June 15, 2010

Newport Budget Process

The City Manager’s proposed budget for FY2011 was submitted to Council at their meeting on April 28, 2010. A series of 4 budget workshops were conducted with the Council. The various departments present their portion of the budget and the Council asks questions for clarification. These are public meetings, but there is not opportunity for the public to comment or to ask questions.

The workshops were as follows:

1. May 5, 2010:  Seven departments presented – City Council, City Solicitor, Canvassing, City Clerk, City Manager/Human Resources/Grants/Special Events, Finance/Unallocated and Planning, Zoning, Development & Inspection.
2. May 6, 2010:  Presenting was: Library, Recreation, Public Services/Equipment Operations, Police and Fire.
3. May 10, 2010:  Utilities (Water Fund and Water Pollution Control Fund) and Economic Development (Harbor/Maritime Fund, Beach Fund and Parking Fund). These are enterprise funds and they strive to balance income and expenses but only the Water Fund must balance because the rates are set by the Public Utilities Commission. During the discussion, the Council indicated that the proposed increase in the Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) Fixed charge was not acceptable. The raise in rates is to fund CSO related projects that will bring Newport into compliance with the federal Clean Water Act. The Council suggested that other funds might be used to reduce the increase. The Council also suggested talking with the Rhode Island congressional delegation to seek relief
4. May 20, 2010:  School Department.

At the council meeting of May 12, the first public hearing on the budget and 1st reading of ordinances occurred. The Newport City budget consists of 6 separate ordinances. The public was allowed 3 minutes per person to speak at the beginning of the council meeting on issues not relating to a specific item on the docket for that council meeting, as long as you signed up with the Clerk prior to the Council meeting. During a public hearing, you merely need to be recognized by the chair of the meeting and can speak for up to 5 minutes. The proposed budget included revenue gained by the City expanding the automobile tax to include the first $6,000 of valuation. In the past the first $6,000 was exempt, because the state funded that portion, but the state has indicated that it will not fund this in 2011. The council voted not to expand the automobile tax and directed the City Manager to cut costs rather than increase this tax. The council voted down the budget.

On May 26 the Council received a new proposed budget for 2011 that included some of the changes suggested at the May 12th council meeting. The Council voted to make additional changes and asked the administration to incorporate these changes into the budget. Significant changes were: to hold the reserve to the 10% guideline (this would free up $500,000), voted not to transfer $250,000 from the Maritime Fund to the general fund, voted to remove funding for vacant positions in the Fire Department and reduce the Fire Department budget for overtime from $650,000 to $200,000. The Council also made clear its desire to fund the Other Post Employment Benefits trust (OPEB) at a higher level (instead of $750,000).  The first reading of the 6 budget ordinances passed.

An additional budget workshop will be held to discuss the changes to the 2011 budget prior to the June 9th Council meeting.

The Council meeting of June 9 will include the second public hearing on the 2011 budget, the 2nd reading of ordinances and vote for or against final adoption. A copy of the proposed budget for 2011 can be found on the city’s website.

April 20, 2010

LNG Forum- The Pros and Cons for Narragansett Bay

ALN President Bonnie Watson addressed a large and enthusiastic audience that braved a torrential downpour to attend the LNG Forum on 3/29/10 at CCRI, Newport. Ms. Watson introduced moderator Mike Kehew who began the roundtable discussion with Evan Smith, CEO of Newport & Bristol County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Gordon Shearer, CEO of Hess-Weaver's Cove and Jonathan Stone, Executive Director of Save the Bay.

March 15, 2010

Harbor Management Plan

A Revised Comprehensive Harbor Management Plan for Newport Harbor was recently adopted by the City Council.  By formally adopting the Plan, the Council has ensured that the City of Newport will have the advantages of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Commission compliance and support on harbor planning initiatives and grant funding.  See the Executive Summary and excerpt from City Council Minutes.

Photos by: Hank Kniskern

February 15, 2010

Senior Citizen Tax Exemption - Do you know someone who may qualify?

