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Newport council forms six‑month water/sewer and financial reporting task forces
Summary
The Newport City Council voted to create two six‑month citizen task forces — one on water and sewer rates and one on financial reporting and fiscal practices — to deliver recommendations quickly to inform the FY 2025–26 budget and restore financial reporting clarity.
The Newport City Council on a unanimous voice vote on March (special meeting) approved two six‑month special task forces: one to study water and sewer finances, rates and operations, and another to review the city’s financial reporting and fiscal practices.
Mayor Rick Ufford Chase introduced the proposals, saying the water and sewer group would work on a tight timeline so the council could consider any rate changes when preparing the FY 2025–26 budget. Chase told residents the task force would be a recommending body and suggested the groups meet intensively in the weeks after appointment; he described a six‑month sunset with an option for extension by council vote.
Residents at the microphone raised two repeated concerns: the short application window the mayor proposed (letters of interest were requested by Friday at noon) and whether nonresidents should serve on a committee that affects city ratepayers. Resident Laurie Grama said she “absolutely do[es] not believe that we should have people outside of the city” on the water and sewer committee except for certain business-rate payers; other commenters urged the council to presume public participation and to include experienced professionals regardless of residence if their expertise benefits city ratepayers.
Council members agreed to remove the parenthetical language that would have explicitly allowed nonresidents and left the final determination to council appointment decisions. The council also clarified staff would provide support to both task forces but would not serve as voting members.
The financial reporting task force will review current reports supplied to council (balance sheet, income/expense statements, and cash‑flow projections), examine the recent operating deficits and diminished cash reserves, and recommend practices for capital funding and debt management. Chase described the group’s role as producing actionable recommendations over six months to reestablish a healthier cash reserve and clearer routine reporting.
Next steps: the mayor will accept letters of interest (and brief qualifications) for appointment and distribute them to council for consideration; appointments are expected at the council’s next regular meeting.
