Things got hot at Newport City Hall Tuesday night when Councilor Xay Khamsyvoravong dropped a political bombshell—accusing City Manager Colin Kennedy of a potential charter violation over a behind-the-scenes departmental shakeup.
At the center of the firestorm? Newport’s Resilience and Sustainability Department, a recently minted city entity designed to streamline Public Services, Planning, and Utilities under one command. But when this year’s budget hit the table, councilors were blindsided: Utilities had quietly vanished from the department’s purview—without a whisper of council approval.
“If I sound angry, it’s because I am,” Khamsyvoravong snapped, slamming Kennedy for what he called an “unauthorized dismantling” that may have flouted the City Charter.
Councilors appeared stunned to learn that the restructuring may have already taken place, prompting Khamsyvoravong to accuse the administration of attempting a post-hoc rubber stamp. “Just like we were asked to approve a stop sign already installed or a speed camera in the wrong place,” he fumed.
Pressed on the reporting structure, Kennedy dodged, vaguely stating that he and Resilience Director Teresa Crean had been “operating in tandem.” That wasn’t good enough.
“The charter gives the council—not the city manager—authority to structure departments,” Khamsyvoravong shot back. “If the Utilities Director hasn’t been reporting to the Resilience Director, that’s a charter violation.”
Kennedy’s defense? Staffing issues. But Khamsyvoravong wasn’t buying it, pointing out that Public Safety—with over 200 employees—remains untouched, while a smaller department was gutted in silence.
He capped off the showdown with a demand: the city solicitor must investigate the restructuring’s legality.
“There will be digging,” he warned. “And if we’ve been lied to, I’ll lead the charge on a charter violation.”
Stay tuned—this fight’s just heating up.
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