Council reaffirms commitment of $2.9 million to close Rogers High School construction funding gap

The Newport City Council voted Oct. 8 to reaffirm a prior commitment and allocate $2,918,809 from fiscal‑year‑2025 investment earnings to address a funding shortfall in the Rogers High School construction project.

The resolution restated Council’s earlier authorization (Resolution 2024‑122) and said the funds are intended to support completion activities necessary to secure the final certificate of occupancy. Finance staff told the Council the city recorded investment earnings above budgeted projections for FY25; the fiscal office reported about $3.4 million in excess investment earnings and confirmed the city has the necessary funds to make the transfer.

Council discussion included questions about remaining contingencies and outstanding work. Councilor Paul Rice raised concerns that the resolution language could be read to mean the $2.9 million would fully complete work on the wider campus (for example, removal/disposal of excavated material and remaining site work) and said those items remain unresolved. City staff and the City Manager said the money is intended to ensure the school can receive the final certificate of occupancy and that other site work may require further action in future council sessions.

The motion passed on a voice vote; staff said the transfer will be made to the school construction capital fund and that the administration will continue to report project status to the Council.

Ending: The City will transfer the agreed amount to the school construction capital fund and continue to brief the Council as remaining project tasks and contingencies are addressed.