Candidate Q&As 2025: Amy Roth for Newton City Council, Ward 4

Name: Amy Roth

Age: 67

Occupation: Retired newspaper reporter/public relations manager for Fox Valley Park District (Illinois) / Aurora Public Library (Illinois) / public information officer for City of Aurora (Illinois)

Office seeking: Newton City Council, Ward 4

1. Introduce/Reintroduce yourself to voters and explain why you are running.

My husband John and I chose to relocate here five years ago from Illinois because our daughter, son-in-law and three grandsons live here, and we appreciated that Newton was a welcoming, small city with a bigger city nearby. I have seen progress in the time I have lived here, and I want to be a part of bringing Newton to an even higher level, where we are able to attract new residents of all ages. I want to work with existing businesses and encourage new businesses to locate here as well. I believe the city needs to be fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars and use resources as efficiently as possible to provide a high level of services.

2. Although the splash pad is completed, there is still work left to be done to finish out the park. But council seems to be split about some of the details and the cost. Where do you stand on this project? How should the city proceed?

I feel the city should finish the project that has been started by installing a restroom at this new downtown park. As a former park district employee (in Illinois), I believe in the power of parks to bring people together, encourage families to spend time outdoors and give children a place to swing, run, splash, slide and just be kids. I saw a lot of people using the splash pad this summer and I view it as a welcome addition to downtown Newton. I also think it is wonderful that the city received a $125,000 donation to help complete the restroom facility. Will it cost more than that? Probably, from what I understand. But I always want to encourage quality over just the cheapest option. I have enjoyed taking my grandchildren to the splash pad in Grinnell, and I want Newton visitors and residents to have a favorable impression of this new park

3. Upcoming legislative sessions forecast major changes to property tax systems. The city will no doubt be affected by these changes. How do you think the city should approach property taxes and budgets in the coming years?

Property taxes pay for the most visible services, including police, fire, emergency medical services, parks, library and street repair and maintenance. These are not optional. They are services that need to be provided to our citizens to have a healthy, growing community. We want to be able to attract new residents and businesses to the city and have a high quality of life for our current residents. Having excellent services, which currently are paid for with property tax dollars, is a need, not a want. If the legislature micromanages revenue sources for cities, then our city should look at alternate revenue sources, like those employed by other states, to fund these services. What are some of those sources? Franchise fees (allowable on utility bills), increased fees for services like park shelter rentals, pool passes, peddlers’ permits and building permits, and a 1-cent increase on local sales tax.

4. Over the years, council has prioritized a number of parks projects. The public seems relatively happy with many of these new additions despite their high costs. How do you feel about the city’s priorities on parks given future cost constraints?

The voters of this community overwhelmingly (70 percent) passed a $1.6 million bond referendum for park projects (2022), including a new clubhouse, pool improvements and pickleball courts. The city has now made those additions. I do not feel that city parks or the library should reduce services to residents in the future. (I was the public relations manager for the second largest library system in Illinois, so I am a big library supporter!) We must live within our budget, but we also have a responsibility to provide services to our residents. In my interactions with the city, my impression is that our city government is an organization that doesn’t waste money. I encourage residents and business owners to contact me with specific services they think should be run more efficiently or eliminated altogether. It’s easy to complain about property taxes, but it is difficult to identify services we want to reduce or eliminate. It’s a challenge to provide the services that our residents need in an effective and efficient manner. I am up to the challenge of studying these issues and making tough decisions to spend every taxpayer dollar wisely for the benefit of our community.

5. What are some things you think the city does well? What are some things you think the city can improve? Explain your answers.

I believe that our city provides good public safety and quality of life services to the Newton community. I caught three thieves red-handed after my car was burglarized. Police responded to my 911 call right away and made an arrest. Police officers as well as fire personnel can be seen attending community activities and events to make sure the public is aware of who they are and how they can help in the event of an emergency. The library truly has something for everyone, from homework help to crafts to story times, not to mention a wonderful Summer Reading program. The city has done an excellent job of fixing our streets in recent years. I would like to see that continued.

6. Any final thoughts? Are there any issues you would like the city to address?

I would like to see a continued focus on downtown Newton. That is the heart of our community, and I believe we should focus our economic development and community beautification efforts on this area. I also want to continue to see Newton improve curb appeal. The D&D (nuisance abatement) program, in-fill residential development, new housing construction, residential and commercial inspection programs, as well as a recently adopted vacant building policy, all make this possible. We need to continue to strengthen these programs and continue to develop pride in our community.