Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 89

7 Community Services & Facilities
City governments have many responsibilities to their citizens. One of the responsibilities is to
provide community services and facilities. These services and facilities largely contribute to the
publics’ quality of life and can help lay the foundation for transforming a city from being just a
place to live into a home. This chapter examines the community services and facilities that
Newport offers its residents. It should be noted that potable water, wastewater and storm
water are addressed separately in Chapter 13.
Since Newport’s population is
projected to continue to decline over
the next 20 years, there are no
anticipated increases in the amount
of services required. Between 2000
and 2010, Newport’s total population
decreased by 6.8%, from 26,475 to
24,672 persons, a loss of 1,803
persons. As a result, the focus of the
Community Facilities and Services
element concentrates on assessing
community needs, goals, and
strategies for the purpose of
maintaining a high level of service
and recommending improvements to
the city’s facilities and services.

Although there is an overall
decrease in the Newport
population, the city experiences
an expansion of population in
the summer season due to
summer residents and tourists.
The city must take this into
consideration when planning for
services and facilities throughout
Newport.

7.1 Existing Conditions
Government Structure

The City of Newport, by charter, is governed by a Council-Manager form of government. Council
members are elected every two years, three members serving at large, and four members
serving from a specific ward of the city. The Council is empowered to enact local legislation,
adopt budgets, and determine policy.
The Council appoints a City Solicitor, Probate Judge, and Municipal Court Judge. With the
exception of the School Committee, whose members are elected through City-wide elections,
members of City Boards and Commissions are appointed by the Council to serve for definite
terms. The City Council is also charged with acting as the Board of License Commissioners.
The City Manager serves at the pleasure of the Council and is authorized to execute the laws and
administer the government of the city. The Manager is charged with specific duties in
connection with the administration of the city. Under the provisions of the City Charter, the
Manager is responsible for the appointment of department heads within the city administration.
Ten departments report directly to the City Manager. Figure 7-1 displays the City of Newport’s
organizational chart.

Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016)

Page 7-1