom Vanderlaan has asked the council for $16,000. In addition, the YMCA has made $80,000 in cost saving measures to remain operational.

Newton Housing Develop Corporation: The amount the NHDC is requesting was not in the council packet at press time. NHDC is an non-profit organization that has helped develop Newton properties. They have done projects such as establishing the Newton Business Park.