City of Newport | Mayor
Mayor's Office
About the Mayor's Office
Newport's City Charter provides for a City Council-City Manager form of government, with the Council comprised of seven members; one representative elected from each of the City's three voting wards and four elected City-wide, or at-large, for two-year terms.
According to the City Charter, only at-large representatives may be elected to serve as Chair of the Council.
In addition to presiding over meetings, the City Council Chair also carries with it the title of Mayor, recognized as the official head of the City for all ceremonial purposes. He or she is also tasked with signing and executing all contracts and making proclamations in the name of the City. In the absence of the Mayor, or in case of a disability, the Vice-Chair of the Council may be called upon to perform all duties of the Mayor.