Newport Board Reviews $29.87M Budget, Police Hires; $7M Housing Bond Proposal Advanced
The Newport Board of Commissioners considered adoption of a $29.87 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and a separate proposal to issue up to $7 million in industrial revenue bonds for a new Ann Street home development during meetings in late June.
Other recent actions included appointments to the police department, approval of a custom fire pumper purchase, and historic preservation hearings on steps and masonry. Upcoming meetings will address a local landmark designation for the Southgate House and a height variance for a 13th Street home.
Budget and Public Safety Spending
At a special meeting on June 23, the board took up an order to adopt the FY 2026-27 budget with $29.87 million in revenues and $29.66 million in expenditures. A separate measure amended the current FY 2025-26 budget, raising General Fund revenues to $30.74 million.
Also on that agenda were police personnel actions: the appointment of Ryan Stevens as a police recruit and promotions for Connor Bleser and Adam Moeves. Equipment purchases included a custom Pierce Pumper fire apparatus for up to $1,114,475 and a 2026 Tesla Model Y AWD for the police department at a cost of up to $44,695. No vote tallies were immediately available as minutes from the meeting have not yet been published.
Ann Street Housing Bond
The board on June 29 considered an order authorizing up to $7 million in industrial revenue bonds to finance construction of 11 owner-occupied single-family homes in the 1000 block of Ann Street. The bonds would be conduit financing with no city liability. Under a proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, payments would be set at $7 per $1,000 of assessed value.
That same meeting included a vote to renew the city’s property, liability, and workers’ compensation insurance through KLCIS, KEMI, and Hartford for a total premium of $790,584. Minutes have not been published for this meeting.
Historic Preservation Hearings
The Historic Preservation Commission met in special session on June 24 to consider two public hearings. One addressed a certificate of appropriateness for replacement of sandstone steps with substitute materials at 628 Nelson Place, requested by Braylen Chandler. The second concerned painting of unpainted masonry in the Buena Vista Local Historic District at 914 Central Avenue, initiated by the city.
The commission also held a public hearing the same day on designating the Southgate-Thompson House at 24 E. 3rd Street as a local landmark. The agenda included updates from the historic preservation officer and discussion of upcoming priorities. Minutes from that meeting are not yet available.
Coming Up
The Historic Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing on July 15 to consider designating the Southgate House at 24 E. 3rd Street as a local landmark and will receive an update on the Monmouth project.
The Board of Adjustments meets July 16 for a public hearing on a height variance requested by Sabo Design Associates for 402 and 410 W. 13th Street. The variance would allow a 10-foot increase above the zoning limit for a single-family home as part of a plan to redivided two lots into six new lots. The applicant argues the height is needed for north-facing city views and is consistent with nearby buildings. The board will also approve minutes from its May 14 meeting.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.