Council adopts budget, tax and fee measures; authorizes several contracts and urban renewal financing

The Newport City Council approved a package of fiscal and administrative measures during its meeting, including a supplemental budget, the 2025–26 ad valorem tax rate and debt amount, a city fee schedule that adjusts utility and permit fees, adoption of the 2025–26 budget appropriations, several personal services agreements for building services, and a resolution authorizing full faith and credit financing for urban renewal projects.

The actions were presented in a series of staff reports led primarily by Steve (city finance staff) and by Derek Tokos (Community Development). Council held public hearings required for the supplemental budget, the ad valorem tax resolution and the fee schedule; staff reported no public testimony during those hearings.

Key fiscal measures adopted

- Supplemental budget resolution (referred to in the packet as resolution number 2020Five-six-sixteen-seven) — staff explained this was the city’s last opportunity to make appropriations before the fiscal year end; the supplemental increases total appropriations by just over $1 million to a new total of $153,761,124. Council adopted the resolution by voice vote.

- Ad valorem tax resolution (2020Five-six-sixteen-eight) — the council set the property tax rate at $5.5938 per $1,000 of assessed value and included a debt service request of $2,954,093 to cover bonded loans for the aquatic center and a water-treatment or wastewater facility. Council adopted the resolution by voice vote. Staff noted bond pay-off dates in the 2029–2033 range.

- Election to receive state-shared revenues…