Stormwater runoff on Gibbs Avenue
Summary
The council took the first step toward a stormwater fee based on a property's impervious surface instead of water usage. Staff say it's fairer and more transparent, but nonprofits, churches, and large institutions could face significant new bills. Second reading still ahead, with possible exemptions and credits (up to 50%) to be debated.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 3
Rising — discussed at 3 meetings since Oct 20, 2026, up from 0 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
Could shift roughly $4-5 million of utility revenue onto a per-property stormwater fee starting no earlier than July 2027.
Light water users and seasonal residents whose properties still load the stormwater system but currently pay little.
Nonprofits, churches, and large impervious-surface properties — including Newport Hospital — could see substantial new bills.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Newport City Council (Regular) - Oct 28, 2026
The council took the first step toward a stormwater fee based on a property's impervious surface instead of water usage. Staff say it's fairer and more transparent, but nonprofits, churches, and large institutions could face significant new bills. Second reading still ahead, with possible exemptions and credits (up to 50%) to be debated.
Zoning Board of Review - Regular October 2026 Meeting - Oct 26, 2026
A neighbor testified that nearby development turned permeable lawn into pavement and his basements flooded five feet in a major storm. The board used the driveway case to require pervious material and/or an engineered stormwater plan with utilities director approval — a small fix in an area seeing growing runoff problems.
Newport City Council Workshop- Stormwater Utility Fee and Sewer Obligations for FY28 - Oct 20, 2026
Newport is deciding whether to charge properties based on hard surfaces like roofs and pavement instead of hiding stormwater costs in the sewer bill. About 1,000 paved properties currently pay nothing, while the top 5% of water users pay over half the cost. Typical homeowners would likely see similar or slightly lower bills; big pavement-heavy parcels would pay more.
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