The City of Newport is making significant progress on its Strategic Plan, with 46 out of 56 goals and strategies either ongoing or complete. The plan, developed with input from over 1,000 residents, outlines five priority areas for the city’s future.
City officials are encouraging residents to download and review the final Strategic Plan, which is available on the city’s website. The document serves as a visioning tool to align the city’s priorities with community needs.
“As one of the City’s visioning documents, the City Council’s Strategic Plan aims to ensure that the City’s priorities align with those expressed by the community,” said Tom Shevlin, Communications Officer for the City of Newport in a press release.
The plan focuses on five key areas: Thriving Economic Development, Resilient Infrastructure, Outstanding Educational Outcomes, Excellent, Well-Resourced City Services, and Multi-Modal Transportation.
Several major initiatives have already been completed under the plan. These include conducting a comprehensive Housing Study, identifying vacant parcels suitable for housing, and creating a new Resilience and Sustainability Department.
Other completed actions involve developing a policy to guide accessory dwelling units (ADUs), implementing noise camera trailers, and hiring a new City Manager.
The strategic planning process began in 2023, led by Raftelis, a national consultancy specializing in local government support. City staff are now preparing for additional work sessions with Raftelis consultants to focus more intently on the plan’s priority areas.
“With 46 of those 56 goals and strategies either currently ongoing or complete, work to realize the Strategic Plan is already well underway,” Shevlin noted.
The plan’s development involved extensive community engagement, ensuring that it reflects the desires and needs of Newport residents. This collaborative approach aims to create a shared vision for the city’s future.
One of the plan’s strengths is its specificity. In addition to providing a long-term vision, it includes 56 specific action items spread across the five priority areas. This level of detail allows for clear tracking of progress and accountability.
The city’s commitment to transparency is evident in its efforts to make the Strategic Plan easily accessible to the public. Residents can find more information about the planning process, including links to download both current and past plans, on the city’s website.
“More information about the Council’s strategic planning process, including links to download both current and past plans, can be found on the City’s website at www.CityofNewport.com/StrategicPlan,” Shevlin added.
