Mayor Rick Uppercase and members of Newport’s Financial Reporting and Fiscal Practices Task Force asked voters for permission to borrow up to $875,000 to cover the final cost of a fire engine expected for delivery this October or November.
The original voter-approved borrowing in March 2022 covered $800,000. At a public meeting July 21, Travis Gaines, a task force member, said the final price “including equipment for the truck is now $875,000, and that leaves us a $75,000 shortfall that requires approval.”
The task force and council presented the supplemental request as a routine follow-up to the 2022 authorization, saying the city’s FY2026 budget already includes the approximate debt‑service payment for the larger amount. Gaines said the estimated annual debt service is $67,880.
Former Newport Fire Chief John Hallrich, who helped lead the original purchase, urged the council to limit any new borrowing so it would “not to exceed the purchase price of the truck,” and asked the council to review equipment already purchased and stored. The council said it will explore language or commitments in the days before the August 12 special town meeting but cannot change the warned article at this stage.
Council and task force members stressed they would verify what equipment is already on hand before spending additional money and that they will not pay for equipment or extras unless required at delivery.
If voters approve the supplemental borrowing, the city will finance the total up to $875,000; if the additional funds are not approved, the city said it will identify other budget adjustments to cover any necessary shortfall.
Residents had follow-up questions about why the earlier budget designation did not cover the final costs; task force members said prior capital designations were budgeted but not funded and had been used to meet other obligations.
The council warned the supplemental borrowing as one of five ballot articles for a special town meeting by Australian ballot on Aug. 12, 2025.