Newton City Council Considers Franchise Fees to Generate Revenue

Public hearings on proposed gas and electric franchise fees could be set for March 16th.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Newton City Council is moving forward with the possible adoption of franchise fees as a way to generate additional city revenue. Officials have been exploring this option due to parameters on property taxes from the state legislature. The council is expected to set public hearings on proposed gas and electric franchise fees during their meeting tonight.

Why it matters

Franchise fees are a common revenue source for many municipalities, allowing them to fund infrastructure improvements and other city services without relying solely on property taxes. As Newton faces budget constraints, adopting franchise fees could provide a new stream of funding to address the city's needs.

The details

The proposed franchise fees would start at 3% initially, followed by a 4% increase in the second year and a 5% increase in the third year. The fees would be collected through gas and electric bills. Mayor Randy Ervin foresees the revenue from franchise fees going towards street repairs and large equipment purchases, benefiting taxpayers in the long run.

  • The Newton City Council meeting is scheduled for tonight, March 2, 2026.
  • Public hearings on the proposed franchise fees could be set for March 16, 2026.

The players

Randy Ervin

The mayor of Newton, Kansas, who says the city must seriously consider franchise fees due to parameters on property taxes from the state legislature.

Jamey Robinson

The director of the Jasper County Emergency Management Agency, who is scheduled to provide an update on operations to the Newton City Council during the meeting.

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What they’re saying

“We have to look at a franchise fee, and we are trying to look at the most sensible way to do it. Obviously, we want to use the franchise fee to pay down some bills so we don't have to borrow as much money, which will benefit taxpayers in the long run.”

— Randy Ervin, Mayor (kniakrls.com)

What’s next

The Newton City Council is expected to set public hearings on the proposed gas and electric franchise fees during their meeting on March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

As cities face budget constraints, adopting franchise fees can provide a new revenue stream to fund infrastructure improvements and other essential services without relying solely on property taxes. Newton's consideration of franchise fees highlights the need for municipalities to explore alternative funding sources to meet their communities' needs.