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Votes at a glance: Newport Council approves budget amendment reading, rezoning, overlay ordinance and several purchases
Summary
At the meeting the council approved first readings of two ordinances and one zoning amendment, passed a resolution to close an alley, authorized property purchases and awarded multiple bids and purchases including vehicles, a bucket truck, and a community-center construction contract.
The Newport City Council recorded votes on several ordinances, resolutions, property purchases and procurement items. Below are the items, the motion outcomes and key details as recorded at the meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 2025‑O‑04 (First reading): Budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2024–2025. Motion carried on voice vote; no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript.
- Ordinance 2025‑O‑05 (First reading): Rezoning property on West Highway 2570 from agricultural to commercial (tax map parcel not fully specified in the record). The planning commission forwarded a favorable recommendation; council approved first reading on voice vote.
- Ordinance 2025‑O‑06 (First reading): Amend Newport zoning ordinance Chapter 5, Section 5.01 to add overlay districts (item tied to a legal appeal over an off-premise sign). Council approved first reading; motion carried on voice vote.
- Resolution 2025‑O‑08: Close an alley between Prospect Avenue and White Oak to expand city park property near Parks and Recreation’s newest park. Council approved the resolution on voice vote.
- Purchase: 8 acres of the former Rhyne property for $150,000 to site a police department and animal-control building and create a right-of-way to extend Main Street. Approved by roll call (Aldermen Hansel, Ottinger, Reagan and Smith all voted yes).
- Purchase: Two lots owned by Roger Miller adjacent to the Park-To-Float site, $25,000 per lot (total $50,000). Council approved by roll call (Aldermen Hansel, Ottinger, Reagan and Smith voted yes).
- Purchase: Bucket truck from Newport Utilities (approximate price referenced as $10,000 threshold for council approval). Council approved on roll call/voice vote as recorded.
- Vehicles: Two 2025 Ford Explorer patrol vehicles from Murfreesboro Ford, including upfits, $120,058 plus $1,350 for decaling; approved on voice vote.
- Vehicle for community development: Approved on voice vote to replace a vehicle lost in the flood.
- Contract award: M and B and R Contractors submitted the low bid of $95,862 for renovation work at the Newport Community Center in Tanner (nine rooms); council approved the contract by roll call.
- Farmers market policy and operations: Council adopted the market policy, authorized two seasonal positions and appointed an advisory board; council also authorized the city to apply for a $1,500 state farmers-market grant.
Record and procedure notes
Several items were approved on voice vote with the notation “hearing none, motion carries.” Some purchases and the community-center contract were approved following roll calls that recorded four yes votes (Aldermen Mike Hansel, Leona Ottinger, Randy Reagan and Steve Smith). Where the transcript recorded only a voice vote, the roll-call tallies were not provided.
Next steps
Staff will proceed with property closings, contract execution and hiring for the farmers market; the community-center work is scheduled to be phased so the center can remain in operation while renovations occur. Where grant or FEMA reimbursement was discussed, staff emphasized that amounts and timing remain uncertain and will be pursued separately.
