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Newport council approves FY2025 budget changes, raises school operating support to 3.35% and adopts tiered tax rates
Summary
After heated debate over staffing priorities, the Newport City Council approved a revised FY2025 budget change sheet that boosts school operating funding to 3.35% and adopts a two-tier tax rate for owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied properties, while rejecting motions to cut specific city positions to fund a full 4% increase.
The Newport City Council voted to approve a revised FY2025 budget change sheet on a voice vote, increasing the school operating appropriation to an effective 3.35% and adopting a two-tier property tax structure that differentiates owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rates.
The council’s action followed a public hearing in which School Committee and school officials pressed for a 4% increase to cover staff and program needs. Louisa Boatwright, speaking for the school committee, and Colleen Burns Germaine, who identified herself as superintendent, described improved attendance and test results and urged the council to approve a larger allocation than the original 2% in the city proposal.
Council debate focused on specific tradeoffs on the change sheet: administration proposed delaying or eliminating several new…
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