City of Newark

Councilmembers appeared amenable to both raising the maximum lodging tax and levying a tax on retail alcohol sales.

Two new Councilmembers will be sworn in next week. City Manager Tom Coleman wants their votes.

Newark’s Planning and Development Director Renee Bensley clarified free parking will only apply to city-owned lots.

The city manager projected between $150 and 300 thousand of revenue if the tax were approved by Council and the General Assembly.

The camera system's first stop is along Hillside Road.

City Manager Tom Coleman said the city needs to find creative ways to raise more revenue.

Also at Monday's Council meeting, Councilmembers voted to pull Mexican restaurant Casa Kahlo's special use permit to serve alcohol for 60 days after repeated violations.

Council voted 5-2 in favor of the measure but needed six votes.

The city’s budget went up $1.4 million in 2026 despite non-police spending decreasing by about half a million dollars.

The plan will cover parks and open space, transportation, housing and infrastructure.