[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6574486,"mediaKeyId","3074733-77344784a3f19911afbf4cb51cbabe6b","parentId",3074733,"title","Newport outlines $98.5 million infrastructure bond plan; council questions CIP funding priorities","audioSeconds",3870,"startMs",3691000,"endMs",7561000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074733-77344784a3f19911afbf4cb51cbabe6b&start=3691&end=7561","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074733-77344784a3f19911afbf4cb51cbabe6b/thumbnail_3691000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574486/Rhode-Island/Newport-outlines-985-million-infrastructure-bond-plan-council-questions-CIP-funding-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574486-f22d521e3708a2751b3aeeca0fdd4333/orig.mp4?Expires=1775970572&Signature=eUddSe9LDW0WUT9cNvU2EZGpJTfFRruAPWWAvD9s47FzPjivjsPlnqopI8VXeqvL4-G64dOzkYllWOnAJTKdxeLADzY1xy8bqWlwhZo8vOK08NuquaeH84fVUnD6q-k6CxNEaFAYD1yZW~qYiogxr7mkEaDMKqCfNalvf8Q8l2FFGF6wRaaKvkwk5kWjr-lU1tDZsxoOMSvIJgktJBLC-O2acq3f9EWQrbkz1A7NhdnGM6wgtslRi~W8V~w3jL95EOHHc4MbxteXtJs3ew8HtGXDX7fAntV16JbGCEI8ryQbAYSzaHIbINGt6gyEiojaFa8S7oQ7KdJwuFtzt17TSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport","date","2025-04-21T17:30:00Z","article","Finance staff reviewed the capital improvement program (CIP) for fiscal 2026 and the planned use of a voter‑approved $98.5 million infrastructure bond. The presentation broke the bond into general‑fund and enterprise (maritime) components and outlined projected borrowing tranches, debt‑service impacts and internal policy ratios.

Jim Nolan said the bond projects had been identified before the November 2024 vote but that council approval remains required for specific project allocations. Staff projected two tranches: an initial borrowing in January 2026 of approximately $50.4 million and a second tranche in January 2027 of roughly $48.1 million. Staff estimated the first debt service payment from tranche one would begin in fiscal 2027 and add about $2.9 million to the general fund debt service and about $863,000 to the maritime enterprise; similar impacts would follow the second tranche with roughly $2.8 million to the general fund and $850,000 to maritime. Staff said bond proceeds and associated debt service are expected to be split about 77% general‑fund and 23% maritime.

The presentation also summarized PAYGO (pay‑as‑you‑go) capital included in the FY26 proposed budget. Staff reported total general‑fund CIP identified during the CIP process of about $12.1 million but removed $8.6 million of projects to balance the budget, leaving a $3.4 million transfer from the general fund to capital. Specific reductions included large cuts to facilities, parks and roads allocations; staff said some projects must be deferred unless council chooses to reprioritize.

Staff reviewed debt‑policy constraints: Rhode Island law caps municipal general‑obligation bonds at 3% of assessed property value (staff cited an assessed value base that placed Newport well under that cap), and the city’s internal policy limits annual general‑fund debt service to less than 9% of general‑fund expenditures. Nolan said the FY27 borrowing would push the city to roughly 8.99% of debt service to general‑fund expenditures—close to the council’s internal 9% threshold—and that accounting assumptions for housing‑aid reimbursements (for school projects) materially affect the calculation.

Councilors pressed staff on priorities. Multiple councilors observed that the proposed PAYGO schedule did not fund elements of the recently adopted master transportation plan and other traffic safety initiatives (crosswalks, satellite parking and measures to reduce downtown congestion). One councilor warned that repeated council resolutions and public petitions for transportation safety measures appeared to have little budgetary effect in this draft and urged staff to return with a revised CIP that better aligns spending with adopted policy priorities.

