NEWPORT – City officials are hosting their first state of the city address at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.
The event will give attendees a chance to hear about Newport’s progress, accomplishments, challenges and priorities.
The address takes place weeks before the November general election when positions for three city councilors, the mayor and a $38 million bond to fund infrastructure improvements will be on the ballot. But city officials say the state of the city address was planned as one of their 2026-27 goals as a way to increase community engagement and will become an annual event.
The state of the city address will be in the Performing Arts Center, 777 W. Olive St. Mayor Jan Kaplan, city council members and city manager Nina Vetter will lead the event. After the address, the city will host a reception until 7 p.m. where attendees are encouraged to connect with fellow community members and city representatives.
“The State of the City is an opportunity to reflect on where Newport has been, where we are today and where we are headed,” Vetter said in a news release announcing the event. “We look forward to bringing our community together and sharing what we have accomplished, and how we are preparing for the future.”
