Newport City Council Meeting - May 27, 2026: Budget, School Deficit, and Aquaculture Farm Discussed
Newport City Council Meeting - May 27, 2026
The Newport City Council met on May 27, 2026, to address a full agenda including the FY27 budget, a projected school deficit of nearly $6 million, a resolution supporting an aquaculture farm at Castle Hill, and various special event licenses. The meeting featured public comments on tree removal, school funding, and the budget. Key outcomes included approval of the FY27 budget with a 3.95% tax levy increase, a decision to hold a special meeting on June 3 to discuss a loan for the school district, and the denial of a special event license for a candlelight concert at Belcourt Castle.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent calendar with exceptions, including items B2 (Road summer kiosk at Bowen's Wharf), C, and F (later handled separately).
- Approved event licenses: Charles Roberts slave history medallion celebration at Fort Adams (June 20, 2026), Neville Watson’s Jamaican Jerk Fest at King Park (August 2, 2026).
- Received communications: Superintendent’s notice of projected school budget deficit (voted 5-2 to receive); Strategic fiscal recovery plan (voted to receive with 2 opposed).
- Approved entertainment license renewals for 2026.
- Approved Elliott’s ride for everyone special event license (road closure approved 6-1).
- Appointed Zane Randall and Alexander Donlin to the Waterfront Commission.
- Authorized contract renewals: Polymorphic AI platform ($34,944), T-Mobile lease amendment, furniture for Florence Gray Community Learning Center ($300,000).
- Approved second reading of ordinance for conduit loan financing for clarifier project; amended parking ordinance on William Street.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lola Herrera (resident) expressed frustration over removal of centenary and mature trees by developers without public input, asking for policies to prevent this and for compensation for canopy loss. She noted a public meeting on May 28 at HUD regarding tree removal on Jones Street.
- Multiple residents and school committee members urged the council to increase taxes to fully fund schools, citing infrastructure needs and student impact. Beth Cullen and others advocated for the Rhode Island Education Funding and Accountability Act and regionalization.
- Commercial fishermen Harry Gould and Tom Doyle opposed the Castle Hill aquaculture farm, stating it would displace fishing grounds used for over 150 years and harm local livelihoods.
- Several speakers supported Elliott’s ride and the special event licenses.
Discussion Items
- School Budget Deficit: Council Carlin criticized the late notification of the projected deficit. Superintendent Jermaine and finance director provided context: a $1.8M shortfall for FY26 and a $2.7M expected deficit for FY27. The council received the communication and discussed options, including a loan from city reserves backed by state housing aid. A motion to reopen the discussion for a vote failed, but the council agreed to hold a special meeting on June 3 to decide.
- Castle Hill Aquaculture Farm: The council considered a resolution supporting CRMC application for an oyster farm. After public opposition and debate, a motion to continue the item to the next meeting failed, and the resolution was not voted on; effectively tabled.
- Belcourt Castle Event License: Councilor Carlin objected to the Fever Candlelight Concert, citing residential concerns and inappropriate use. The zoning officer stated it was permissible as an accessory use. The council voted against the event license (2-5).
- Budget Change Sheet and FY27 Budget: The council received the change sheet with a 3.95% levy increase, providing an additional $1.8M for roads and sidewalks. Director Nolan presented mill rates: owner-occupied at $7.177 (unchanged), non-owner occupied $9.602, commercial $10.76, tangible $14.88. An oral amendment by Council Carlin to redirect sidewalk funds to schools was withdrawn. The budget was approved.
- Personnel Ordinance: The council approved additional positions: two laborers (general fund), a parking supervisor (enterprise fund), and six utilities positions (enterprise fund). Council Smith suggested a personnel audit.
Key Outcomes
- FY27 Budget Approved: The council voted to approve the FY27 operating budget with a 3.95% tax levy increase, maintaining no increase for owner-occupied properties (average $99 decrease).
- School Deficit Plan: A special council meeting was scheduled for June 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM to further discuss a proposed loan of $2.7M to the school district, including $1.2M from city reserves and a $1.5M restricted reserve, contingent on state approval and not counting toward maintenance of effort.
- Belcourt Castle Event Denied: The special event license for an events at Belcourt Castle was denied by a 2-5 vote.
- Elliott’s Ride Approved: The special event and road closure were approved for June 6, 2026 (9 AM-12 PM) on Hazard Road and Ocean Avenue, with the road closure passing 6-1.
- Rules of Council Amended: The council adopted updated rules of council, including provisions for orientation of new members and clarifying meeting types. An amendment to allow resolutions 48 hours before the meeting was retained.
- Bannister’s Wharf Safety Resolution: A unanimous resolution requested RIDOT expedite a traffic signal installation, originally scheduled for 2028.
- Tree Removal Concerns: Public comment highlighted ongoing issues; no immediate action but noted for future policy discussion.
Meeting Transcript
All right, Madam Clerk, take a roll call, please. David Carlin. Here. Lynn Underwood Segway. Here. Charlie Holder. Here. So I can't see for one. Here. Jean Marie Napolitano. Here. Ellen Pannock. Here. Stephanie Smith. Here. There is a quorum present, Mr. Chair. Please stand for Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance. The United States of America. And we will republican one nation under our individual justice for all. Yes, Lola Herrera. Just as a reminder, Lola, state your name and address. Good evening, counselors. My name is Lola Herrera, and I live in 59 Bedrough Avenue. I'm a commissioner. I'm serving as a commissioner, but I'm not going to talk on behalf of any commission. I'm speaking as a private citizen. I want to bring the attention to something that is becoming very frustrating for me and I think other residents in Newport. This is something funny. Do you remember the movie The Lorax? You know, the Lorax. So many of you probably watch it with your children or your grandchildren. It's a story about protecting trees and the environment from unchecked development and profit-driven decisions. Sometimes I feel we are living in a version of the Lorax in Newport. A few months ago, as a resident near the Broadway area, I learned that centenary trees were cut down by a private developer to make way for apartment construction. Yesterday I learned that more trees near the Hall of Fame are expected to be removed to accommodate another hotel. Additionally, and equally concerning, seven public trees on Jones Street are scheduled to be cut in the coming days to accommodate the same development project bordering Jones Street. Once again, residents learn about these decisions after the fact when little can be done. This feels very contradictory and frustrating for many points of view. On one hand, the city invests time and money into plans to improve parks, expand green spaces, and increase Newport tree canopy, which we know is among the lowest in Rhode Island after Central Falls. On the other hand, we continue allowing the removal of mature and centennial trees for large scale developments. Newport has already experienced significant hotel and tourist development over many years. The concern many residents have is that growth will continue without the same level of protection for neighborhoods. Public green space and the tree canopy that residents are repeatedly told are important priorities in the plans that we always pay as a taxpayer. So economic growth should not come at the permanent expense of our city environmental health and liability. We ask residents to participate in workshops, community meetings, and planning processes. But what message we are sending if those goals are not reflected in actual decisions? These are not decorations. So I ask you, how can we seriously talk about sustainability and resilience?
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