The Newport City Council will take up the city’s fiscal year 2027 operating budget when it meets Wednesday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 43 Broadway.
The budget items lead the docket, with second readings scheduled for the ordinance appropriating revenues and the personnel ordinance, along with a resolution related to the Omnibus Property Tax Relief and Replacement Act and a resolution authorizing the tax levy.
The council will also consider a consent calendar that includes a long list of summer special events. Among them are the Newport Art Museum’s Art Cup Opening on June 4, a Newport to Bermuda Race crew party at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard on June 17, a 250th Juneteenth Celebration at Fort Adams State Park on June 20 hosted by R.I. Slave History Medallions, the Newport Jamaica Jerk Fest at King Park on Aug. 22 and a series of newportFILM Outdoors screenings at venues across the city from June through August.
The consent calendar also includes communications related to the Newport Public Schools budget. The council is set to receive a notice from Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain regarding a projected school budget deficit, continued from April 22, as well as a Strategic Fiscal Recovery and Structural Realignment Plan prepared by Jermain in collaboration with Executive Finance Director Ronald Gonsalves and city officials. The council will also receive recommendations from the Newport Beach Commission regarding the future viability and resilience of Easton’s Beach.
Under licenses and permits, the council will hold a second hearing on a new entertainment license for SWM Hospitality NPT, doing business as Chomp Kitchen & Drinks at 111 Broadway. The council will also consider a special event license and road closure request for Bike Newport’s Elliot’s Ride for Everyone, set for June 6 at Rogers High School.
The council is also scheduled to consider several resolutions, including one supporting the Coastal Resources Management Council application of Castle Hill Inn for an aquaculture farm, continued from May 13; a resolution amending the rules of the council; a resolution requesting that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation expedite Bannister’s Wharf improvements; and a resolution establishing membership terms for the Standing Charter Review Commission.
Communications from the city manager include a contract renewal for Polymorphic AI, an amendment to a T-Mobile cellular site lease agreement at the Lawton Valley facility and the award of a contract for renovations to the Florence Gray Center.
The council will then adjourn and convene as the Board of License Commissioners, which is scheduled to hold a hearing on an application from the Hotel Viking to expand its licensed premises by adding a portable bar to its patio area and extending service into Spa Fjor, continued from April 8.
Supporting documents for the agenda are available at clerkshq.com/newport-ri.
