[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6535745,"mediaKeyId","3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde","parentId",3365147,"title","Council discusses downtown redevelopment, railroad right-of-way constraints; Farmers Market shows early growth","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",335000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde&start=335&end=335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde/thumbnail_335000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6535745/Newport/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Council-discusses-downtown-redevelopment-railroad-right-of-way-constraints-Farmers-Market-shows-early-growth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535745-8c329875449f62a36c747e028fae35f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157226&Signature=lKwMnNj53uDFxUCdOkGGT7ndKiMeObHd-RkDhHIDQwjTl0Ndzz1oMccVuIHQUvZ3y0~xt8GQP5eeGivPJ~jYe86wBu69KSP-od-VZqzqUldVplHwtxC7kVxOYbVGq6PRuPzDboHaOJbq0WOxYZKFQzm~To~7ALUwJeG-f2-PmohFJc-I6ZiPetVe1ErPUo8rGHHFl78BkweoiOybR1XvgF5~xiBsJdBeJbfd~iuGpMqFGc1ceNvvDiLfp4g9oK-HANs4vbnjWA8HLx4Db8VbwjmMsuhfZ9UYc~kzDm7Qfs~kikiC2xqhhuKp8J2pmP7oqrprxlDZixtY54VDA0kWbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport","date","2025-05-18T02:02:15Z","article","Council members and the city administrator discussed several downtown redevelopment matters, including negotiations to sell Main Street properties, concerns about demolition timing, and railroad right-of-way rules that affect redevelopment near the tracks.

City Administrator James Fincher reported that a buyer (Aaron McMahon was mentioned by name as a potential buyer) has emerged for Main Street parcels and that the buyer wants coordinated demolition and streetscape work so the city avoids repeated disruptions. The administrator said developers prefer to demolish and redevelop in a coordinated timetable so the city “rips up” Woodlawn once rather than multiple times.

Fincher and others also explained that railroad rules can impose tight timelines: in the meeting they discussed a railroad right-of-way rule that was described as a 100-foot control (50 feet on either side of centerline was also discussed). The city administrator said the railroad’s policy often requires property owners to rebuild promptly after demolition or else the owner may face restrictions on future rebuilding; the railroad’s insurance- and right-of-way policies were cited as reasons property owners have delayed demolition. Council members said they are exploring potential workarounds with staff and the railroad but cautioned the railroad has historically been difficult to work with.

Separately, the city reported early success with the downtown Farmers Market. The market opened two Saturdays prior to the meeting and was described as growing from five vendors to eight (and later to ten vendor slots) with average attendance near 100 people during its first two weeks. The city adjusted hours because sellers were selling out early and added vendor canopies to accommodate growth.

Council said staff is pursuing negotiations on multiple downtown lots (including a church parcel treated as a separate transaction) and will coordinate streetscape and beautification projects with redevelopers where possible. Council members noted the importance of timing demolition, relocation of small businesses and street construction to minimize repeated disruption to downtown traffic and pedestrian access.

No formal council action was taken on redevelopment at the meeting; the council accepted the Farmers Market update and directed staff to continue negotiations and to explore potential solutions for railroad right-of-way constraints with due diligence.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Newport TN City Council Meeting May 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members discussed prospective Main Street property sales and redevelopment plans, constraints imposed by railroad right-of-way rules, and received an update that the new Farmers Market has expanded vendor participation and attendance.","taxTitle","Newport, Cocke County, Tennessee","taxId",71273,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6535749,"Council debate touches firefighter scheduling, overtime and budget implications",338,2065000,2403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde&start=2065&end=2403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde/thumbnail_2065000.jpg","/articles/6535749/Newport/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Council-debate-touches-firefighter-scheduling-overtime-and-budget-implications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535749-6b154015825974c42bd744a46f6ae25d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157226&Signature=bpIkz0RBof8o7kxJnnLhLG68GwpnsPjMPU0CKX-mfcbrSbk4E1c19urLPouMVS8~UnWFVm~qA5UUxNnidbk-h5ldJvhPag64OEuVoq5YHgr4zSQpd6~LngslcE92TeLtfWYH7L66km10rzIcwv8SdSnixWx-KXSDUZ~w-dfO1SCHhUUsHJZx2OI6wHIt7CToW2HYlULkeDZKuN0u9qkvApnszSCGuSRNwY5d0PcaR4ynY7YktQs41Jsb~y2SPUMrFPCYzn-IALE5X9xLfDWfP8alOkHXUwEID1vSPI2FT0OuAFrw5Fcyr1twyJdrxOZwVoD2-pIR7d7TTHnT4Fj-Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During initial discussion of the proposed FY 2025–26 budget (Ordinance 2025-209), Alderman Ray (last name reported in transcript as a council member) raised concerns about staffing and scheduling practices that have required firefighters to take mandatory “Kelly” days to control overtime costs.

