City council will begin the budgeting process by hearing from community stakeholders at its meeting on Monday. Representatives from eight community organizations will speak with the council about work that was accomplished in the past year along with future goals and requests they have for next year.
The stakeholders include the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the YMCA, IMPACT, the Newton Development Corporation, the United Way of Jasper County, Heart of Iowa Regional Transit, Newton Main Street and the Newton Housing Development Corporation.
Last year, the city allocated more than $165,000 to six agencies with the bulk of the money, $75,000 going to NDC. IMPACT and the United Way did not receive any funds.
For this year, NDC is requesting the same amount, with NDHC already committed to $32,000 from a previous action by the council. Newton Main Street is once again requesting $25,000, HIRTA comes in at $22,000, YMCA at $25,000, RSVP at $12,500 and IMPACT has requested $30,240 while the United Way asked for $5,000.
The council will also look to adopt an ordinance concerning an amendment to animal control. The amendment looks to further define the standard of care for domestic animals, adds a violation for animals left in vehicles and revises the vicious and problematic dog requirements, hearing procedures and animal review committee structure.
Finally, a resolution to replace the positions of Park Administration Superintendent, Parks Operations Superintendent and Cemetery Superintendent will go before the council. If approved, the three positions will be replaced by two new positions, a Parks Superintendent and a Parks Assistant Superintendent.
The reasoning behind the change is to improve the organization structure of the parks division. With the recent retirement of one park superintendent and the impending retirement of another, the city found this an opportune time to make an organization change.
Currently, supervisors in the parks division are working alongside the supervised worker. With the change, it will provide a structure where the superintendents can manage and direct work, schedule projects, meet recreational program needs and coordinate improvements in the parks.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com