Why it matters: the $98.5 million bond and CIP decisions determine which infrastructure projects move forward, the timing of debt service and the city’s compliance with internal and statutory debt limits. Councilors asked for a revised allocation that responds to citizen demands for transportation and safety improvements and for clearer linkage between adopted policy and project funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Newport - Newport City Council Workshop- Budget Overview - Apr 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented a capital improvement plan tied to a $98.5 million voter‑approved infrastructure bond, two planned borrowings and internal debt ratios; councilors raised concerns that CIP priorities such as transportation safety were not funded in the proposed FY26 PAYGO budget.","taxTitle","Newport, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",79596,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6574492,"Nonprofits press Newport council as civic‑support requests outpace available trust and general‑fund money",2397,3742000,6139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074733-77344784a3f19911afbf4cb51cbabe6b&start=3742&end=6139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074733-77344784a3f19911afbf4cb51cbabe6b/thumbnail_3742000.jpg","/articles/6574492/Rhode-Island/Nonprofits-press-Newport-council-as-civicsupport-requests-outpace-available-trust-and-generalfund-money","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574492-35291fec03605e916e00ec37a3c11399/orig.mp4?Expires=1775970572&Signature=lxMGifXrZP~lAEiWz3ceJQ-uy-3~w0bR~vyRKdJYp8XwVf6MXt1OZqgCunD6Vs1j9RArRN0MlmtUeC7JwtK83Tqi-ZGdsVLhZYphoJ66hlf5MW~rKEjAxqBL7C0IP2-numKxgZCNBIHKZvZRVkHj43LimlQnKK4ickjOuNsvI4RTpfMZWQ1fOOfhuOwAlA-kkjWwJveajApjOn6CtxZ-GmzKO8faj~S~Q6ZHsuwEpcQMsbePt0Fc5sf-om2bJ03v~11wrbBlotfJ7Vl84TWUj9oSfjxioYq977l~-RdN5CRYJcekS0y1PyBIulONwoliscJr4WMZ1C9VJZ3k2Xuoxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a budget workshop on the proposed fiscal year 2026 civic‑support budget, nonprofit leaders and councilors debated whether the city’s funding process, trust‑fund reliance and staff review met community needs.

Finance staff said civic support requests totaled $388,230 for FY26 but that the proposed budget included $268,000—largely flat‑funded from the previous biennial budget—with a general‑fund impact of about $104,500. Administration noted several prior one‑time revenue sources used in earlier years (Discover Newport grant, ARPA) have been spent and are not available for FY26; staff identified the public improvement trust (funded by the Sears Trust and investment earnings) as a primary non‑tax funding source and said that trust transfers are lower than in 2024.

Several councilors criticized staff analysis and the process. One councilor said applications appeared not to have been reviewed thoroughly and voiced frustration that prior council guidance—such as decisions to withhold funding from defunct organizations—was not consistently reflected in the proposal. Another councilor said the civic‑support review has been overseen by staff and suggested creating an independent trust or advisory body with clearer oversight, reporting requirements and metrics of effectiveness.

Nonprofit leaders addressed the council during public comment. Carmela Gear, executive director of the Edward King House Senior Center, said civic support pays for staff and core operating work that otherwise would be cut: “Without this funding, I'm cutting staff because that's where that money is going.” Rebecca Gomez (recorded in the transcript as representing Panaca Latino Newport) described sustained translation and education services her organization provides to families and students and urged the council to consider the community value of immigrant‑serving programs. Other speakers representing youth programming, food and homeless services noted rising demand and said small general‑fund grants help sustain operations.

Councilors and staff discussed options: level funding with current resources, creating a more formal trust with independent oversight, tightening application metrics and running a more thorough review process before final budget adoption. Several councilors emphasized the city should make applications and financial statements available to reviewers; staff confirmed applications and statements were on file and available but acknowledged the review approach used for the draft budget relied on limited staff analysis and a decision to propose level funding in an austere fiscal year.

