Newport residents voiced concerns about various city issues during the Citizens Forum at the September 11 City Council meeting.
The most popular topic among those who spoke was a new $81 charge appearing on their August bills from the Newport Water Division.
Charles Conserva of Golden Hill St. criticized the recent sewer tax rate and flat fee. He argued the $81 rate hike disproportionately affects single residents and couples in one-bedroom homes using less than 1,000 gallons of water monthly.
Conserva also expressed frustration with the council’s lack of communication about the new fees, which were implemented without public discussion.
“You should be embarrassed. As far as I’m concerned, you’re all going to get voted out,” Conserva told the council.
Another resident, who identified herself as a cancer patient on a fixed income, echoed concerns about the sewer tax increase. She questioned why she must pay the same rate as larger households in mansions.
“I’ve got to pay what a mansion pays for the sewer tax with how many people they would have in their house and how many bathrooms, whatever that, you know, that are in the house,” she said.
TJ Perrotti presented data showing his water usage averages 2,500 gallons monthly, well below the new 4,100-gallon minimum. He argued the flat rate unfairly charges residents for water they don’t use.
Perrotti cited city statistics indicating 40% of residential customers use less than 1,000 gallons monthly. He urged the council to reconsider the baseline and how costs are distributed.
In a press release on September 10; the City of Newport provided the following background on the charge and changes;
Additionally, some customers in Newport may also notice a new charge appearing on their August bills with the introduction of a new Base Sewer Use Charge. The fee, which only applies to those customers including seasonal homeowners who may not meet a minimum use threshold, was included as part of this year’s budget process and took effect on July 1.
The new base use charge, which is calculated on usage of 4,100 gallons per month, is intended to more equitably distribute the cost of supporting the City’s sewer and stormwater system by more evenly spreading out the cost of maintenance across the system, rather than further burdening year-round residents with higher sewer rates and stormwater fees.
As outlined during the City’s budget process, Newport’s Sewer Rate has remained steady since 2019, with customers charged $19.80 for every 1,000 gallons used. On average, Newport Water Division’s efficient customers use roughly 4,100 gallons of water per month. Under the new billing structure, those customers can expect to pay roughly $97.18 per month in sewer charges and $51.94 per month in water fees. That equates to $3.19 per day for sewer and stormwater service, and $1.71 per day for water.
The Base Use Charge was designed to spare year-round customers from a more widespread increase that could have resulted in a nearly 41 percent price hike in sewer charges regardless of usage.
For example, customer households of one or two people who only use 2,000 gallons per month have seen their bill increase by $41.58 with the new base use charge. Without it, that increase would have been $55.74.
With over 147 miles of stormwater and sewer mains, and over 200 miles of water mains, Newport’s network of underground utilities is so expansive that it could run from Newport City Hall to New York City and back; stretch 5 times up to Boston; or be laid straight from the Newport Bridge to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.Maintaining that expanse is an arduous task. The Base Sewer Use fee is intended to be a first step toward a fairer cost of service while still maintaining the revenue needed to address the network’s urgent maintenance needs.
Newport City Council will host a public workshop on Wednesday, September 18, at 11 a.m. in the City Council Chambers to discuss “utility billing.”
According to the City of Newport’s press release, during this meeting councilors will “review all of the above while discussing potential ways to accommodate fixed or lower income residents. As always, the meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend”.
