City Government

The City of Newport operates under a Council/Manager form of government. Under this form of government, the City Council appoints a City Manager who is the administrative head of the city, and is responsible for the proper administration of all city business.

The Newport City Council consists of a mayor and six councilors elected from the city at large. At the first Council meeting of the year the Council elects a Council President from among its membership. The Council President presides in the absence of the Mayor and acts as Mayor when the Mayor is unable to perform duties. The Mayor and City Council are volunteers and receive no compensation for their official duties.

The City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. Work sessions are usually held at noon, and the regular meeting is held at 6:00 P.M. City Council packets and audio files of Council meetings are posted on the city's website. Videotapes of City Council meetings are shown on Charter Channel 4 at 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, and 10:00 A.M., Thursday, during the second and fourth weeks of the month.

The Mayor appoints Committee members at the beginning of the year. Committees include: Planning Commission, Budget Committee, Retirement Board, Airport Committee, Library Board, Parks and Recreation Committee, Senior Advisory Committee, Destination Newport Committee, and the Pedestrian/Bicycle Committee. From time to time, the Mayor may appoint task forces or other groups to work on specific issues.