The alderman said the city adopted a policy several years ago that required firefighters to take a day off every third pay period to avoid overtime expense. He urged the council and administration to restore regular staffing so firefighters would work the scheduled 24-hour shifts and be off 48 hours, as originally hired, rather than being forced to take mandatory off days. The council member said the “Kelly” policy results in individual firefighters losing days (he cited four forced days off per year under the arrangement) and expressed a preference to restore normal schedules when the budget allows.

The alderman explained the overtime calculation is driven by the 28-day pay-period system used for shift work; forcing the mandatory day-off affects overtime thresholds and increases overtime in some pay periods. He said the current budget review suggested the administration anticipated removing the mandatory Kelly-day requirement, which he supported, but later realized budget text or implementation assumptions differed.

Council discussion did not produce a final decision at the meeting; the administration and council recorded the budget ordinance on first reading and will return for further consideration. Several members expressed support for restoring staffing where fiscally possible, and one alderman asked staff to look for ways to fund returning personnel to their originally intended schedules.

No formal vote on the specific scheduling policy change occurred; the council did approve the first-reading budget ordinance, which will return for future action where staffing and overtime issues can be resolved in budget hearings.","During first-reading budget discussion, an alderman urged restoration of firefighter and police shift schedules and elimination of mandatory 'Kelly' days that force staff to take unpaid/forced days off to control overtime costs.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6535752,"Newport council approves architect for police and animal-control project; animal shelter funding to include Mulvey bequest",293,3160000,3453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde&start=3160&end=3453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde/thumbnail_3160000.jpg","/articles/6535752/Newport/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Newport-council-approves-architect-for-police-and-animal-control-project-animal-shelter-funding-to-include-Mulvey-bequest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535752-5e83af079d2ee4891a1b06337bcf2504/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157226&Signature=XvagEVqtn~Kah1UYUFEef7zq9V5UFSpoO9AmffBV6KMy7ChKP1snAgMwZalzP2WeoMsHfraDmpLxqLhI7Xjhx7AKhtNIaf05oMo4SSPGr7~L0PcJ9KkqOFNi72H0fC6LcUwbf4eU3EFaqxBsU6CsoZnC8ek2k4IgwWGE-93ya8bEC7niRX6O9DpBhkATqkuE7eYDv~wt3cGZtNvOPjbPPQMW7IHjuB49nj2q1dFc-FINsxHPYl3AraSZmiWBJK0Pjr8eIlqZEvPWR6yYmnhss2lHd69W2jE67CcTs3B2bDWB~9TtXTRCweYcQhfCe8DIzetTa5gpYfPB9vUBrOoReA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newport City Council approved hiring Smelter architectural firm to design a new police department and an animal-control facility on a recently acquired parcel (Ryan property) on Cope Boulevard.

City Administrator James Fincher said the city is in the process of purchasing approximately eight acres of property (six acres intended for construction) and expects design and construction to be a two-year effort. The selection of Smelter’s firm was based on a prior working relationship: the firm previously worked on Newport police department remodeling and is currently leading similar municipal projects in nearby jurisdictions.

Council members approved the recommendation despite architects and engineers not being subject to a formal bid law; the administration presented the decision for council confirmation to keep auditors and the public record informed. The city aims to keep the design within a constrained budget; Fincher noted a target near $5 million for the police project, while pointing out larger projects in neighboring jurisdictions exceed that amount.

On the animal-control side, council discussion confirmed the shelter will be a joint effort with Cocke County and is intended to be funded in part from an estate bequest left by a local donor (referred to in the meeting as Miss Mulvey). Fincher said the donor left one million dollars total: $500,000 to the city, $500,000 to the county and $500,000 to the local humane society; the city’s portion is being received in $100,000 annual installments. The city has already received two installments totaling $200,000 and will receive another $100,000 at the end of the fiscal year. The administration said the plan is to build a roughly $1,000,000 shelter; because the bequest is paid over time, the city expects to finance construction up front and recover the donor proceeds over subsequent years.

