Ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, you can find your polling place and see a sample ballot at vote.sos.ri.gov. I urge you to reject Question 5 to regionalize Newport and Middletown school districts. The question is not true regionalization and will lock Newport and Middletown into a separate school model for the foreseeable future, with no guaranteed savings or educational benefits. RIDE has stated that they would support future regionalization discussions if Question 5 fails, including a path to combined schools. We can do better.
The deliberation on a two-tiered residential tax program will continue during this week’s Council meeting. Following discussion during last month’s workshop and Council meeting, the City Solicitor prepared some additional amendments to make the program more effective in focusing on year-round residents. This program is aimed at incentivizing year-round residency, including renters. The amendments would allow for the resident tax rate to apply to an individual’s owner-occupied home and other properties they own with year-round tenants. It is crucial that renters are included as we continue to work on improving the cost of living for residents, as this amendment allows.
I worked with Councilor McCalla on a resolution to re-establish the Tax Relief Ad-Hoc Committee to study the implementation and effectiveness of the two-tiered tax program. The re-established Committee would also assist with developing a communications strategy to enroll residents. The Committee would present the Council with their findings next summer to be used as a tool to refine the tax program.
The Council will also be voting on an update to the City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan; this plan is required to be updated every five years to ensure Newport’s eligibility for mitigation grant funding. The City needs outside funding and grants to implement solutions to stormwater runoff, sea-level rise, flooding, and other Climate Change related issues. This updated plan will guide the City in tackling these hazards.
I’m closing out this newsletter with another reminder to vote on Monday at City Hall or Tuesday at your polling place. We’ve seen local elections decided by a handful of votes, and it is local government that most impacts your day-to-day life. Your vote matters and can be used to effect change. I urge you to keep that in mind as you make your choices on November 8th.