July 14, 2025

City moves forward with reorganization

Community services now handles parks, cemetery, pool and golf maintenance

By Christopher Braunschweig

From right, Community Services Manager Brian Laube and Park Operations Superintendent Nick Cummins speak to the Newton Park Board during a past meeting at Newton City Hall. A proposal from Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess reorganizes city departments and divisions in order to be more efficient. For instance, the community services division would transition to its own department. (Christoper Braunschweig)

Some departments and divisions in the City of Newton will be reorganized to streamline operations and provide “greater attention to core needs and services.”

On Sept. 8, the Newton City Council approved a resolution to reorganize staff and functions in public works, the police station and administration department; to transition the community services from a division to a department; and replace its manager position with a director position.

This idea was first proposed to the city council by Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess about one month ago. City administrator Matt Muckler assigned Burdess to carry out the proposal, which was finally drafted for council approval and passed unanimously. Implementation will begin Oct. 1.

According to the city council agenda documents, the reorganization will shift all parks, cemetery, pool and golf maintenance operations currently under public works to the new community services department. Also, the nuisance code inspector position under community services will move to the police department.

This will, in turn, create a second community service officer position for the Newton Police Department; these two, full-time positions are non-sworn police staff dedicated to code enforcement, such as animal control and parking violations. Now, police will be handling the majority of city nuisance complaints.

Two records clerks at the police station will be moving to the administration office due to the increased workload of the latter department. These two clerks will hereby be promoted to administrative assistants “to allow for greater flexibility in their duties and for a higher level of cross training,” city documents said.

Both the administrative services and finance divisions will consolidate into one administration department directed by the city administrator.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at
641-792-3121 ext. 6560
or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com