City HallFriday, November 6
Newport's council passes stormwater utility ordinances on first reading, 6-1
The New in Newport team
If you pay a Newport sewer bill, a new line could be coming. The City Council voted 6-1 on Oct. 28 to pass three stormwater utility ordinances on first reading. Utilities' Robert Schulz said stormwater is now paid through a rate based on water usage, which he called "very skewed."
The stormwater fee plan comes down to a few figures
- $30 million
- estimated shortfall for infrastructure upgrades
- $15
- a month for most residential owners under the recommended tiers
- 50%
- maximum credit for runoff-reducing measures
- 400 sq. ft.
- of impervious surface, the threshold for a bill
Sources: Newport This Week, Uprise RI
Nothing is set yet. A recap of the meeting says the ordinances set no rate and start no billing. Any fee would begin no earlier than July 2027, and only if the council adopts a rate in the fiscal 2028 budget.
A stormwater fee could start in July 2027
- Oct. 28Council passes three stormwater ordinances on first reading, 6-1.
- FY2028In the budget, council can keep the wastewater structure with a higher rate, or approve a new stormwater fee.
- July 2027A stormwater fee would take effect, if established.
Sources: Newport This Week, Uprise RI
- Shifted to stormwater fee: $4 million to $5 million
- Nonprofits: no exemption built in, but council could consider one
- Naval Hospital rezoning second reading: continued to Nov. 18
- Sister City funding boost to $60,000: failed
Councilor David Carlin, the lone no vote, called the fee "an attempt to essentially tax rain." Councilors Ellen Pinnock and Xay Khamsyvoravong asked the utilities department to explore a nonprofit exemption.
Sources: Newport This Week, Uprise RI