The City Council of Newport, Tennessee, on a series of motions approved multiple budget amendments, zoning ordinance changes, a resolution adopting Hampton Way as a city street, several procurement contracts and permits for community events.

Council members unanimously approved second reading of Ordinance 2025-O-04 (a budget amendment for fiscal year 2024–25) and carried forward or took first-reading action on several other budget ordinances, including Ordinance 2025-O-07, 2025-O-08 (Newport Grammar School) and the 2025–26 proposed budget (Ordinance 2025-209) for consideration. The council also approved rezoning on West Highway 2570 (Ordinance 2025-O-05) from A-1 agricultural to C-2 commercial and amended the zoning ordinance to add overlay districts (Ordinance 2025-O-06).

Other approved items included resolution 2025-R-09 to adopt Hampton Way as a city street to enable property-line redrawing on the Cosby Highway frontage, approval of the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Downtown Newport events (Rhythm on the River, Harvest Street Festival and the Christmas parade), and renewal of the annual road-maintenance contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for $62,032.15.

Council also approved multiple city procurement items and contracts in separate votes: a brush-truck repair (CMI Equipment, $12,633.11), a replacement pickup truck (Stimming Chevrolet, $23,950), a storage building for the Tanner Building (Custom Crafted Construction, listed bid), painting and other Tanner Building repairs, replacement of a failed sewer run at the Tanner Building (Teddy Jones Construction, $39,000), self-contained-breathing-equipment for the fire department ($23,483, Sourcewell contract), community-center gym refinishing (Carolina Hardwood Constructions, $24,144.25) and playground equipment purchases for Port City Park (total $28,505). The council approved hiring Smelter architectural firm to design a new police department and animal-control facility.

All items called for a roll call when required; the meeting record shows the five regularly voting council members (Aldermen Mike Hansel, Louanna/Oettinger, Randy Reagan, Steve Smith and Vice Mayor Connie Ball) voting yes on the motions referenced in the minutes. Where roll-call details were recorded in the transcript, the motions carried as announced by the mayor.

The council did not record any negative roll-call tallies in the minutes provided; most motions were approved unanimously with no recorded nays or abstentions. Several items were on first reading and therefore subject to future public hearings and additional votes.

Votes at a glance (selected items)
- Ordinance 2025-O-04 (second reading): Budget amendment for FY 2024–25 — Motion carried (roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-05 (second reading): Rezoning West Highway 2570 from A-1 to C-2 — Motion carried (roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-06 (second reading): Add overlay-district section to zoning (Ch. 5 §501) — Motion carried (roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-07 (first reading): Budget amendment — Consideration approved (first reading; roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-08 (first reading): Budget amendment for Newport Grammar School — Consideration approved (first reading; roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-209 (first reading): FY 2025–26 annual operating/capital budget and tax rate — Consideration approved (first reading; roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-10 (first reading): Replace/strengthen landscaping regulations in zoning (Ch. 3 §310) — Consideration approved (first reading; roll call recorded).
- Resolution 2025-R-09: Adopt Hampton Way as a city street (to allow lot-line realignment along Cosby Highway) — Approved by voice vote; motion carries.
- TDOT annual road maintenance contract — Approved; amount $62,032.15.
- Hire Smelter architectural firm for police department and animal control design — Approved.
- Multiple procurement approvals (brush truck repair, pickup truck, Tanner Building storage, painting, sewer replacement, breathing equipment, gym refinish, playground equipment) — Approved; line-item amounts noted in meeting packet and motions.

The council announced that several ordinances are on first reading and will return for subsequent votes; voters and interested parties should consult the city clerk’s office for future hearing dates and finalized vote tallies.