Newport City Council forwards charter rewrite to public hearings; schedules follow-up meetings

The presiding official opened a special meeting Tuesday and the Newport City Council voted to forward a draft rewrite of the city charter for public hearings and further consideration ahead of a March 3, 2026 vote.

The council approved a motion to move the draft dated 01/08/2026 forward for public hearing; the presiding official called the voice vote in favor and stated the motion carried. Council members then accepted attorney-recommended language that the full proposed amended charter is too long for standard public notice and directed that notices include a concise summary while full copies remain available at the clerk’s office and online upon request.

The council adopted a short statement of intent describing the rewrite as an effort to create “a new, clear, simplified document that adopts best practices in municipal governance,” and to confirm the city’s commitment to a council–manager form of government. Council members said the rewrite is aimed at reducing confusion in the current century-old charter and making the document easier for residents, candidates and lenders to understand.

Key next steps set by the council include a first public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20 (special meeting) and a second public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26 as the first item in the regular council meeting. The council also scheduled a special meeting on Wednesday, January 28 to consider public hearing input and make any final edits before deciding whether to warn the charter amendment for the March 3, 2026 ballot. Separately, the council warned a special meeting for Tuesday, January 13 at 6:00 p.m. with consultant Dominic (name transcribed in the record as Dominic Cloud/Cleverizzo); the presiding official said most of that session may be in executive session so the consultant can provide candid advice on process design.

Public commenters urged clearer documentation and more time to review. Anne, a resident who spoke during the meeting, said the process felt rushed and noted the proposed 17-page document would govern the city for years if approved. “We needed much more time,” she said. Karen, another commenter, asked the council to post a version-by-version comparison online and to track public comments so residents can see what changes have been proposed and why. Patrick, who defended the process, called accusations of nontransparency “absurd,” saying there have been many opportunities to review materials and comment.

Several speakers raised questions about Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and the fiscal implications of infrastructure loans. The presiding official said the draft charter is not intended to remove the community’s requirement to approve long-term debt and that a feasibility study on any TIF remains unresolved; he noted the general fund in the forthcoming budget exceeds $9,000,000 and pointed to state programs such as the Community Housing Infrastructure (CHIC) program as alternate tools. Residents asked for public sessions explaining grant tracking and how a $1,000,000 grant for a water tower is being coordinated with a larger $5,000,000 effort.

The council said it will not edit the draft’s text tonight; instead, it will remove highlights and correct numbering for a readable certified copy, then allow redline edits to be generated and reviewed during the public hearings. The presiding official encouraged residents to participate in the hearings and offered to convene a separate informational session in February with staff and the contract consultant to explain grant and feasibility details.

The meeting closed after brief announcements, including a Board of Tax Abatement meeting scheduled for the next day, and the council adjourned by voice vote.

The council’s votes and scheduled hearings set the procedural timetable that will determine whether the charter proposal reaches the ballot on March 3, 2026.