Randy Ervin presided over his first full Newton City Council meeting Monday night, and told residents to expect increases in some city fees. He also indicated some new fees may be coming as well. Ervin said more revenue needs to be generated, so the City of Newton can reduce the amount of money it borrows and has to repay down the road.

“Are we going to talk about increasing our water rates? Absolutely! Do we add other revenue sources that we haven’t had to in the past, although a lot of towns have, such as a franchise fee? I may have to have that discussion with you. We have got to quit borrowing money. The only way you do that as a city is to put some of these fees in place.”

Ervin noted city leadership understands that Newton residents do not want higher property taxes, so new and increased fees are one of the best options to generate more revenue. One of the first fee increases being proposed pertains to the stormwater utility fee. The City Council is being asked to consider an average monthly increase of $1.25 per residential user and a $7.50 hike per commercial user. This proposal is expected to be on the agenda for the next Newton City Council meeting on January 19th. Newton Mayor Randy Ervin is the guest on today’s Let’s Talk Newton.