Why it matters: many local social‑service and cultural programs rely on modest city grants for operating staff and services that would otherwise fall to the general fund or go unfunded. Councilors signaled they want a more deliberate process, clearer oversight and better documentation of civic‑support outcomes before final funding decisions.","Local nonprofit leaders urged the council to preserve and increase civic‑support grants; councilors and staff debated limited trust funds, application review practices and whether to reform oversight.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6574496,"Newport budget adds positions, adjusts pay scales; affirmative‑action title change draws council concern",1730,1897000,3627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074733-77344784a3f19911afbf4cb51cbabe6b&start=1897&end=3627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074733-77344784a3f19911afbf4cb51cbabe6b/thumbnail_1897000.jpg","/articles/6574496/Rhode-Island/Newport-budget-adds-positions-adjusts-pay-scales-affirmativeaction-title-change-draws-council-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574496-f2388815cc954f18fc17409076a7b240/orig.mp4?Expires=1775970572&Signature=W1SQyKef39XnjNcEh0QblDnci0C8Hl3jfvhs4WHKiDMc4u8tTl2FHotxHPTR7xn0IF3ukPDQGGhAPPTulvNVU4HjXBK~1g8PzBq8wZseXFiuF5pAwbkn83vZII9GvhB9hVoVgM1HBv2geolz3uW49YElLxxk4h8U3MxHJTldCY8AwG29rE8vqYTfjVhDJ1uyOUo1zUj0zrFYWduPTiB3I5W18hzhxUnwMiPUyMUTaywE9SJ8SHZEXe806gCOZv68LMpJrigROBfiDIpkSo5wcwnTVCBBtRTP94f0cbNCucJiA3cYtz~GQSAFVCU~4Rh~uvMXSHSMmaLcbn6JyPGzxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff and administration presented personnel proposals the council would fund in the fiscal 2026 budget, including several new positions, nonunion pay‑scale adjustments and bargaining‑unit updates.

Jim Nolan, the city’s finance director, and other staff outlined four new general‑fund positions with combined salary and benefits of about $481,000: a deputy police chief (supervisory S‑12, about $174,000 combined), a code enforcement officer (NEA, about $116,000), an assistant building inspector (AFSCME, about $102,000) and a public services laborer (AFSCME, about $88,000). Separately, the utilities department would add a utility GIS and field specialist and a capital projects engineering manager (combined about $245,000), and the parking and maritime enterprise funds would add a superintendent of the parking authority and a deputy harbormaster.

On classification and pay scales, staff said they are shifting nonunion ranges to help junior employees catch up with inflation. Nolan summarized that salary and benefits represent roughly half of the proposed $122 million general‑fund budget, and the proposed nonunion adjustments prioritize increases to the S‑1 through S‑9 ranges while keeping S‑10 and above flatter to rebalance prior gains concentrated at senior levels.

Several councilors and department heads pressed for details. Police Chief Ryan Duffy explained the proposed superintendent of the parking authority would merge three part‑time supervisory functions and current police parking enforcement management into a single full‑time position, moving budget and enforcement responsibilities out of police overtime and into a new managerial post. Chief Duffy said Passport (a contracted vendor) continues follow‑up on unpaid out‑of‑state parking tickets. Councilors asked whether the superintendent hire would be net‑neutral once prior part‑time positions were removed; staff said they would provide a final net‑cost breakdown.

Administration also proposed renaming the city’s affirmative‑action officer to “talent management specialist.” The human‑resources and city‑manager presentations said the change reflects the position’s broader role in recruitment and to avoid a “contemporary stigma” in the labor market. Some councilors questioned whether the title change could create political or legal risk given federal scrutiny of affirmative‑action practices and asked whether the change would undercut council‑directed policy; staff said the change was intended to broaden scope and not to backtrack on affirmative‑action goals.

Union contract updates were summarized: the IAFF (fire) contract was recently ratified with pay steps of 3% (FY25), 4% (FY26) and 3.5% (FY27) and schedule changes; police (FOP) and several other contracts remain in negotiation with tentative agreements reported for police. Staff warned that if negotiated contracts exceed the budgeted contingencies, the city might need to use unassigned fund balance to cover costs.

