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Newport aldermen approve budget amendments, codes update, property purchase and set annexation public hearing process
Summary
At its June 10 meeting the Newport Board of Aldermen approved multiple budget and code ordinances, authorized staff to apply for a railroad safety grant, voted to buy the Tipp Brown riverfront parcel and passed a resolution to move an annexation request to a public hearing on June 30.
The City of Newport Board of Aldermen on June 10 approved a package of ordinances and measures including budget amendments, updates to the city's fire code, purchase of a riverfront parcel and a resolution to move an annexation request to a public hearing.
The board voted on multiple ordinances and motions during the regularly scheduled meeting. The measures passed by roll call or unanimous consent included: a city budget amendment (Ordinance 2025-O-7); a budget amendment for Newport Grammar School (Ordinance 2025-O-8); adoption of the city's annual operating and capital budget and tax rate for fiscal year 2025'26 (Ordinance 2025-O-9); an amendment to the zoning ordinance to strengthen landscaping and screening (Ordinance 2025-O-10); and adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code and the 2021 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (Ordinance 2025-O-11).
The board also approved the reappointment of Terry White to the planning commission and authorized the police department to apply for a Norfolk Southern safety grant of up to $15,000. The board approved an audit contract renewal and awarded a bid for annual paving for FY2025'26. Council approved purchase of playground equipment for City Park in the amount of $15,405 and approved a request to host a downtown 'play date' on July 19 (rain date July 26).
On a separate resolution (Resolution 2025-10) the board voted to move an annexation request for a parcel described as 1220 Golf Course Road to the required public hearing stage; the public hearing is set for June 30, 2025 and a called meeting for the up-or-down annexation vote is expected to follow on the same day.
The board voted to acquire property owned by Tipp Brown, a riverfront lot the mayor and staff said will clear a long-standing impediment to extending the river walk. The city manager told aldermen the owner's asking price is $100,000 and that the lot's appraisal is about $20,000 higher. Council voted to purchase the lot.
Several items were presented as staff reports or purchases requiring no additional local match: staff reported emergency repairs to the community center pool electrical equipment (about $18,000) and to correct illegal downspout connections discovered at the Tanner Building (about $22,000). City Administrator James Fincher said he approved both emergency expenditures and placed them on the record.
Votes at a glance (selected actions) - Ordinance 2025-O-7, amending the annual operating budget and capital program: motion carried (roll call recorded as yes by Alderman Mike Hansel, Alderman Randy Reagan, Alderman Steve Smith and other members present). Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 2025-O-8, budget amendment for Newport Grammar School: motion carried (roll call recorded as yes by members present). Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 2025-O-9, adoption of FY2025'26 operating and capital budget and tax rate: motion carried. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 2025-O-10, zoning ordinance amendment (landscaping and screening): motion carried unanimously. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 2025-O-11, adopt 2021 International Fire Code and 2021 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code: motion carried. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 2025-10, annex certain territory (1220 Golf Course Road) by written owner consent and move process forward to public hearing: motion carried by roll call; outcome: motion to advance to public hearing approved. Public hearing scheduled June 30, 2025; called meeting and final up-or-down vote to follow the public hearing on the same day per staff notice.
- Purchase of Tipp Brown property (riverfront parcel): motion carried by roll call; outcome: approved purchase at seller's asking price of $100,000 (staff said appraised value is about $20,000 higher).
- Reappointment of Terry White to the planning commission: motion carried. Outcome: reappointed.
- Audit contract renewal for the city: motion carried. Outcome: approved.
- Police department: permission to apply for Norfolk Southern safety grant up to $15,000 (no local match): motion carried. Outcome: authorized to apply.
- Annual paving bid for FY2025'26 (Newport Paving): motion carried. Outcome: contract/bid accepted.
- Playground equipment for City Park (Miracle Playground/TAA Sourcewell contract) $15,405: motion carried. Outcome: approved purchase.
- Downtown Play Date (event permit) July 19 with rain date July 26, hours 10 a.m. ' 2 p.m.: motion carried. Outcome: event approved.
Actions with recorded roll-call excerpts are reflected in the transcript. Where the transcript recorded a roll call, the minutes show members present voting yes and the mayor declaring "motion carries." No roll-call tallies in the transcript showed recorded no or abstain votes on these items.
The board's meeting also included staff report items and public comment, including questions about the annexation timing and the annexation process change at the state level. City Administrator James Fincher explained the June 30 public hearing and that the June 30 called meeting will follow the hearing to permit the final up-or-down vote.
