Newport council approves $300,000 contract to begin 2025 comprehensive plan update

The Newport City Council approved a $300,000 contract to begin an update of the city’s comprehensive plan, a process officials said is required by state statute and necessary to guide land-use and policy decisions over the next decade.

Director Reynolds, representing the administration, told the council the comprehensive plan is mandated to be updated every 10 years and serves as “a 10 year plan with a 20 year vision.” Reynolds said the work will include extensive public and stakeholder outreach, technical assessment and an implementation chapter and that the schedule requires starting immediately to meet a May 2027 target for adoption. “We barely have enough time to get that done,” Reynolds said.

Council members pressed for additional detail about cost and procurement. Councilor Rice asked whether state or federal funds would help pay for the plan; Reynolds replied there is no state assistance and the $300,000 was included in the city’s capital improvement program. Reynolds said the contract was awarded after a request-for-qualifications process and interviews; the selected lead consultant, Interface, was chosen in part for its outreach approach and local experience. “One of the things that first appealed to us was they have translators available, and they'll be including them in all the outreach,” Reynolds said.

Councilors questioned whether subconsultants would be paid directly by the city. Reynolds said subconsultants named in the proposal will be paid by the prime consultant, Interface, not by the city. Council members also sought assurances the city would use existing boards and commissions and the communications office in outreach; Reynolds said those groups will be involved but that most of the $300,000 is budgeted for consultant-led public outreach to reach people the city does not usually hear from.

Councilor Carlin said the expense is large but said he would vote to proceed because the update is a state requirement and the timeline and scope justify beginning work now. The motion to approve the contract carried with an affirmative vote.

The planning process must include review by the planning board, the city council and the state before the plan becomes effective. Reynolds said the city expects the consultant to deliver an accessible plan and supporting public materials, including a project website and presentations of how public input is reflected in the final plan.

The council did not identify any external grant funding for the contract; the city manager and director indicated the funding is drawn from the capital improvement program.