Why it matters: personnel and collective‑bargaining costs are the largest recurring budget drivers, influence service delivery and affect long‑term fiscal planning. Councilors asked for clearer net‑costs, reporting lines and the amounts saved by eliminating part‑time posts when new full‑time positions are created.","City administration proposed new and reclassified positions, salary scale adjustments intended to aid junior employees, and an affirmative‑action officer title change; councilors pressed for details and some raised legal and funding concerns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6574501,"Newport proposes 3.95% tax levy increase; expands two‑tier residential exemption",221,166000,387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074733-77344784a3f19911afbf4cb51cbabe6b&start=166&end=387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074733-77344784a3f19911afbf4cb51cbabe6b/thumbnail_166000.jpg","/articles/6574501/Rhode-Island/Newport-proposes-395-tax-levy-increase-expands-twotier-residential-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574501-476a9b40f8f64bdaa36da84e5c5620bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775970572&Signature=KPxBTuANC61rgMeKeRXln8ObG8otaEfjjWwzK37SjCSpQ2~DBh5XdofqB~tGim9jdEwhI~9jhr2PWW7ROqm2nwk2JuxpriGYE8JU2kTbX9YqQzDl~bRBFQlhntgntm60o8W6tGc8gsFUKqRRMTpUDL9yqa8dGs8IzjrMKB~Hl2jXU8rqfspRYORABf5APNnQZ09Ro4amMtI-nZZmcGxww7mrYj6t5U8-nHtxHAjbJpt7LJ7-feBsF3yQEE7mjPnoB3HObN7uxCSAI2MA3Wv3R64dbaSy-0CsQI09-iMDZiV3KrMPdtbB4J81Vi2mW8KJYbabMsGneBCcBr1iLxW0EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance Director Jim Nolan told the Newport City Council that the administration is proposing a 3.95% increase to the city’s fiscal year 2026 tax levy, raising the levy from $88.9 million in fiscal 2025 to a proposed $92.4 million.

The proposal would be the first year the city’s tax bills are generated through a new tax‑billing module in the city’s ERP system, Nolan said, and staff asked the council to approve tax rates promptly so early July mailings can be produced and the first quarter payment due date of Aug. 5 remains practical.

The tax proposal is tied to Newport’s two‑tier residential program, which separates owner‑occupied and non‑owner‑occupied residential properties for rate setting. Nolan said the owner‑occupied exemption for fiscal 2026 would remain at $284,433—24% of the average assessed residential value—consistent with fiscal 2025. He described participation growing from 36% in the first year (2,996 properties) to 51% in the current application cycle (4,169 properties).

Under the proposal, staff calculated residential rates by first determining the levy need, then exempting the owner‑occupied pool and applying a compensating rate to non‑owner‑occupied residential parcels. Nolan summarized the proposed per‑class rate moves: owner‑occupied residential would rise by about $0.31 (from roughly $6.97–$6.98 to $7.28), the non‑owner‑occupied residential rate would rise by about $0.64 (to roughly $8.86), and the commercial rate (set at 1.5 times the lowest residential rate) would increase to roughly $10.93. The tangible personal property rate remains fixed by the General Assembly at $14.88 per $1,000 of assessed value, Nolan said.

Staff presented the estimated impact on an average assessed residential property: a projected tax bill of roughly $6,561 in fiscal 2026, about $279 more than the prior year. Nolan noted that owner‑occupied taxpayers have seen net decreases or flat bills since the program began (a roughly $878 decrease in the first year, followed by a flat 2025), but the 2026 levy increase would raise the average owner‑occupied bill.

Councilors and staff also discussed the assessment and revaluation cycle. Nolan said the city must conduct either a statistical or full revaluation every three years; a statistical revaluation is scheduled in 2026 to capture market changes that will affect average assessed values and exemptions.

Why it matters: the tax‑levy and two‑tier design affect who bears the levy change and the relative tax rates for owner‑occupants, investors and businesses. Staff emphasized timeline constraints tied to a new ERP tax‑billing rollout and the need for rates to be set in time for printer deadlines and taxpayer payment schedules.

Staff noted the first public budget hearing would be at the council meeting on Wednesday, May 14, with additional hearings on May 28 and (if needed) June 11.","Finance staff proposed a fiscal 2026 tax levy increase of 3.95% and described how the city’s third year of a two‑tier residential tax program and a higher owner‑occupied exemption affect average bills and rates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Newport outlines $98.5 million infrastructure bond plan; council questions CIP funding priorities

Nonprofits press Newport council as civic‑support requests outpace available trust and general‑fund money

Newport budget adds positions, adjusts pay scales; affirmative‑action title change draws council concern

Newport proposes 3.95% tax levy increase; expands two‑tier residential exemption