BMA approves first responder parade

The Newport City Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) met in regular session on Tuesday at Newport City Hall.

Among the items addressed, the BMA approved a request made by Cocke County Sheriff C.J. Ball for a 9/11 parade. He explained the lineup would begin at 8 a.m. with the parade getting started on Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. He said the parade will stretch from the old ConAgra plant to the former Walmart location on West Broadway. He said the parade will consist of first responder vehicles and will be simple with no candy being thrown out.

The BMA also voted to waive the $500 parade permit fee for the 9/11 parade.

Ball told The Newport Plain Talk he is awaiting permission from businesses to park vehicles.

Vick reappointed

Brittany Wild Vick was reappointed another term as municipal judge. In addition, several resolutions were passed.

Resolution 2024-12, authorizing the City of Newport to participate in the Public Entity Partners Safety Partners Matching Grant Program. City Administrator James Finchum explained the city had participated in this program for about 30 years. It is a 50-50 matching grant, he said, that allows for the purchase of safety equipment.

Resolution 2024-13, authorizing the City of Newport to apply for the Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All Program. It was explained this is the first part of a two-part process and involves putting together a comprehensive safety action plan.

Resolution 2024-14 authorizing the City of Newport to hire administrative service for the Safe Streets for All Program. The administrative service recommended to handle the project is East Tennessee Development District (ETDD).

Consideration of an interlocal agreement between the City of Newport and Newport Utilities for the ARPA sewer replacement project at Richland Park.

Approved a budget transfer for Newport Grammar School after voting to suspend the rules to add the request to the agenda.

Bids, purchases and expenses

The BMA approved a bid for paving for fiscal year 2024-25. The only bid came from Newport Paving and Ready Mix. Street Superintendent Ben Hicks explained the cost is $5 more per ton over last year’s contract.

They approved a bid for the Newport Police Department seizure and tow contract. Chief Scott Lamb said that the contract was put up for bids after the death of Dru Ramsey at Newport Raceway Towing. Two bids had come in and the BMA approved the bid recommended by Lamb, which was from Gran Boys Towing.

Upon the request of Lamb, they approved the bid for two vehicles for the Newport Police Department. When you add equipment and graphics the total is $60,900 per vehicle. The funds were budgeted for the vehicles.