Approximately 150 residents of Newport currently take advantage of the senior citizen property tax exemption. According to Allan Booth, Newport Tax Assessor, it is difficult to know how many more may qualify. The city keeps no records of citizen’s ages. Each year Mr. Booth and his staff mail reminders to all seniors who qualified the previous year. Word of mouth may be the best way to find others who may qualify.

There are 3 basic criteria to be eligible for the exemption. The applicant must be 65 years old on December 31 of the year before he/she applies. The person must have owned and lived in the home for 5 years. Lastly, the income must be below $29,300 for a one person household or below $33,500 for a two or more person household.

For those who qualify 20% of the assessed value of their home is exempt from taxation. Since the 2009 tax rate is $9.52 the savings for the owner of a $300,000 home is $571 per year. Applications must be received by the tax assessor by March 15.

There are also several other tax exemptions and in general they are cumulative. Veterans who are Rhode Island residents automatically qualify for an exemption of $203 under the current tax rate. Veterans are also able to apply the exemption to their auto tax if they are not a home owner.

The other exemptions include help for persons who are legally blind or who have a temporary inability to pay. The tax assessor’s office is located on the first floor of City Hall and they can be reached at 845-5365. Forms are easy to access at the tax assessor’s page of the city website.

November 15, 2009

When City Government Works – A Success Story

Unique to Newport, driftways are the western ends of streets on Narragansett Bay. Most are located in the City’s historic Point neighborhood and offer access to the Bay. City ordinances give responsibility for managing the public driftways to the Harbormaster who is charged with keeping the driftways clear of all obstructions, allowing access to the water – a difficult task given the vague wording of the ordinance combined with neglectful behavior by dinghy owners. 
 
The problem of abandoned boats cluttering the driftways had been obvious to residents, local boaters and the Harbormaster for many years, but the perceived complexity of the situation was daunting. Nevertheless, the Waterfront Commission (WFC) chose to address the issue, beginning in the fall of 2008, after several residents voiced their concerns at WFC meetings.

The WFC drafted an Issue Review and Project Scope report in December 2009. This report, put together by WFC members, defined the numerous issues and presented data regarding obstruction of the driftways. For example, during the weekend of September 5-7, 2008, 104 boats were stored in the driftways at Pine, Cherry, Chestnut, Walnut, Willow and Poplar Streets, all in the Point area. Many of these dinghies appeared abandoned and interfered with access to the water.

The detailed report prompted the WFC to invite a representative from the Point Association to a meeting where serious discussion began. Friends of the Waterfront as well as the Harbormaster were already involved.

The Waterfront Commission’s process was to review the data and get the perspectives of those affected by the project to validate the problem and define criteria for alternative solutions. The Point residents’ insights and ideas made a tremendous difference in the quality of the ordinance proposal.

The City Council requires a minimum of two public readings of any proposed ordinance change before approval.  The advantage of up-front community participation is that a more thoughtful recommendation goes to the first City Council reading.The amended ordinance was unanimously approved by City Council in late spring, 2009, and it has been successfully implemented by the Harbormaster.

Both the old and new ordinance required that dinghies be removed from the driftway between November 30 and April 1. Most dinghies were not removed for the winter. None of the dinghies had identification, so enforcement was problematic. The new ordinance requires a $40 yearly identification decal ($60 non-resident). Non-registered dinghies were removed and impounded. Only a few were re-claimed at the City storage facility. This ordinance is similar to ones in comparable harbors. The funds from the registration fee will be used to provide additional facilities for dinghies.

Why did this approach work well? 
Residents and dinghy owners involvement was encouraged, and the WFC’s detailed study  encouraged broad and informed public discussion. Newport This Week provided good publicity in an article by Tom Shevlin who attended the WFC meeting in April, 2009. The WFC clearly defined the scope of the issues, investigated “best practices” used by other communities, captured the solution criteria gathered from the discussion forums, and identified alternatives. The collaboration by all involved groups led to the efficient resolution of a decade-old problem.