No specific design scope, contract amount for architectural services, or final construction budget was included in the meeting materials; administration staff said they would bring the services agreement and scope to the council for approval and to satisfy audit documentation requirements.

Council approved the architect hire by motion; staff will proceed with a professional-services agreement and next-phase design work.","Council approved hiring Smelter architectural firm to design a new police department and animal-control facility. The animal shelter project is intended as a joint city–county effort and will draw on installments of a donor bequest.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6535758,"Independent auditor gives Newport clean opinion for FY 2024; no material weaknesses reported",742,1157000,1899000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde&start=1157&end=1899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde/thumbnail_1157000.jpg","/articles/6535758/Newport/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Independent-auditor-gives-Newport-clean-opinion-for-FY-2024-no-material-weaknesses-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535758-2e70ba41ac69f77715d641f8c5da2bca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157226&Signature=POdw8CYDV1tM-gj4NKTuMLC6VA2oN68qGeyN-Ya5Iaa9POvg1lRxklEU9bIVmBsK9TZYQOAIlEpko3wKVP0bM7-HZfRZy8-vUFWngwxfOR1JHoT1gmEVVadsF7eFvFGkz7U6cRVjKeZ1tjZznvE0IlAYtVC1L6Dc0AfNIEhqQ43WnqbeH7hKesGuOKs1X7aVcy5LdqosOwKA3XZnw4uxoFv2tLHBtL9FkwdNbis6rX6SCyxcEeGrCEnvT8zKdUg8dXDjNzSJM5k1fBab25-aU6M-EdiG0gMoF0yF4iQ0imn15950Z3WB2Sf54zkei69wYDASH0slug3XO1zX7HLqdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council received the annual audit from Brown, Jake & McDaniels, who reported an unmodified (clean) opinion on the City of Newport’s FY 2024 financial statements, including government-wide statements and fund statements.

Frank (auditor) told the council there were few adjusting entries (which city staff posted), no disagreements with management on accounting standards, and no reportable internal-control deficiencies or material weaknesses. The auditors also performed the uniform guidance (single audit) because city and school entities received more than $750,000 in federal funds; the single-audit testing of major federal programs produced a clean opinion with no questioned costs.

Key figures cited by the audit presenter: the city’s overall fund balance was reported at approximately $13,960,000 with an unassigned fund balance of about $13,662,820. The auditor said that ratio equates to roughly 100% of annual expenditures and noted it as a healthy position (the auditor said 50–75% is a healthy range). The general fund grew about $1.1 million during the fiscal year; the schools’ fund balance increased by about $1.3 million.

The audit includes required supplementary information, pension and post-employment benefit disclosures, debt amortization schedules and utility enterprise information. Prior-year school findings were reported as corrected in the current audit.

Council members thanked finance staff (Tina and James) for their work. The auditor noted that the city’s reserve funds were important in the city’s rapid recovery after a recent flood, but cautioned that those reserves would decline as flood-related rebuilding costs are incurred.

No formal council action was required on the audit presentation; members accepted the report and asked follow-up questions about specific disclosures and reporting timelines.","Brown, Jake & McDaniels presented the FY 2024 audit to council, reporting an unmodified (clean) opinion on the city and school financial statements and no findings in internal control or federal program testing.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6535762,"Newport council approves budget amendments, zoning changes and multiple contracts",4269,949000,5218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde&start=949&end=5218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3365147-e89e793cd590b91b69d51e479a900fde/thumbnail_949000.jpg","/articles/6535762/Newport/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Newport-council-approves-budget-amendments-zoning-changes-and-multiple-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535762-5d7da57203d3f8fe8adf1bc03f6142be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157226&Signature=Z~i3abfAPl7znSLdhqP6~D3AI6rt3ug-Fv1puXD7FGmqjfPfrPEd7slFdSNS2bpPOdp7~~FeJ9aeCmmOE2fvpAXgLT9tCZcNnFizgoelMW-X8vAt-YHgVJh3Zu-KJ63lLD7cgh5GzUAv4ttTrBqXMWbk0hvc2r~Z5d2cHUlnDkkD~sWuYGhobjlUI3Jx2e2U4W4PTG6kweYBXC0ZNTbP4-pB64e8pnyeI3IrbfNqp3sJHD3BXCM6rjGJ3WiP444seBXXpvZhf9Ml0AqHXHyCcXijcUyY85msgJTB0fcTkiZ0jxaxLOZEyifMjw8afelEMSb8hhsil7cQDxG7p1YaDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council of Newport, Tennessee, on a series of motions approved multiple budget amendments, zoning ordinance changes, a resolution adopting Hampton Way as a city street, several procurement contracts and permits for community events.

