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Newport council adopts sewer rates, appoints water commission member and awards two construction contracts
Summary
At its Oct. 6 meeting the Newport City Council unanimously adopted a new sewer‑rate ordinance, reappointed Edward Boyce to the municipal Waterworks Commission, accepted Provence Construction's $272,500 base bid for Laurel Street parking, accepted Hawkeye Enterprises' $348,173.75 bid for Comet Drive, approved the ad valorem tax notification, and amended personnel policies under an emergency clause.
The Newport City Council on Oct. 6 approved a series of ordinances, appointments and contracts in unanimous votes that reshaped utility rates, personnel policy and local public‑works projects.
City Attorney John Pettie read the third and final reading of an ordinance establishing new sewer rates for the Newport Sewer System; Council member Michael Allen moved and Allen Edwards seconded adoption, and the ordinance was approved 8-0. The transcript does not specify the new rate amounts.
The council also reappointed Edward Boyce to the Newport Municipal Waterworks Commission for a term expiring Oct. 8, 2033; the motion by Carol Falwell and second by Julie Moss carried 8-0.
On capital projects, Miller‑Newell Engineering recommended Provence Construction as the lowest bidder for the Laurel Street Parking Area. Council accepted the base bid of $272,500 (motion by Michael Allen, second by Regina Lake) and later approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a construction contract with Provence Construction (motion by Michael Allen, second by Allen Edwards); both votes were unanimous.
For industrial road improvements on Comet Drive, the council accepted the base bid (minus deductive alternate No. 1) of $348,173.75 from Hawkeye Enterprises Inc. following a motion by Allen Edwards and a second by Andy May; the vote carried 8-0.
Mayor Ratliffe noted that the annual ad valorem tax notification to the Jackson County Clerk for 2025 taxes payable in 2026 was due under Statute 26-73-202; the council voted to keep five mills for the General Fund and one mill for the Firemen's Pension Fund (motion by Andy May, second by Julie Moss, carried 8-0).
Finally, the council approved an ordinance amending personnel policies to delineate separate vacation and sick‑time policies for fire, police and non‑uniformed employees. Council suspended the rules and forewent additional readings (motion by Michael Allen, second by Leroy Mansko), approved the ordinance (motion by Michael Allen, second by Julie Moss) and approved the emergency clause (motion by Michael Allen, second by Leroy Mansko); all votes were 8-0. The transcript records the ordinance text was read in full but does not provide the ordinance's detailed provisions.
With no further business, the council adjourned.
Votes at a glance: all listed motions passed unanimously (8-0).
