In April of 1946 the citizens voted in a special election to create a tax levy to establish an organized recreation program throughout USD #373. The vote was made possible through a joint resolution between the City of Newton and USD #373 in accordance of state statutes. The Newton Recreation Commission is an autonomous governmental body governed by a five-member board. The Board is appointed by the City of Newton (two members), the School Board (two members), and an At-Large appointment.
The Newton Recreation Commission’s primary goal is to provide public recreation programming. The NRC provides both youth and adult programming. Youth programming areas include fitness, sports, arts and crafts, aquatics, special events, and teen programming. In addition, the NRC operates the Newton Activity Center and manages and maintains the majority of athletic facilities in Newton, including Fischer Field. Responsibilities for managing athletic facilities include preparation and scheduling of the athletic fields for all NRC programs, USD #373 sporting events and local leagues. The NRC also operates and manages the Municipal Pool and assists local leagues and groups with their leisure pursuits.
The NRC is funded through a school district wide mill levy, user fees, rentals and sponsorships.
User fees and non-tax revenues support most program costs. Tax dollars are used to cover debt service (Fischer Field Project and Activity Center Renovation), capital improvements and equipment, grounds maintenance, Activity Center maintenance, administrative costs, insurance and benefits.
No. Any tax increase request must be approved by the USD #373 Board. Taxes are collected by the county clerk, distributed to USD #373 and then passed on to the NRC. The taxes distributed to USD #373 for the Newton Recreation Commission do not limit the amount of funding which can be provided for educational purposes. State statutes allow for the creation of recreation commissions which do not in any way reduce the dollars collected or available for educational purposes.
The NRC employs 14 Full-Time staff and has as many as 150 Part-Time employees throughout the year.