Council members unanimously approved second reading of Ordinance 2025-O-04 (a budget amendment for fiscal year 2024–25) and carried forward or took first-reading action on several other budget ordinances, including Ordinance 2025-O-07, 2025-O-08 (Newport Grammar School) and the 2025–26 proposed budget (Ordinance 2025-209) for consideration. The council also approved rezoning on West Highway 2570 (Ordinance 2025-O-05) from A-1 agricultural to C-2 commercial and amended the zoning ordinance to add overlay districts (Ordinance 2025-O-06).

Other approved items included resolution 2025-R-09 to adopt Hampton Way as a city street to enable property-line redrawing on the Cosby Highway frontage, approval of the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Downtown Newport events (Rhythm on the River, Harvest Street Festival and the Christmas parade), and renewal of the annual road-maintenance contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for $62,032.15.

Council also approved multiple city procurement items and contracts in separate votes: a brush-truck repair (CMI Equipment, $12,633.11), a replacement pickup truck (Stimming Chevrolet, $23,950), a storage building for the Tanner Building (Custom Crafted Construction, listed bid), painting and other Tanner Building repairs, replacement of a failed sewer run at the Tanner Building (Teddy Jones Construction, $39,000), self-contained-breathing-equipment for the fire department ($23,483, Sourcewell contract), community-center gym refinishing (Carolina Hardwood Constructions, $24,144.25) and playground equipment purchases for Port City Park (total $28,505). The council approved hiring Smelter architectural firm to design a new police department and animal-control facility.

All items called for a roll call when required; the meeting record shows the five regularly voting council members (Aldermen Mike Hansel, Louanna/Oettinger, Randy Reagan, Steve Smith and Vice Mayor Connie Ball) voting yes on the motions referenced in the minutes. Where roll-call details were recorded in the transcript, the motions carried as announced by the mayor.

The council did not record any negative roll-call tallies in the minutes provided; most motions were approved unanimously with no recorded nays or abstentions. Several items were on first reading and therefore subject to future public hearings and additional votes.

Votes at a glance (selected items)
- Ordinance 2025-O-04 (second reading): Budget amendment for FY 2024–25 — Motion carried (roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-05 (second reading): Rezoning West Highway 2570 from A-1 to C-2 — Motion carried (roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-06 (second reading): Add overlay-district section to zoning (Ch. 5 §501) — Motion carried (roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-07 (first reading): Budget amendment — Consideration approved (first reading; roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-08 (first reading): Budget amendment for Newport Grammar School — Consideration approved (first reading; roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-209 (first reading): FY 2025–26 annual operating/capital budget and tax rate — Consideration approved (first reading; roll call recorded).
- Ordinance 2025-O-10 (first reading): Replace/strengthen landscaping regulations in zoning (Ch. 3 §310) — Consideration approved (first reading; roll call recorded).
- Resolution 2025-R-09: Adopt Hampton Way as a city street (to allow lot-line realignment along Cosby Highway) — Approved by voice vote; motion carries.
- TDOT annual road maintenance contract — Approved; amount $62,032.15.
- Hire Smelter architectural firm for police department and animal control design — Approved.
- Multiple procurement approvals (brush truck repair, pickup truck, Tanner Building storage, painting, sewer replacement, breathing equipment, gym refinish, playground equipment) — Approved; line-item amounts noted in meeting packet and motions.

The council announced that several ordinances are on first reading and will return for subsequent votes; voters and interested parties should consult the city clerk’s office for future hearing dates and finalized vote tallies.","The Newport, Tenn., City Council approved a slate of budget amendments, zoning updates, a city street resolution, several procurement contracts and event permits during the meeting, with roll-call votes recorded for each action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council discusses downtown redevelopment, railroad right-of-way constraints; Farmers Market shows early growth

Council debate touches firefighter scheduling, overtime and budget implications

Newport council approves architect for police and animal-control project; animal shelter funding to include Mulvey bequest

Independent auditor gives Newport clean opinion for FY 2024; no material weaknesses reported

Newport council approves budget amendments, zoning changes and multiple contracts