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Newport council approves budget amendments, grant extensions, hires and equipment purchases
Summary
The City of Newport council approved several budget amendments, accepted a TDOT contract extension for the River Walk, authorized grant applications, approved hiring for community development, and cleared equipment purchases including a bucket truck.
The City of Newport council on a single agenda approved multiple motions covering budget amendments, a grant contract extension, personnel and equipment purchases.
Council completed second reading of Ordinance 2025-01, a budget amendment for Newport Grammar School, and approved first readings of Ordinances 2025-02 (city budget amendment) and 2025-03 (additional Newport Grammar School budget changes). The council also approved Resolution 2025-03 to accept a contract extension tied to a Tennessee Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives Program (TDOT TAP) grant for the River Walk extension, a project staff said began in 2019 and was delayed by flooding.
Why it matters: the package moves multiple items forward that affect city capital and operating budgets, the River Walk project timeline and the city’s ability to pursue federal/state emergency and safety grants.
Votes at a glance: the council approved each motion as presented (voice votes unless otherwise noted). Notable items recorded on the agenda included: Ordinance 2025-01 (second reading) — approved; Ordinance 2025-02 (first reading) — approved; Ordinance 2025-03 (first reading) — approved; Resolution 2025-03 (accept TDOT TAP contract extension) — approved; authorization for the Newport Fire Department to apply for a Tennessee traffic safety grant — approved; authorization for city staff to apply for TEMA and FEMA grants on behalf of departments — approved; hire of the community development director candidate (record lists the name inconsistently as Gary Carver and as Gary Carbon) — approved; purchase of a bucket truck — approved (roll-call confirmation recorded); reappointment of Dennis Thornton to the Beer Board — approved.
A Fire Department representative described the department’s plan for equipment if the traffic safety grant is awarded: "The equipment's $12,500 is the max on this grant ... we're looking to update our flashlights, traffic vests, and add extrication equipment such as airbags to the fleet," the representative said during the meeting. The council voted to authorize the department to apply.
On personnel, the council approved returning the community development director who previously served the city and later worked elsewhere; the transcript shows two spellings of the candidate’s name (Gary Carver and Gary Carbon). The council approved an interlocal agreement update for a long-standing partnership after removing a clause identified by Alderman Randy Reagan.
The measures approved on the consent and new-business portions of the agenda now move to implementation steps by city departments. The meeting concluded after public comment and approval of routine appointments.
