Council Approves 3.07 Percent Tax Hike

Newport City Council approved a $97 million operating budget Wednesday, which includes a 3.07 percent hike for both residential and commercial tax payers. Effective July 1, the rate will be $11.70 per $1,000 for residential properties, $16.24 per $1,000 for commercial properties and $23.45 for motor vehicle excise tax, representing an increase of $2,000,398 over last year’s budget.

Of the total, $61,920,844 was appropriated into the general fund and $35,465,793 was appropriated to the school fund.

School Department

Although the Newport School Committee requested a 6.6% budget increase, Newport City Council members approved a level-funded budget for the third year in a row. Read more on the school budget process here. 

School Fund Breakdown:

Revenues $35,465,793
Federal $1,166,233
State $10,724007

City $22,564,157
Other Local Schools $1,011,396
Appropriation $35,465,793
Unfunded Portion of Appropriation $2,059,350

Newport Fire Department

In order to save in overtime costs, the budget added two positions to fire department, increasing the staff from 89 to 91. Assuming there is one overtime position on each shift, savings could be between $69,408.00 and $48,308.00 per year, said Fire Chief Peter Connerton.

Under the current contract, the city has agreed to have 19 firefighters on duty in each shift until the force transitions to a civilian dispatch at which point the firefighter minimum manning will drop to 18 firefighters per shift. Although moving to a civilian dispatch were part of the union negotiations two years ago, there is still not a defined timeline to hire.

“Creating these new positions is a complex process and we have been working to find the best manner to do so,” said Connerton. “This has entailed the creation of a new job description, what union to place them in, and the developing the training program, to name just a few.”  

City Manager Jane Howington said she would like to get the individual hired as soon as possible. 

Connerton added that Newport’s major events such as America’s Cup, Tall Ships, Tropical Storm Sandy and blizzards required significant administrative time.

“We collectively want to ensure that we get this right the first time, so that we can realize the necessary cost savings, to provide for the efficiency of the function, and not the least of concerns to guarantee the safety of the public and fire personnel,” said the Fire Chief.  

Other Funds

Water Fund
Revenues $14,987,958
Other Source of Funds $35,822,466
Appropriations $43,794,859

Equipment Operations Fund
Appropriations $1,579,698

Maritime Fund

Revenues $809,320
Appropriations $795,980

Parking Fund

Revenues $1,539,459
Appropriations $1,574,219