Newport City Council has approved a resolution formally identifying the project and allocations for the $98.5 million bond that will be placed on the ballot for the November 2024 General Election, aiming to fund various infrastructure projects across the city.
The bond, if passed by voters, would finance improvements including seawall repairs, road upgrades, and public facility renovations.
City Manager Colin Kennedy presented the bond proposal to the council, emphasizing its importance for addressing critical infrastructure needs.
“This articulates where we were at the Capitol improvement plan process end at the end of January,” Kennedy said, outlining the evolution of the proposal.
The bond would allocate funds to five main categories: intergenerational resiliency and sustainability, roads and sidewalks, utilities, public facilities, and programmatic improvements.
Key projects include Easton Beach nourishment, Van Zandt Bridge removal, stormwater management, and the redesign of the Maha Centre.
“We are merely establishing what we feel is important for the voters to know what we intend to do if the bond is improved to improve the future condition of our city”, Kennedy said.
Kennedy explained that while the $98.5 is a fixed amount that voters must approve, the allocation for specific items can be fluid as some items may come under budget while others may come under budget.
“What is fixed is what the voters see on the ballot on November 5 that is already approved and in stone from the General Assembly. It has a variety of purposely vague language that ultimately sums up the $98.5 million to give the city maximum flexibility within the boundaries of the legislation,” Kennedy said.
Some council members expressed concerns about specific allocations, particularly regarding the Rogers High School project and Almy Pond remediation.
Councilor David Carlin questioned the $10 million allocation for “Rogers HS landfill and disposition of remaining soil; Rogers completion.”
Kennedy clarified, “Right now, some of it will depend on contingency funds that may be refunded. But right now looks at about $3.3 million remaining for the school.”
The council voted 5-1 to approve the bond proposal for the November ballot. Councilor Carlin voted against the resolution, while Mayor X was absent for the meeting.
“This is just really an informational document for the press and for the city to put out so that the public will know what they are voting on”, Vice Chair Ceglie said.
The conversation lasted about fifty minutes. It begins at approximately 1:01 in the video below.
