This is the time of year when county supervisors and city councils are working on creating budgets for the new fiscal year that starts July 1st. In the current fiscal year, the City of Newton has $46.4 million in anticipated revenue. Just over 20% of that is nearly $9.4 million in property taxes. Another 17% is just under $7.8 million from Bond Revenue. Newton City Administrator Matt Muckler says establishing the proper budget for a city is vital, and takes months of preparation and work.

“At the end of the day, we are trying to give the best possible information to our city council so they can make the best decisions. The most important thing they do every year is make the budget. That’s the number one important thing that council members do in a given year.”

 According to Muckler, 42% of a Newton resident’s property taxes last year went to the city. The Newton School District received 39%, and Jasper County took in just under 16%. Another 3% went to other miscellaneous entities. 

The Newton City Council is working towards adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 City Budget in April.