Newton City Council certifies its list of 2025-2027 goals

Newton City Council earlier this month certified its list of 2025-2027 goals, which include the construction of a sidewalk, street repairs in a cemetery, upgrades to Cardinal Pond in Arbor Estates, inclusive playground equipment, the second phase of the joint fire/police training and storage facility and a skate park.

City Administrator Matt Muckler said the sidewalk on North 15th Avenue West from Union Drive to First Street is an area where a lot of kinds gather for a school bus. In addition to giving pedestrians a pathway through their community, the new sidewalk will give kids a place to stand on while waiting for the school bus.

Street repairs at Union Cemetery have been on the city’s to-do list for a few years. The second phase of Cardinal Pond improvements include gravel parking, an accessible fishing dock and a path on the north side of the pond, which could be assisted with grant money; this was a recommendation from the park board.

Another recommendation from park board was inclusive playground equipment, which has been in a priority for a number of years. Muckler said the second phase of the joint fire/police training and storage facility will likely be a parking lot. The last goal is a new skate park at Aurora Park, which will need grant money.

“The council by consent adopted an additional 18 items using general funds totaling $2.7 million and other projects that are non-general fund,” Muckler said.

Council member Stacy Simbro noted the goals do not list any street projects except for the repairs at Union Cemetery, but the consented non-general fund items do, indeed, have a number of street repairs. These projects often use other funding streams like Road Use Tax. Simbro said the goals reflect the community.

“We want a hometown feel with what we’re doing in Newton, and those things kind of reflect that,” he said, noting many goals are suggestions from citizens.

Here are the goals and consented items:

Goals – General Fund Non-Street Projects

1. Sidewalk on North 15th Avenue West from Union Drive to First Street North ($150,000)

2. Union Cemetery Street Repair Project ($180,000)

3. Cardinal Pond Improvements, Phase 2 ($50,000)

4. Joint Fire/Police Training & Storage Facility, Phase 2 ($100,000)

5. Inclusive Playground Equipment ($300,000)

6. New Skate Park at Aurora ($1,000,000 grants and general fund)

Already Committed/Seeking Consent for FY27 - General Fund

1. Annexation Planning – In-house plan by Community Development Staff

2. Feasibility Study on Solar Installations at City Hall or other city-owned properties – CD Staff

3. Skid Loader Brush Mower ($10,000)

4. Park Shelter and Restroom Updates ($10,000)

5. Fire Station Remodeling ($15,000)

6. Tree & Stump Removal ($15,000)

7. Hike and Bike Trail Repairs ($15,000)

8. Library Emergency Response Planning and Upgrades ($20,000)

9. 72-inch Zero-Turn Mower for Parks ($25,000)

10. Airport Interior Remodel ($36,000)

11. Small crew cab truck - Parks ($40,000)

12. Fire Equipment – Misc. ($47,000)

13. D&D Funding ($50,000)

14. 96-inch Toro Zero-Turn Mower for Parks ($55,000)

15. One-Ton Dump Truck for Parks ($77,000)

16. Police Equipment/Technology – body cameras, license plate reader cameras, ballistic vests, tasers, in-car computers ($142,000)

17. Police Deptartment Vehicles ($145,000)

18. New Ladder Truck ($2,070,000)

Already Committed/Seeking Consent for FY27 - Non-General Fund

19. Trailer – Downtown Groundskeeper ($8,000 NC URA TIF)

20. Historic Downtown Street Sign Markers ($12,000, Historic Funds)

21. Water Treatment Plant Security Fence Project ($145,000, Water)

22. 100-200 blocks of North Fourth Avenue West HMA overlay and intersection improvements ($150,000 RUT)

23. Clearwell Baffle Installation ($212,000, Water SRF)

24. Purchase of Smart Meters ($300,000, Water)

25. 100 block of West Third Street North and half 100 block of West Fourth Street North Streetscape Reconstruction ($400,000, leftover funds from North Secnd Avenue East project)

26. Water Distribution Main Improvements ($500,000, Water)

27. Citywide Hot Mix Asphalt Resurfacing including two blocks on East Fourth Street South ($500,000, RUT)

28. Downtown Restroom ($125,000, NC URA TIF + $125,000 donation)

29. WPC Plant Boilers Replacement Project ($630,000, WPC)

30. Arbor Estates Phase 3 - North Ninth Avenue East Extension ($707,792 = $74,522 TIF Funds + $320,000 Union Drive leftover funds + 313,270 TIF bonding)

31. First Avenue East and East 12th St. Stormwater Improvements Project, Phase 2 ($1,200,000, First Avenue East TIF Funds)

32. Replacement of Four Alluvial Wells ($2,800,000, Water SRF)